Peroxisome proliferator activated receptors in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar): effects on PPAR transcription and acyl-CoA oxidase activity in hepatocytes by peroxisome proliferators and fatty acids

Abstract A cDNA fragment which encodes salmon peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (sPPAR γ ) was amplified by PCR from the liver of Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar L.). The fragment was 627 bp long. The sequence of the amplified PCR product was similar to the PPAR γ of mouse and hamster. 59% of the bases were identical. Northern blot analysis of salmon liver mRNA showed that the amplified sPPAR γ fragment hybridised to three specific transcripts of lengths 1.6, 2.4 and 3.3 kb. Clofibric acid and bezafibrate, administered to salmon hepatocytes in culture, resulted in a 1.7-fold increase of the 1.6 kb sPPAR γ transcript. The activity of acyl-CoA oxidase also increased approx. 1.7-fold after administration of fibrates. These results indicate that PPAR is an important factor in mediating enzymatic response to fibrates in fish.