Transcriptional regulation of human Paraoxonase 1 by nuclear receptors

•Human Paraoxonase 1 is regulated through nuclear receptors.•Nuclear receptors AhR, PXR, GR, PPARs, and Nrf2 may regulate PON1.•PON1 is also regulated by proinflammatory cytokines and epigenetic mechanisms.•Nuclear receptors GR, PPAR, AhR, and PXR regulate PON1 expression.

Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is a calcium-dependent lactonase synthesized primarily in the liver and secreted into the plasma, where it is associates with high density lipoproteins (HDL). PON1 acts as antioxidant preventing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation, a process considered critical in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Additionally, PON1 hydrolyzes and detoxifies some toxic metabolites of organophosphorus compounds (OPs). Thus, PON1 activity and expression levels are important for determining susceptibility to OPs intoxication and risk of developing diseases related to inflammation and oxidative stress. Increasing evidence has demonstrated the modulation of PON1 expression by many factors is due to interaction with nuclear receptors (NRs). Here, we briefly review the studies in this area and discuss the role of nuclear receptors in the regulation of PON1 expression, as well as how understanding these mechanisms may allow us to manipulate PON1 levels to improve drug efficacy and treat disease.