Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1a) is a central regulator of metabolism that is poised at the intersection of myriad intracellular signaling pathways. In this brief update, we discuss regulation of PGC-1a at multiple levels, including transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational modifications. We discuss recently identified small molecule effectors of PGC-1a that offer translational potential and promise new insight into PGC-1a biology. We highlight novel mechanistic insights relating to PGC-1a's interactions with RNA to enhance transcription and potentially influence transcript processing. Finally, we place these exciting new data in the context of aging biology, offering PGC-1a as a candidate target with terrific potential in anti-aging interventions.
