Paraoxonase-2 (PON2) in brain and its potential role in neuroprotection

•Paraoxonase-2 (PON2) is a mitochondrial enzymes present in most tissues including the brain.•PON2 has antioxidant effects in cells and protects cells from oxidative stress-mediated toxicity.•Levels of PON2 are higher in brain from female mice.•Level of expression of PON2 corresponds to degree of neuroprotection.•Estradiol and the polyphenol quercetin positively modulate PON2 expression.

Paraoxonase 2 (PON2) is a member of a gene family which also includes the more studied PON1, as well as PON3. PON2 is unique among the three PONs, as it is expressed in brain tissue. PON2 is a lactonase and displays anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. PON2 levels are highest in dopaminergic regions (e.g. striatum), are higher in astrocytes than in neurons, and are higher in brain and peripheral tissues of female mice than male mice. At the sub-cellular level, PON2 localizes primarily in mitochondria, where it scavenges superoxides. Lack of PON2 (as in PON2−/− mice), or lower levels of PON2 (as in male mice compared to females) increases susceptibility to oxidative stress-induced toxicity. Estradiol increases PON2 expression in vitro and in vivo, and provides neuroprotection against oxidative stress. Such neuroprotection is not present in CNS cells from PON2−/− mice. Similar results are also found with the polyphenol quercetin. PON2, given its cellular localization and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, may represent a relevant enzyme involved in neuroprotection, and may represent a novel target for neuroprotective strategies. Its differential expression in males and females may explain gender differences in the incidence of various diseases, including neurodevelopmental, neurological, and neurodegenerative diseases.