The Journal of biological chemistryJan 26, 2010

Nitro-fatty acids attaching to a key metabolic receptor may selectively influence its activity and help control diabetes-related signals

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Updated Apr 4, 2026

Abstract

Nitro derivatives of unsaturated fatty acids (NO(2)-FA) activate PPARgamma at nanomolar concentrations.

NO(2)-FA bind to PPARgamma at Cys-285 through a chemical reaction known as Michael addition.
They act as partial agonists, leading to unique interactions with coregulator proteins.
NO(2)-FA promote the expression of specific target genes related to metabolism.
In ob/ob mice, NO(2)-FA reduce insulin and glucose levels without causing weight gain or other negative side effects associated with thiazolidinediones (TZDs).
Reported endogenous PPARgamma ligands typically have very low affinity compared to NO(2)-FA.

Simplified

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) binds diverse ligands to transcriptionally regulate metabolism and inflammation. Activators of PPARgamma include lipids and anti-hyperglycemic drugs such as thiazolidinediones (TZDs). Recently, TZDs have raised concern after being linked with increased risk of peripheral edema, weight gain, and adverse cardiovascular events. Most reported endogenous PPARgamma ligands are intermediates of lipid metabolism and oxidation that bind PPARgamma with very low affinity. In contrast, nitro derivatives of unsaturated fatty acids (NO(2)-FA) are endogenous products of nitric oxide ((*)NO) and nitrite (NO(2)(-))-mediated redox reactions that activate PPARgamma at nanomolar concentrations. We report that NO(2)-FA act as partial agonists of PPARgamma and covalently bind PPARgamma at Cys-285 via Michael addition. NO(2)-FA show selective PPARgamma modulator characteristics by inducing coregulator protein interactions, PPARgamma-dependent expression of key target genes, and lipid accumulation is distinctively different from responses induced by the TZD rosiglitazone. Administration of this class of signaling mediators to ob/ob mice revealed that NO(2)-FA lower insulin and glucose levels without inducing adverse side effects such as the increased weight gain induced by TZDs.

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Nitro-fatty acids attaching to a key metabolic receptor may selectively influence its activity and help control diabetes-related signals

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