Transcriptional control of mitochondrial biogenesis: the central role of PGC-1α

R Ventura-Clapier, A Garnier… - Cardiovascular …, 2008 - academic.oup.com
R Ventura-Clapier, A Garnier, V Veksler
Cardiovascular research, 2008academic.oup.com
Although the concept of energy starvation in the failing heart was proposed decades ago,
still very little is known about the origin of energetic failure. Recent advances in molecular
biology have started to elucidate the transcriptional events governing mitochondrial
biogenesis. In particular, a great step was taken with the discovery that peroxisome
proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator (PGC-1α) is the master regulator of
mitochondrial biogenesis. The molecular mechanisms underlying the downregulation of …
Abstract
Although the concept of energy starvation in the failing heart was proposed decades ago, still very little is known about the origin of energetic failure. Recent advances in molecular biology have started to elucidate the transcriptional events governing mitochondrial biogenesis. In particular, a great step was taken with the discovery that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator (PGC-1α) is the master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis. The molecular mechanisms underlying the downregulation of PGC-1α and the consequent decrease in mitochondrial function in heart failure are, however, still poorly understood. Indeed, the main pathways involved in mitochondrial biogenesis are thought to be up- rather than down-regulated in pathological hypertrophy and heart failure. The current review summarizes recent advances in this field and is restricted to the heart when cardiac data are available.
Oxford University Press