A novel mechanism of PPARγ regulation of TGFβ 1: Implication in cancer biology

Abstract

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) and retinoic acid X-receptor (RXR) heterodimer, which regulates cell growth and differentiation, represses the TGFβ 1 gene that encodes for the protein involved in cancer biology. This review will introduce the novel mechanism associated with the inhibition of the TGFβ 1 gene by PPARγ activation, which regulates the dephosphorylation of Zf9 transcription factor. Pharmacological manipulation of TGFβ 1 by PPARγ activators can be applied for treating TGFβ 1-induced pathophysiologic disorders such as cancer metastasis and fibrosis. In this article, we will discuss the opposing effects of TGFβ on tumor growth and metastasis, and address the signaling pathways regulated by PPARγ for tumor progression and suppression. Copyright © 2008 Chang Ho Lee et al.