Inducers of adipose conversion activate transcription promoted by a peroxisome proliferators response element in 3T3-L1 cells.

Nonmetabolizable fatty acids are shown here to induce adipose conversion of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes as well as to activate transcription of a reporter plasmid promoted by a peroxisome proliferators response element. This dual activity was also observed using the peroxisome proliferator bezafibrate or the differentiation inducer isobutyl methylxanthine. The data suggest a role for a peroxisome proliferators activated receptor (PPAR) in adipose conversion induced by fatty acids, isobutyl methylxanthine, or xenobiotic amphipathic carboxylates.