Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors

Human PPARγ bound to RXRα and PPRE DNA strand, 3dzy

The Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPAR) α, γ, and δ are members of the nuclear receptor family. Since their discovery in the early 90s, it has become clear that the PPARs are essential modulators of external stimuli, acting as transcription factors to regulate mammalian metabolism, cellular differentiation, and tumorigenesis. The PPARs are the targets of numerous pharmaceutical drugs aimed at treating hypolipidemia and diabetes among other diseases.^[1] For details on PPARγ see PPAR-gamma.

Biological Role

PPAR Mechanism of Action in the Human Body

Transcription of individual genes in eukaryotic cells is controlled very precisely at a number of different levels. One key level is the binding of specific DNA binding transcriptional factors such as nuclear receptors, to facilitate RNA polymerase function. Unliganded PPARs form a heterodimer with retinoid X receptor (RXR), specifically RXRα. This heterodimer binds to the Peroxisome Proliferator Response Element (PPRE), a specific DNA sequence present in the promoter region of PPAR-regulated genes. ^[2] Also associated with this unliganded heterodimer is a co-repressor complex which possesses histone deacetylation activity. This results in a tight chromatin structure, preventing gene transcription. ^[3] This co-repressor complex is released upon ligand binding (typical ligands include lipids and eicosanoids), allowing various co-activators and co-activator-associated proteins to be recruited. These protein complexes facilitate chromatin remodeling and DNA unwinding along with linkage to RNA polymerase II machinery, necessary steps for transcription. The genes transcribed upon activation are insulin responsive genes involved in the control of glucose production, transport and utilization. This makes agonists of PPAR insulin sensitizers. Some PPAR related co-activators include CBP (Histone Acetylation), SRC-1,2,3 (Chromatin Acetylation), ^[4] PGC-1 (Recruit HAT activities), PRIC-285,320 (Chromatin Remodeling via Helicase activity)^[5]and PIMT (RNA Capping via methyltransferase activity)^[6].

PPARs regulate diverse biological processes varying from lipid and carbohydrate metabolism to inflammation and wound healing. While PPARα is the major regulator of fatty acid oxidation and uptake in the liver, PPARγ is expressed at extremely high levels in adipose tissue, macrophages, and the large intestine, and controls lipid adipogenesis and energy conversion. ^[7]PPARδ is expressed in most tissues and plays diverse roles involved in metabolism and wound healing. ^[8] These nuclear receptors are of critical importance to the body as exemplified by PPARα knockdown mice suffering from a variety of metabolic defects including hypothermia, elevated plasma free fatty acid levels, and hypoglycemia, potentially leading to death.^[9]

Natural Ligands

PPAR gamma binds polyunsaturated fatty acids like linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid at affinities that are in line with serum levels found in the blood. PPARα binds a variety of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids including palmitic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and arachidonic acid.^[10] PPARδs ligand selectivity is intermediate between that of the other isotypes and is activated by palmitic acid and a number of eicosanoids.^[11]

PPAR Structure

Ligand Binding Domain

The structures of the PPARs are very similar over each isotype. All PPAR isotypes have a ligand binding domain (LBD). The LBD, which is located in the C-terminal half of the receptor, is composed of 13 α-helices and a four-stranded ß-sheet. (2f4b) is Y-shaped and consists of an .^[12] The ligand binding pocket of PPARs is quite large (about 1400 cubic angstroms) in comparison to that of other nuclear receptors which allows the PPARs to interact with numerous structurally distinct ligands.^[12]. Within Arm I, four polar resides are conserved over all PPAR isotypes, in the case of PPARα. These residues are part of a hydrogen bonding network that interacts with the carboxylate group of fatty acids and other ligands upon binding.^[13] The (1kkq), whose function is to generate the receptors’ co-activator binding pocket, is located at the C-terminal end of the LBD.^[14] The conserved hydrogen bonding network in , promoting co-activator binding.^[15] and is thus ideal for binding the hydrophobic tail of fatty acids via Van der Waals interactions.

Despite over 80% of the ligand binding cavity residues being conserved over all PPAR isotypes, it is the remaining 20% that creates the ligand specificity seen between isotypes. A few examples illustrate this point. In PPARδ, the cavity is significantly narrower adjacent to the AF-2 helix and Arm I. This prevents PPARδ from being able to accommode large headed TZDs and L-tyrosine based agonsists. In the case of PPARα, PPARα does not bind ligands with large carboxylate head groups because of as compared to PPARγ which has a smaller equivalent residue in His323.^[15] Or in the case of binding some benzenesulfonamide derivatives, the (2g0g) in the case of PPARγ is lost in PPARα (Ile354) and PPARδ(Ile 363)^[15]

AF-2 Domain: Structure and Function

As briefly mentioned before, the AF-2 domain is essential for ligand binding and (2prg) function. Upon ligand binding, helix H12 of AF-2 closes on the ligand-binding site, reducing conformational flexibility of the LBD and assuming a structure that is ideal for co-activator binding. Using Molecular Dynamic simulations, it has been determined that residues (in PPARγ) are involved in a hydrogen bond network that stabilizes the AF-2 helix in the active conformation upon ligand binding.^[15]

Co-Activator & Co-Repressor Binding

The transcriptional activity of is regulated by its interaction with co-activators like SRC-1 or CBP and co-repressors like SMRT. ^[15]Co-activators like CBP contain a conserved LXXLL motif where X is any amino acid, and use this to bind a hydrophobic pocket on the receptor surface formed by the stabilized AF-2 helix H12.^[16] In the case of the PPARγ/rosiglitazone/SRC-1 complex, the LXXLL motif helix of SRC-1 forms These charged residues are conserved across PPAR isotypes and form the “charge clamp,” an essential component for co-activator stabilization in the PPAR LBD.^[17]

When PPAR is bound to a co-repressor, the , preventing the AF-2 H12 helix from occupying its active state. This in turn eliminates the charge clamp between PPAR and a prospective co-activator.^[16] Notice the

Formation of Heterodimer with RXR

The interface of PPAR and RXR is composed of an intricate and which show remarkable complementarity. For the PPARγ-RXRα dimer the dimmer interface interactions are particularly extensive. ^[16]

DNA Binding Domain Structure

PPARs also contain a DNA binding domain (DBD) The (3dzy), one on PPAR and one on RXR, that bind PPREs of PPAR-responsive genes. The consensus sequence of PPREs is AGGTCA and has been found in a number of PPAR inducible genes like acyl-CoA oxidase and adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein.^[18] Chandre et al. have demonstrated that the DNA PPRE allosterically contributes to its own binding via a using residues Gln206 and Arg209 on RXRα and Asn160 on PPARγ.^[19]

Binding of Synthetic Agonists and Medical Implications

A number of synthetic agonists have been developed to bind to to fight metabolic diseases like diabetes. These agonists include troglitazone (Rezulin), pioglitazone (Actos), and rosiglitazone (Avandia). These agonists function in a similar fashion, by binding to the active site of PPARγ, activating the receptor. Rosiglitazone occupies roughly 40% of the LBD. It assumes a U-shaped conformation with the TZD head group forming a . Rosiglitazone forms hydrogen bond interactions with H323 and H449 and its TZD group, the sulfur atom of the TZD occupies a hydrophobic pocket formed by Phe363, Glu286, Phe282, Leu330, Ile326 and Leu469, and the central benzene ring occupies a pocket formed by Cys285 and Met364.^[12]

Human PPARα agonist, Ciprofibrate (Modalim)

Despite their structural similarities, each member of the PPAR family is localized to certain parts of the body. Location of receptor partially determines their function in the body and also the different roles they can play in medicine as drug targets. PPARγ is responsible for lipid metabolism and cellular energy homeostasis. It binds genes that transcribe proteins which act as fatty acid transporters, are critical in insulin signaling and glucose transport, catalyze glycerol synthesis from triglycerides, and catabolize lipids. This makes PPARγ an ideal target to treat Diabetes.^[1] Also, recent research has indicated that some PPAR agonists like Rosiglitazone can induce apoptosis of macrophages and would thus serve as excellent anti-inflammatory targets.^[20] PPARα has been shown to play a critical role in the regulation of uptake and oxidation of fatty acids. This makes PPARα an excellent target for Atherosclerosis drugs which aim to reduce LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol, the two most common traits of atherosclerosis. The fibrates are a class of amphipathic carboxylic acids that are PPARα agonists used to treat hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia along with the HMGR inhibitor statins. Some fibrates are Bezafibrate (Marketed by Roche as Bezalip) and Ciprofibrate (Modalim).^[1] PPARδ is broadly expressed across the human body and thus is suspected to play a role in a number of diseases. It has been implicated in disorders ranging from fertility problems to types of cancer. Perhaps the most important use of PPARδ agonists will be in treating central nervous system (CNS) diseases as PPARδ has been implicated in neuron myelinogenesis and neuronal signaling as well as lipid metabolism in the CNS.^[1]

Most drugs target the PPARγ LBD, as ligands that bind to RXRα are likely to inadvertently act on other RXRα complexes, resulting in unexpected side effects. ^[20] Sales of Avandia, marketed by GlaxoSmithKline peaked at $2.5 billion in 2006 but have since dipped dramatically due to health concerns. In response to the health concerns, sales of Actos, marketed by Takeda, have grown to block buster status.^[21]