Mahesh S Krishna, PhD
Post-doctoral Fellow
Modulation of upstream/downstream regulators of PPAR gamma using miRNA as molecular switches to reduce adipocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia
We are focussed on the regulation of adipogenesis using micro RNA (miRNA) as a tool. Adipogenesis is a complicated process involving activation and interaction of various transcription factors and associated genes. PPAR gamma is considered as master regulator of adipogenesis. The differentiation of pre-adipocytes to adipocyte happens with the activation of C/EBPs, PPARs and other steroid responsive nuclear factors. Of these, activation of PPAR gamma leads to expression of most of the genes responsible for fatty acid metabolism, transport, glucose homeostasis and associated enzymes. PPAR gamma is a versatile protein with varied functions in body including inflammatory response, cell growth and is linked to diseases like diabetes, obesity, cancer, arthritis etc. Here, we are trying to modulate the functional roles of PPAR gamma by regulating the binding or expressional pattern of co-factors associated with this, using the translational repressor potential of micro RNA.