Marie Togashi, H. Masuda, T. Kawada
Apr 25, 2002
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Journal
The Journal of antibiotics
Abstract
The prenyl-phenol antibiotics ascochlorin-related compounds, are known to reduce serum cholesterol and triglyceride, suppress hypertension, and ameliorate types-I and II diabetes. However, little is known about the molecular mechanism for these physiological effects. Here we report that the ascochlorin derivative, 4-O-carboxymethyl ascochlorin (AS-6) acts as a potent activator of the nuclear hormone receptor, PPARgamma, although it does not activate the related receptors, PPARalpha, PPARdelta or RARalpha. AS-6 interacts directly with the PPARgamma molecule in vitro, and induces differentiation of the mouse preadipocyte cell line 3T3-L1. Our results suggest that AS-6 is a partial agonist for PPARgamma with a novel chemical structure.