Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) enzymes are involved in maintaining cellular homeostasis by metabolizing both endogenous and exogenous reactive aldehydes. They modulate several cell functions including proliferation, differentiation, survival as well as cellular response to oxidative stress. We previously reported that ALDH3A1 expression is inversely correlated with the activation of PPARs (Peroxisome Proliferators-Activated Receptors), a category of orphan nuclear hormone receptors, in both rat and human cells. PPARγ is involved in cell proliferation. In this study, we have used PPARγ transfection and inhibition to examine the relationship between ALDH3A1 and PPARγ and their role as regulators of cell proliferation. Induction of PPARγ in A549 and NCTC 2544 cells by transfection caused a decrease in ALDH3A1 and inhibition of cell proliferation, a result we obtained previously using ligands that induce PPARγ. A reduction of PPARγ expression using siRNA increased ALDH3A1 expression and cell proliferation. In cells induced to proliferate in a model of tissue regeneration, ALDH3A1 expression increased during the period of proliferation, whereas PPARγ expression decreased. In conclusion, through modulation of PPARγ or ALDH3A1, it may be possible to reduce cell proliferation in tumor cells or stimulate cell proliferation in normal cells during tissue regeneration.
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