Regulation of transcriptional coactivator PGC-1alpha

Transcriptional coregulators modulate the activity of transcription factors and are required for the proper regulation of gene expression. One transcriptional coactivator, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1alpha (PGC-1alpha), plays an important role in the control of energy metabolism and has been associated with type 2 diabetes. A recent paper by Fan et al. provides new information about the posttranslational regulation of PGC-1alpha activity. This Perspective discusses the implications of these findings with respect to diabetes and aging.