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Review
. 2019 Feb 1;9(2):198-211.
eCollection 2019.

The metabolic modulator PGC-1α in cancer

Frederic Bost  1 , Lisa Kaminski  1
Affiliations
Review

The metabolic modulator PGC-1α in cancer

Frederic Bost et al. Am J Cancer Res. .

Abstract

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α) is a central modulator of cell metabolism. It regulates mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative metabolism. Modifications and adaptations in cellular metabolism are hallmarks of cancer cells, thus, it is not surprising that PGC-1α plays a role in cancer. Several recent articles have shown that PGC-1α expression is altered in tumors and metastasis in relation to modifications in cellular metabolism. The potential uses of PGC-1α as a therapeutic target and a biomarker of the advanced form of cancer will be summarized in this review.

Keywords: PGC1 alpha; breast cancer; melanoma; metabolism; mitochondria; pancreatic cancer; prostate cancer.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The PGC-1 protein family members. Schematic representation of the three members of the PGC-1 family, indicating their different regions and the % of homology between each member in the N and C-terminal region of the co-activators.
Figure 2
Figure 2
PGC-1α, a co-activator implicated in several biological functions. PGC-1α gene expression is mainly regulated by three transcription factors (CREB, ATF2 and MEF2) that bind to the CREB-responsive element (CRE) and myocyte enhancer factor-2 (MEF2). The protein is also regulated by post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation, deacetylation, acetylation and methylation. PGC-1α interacts with numerous transcription factors and is implicated in several biological functions.
Figure 3
Figure 3
PGC-1α and cancer. Schematic summary of the different roles of PGC-1α in melanoma, breast, prostate and pancreatic cancer. The expression of PGC-1α is associated with modifications to cancer cell metabolism, different phenotypes associated with the aggressiveness of the cancer and patient survival.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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