Peroxisome proliferator ‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) regulates lactase expression and activity in the gut

This study aims at characterizing PPARγ target genes involved in intestinal metabolic functions. In microarray analysis, the LCT gene was the most upregulated by PPARγ agonists in Caco‐2 cells. We confirmed that PPARγ agonists were able to increase the expression and activity of LCT both in vitro and in vivo in the proximal small bowel of rodents. The functional response element activated by PPARγ was identified in the promoter of the human LCT gene. PPARγ modulation was able to improve symptoms induced by lactose‐enriched diet in weaned rats. Our results demonstrate that PPARγ regulates LCT expression, and suggest that modulating intestinal PPARγ activity might constitute a new therapeutic strategy for lactose malabsorption. The activation of the nuclear receptor Peroxisome Proliferator‐Activated Receptor gamma (PPARγ) increases the expression and activity of the lactase (LCT) enzyme and improves the biological disturbances induced by a lactose‐enriched diet in rodents.
Source: EMBO Molecular Medicine - Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Tags: Report Source Type: research