Abstract: An activating agent of glucose uptake comprising as an active ingredient a substance having a PGC-1? function; and a method of screening for an activating agent of glucose uptake, comprising the steps of bringing a substance to be tested into contact with a promoter of a PGC-1? gene and analyzing a promoter activity of a PGC-1? gene, are disclosed. The activating agent of glucose uptake is a novel antidiabetic agent capable of promoting glucose uptake in a muscle tissue at hyperglycemia regardless of a blood insulin level.

Abstract: A DNA having an hPGC-1 promoter activity; a method of screening a substance modifying this promoter activity; and drugs, which contain substances modifying the promoter activity as the active ingredient, for activating mitochondria and treating obesity and/or diabetes based on the activation of mitochondria.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions having a cholesterol-lowering effect which comprises as the active ingredient a compound having a PPAR (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor)&dgr; activating effect or a PPAR&dgr;- and PPAR&ggr;-activating effect or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; pharmaceutical compositions wherein the cholesterol-lowering effect is an LDL-cholesterol-lowering effect; and a method for identifying a compound having a cholesterol-lowering effect characterized by measuring the PPAR&dgr;-activating effect or the PPAR&dgr;- and PPAR&ggr;-activating effect thereof. Means for Solution: It is found out that a compound exerting an excellent cholesterol-lowering effect on higher animals such as humans and ape has an effect of activating PPAR&dgr; or PPAR&dgr; and PPAR&ggr;.