PPARγ Coactivator‐1α Suppresses Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Inhibiting Warburg Effect by PPARγ–Dependent WNT/β‐Catenin/Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinase Isozyme 1 Axis

Background and Aims Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐gamma (PPARγ) coactivator‐1α (PGC1α) is a key regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis and respiration. PGC1α is involved in the carcinogenesis, progression, and metabolic state of cancer. However, its role in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. Approach and Results In this study, we observed that PGC1α was down‐regulated in human HCC. A clinical study showed that low levels of PGC1α expression were correlated with poor survival, vascular invasion, and larger tumor size. PGC1α inhibited the migration and invasion of HCC cells with both in vitro experiments and in vivo mouse models. Mechanistically, PGC1α suppressed the Warburg effect through down‐regulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase isozyme 1 (PDK1) mediated by the WNT/β‐catenin pathway, and inhibition of the WNT/β‐catenin pathway was induced by activation of PPARγ. Conclusions Low levels of PGC1α expression indicate a poor prognosis for HCC patients. PGC1α suppresses HCC metastasis by inhibiting aerobic glycolysis through regulating the WNT/β‐catenin/PDK1 axis, which depends on PPARγ. PGC1α is a potential factor for predicting prognosis and a therapeutic target for HCC patients.