title: Opposite regulation of the human paraoxonase-1 gene PON-1 by fenofibrate and statins.
abstract: The human paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) is a serum high-density lipoprotein-associated phosphotriesterase secreted mainly by the liver. This enzyme is able to hydrolyze toxic organophosphate xenobiotics, endogenous oxidized phospholipids, and homocysteine thiolactone. Physiologically, it is thought to protect against cardiovascular diseases. The level of PON-1 gene expression is a major determinant of paraoxonase-1 status but little is known regarding the regulation of this gene. We identified several transcription start sites and characterized the regulation of its promoter by fibrates and statins. In HuH7 human hepatoma cells, the PON-1 secreted enzymatic activity and mRNA levels were increased by fenofibric acid (approximately 70%) and decreased by several statins (approximately 50%). Transient and stable transfection assays in HuH7 cells indicated that the modulation of the mRNA and enzymatic activity levels could be accounted for by the regulation of the PON-1 gene promoter activity by these drugs. These effects are probably not mediated by the PPAR alpha because over-expression of this receptor decreased the fibrate effect and did not modify statins activity. The repressive effect of statins is reversed by mevalonate and 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol, suggesting the involvement of the liver X receptor in the mechanism. The opposite effects of fenofibrate and statins could be consistent with clinical data on homocysteine levels after hypolipidemic drug treatment. Regarding the toxicological aspects, the induction achieved with fenofibric acid, although limited, could increase organophosphate metabolism and may be relevant in certain conditions for protective treatments.
authors.affiliation: Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unité-490, Centre Universitaire des Saints-Pères, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Cédric
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gouédard
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Koum-Besson
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barouki
authors.forename: Yannick
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Morel
mesh_terms: D043303:Aryldialkylphosphatase; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D004950:Esterases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / Q000494:pharmacology; D011345:Fenofibrate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000077340:Fluvastatin; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007211:Indoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D017035:Pravastatin / Q000494:pharmacology; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000494:pharmacology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D007211:Indoles; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000077340:Fluvastatin; D004247:DNA; D019821:Simvastatin; D004950:Esterases; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases; C019734:arylesterase; D043303:Aryldialkylphosphatase; C468406:PON1 protein, human; D017035:Pravastatin; D011345:Fenofibrate