Role of nuclear receptor coregulators in metabolism

Understanding the molecular regulation of metabolism will lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis and treatment of common metabolic conditions, including obesity and diabetes. Nuclear receptors are a family of transcription factors, many of which play major roles in regulating metabolic genes in key tissues. They function by recruiting coregulators to the promoters of metabolic genes that can either activate or repress transcription. This review examines the roles of these coregulators in the control of metabolism in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, and discusses how they result in coordinated and regulated control of metabolic pathways. In particular, the ligand-dependent recruitment of both coactivators and corepressors has potential implications for the treatment of obesity and diabetes.