Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPARs)

Overview & Synopsis

Prof. Walter Wahli devoted much of his career to exploring and defining the functions of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPARs). More than 25 years ago, his group began searching for new members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily using the DNA-binding domain of the estrogen receptor as a probe. This led to the discovery of novel receptors, now known as PPARα, β, and γ. While PPARα was independently first published by Isabelle Issemann and Stephen Green, Prof. Wahli and colleagues went on to characterize all three isotypes of this receptor family. Building on this pioneering work, Prof. Wahli and his collaborators revealed how PPARs are activated by fatty acids and regulate gene expression in metabolic and physiological pathways. Their findings, notably that fatty acids can act via nuclear receptor-mediated mechanisms similar to hormones, reshaped the understanding of metabolism and opened new therapeutic possibilities using synthetic compounds. Prof. Wahli’s vision and scientific rigor greatly enriched the knowledge of PPAR biology and inspired many researchers worldwide. His enduring legacy illustrates the transformative power of scientific inquiry and its potential to improve human health.