PRDM16, the 16th one of PR domain members, is a type of protein found recently, which regulates the metabolism of muscle and adipose tissue. PRDM16 mRNA can be detected in multiple tissues of mouse and human. It acts as a molecular switch controlling the programs of specific gene expression of brown adipose tissue (BAT)/white adipose tissue (WAT) and WAT/skeletal muscle tissue (SMT). The mechanisms are as follows: elevate the gene expression of some active proteins, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ （PPARγ）, activator protein-2 (AP2); repress the gene expression of myogenic substance, such as myogenic regulatory factor (MyoD) and myogenin (MyoG); control the expression of BAT/WAT and WAT/SWT specific genes by transcription complex (PRDM16/CtBP and PRDM16-C/EBP-β); regulate the formation of adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, and induce the biogenesis of mitochondria and uncoupling respiration. PRDM16 regulates the differentiation and development of adipose tissue and muscle, which provides theoretical basis for investigating the mechanism of adipose tissue and muscle formation and the pathway to regulate energy metabolism. Gene expression of PRDM16, the structure and biological function of PRDM16 protein and its possible role in controlling meat quality are reviewed in this paper.［Chinese Journal of Animal Nutrition, 2010，22（6）:1477-1481］