Omega-3 fatty acids (FAs) have the potential to regulate gene
expression via the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα);
therefore, genetic variations in this gene may
impact its
transcriptional activity on target genes. It is hypothesized that
the transcriptional activity by wild-type L162-PPARα is enhanced
to a greater extent than the mutated variant (V162-PPARα) in the
presence of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid
(DHA) or a mixture of EPA:DHA. To examine the functional
difference of the two allelic variants on receptor activity,
transient co-transfections were performed in human hepatoma HepG2
cells activated with EPA, DHA and EPA:DHA mixtures. Results
indicate that the addition of EPA or DHA demonstrate potential to
increase the transcriptional activity by PPARα with respect to
basal level in both variants. Yet, the EPA:DHA mixtures enhanced
the transcriptional activity to a greater extent than individual
FAs indicating possible additive effects of EPA and DHA.
Additionally, the V162 allelic form of PPARα demonstrated
consistently lower transcriptional activation when incubated with
EPA, DHA or EPA:DHA mixtures than, the wild-type variant. In
conclusion, both allelic variants of the PPARα L162V are activated
by omega-3 FAs; however, the V162 allelic form displays a lower
transcriptional activity than the wild-type variant.