Functional analysis of Epinephelus coioides peroxisome proliferative-activated receptor α (PPARα): Involvement in response to viral infection

Peroxisome proliferative-activated receptor α (PPARα) belongs to the superfamily of nuclear receptors (NR). Studies have demonstrated that PPARα functions in energy metabolism, hepatic function, immune response, cell cycle, and apoptosis. In teleost fish, few studies have investigated the role of PPARα in the immune response. In this study, the grouper PPARα gene (EcPPARα) was investigated for its role in viral infection. The open reading frame of EcPPARα encoded a protein of 469 amino acids and contained an N-terminal domain (NTD), a DNA-binding domain (DBD), a hinge region, and a C-terminal ligand-binding domain (LBD). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that EcPPARα was most closely related to homologous genes in Sander lucioperca and Perca flavescens. Upon challenge with SGIV (Singapore grouper iridovirus) and RGNNV (Red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus), EcPPARα expression levels were significantly upregulated in different tissues. Subcellular localization analysis showed that the EcPPARα protein localized throughout the cytoplasm and nucleus with diffuse intracellular expression patterns, which is consistent with the localization pattern of mammalian PPARs. Based on morphological observation of cytopathic effect (CPEs), viral gene expression mRNAs, and virus titer assays, the results presented here showed that an overexpression of EcPPARα promoted SGIV production in grouper spleen cells. Overexpression of EcPPARα significantly inhibited the expression of several cytokines, including interferon-related genes (IFN-γ, ISG15, MXI, MXII, MAVS and MDA5), inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α) and Toll like receptor adaptors (TRAF6 and MyD88). Luciferase activity of IFN-α, IFN-γ, ISRE and NF-κB promoters was also significantly decreased in EcPPARα overexpression cells. Due to these detected interferon-related genes and inflammatory cytokines play important antiviral effect against SGIV in grouper, we speculated that the promotion effect of EcPPARα on SGIV replication may be caused by down-regulation of interferon and inflammatory response. In addition, through apoptotic body observation, capspase-3 activity detection, and flow cytometry analysis, it was found that overexpression of EcPPARα promoted SGIV-induced apoptosis in fathead minnow (FHM) cells. These data may increase an understanding of the role of PPARα in fish antiviral immune responses and apoptosis.