The molecular mechanism of peroxisome proliferator action: a model for species differences and mechanistic risk assessment.

An increasing number of chemicals that produce tumours in rodent bioassays belong to the non-genotoxic class of carcinogens. There are no suitable tests for these carcinogens and our understanding of their mechanism of action is poor. Importantly, assessment of their potential hazard to man is usually difficult without extensive research. Peroxisome proliferators (PP) are a diverse group of rodent non-genotoxic carcinogens that include hypolipidemic drugs, plasticizers and herbicides. We have reported previously the cloning of a member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily and, through the use of chimeric receptors, discovered that it could be activated by PPs. The receptor is therefore termed the PP activated receptor (PPAR). The most widely used marker of PP action is the peroxisomal beta-oxidation enzyme acyl CoA oxidase (ACO). Interestingly, it has been speculated that the hydrogen peroxide produced as a result of ACO activity could lead to DNA damage and tumorigenesis. We have now demonstrated that PPAR recognizes a specific PP response element (PPRE) located in the ACO gene promoter and that the response is dependent upon the presence of receptor and the addition of the PP Wy-14,643. These data therefore support a model in which the mechanism of PP action is mediated by PPAR in a manner similar to that of steroid hormone action. Learning more about the function of PPAR offers a unique opportunity to understand the mechanism of action of some non-genotoxic carcinogens. Furthermore, this knowledge when combined with comparison of receptor expression between rodents and man will be important in providing a framework for a new threshold model of risk assessment based upon receptor-mediated carcinogenesis.