Abstract
In this study, we confirmed that ursolic acid, a plant triterpenoid, activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α in vitro. Surface plasmon resonance and time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer analyses do not show direct binding of ursolic acid to the ligand-binding domain of PPAR-α; however, ursolic acid enhances the binding of PPAR-α to the peroxisome proliferator response element in PPAR-α-responsive genes, alters the expression of key genes in lipid metabolism, significantly reducing intracellular triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations in hepatocytes. Thus, ursolic acid is a PPAR-α agonist that regulates the expression of lipid metabolism genes, but it is not a direct ligand of PPAR-α.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 5876-5880 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters |
Volume | 21 |
Issue number | 19 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2011 Oct 1 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This study was supported by the Korean Forest Service (Forest Science & Technology Project No. S120909L130110) and by the Technology Development Program for Fisheries of the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Republic of Korea (iPET, F20926409H220000110). The SPR instrument was provided by Korea Basic Science Institute.
Keywords
- Agonist
- Hepatocyte
- Lipid metabolism
- PPAR-α
- Ursolic acid
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Medicine
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmaceutical Science
- Drug Discovery
- Clinical Biochemistry
- Organic Chemistry