Role of PGC-1α in muscle function and aging

This article focuses on the current underlying of molecular mechanisms of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) mediated pathway and discuss possible therapeutic benefits of increased mitochondrial biogenesis in compensating for mitochondrial dysfunction and ameliorating aging and aging-related diseases. PGC-1α is the master transcription regulator that stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis, by upregulating nuclear respiratory factors and mitochondrial transcription factor A, leading to increased mitochondrial DNA replication and gene transcription. PGC-1α also regulates cellular oxidant-antioxidant homeostasis by stimulating the gene expression of superoxide dismutase-2, catalase, glutathione peroxidase 1, and uncoupling protein. Recent reports from muscle-specific PGC-1α overexpression underline the benefit of PGC-1α in muscle atrophy and sarcopenia, during which PGC-1α enhanced mitochondrial biogenic pathway and reduced oxidative damage. Thus, PGC-1α seems to have a protective role against aging associated skeletal muscle deterioration.