The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated PGC-1 nucleic
acid molecules, which encode proteins which can modulate various adipocyte-associated
activities including, for example, thermogenesis in adipocytes, e.g., brown adipocytes,
and adipogenesis. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules,
recombinant expression vectors containing PGC-1 nucleic acid molecules, host cells
into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic
animals in which a PGC-1 gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still
further provides isolated PGC-1 proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and
anti-PGC-1 antibodies. Diagnostic, screening, and therapeutic methods utilizing
compositions of the invention are also provided.
