1
|
Ho QV, Young MJ. Mineralocorticoid receptors, macrophages and new mechanisms for cardiovascular disease. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2024; 593:112340. [PMID: 39134137 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2024.112340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 08/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Quoc Viet Ho
- Cardiovascular Endocrinology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Australia
| | - Morag J Young
- Cardiovascular Endocrinology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Australia; Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Meijer OC, Kooijman S, Kroon J, Winter EM. The importance of the circadian trough in glucocorticoid signaling: a variation on B-flat. Stress 2023; 26:2275210. [PMID: 37874158 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2023.2275210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoid hormones are essential for health, but overexposure may lead to many detrimental effects, including metabolic, psychiatric, and bone disease. These effects may not only be due to increased overall exposure to glucocorticoids, but also to elevated hormone levels at the time of the physiological circadian trough of glucocorticoid levels. The late Mary Dallman developed a model that allows the differentiation between the effects of overall 24-hour glucocorticoid overexposure and the effects of a lack of circadian rhythmicity. For this, she continuously treated rats with a low dose of corticosterone (or "B"), which leads to a constant hormone level, without 24-hour overexposure using subcutaneously implanted pellets. The data from this "B-flat" model suggest that even modest elevations of glucocorticoid signaling during the time of the normal circadian trough of hormone secretion are a substantial contributor to the negative effects of glucocorticoids on health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Onno C Meijer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sander Kooijman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Kroon
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Elizabeth M Winter
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Clarisse D, Prekovic S, Vlummens P, Staessens E, Van Wesemael K, Thommis J, Fijalkowska D, Acke G, Zwart W, Beck IM, Offner F, De Bosscher K. Crosstalk between glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors boosts glucocorticoid-induced killing of multiple myeloma cells. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:249. [PMID: 37578563 PMCID: PMC10425521 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04900-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a crucial drug target in multiple myeloma as its activation with glucocorticoids effectively triggers myeloma cell death. However, as high-dose glucocorticoids are also associated with deleterious side effects, novel approaches are urgently needed to improve GR action in myeloma. Here, we reveal a functional crosstalk between GR and the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) that plays a role in improved myeloma cell killing. We show that the GR agonist dexamethasone (Dex) downregulates MR levels in a GR-dependent way in myeloma cells. Co-treatment of Dex with the MR antagonist spironolactone (Spi) enhances Dex-induced cell killing in primary, newly diagnosed GC-sensitive myeloma cells. In a relapsed GC-resistant setting, Spi alone induces distinct myeloma cell killing. On a mechanistic level, we find that a GR-MR crosstalk likely arises from an endogenous interaction between GR and MR in myeloma cells. Quantitative dimerization assays show that Spi reduces Dex-induced GR-MR heterodimerization and completely abolishes Dex-induced MR-MR homodimerization, while leaving GR-GR homodimerization intact. Unbiased transcriptomics analyses reveal that c-myc and many of its target genes are downregulated most by combined Dex-Spi treatment. Proteomics analyses further identify that several metabolic hallmarks are modulated most by this combination treatment. Finally, we identified a subset of Dex-Spi downregulated genes and proteins that may predict prognosis in the CoMMpass myeloma patient cohort. Our study demonstrates that GR-MR crosstalk is therapeutically relevant in myeloma as it provides novel strategies for glucocorticoid-based dose-reduction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dorien Clarisse
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 75, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Stefan Prekovic
- Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Philip Vlummens
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Eleni Staessens
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 75, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karlien Van Wesemael
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 75, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jonathan Thommis
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 75, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Daria Fijalkowska
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 75, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Guillaume Acke
- Department of Chemistry, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wilbert Zwart
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ilse M Beck
- Department of Health Sciences, Odisee University of Applied Sciences, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Fritz Offner
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karolien De Bosscher
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 75, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Bhargava A. Unraveling corticotropin-releasing factor family-orchestrated signaling and function in both sexes. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2023; 123:27-65. [PMID: 37717988 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2023.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Stress responses to physical, psychological, environmental, or cellular stressors, has two arms: initiation and recovery. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is primarily responsible for regulating and/or initiating stress responses via, whereas urocortins (UCNs) are involved in the recovery response to stress via feedback inhibition. Stress is a loaded, polysemous word and is experienced in a myriad of ways. Some stressors are good for an individual, in fact essential, whereas other stressors are associated with bad outcomes. Perceived stress, like beauty, lies in the eye of the beholder, and hence the same stressor can result in individual-specific outcomes. In mammals, there are two main biological sexes with reproduction as primary function. Reproduction and nutrition can also be viewed as stressors; based on a body of work from my laboratory, we propose that the functions of all other organs have co-evolved to optimize and facilitate an individual's nutritional and reproductive functions. Hence, sex differences in physiologically relevant outcomes are innate and occur at all levels- molecular, endocrine, immune, and (patho)physiological. CRF and three UCNs are peptide hormones that mediate their physiological effects by binding to two known G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), CRF1 and CRF2. Expression and function of CRF family of hormones and their receptors is likely to be sexually dimorphic in all organs. In this chapter, based on the large body of work from others and my laboratory, an overview of the CRF family with special emphasis on sex-specific actions of peripherally expressed CRF2 receptor in health and disease is provided.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aditi Bhargava
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Fuller PJ, Young MJ, Yang J, Cole TJ. Structure-function relationships of the aldosterone receptor. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2023; 123:285-312. [PMID: 37717989 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2022.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The cellular response to the adrenal steroid aldosterone is mediated by the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand-dependent transcription factors. The MR binds more than one physiological ligand with binding at the MR determined by pre-receptor metabolism of glucocorticoid ligands by 11β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2. The MR has a wide tissue distribution with multiple roles beyond the classical role in electrolyte homeostasis including cardiovascular function, immune cell signaling, neuronal fate and adipocyte differentiation. The MR has three principal functional domains, an N-terminal ligand domain, a central DNA binding domain and a C-terminal, ligand binding domain, with structures having been determined for the latter two domains but not for the whole receptor. MR signal-transduction can be best viewed as a series of interactions which are determined by the conformation conferred on the receptor by ligand binding. This conformation then determines subsequent intra- and inter-molecular interactions. These interactions include chromatin, coregulators and other transcription factors, and additional less well characterized cytoplasmic non-genomic effects via crosstalk with other signaling pathways. This chapter will provide a review of MR structure and function, and an analysis of the critical interactions involved in MR-mediated signal transduction, which contribute to ligand- and tissue-specificity. Understanding the relevant mechanisms for selective MR signaling in terms of these interactions opens the possibility of novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of MR-mediated diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Fuller
- Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia; Department of Molecular Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
| | - Morag J Young
- Cardiovascular Endocrinology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; University of Melbourne and Baker HDI Department of Cardiometabolic Health and Disease, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jun Yang
- Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia; Department of Molecular Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Timothy J Cole
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Grossmann C, Almeida-Prieto B, Nolze A, Alvarez de la Rosa D. Structural and molecular determinants of mineralocorticoid receptor signalling. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 179:3103-3118. [PMID: 34811739 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
During the past decades, the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) has evolved from a much-overlooked member of the steroid hormone receptor family to an important player, not only in volume and electrolyte homeostasis but also in pathological changes occurring in an increasing number of tissues, especially the renal and cardiovascular systems. Simultaneously, a wealth of information about the structure, interaction partners and chromatin requirements for genomic signalling of steroid hormone receptors became available. However, much of the information for the MR has been deduced from studies of other family members and there is still a lack of knowledge about MR-specific features in ligand binding, chromatin remodelling, co-factor interactions and general MR specificity-conferring mechanisms that can completely explain the differences in pathophysiological function between MR and its closest relative, the glucocorticoid receptor. This review aims to give an overview of the current knowledge of MR structure, signalling and co-factors modulating its activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Grossmann
- Julius Bernstein Institute of Physiology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Saale, Germany
| | - Brian Almeida-Prieto
- Departamento de Ciencias Médicas Básicas and Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Alexander Nolze
- Julius Bernstein Institute of Physiology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Saale, Germany
| | - Diego Alvarez de la Rosa
- Departamento de Ciencias Médicas Básicas and Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Pooley JR, Rivers CA, Kilcooley MT, Paul SN, Cavga AD, Kershaw YM, Muratcioglu S, Gursoy A, Keskin O, Lightman SL. Beyond the heterodimer model for mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptor interactions in nuclei and at DNA. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0227520. [PMID: 31923266 PMCID: PMC6953809 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoid (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) are believed to classically bind DNA as homodimers or MR-GR heterodimers to influence gene regulation in response to pulsatile basal or stress-evoked glucocorticoid secretion. Pulsed corticosterone presentation reveals MR and GR co-occupy DNA only at the peaks of glucocorticoid oscillations, allowing interaction. GR DNA occupancy was pulsatile, while MR DNA occupancy was prolonged through the inter-pulse interval. In mouse mammary 3617 cells MR-GR interacted in the nucleus and at a chromatin-associated DNA binding site. Interactions occurred irrespective of ligand type and receptors formed complexes of higher order than heterodimers. We also detected MR-GR interactions ex-vivo in rat hippocampus. An expanded range of MR-GR interactions predicts structural allostery allowing a variety of transcriptional outcomes and is applicable to the multiple tissue types that co-express both receptors in the same cells whether activated by the same or different hormones.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John R. Pooley
- Henry Wellcome Laboratories for Integrative Neuroscience and Endocrinology, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Caroline A. Rivers
- Henry Wellcome Laboratories for Integrative Neuroscience and Endocrinology, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Michael T. Kilcooley
- Henry Wellcome Laboratories for Integrative Neuroscience and Endocrinology, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Susana N. Paul
- Henry Wellcome Laboratories for Integrative Neuroscience and Endocrinology, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Ayse Derya Cavga
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Koc University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yvonne M. Kershaw
- Henry Wellcome Laboratories for Integrative Neuroscience and Endocrinology, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Serena Muratcioglu
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Attila Gursoy
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Koc University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ozlem Keskin
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Koc University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Stafford L. Lightman
- Henry Wellcome Laboratories for Integrative Neuroscience and Endocrinology, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zakopoulou V, Vlaikou AM, Darsinou M, Papadopoulou Z, Theodoridou D, Papageorgiou K, Alexiou GA, Bougias H, Siafaka V, Zoccolotti P, Chroussos GP, Syrrou M, Michaelidis TM. Linking Early Life Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Functioning, Brain Asymmetries, and Personality Traits in Dyslexia: An Informative Case Study. Front Hum Neurosci 2019; 13:327. [PMID: 31632253 PMCID: PMC6779713 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2019.00327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Developmental dyslexia (DD) is a multi-system disorder, combining influences of susceptibility genes and environmental factors. The causative interaction between specific genetic factors, brain regions, and personality/mental disorders, as well as specific learning disabilities, has been thoroughly investigated with regard to the approach of developing a multifaceted diagnostic procedure with an intervention strategy potential. In an attempt to add new translational evidence to the interconnection of the above factors in the occurrence of DD, we performed a combinatorial analysis of brain asymmetries, personality traits, cognitive and learning skills, and expression profiles of selected genes in an adult, early diagnosed with DD, and in his son of typical development. We focused on the expression of genes, based on the assumption that the regulation of transcription may be affected by genetic and epigenetic factors. The results highlighted a potential chain link between neuroplasticity-related as well as stress-related genes, such as BDNF, Sox4, mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), and GILZ, leftward asymmetries in the amygdala and selective cerebellum lobules, and tendencies for personality disorders and dyslexia. This correlation may reflect the presence of a specific neuro-epigenetic component of DD, ensuing from the continuous, multifaceted difficulties in the acquisition of cognitive and learning skills, which in turn may act as a fostering mechanism for the onset of long-term disorders. This is in line with recent findings demonstrating a dysfunction in processes supported by rapid neural adaptation in children and adults with dyslexia. Accordingly, the co-evaluation of all the above parameters may indicate a stress-related dyslexia endophenotype that should be carefully considered for a more integrated diagnosis and effective intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Zakopoulou
- Department of Speech and Language Therapy, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Angeliki-Maria Vlaikou
- Laboratory of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Marousa Darsinou
- Department of Biomedical Research, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Ioannina, Greece.,Department of Biological Applications and Technologies, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Zoe Papadopoulou
- Laboratory of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Daniela Theodoridou
- Laboratory of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Kyriaki Papageorgiou
- Department of Biomedical Research, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Ioannina, Greece.,Department of Biological Applications and Technologies, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - George A Alexiou
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Haralambos Bougias
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Vassiliki Siafaka
- Department of Speech and Language Therapy, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Pierluigi Zoccolotti
- Neuropsychology Unit, Department of Psychology, IRCCS (National Institute for Research and Treatment) Fondazione Santa Lucia, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - George P Chroussos
- First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Syrrou
- Laboratory of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Theologos M Michaelidis
- Department of Biomedical Research, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Ioannina, Greece.,Department of Biological Applications and Technologies, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Koning ASCAM, Buurstede JC, van Weert LTCM, Meijer OC. Glucocorticoid and Mineralocorticoid Receptors in the Brain: A Transcriptional Perspective. J Endocr Soc 2019; 3:1917-1930. [PMID: 31598572 PMCID: PMC6777400 DOI: 10.1210/js.2019-00158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Adrenal glucocorticoid hormones are crucial for maintenance of homeostasis and adaptation to stress. They act via the mineralocorticoid receptors (MRs) and glucocorticoid receptors (GRs)-members of the family of nuclear receptors. MRs and GRs can mediate distinct, sometimes opposite, effects of glucocorticoids. Both receptor types can mediate nongenomic steroid effects, but they are best understood as ligand-activated transcription factors. MR and GR protein structure is similar; the receptors can form heterodimers on the DNA at glucocorticoid response elements (GREs), and they share a number of target genes. The transcriptional basis for opposite effects on cellular physiology remains largely unknown, in particular with respect to MR-selective gene transcription. In this review, we discuss proven and potential mechanisms of transcriptional specificity for MRs and GRs. These include unique GR binding to "negative GREs," direct binding to other transcription factors, and binding to specific DNA sequences in conjunction with other transcription factors, as is the case for MRs and NeuroD proteins in the brain. MR- and GR-specific effects may also depend on specific interactions with transcriptional coregulators, downstream mediators of transcriptional receptor activity. Current data suggest that the relative importance of these mechanisms depends on the tissue and physiological context. Insight into these processes may not only allow a better understanding of homeostatic regulation but also the development of drugs that target specific aspects of disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Sophie C A M Koning
- Einthoven Laboratory and Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, RC Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Jacobus C Buurstede
- Einthoven Laboratory and Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, RC Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Lisa T C M van Weert
- Einthoven Laboratory and Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, RC Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Onno C Meijer
- Einthoven Laboratory and Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, RC Leiden, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
van Weert LTCM, Buurstede JC, Sips HCM, Mol IM, Puri T, Damsteegt R, Roozendaal B, Sarabdjitsingh RA, Meijer OC. Mechanistic Insights in NeuroD Potentiation of Mineralocorticoid Receptor Signaling. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E1575. [PMID: 30934833 PMCID: PMC6479562 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20071575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 03/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR)-mediated signaling in the brain has been suggested as a protective factor in the development of psychopathology, in particular mood disorders. We recently identified genomic loci at which either MR or the closely related glucocorticoid receptor (GR) binds selectively, and found members of the NeuroD transcription factor family to be specifically associated with MR-bound DNA in the rat hippocampus. We show here using forebrain-specific MR knockout mice that GR binding to MR/GR joint target loci is not affected in any major way in the absence of MR. Neurod2 binding was also independent of MR binding. Moreover, functional comparison with MyoD family members indicates that it is the chromatin remodeling aspect of NeuroD, rather than its direct stimulation of transcription, that is responsible for potentiation of MR-mediated transcription. These findings suggest that NeuroD acts in a permissive way to enhance MR-mediated transcription, and they argue against competition for DNA binding as a mechanism of MR- over GR-specific binding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa T C M van Weert
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboudumc, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, 6525 EN Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Jacobus C Buurstede
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Hetty C M Sips
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Isabel M Mol
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Tanvi Puri
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Ruth Damsteegt
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Benno Roozendaal
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboudumc, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, 6525 EN Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - R Angela Sarabdjitsingh
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Onno C Meijer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Fuller PJ, Yang J, Young MJ. Mechanisms of Mineralocorticoid Receptor Signaling. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2019; 109:37-68. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2018.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
|
12
|
Schöne S, Bothe M, Einfeldt E, Borschiwer M, Benner P, Vingron M, Thomas-Chollier M, Meijsing SH. Synthetic STARR-seq reveals how DNA shape and sequence modulate transcriptional output and noise. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007793. [PMID: 30427832 PMCID: PMC6261644 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The binding of transcription factors to short recognition sequences plays a pivotal role in controlling the expression of genes. The sequence and shape characteristics of binding sites influence DNA binding specificity and have also been implicated in modulating the activity of transcription factors downstream of binding. To quantitatively assess the transcriptional activity of tens of thousands of designed synthetic sites in parallel, we developed a synthetic version of STARR-seq (synSTARR-seq). We used the approach to systematically analyze how variations in the recognition sequence of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) affect transcriptional regulation. Our approach resulted in the identification of a novel highly active functional GR binding sequence and revealed that sequence variation both within and flanking GR’s core binding site can modulate GR activity without apparent changes in DNA binding affinity. Notably, we found that the sequence composition of variants with similar activity profiles was highly diverse. In contrast, groups of variants with similar activity profiles showed specific DNA shape characteristics indicating that DNA shape may be a better predictor of activity than DNA sequence. Finally, using single cell experiments with individual enhancer variants, we obtained clues indicating that the architecture of the response element can independently tune expression mean and cell-to cell variability in gene expression (noise). Together, our studies establish synSTARR as a powerful method to systematically study how DNA sequence and shape modulate transcriptional output and noise. The expression level of genes is controlled by transcription factors, which are proteins that bind to genomic response elements that contain their recognition DNA sequence. Importantly, genes are not simply turned on but need to be expressed at the right level. This is, at least in part, assured by the sequence composition of genomic response elements. Here, we studied how the recognition DNA sequence influences gene regulation by a transcription factor called the glucocorticoid receptor. Specifically, we developed a method to test the activity of variants in a highly parallelized setting where everything is kept identical except for the sequence of the binding site. The systematic analysis of tens of thousands of sequence variants facilitated the identification of a previously unknown sequence variant with high activity. Moreover, we report how sequence variation of the response element influences cell-to-cell variability in expression levels. Finally, we observe similar activity profiles for distinct sequence variants that share similar three-dimensional DNA shape characteristics arguing that the three-dimensional perception of DNA by the glucocorticoid receptor, modulates its activity towards individual target genes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Schöne
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Melissa Bothe
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Edda Einfeldt
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Philipp Benner
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Vingron
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Morgane Thomas-Chollier
- Institut de biologie de l’Ecole normale supérieure (IBENS), Ecole normale supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Université Paris, Paris, France
| | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Haas JG, Weber J, Gonzalez O, Zimmer R, Griffiths SJ. Antiviral activity of the mineralocorticoid receptor NR3C2 against Herpes simplex virus Type 1 (HSV-1) infection. Sci Rep 2018; 8:15876. [PMID: 30367157 PMCID: PMC6203759 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34241-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Analysis of a genome-scale RNA interference screen of host factors affecting herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) revealed that the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) inhibits HSV-1 replication. As a ligand-activated transcription factor the MR regulates sodium transport and blood pressure in the kidney in response to aldosterone, but roles have recently been elucidated for the MR in other cellular processes. Here, we show that the MR and other members of the mineralocorticoid signalling pathway including HSP90 and FKBP4, possess anti-viral activity against HSV-1 independent of their effect on sodium transport, as shown by sodium channel inhibitors. Expression of the MR is upregulated upon infection in an interferon (IFN) and viral transcriptional activator VP16-dependent fashion. Furthermore, the MR and VP16, together with the cellular co-activator Oct-1, transactivate the hormone response element (HRE) present in the MR promoter and those of its transcriptional targets. As the MR induces IFN expression, our data suggests the MR is involved in a positive feedback loop that controls HSV-1 infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen G Haas
- Division of Infection and Pathway Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Julia Weber
- Division of Infection and Pathway Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Orland Gonzalez
- Institute for Informatics, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, 80333, München, Germany
| | - Ralf Zimmer
- Institute for Informatics, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, 80333, München, Germany
| | - Samantha J Griffiths
- Division of Infection and Pathway Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Kunzmann S, Ottensmeier B, Speer CP, Fehrholz M. Progesterone Antagonizes Dexamethasone-Regulated Surfactant Proteins In Vitro. Reprod Sci 2018; 26:1062-1070. [PMID: 30317939 DOI: 10.1177/1933719118804668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Pregnant women at risk of preterm labor routinely receive glucocorticoids (GCs) and frequently also progesterone. Administration of GCs accelerates intrauterine surfactant synthesis and lung maturation, thereby reducing the incidence of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome; progesterone has the potential to prevent preterm birth. Little is known about possible interactions of GCs and progesterone. Our aim was to clarify whether progesterone can affect dexamethasone (DXM)-regulated expression of surfactant protein A (SP-A), SP-B, and SP-D in lung epithelial cells. H441 cells were exposed to DXM and progesterone and expression of SPs was analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting. Although progesterone had no direct effect on the expression of SP-B, DXM-mediated induction was inhibited dose dependently on the transcriptional (64 µM [P < .0001], 32 µM [P = .0005], 16 µM [P = .0019]) and the translational level. Furthermore, progesterone inhibited stimulatory effects of other GCs as well. While exogenous tissue growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) inhibited DXM-induced SP-B expression (messenger RNA [mRNA]: P = .0014), progesterone itself did not influence TGF-β1 mRNA expression and/or TGF-β1/Smad signaling, demonstrating that TGF-β1 and/or Smad activation is not involved. The inhibitory effect of progesterone could be imitated by the GC and progesterone receptor (PR) antagonist RU-486, but not by the specific PR antagonist PF-02413873, indicating that progesterone acts as a competitive antagonist of DXM. The effect of progesterone on DXM-regulated genes was not specific for SP-B, as expression of SP-A and SP-D mRNAs was also antagonized. The present study highlights a new action of progesterone as a potential physiological inhibitor of GC-dependent SP expression in lung epithelial cells. The clinical relevance of this in vitro finding is currently unknown.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Kunzmann
- 1 Clinic of Neonatology, Buergerhospital Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,2 University Children's Hospital, University of Wuerzburg, Wüerzburg, Germany
| | - Barbara Ottensmeier
- 2 University Children's Hospital, University of Wuerzburg, Wüerzburg, Germany
| | - Christian P Speer
- 2 University Children's Hospital, University of Wuerzburg, Wüerzburg, Germany
| | - Markus Fehrholz
- 2 University Children's Hospital, University of Wuerzburg, Wüerzburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Meijer OC, Buurstede JC, Schaaf MJM. Corticosteroid Receptors in the Brain: Transcriptional Mechanisms for Specificity and Context-Dependent Effects. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2018; 39:539-549. [PMID: 30291573 PMCID: PMC6469829 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-018-0625-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Corticosteroid hormones act in the brain to support adaptation to stress via binding to mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors (MR and GR). These receptors act in large measure as transcription factors. Corticosteroid effects can be highly divergent, depending on the receptor type, but also on brain region, cell type, and physiological context. These differences ultimately depend on differential interactions of MR and GR with other proteins, which determine ligand binding, nuclear translocation, and transcriptional activities. In this review, we discuss established and potential mechanisms that confer receptor and cell type-specific effects of the MR and GR-mediated transcriptional effects in the brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Onno C Meijer
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands. .,Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - J C Buurstede
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel J M Schaaf
- Department of Animal Sciences and Health (M.J.M.S.), Institute of Biology, Leiden University, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Heming N, Sivanandamoorthy S, Meng P, Bounab R, Annane D. Immune Effects of Corticosteroids in Sepsis. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1736. [PMID: 30105022 PMCID: PMC6077259 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Sepsis, a life-threatening organ dysfunction, results from a dysregulated host response to invading pathogens that may be characterized by overwhelming systemic inflammation or some sort of immune paralysis. Sepsis remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Treatment is nonspecific and relies on source control and organ support. Septic shock, the most severe form of sepsis is associated with the highest rate of mortality. Two large multicentre trials, undertaken 15 years apart, found that the combination of hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone significantly reduces mortality in septic shock. The corticosteroids family is composed of several molecules that are usually characterized according to their glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid power, relative to hydrocortisone. While the immune effects of glucocorticoids whether mediated or not by the intracellular glucocorticoid receptor have been investigated for several decades, it is only very recently that potential immune effects of mineralocorticoids via non-renal mineralocorticoid receptors have gained popularity. We reviewed the respective role of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids in counteracting sepsis-associated dysregulated immune systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Heming
- General Intensive Care Unit, Raymond Poincaré Hospital, Garches, France.,U1173 Laboratory Inflammation and Infection, University of Versailles SQY-Paris Saclay - INSERM, Montigny-Le-Bretonneux, France
| | | | - Paris Meng
- General Intensive Care Unit, Raymond Poincaré Hospital, Garches, France
| | - Rania Bounab
- General Intensive Care Unit, Raymond Poincaré Hospital, Garches, France
| | - Djillali Annane
- General Intensive Care Unit, Raymond Poincaré Hospital, Garches, France.,U1173 Laboratory Inflammation and Infection, University of Versailles SQY-Paris Saclay - INSERM, Montigny-Le-Bretonneux, France
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
de Kloet ER, Meijer OC, de Nicola AF, de Rijk RH, Joëls M. Importance of the brain corticosteroid receptor balance in metaplasticity, cognitive performance and neuro-inflammation. Front Neuroendocrinol 2018; 49:124-145. [PMID: 29428549 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Revised: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Bruce McEwen's discovery of receptors for corticosterone in the rat hippocampus introduced higher brain circuits in the neuroendocrinology of stress. Subsequently, these receptors were identified as mineralocorticoid receptors (MRs) that are involved in appraisal processes, choice of coping style, encoding and retrieval. The MR-mediated actions on cognition are complemented by slower actions via glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) on contextualization, rationalization and memory storage of the experience. These sequential phases in cognitive performance depend on synaptic metaplasticity that is regulated by coordinate MR- and GR activation. The receptor activation includes recruitment of coregulators and transcription factors as determinants of context-dependent specificity in steroid action; they can be modulated by genetic variation and (early) experience. Interestingly, inflammatory responses to damage seem to be governed by a similarly balanced MR:GR-mediated action as the initiating, terminating and priming mechanisms involved in stress-adaptation. We conclude with five questions challenging the MR:GR balance hypothesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E R de Kloet
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - O C Meijer
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - A F de Nicola
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - R H de Rijk
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands & Department of Clinical Psychology, Leiden University, The Netherlands.
| | - M Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Savoldi G, Ferrari F, Ruggeri G, Sobek L, Albertini A, Di Lorenzo D. Progesterone agonists and antagonists induce down– and up–regulation of estrogen receptors and estrogen inducible genes in human breast cancer cell lines. Int J Biol Markers 2018; 10:47-54. [PMID: 7629427 DOI: 10.1177/172460089501000109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The effects of the synthetic progestin R5020 and the antiprogestin RU486 on the cellular content of estrogen receptors (ER) and on cell responsiveness to estrogens, have been investigated in the sex hormone-sensitive human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and T47D. When T47D cells were treated with R5020 (Promegestone) (10–8 M), ER was down-regulated to about 50% of the control level in a time-dependent manner. Maximum down-regulation was observed after 24 hours and remained at this level for the next 24 hours. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) or dexamethasone (DEX) had no effect on ER sites. R5020 also down-regulated, although to a lesser extent, ER in the MCF-7 cells which contain fewer progesterone receptor (PR) sites. When MCF-7 cells were transfected with a progesterone receptor expression vector (tMCF-7) to increase the number of PR sites, R5020 down-regulated the ER to a level similar to that reached in T47D cells. In both cell lines ER down-regulation was completely inhibited by a 10-fold molar excess of the antiprogestin RU486 (Mifepristone) (10–7 M). Surprisingly, when incubated with RU486 alone, T47D cells responded by up-regulating ER 2-4 fold. The functional relevance of inhibition and up-regulation of ER for the estrogen responsiveness of hormone-sensitive human breast cancer cells was tested by assaying the synthesis of an estrogen-regulated product, the PS2 protein. Estrogen induction of this protein was inhibited by at least 70% in T47D cells exposed to R5020 for 24 hours before estrogen administration and by about 25% in MCF-7 cells under the same conditions. A 55% inhibition was observed in tMCF-7 cells. Up-regulation of ER by RU486 in T47D cells led to an increase in the estrogen induction of PS2 by about 18-20% compared to RU486 untreated cells. These results indicate that the progestin and antiprogestin regulation of ER is functionally important for the estrogen responsiveness of breast cancer cells.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Breast Neoplasms/genetics
- Breast Neoplasms/metabolism
- DNA, Neoplasm/analysis
- Dexamethasone/pharmacology
- Dihydrotestosterone/pharmacology
- Down-Regulation/drug effects
- Down-Regulation/genetics
- Estrogens/genetics
- Estrogens/metabolism
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/genetics
- Genetic Vectors/genetics
- Humans
- Mifepristone/pharmacology
- Neoplasm Proteins/biosynthesis
- Promegestone/antagonists & inhibitors
- Promegestone/pharmacology
- Proteins
- Receptors, Estrogen/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Estrogen/drug effects
- Receptors, Estrogen/genetics
- Receptors, Progesterone/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Progesterone/drug effects
- Receptors, Progesterone/genetics
- Transfection
- Trefoil Factor-1
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
- Tumor Suppressor Proteins
- Up-Regulation/drug effects
- Up-Regulation/genetics
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Savoldi
- Institute of Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of Brescia, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Weikum ER, de Vera IMS, Nwachukwu JC, Hudson WH, Nettles KW, Kojetin DJ, Ortlund EA. Tethering not required: the glucocorticoid receptor binds directly to activator protein-1 recognition motifs to repress inflammatory genes. Nucleic Acids Res 2017; 45:8596-8608. [PMID: 28591827 PMCID: PMC5737878 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a ligand-regulated transcription factor that controls the expression of extensive gene networks, driving both up- and down-regulation. GR utilizes multiple DNA-binding-dependent and -independent mechanisms to achieve context-specific transcriptional outcomes. The DNA-binding-independent mechanism involves tethering of GR to the pro-inflammatory transcription factor activator protein-1 (AP-1) through protein-protein interactions. This mechanism has served as the predominant model of GR-mediated transrepression of inflammatory genes. However, ChIP-seq data have consistently shown GR to occupy AP-1 response elements (TREs), even in the absence of AP-1. Therefore, the current model is insufficient to explain GR action at these sites. Here, we show that GR regulates a subset of inflammatory genes in a DNA-binding-dependent manner. Using structural biology and biochemical approaches, we show that GR binds directly to TREs via sequence-specific contacts to a GR-binding sequence (GBS) half-site found embedded within the TRE motif. Furthermore, we show that GR-mediated transrepression observed at TRE sites to be DNA-binding-dependent. This represents a paradigm shift in the field, showing that GR uses multiple mechanisms to suppress inflammatory gene expression. This work further expands our understanding of this complex multifaceted transcription factor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Weikum
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Ian Mitchelle S de Vera
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Jerome C Nwachukwu
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - William H Hudson
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Kendall W Nettles
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Douglas J Kojetin
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA.,Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Eric A Ortlund
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Baker ME, Katsu Y. 30 YEARS OF THE MINERALOCORTICOID RECEPTOR: Evolution of the mineralocorticoid receptor: sequence, structure and function. J Endocrinol 2017; 234:T1-T16. [PMID: 28468932 DOI: 10.1530/joe-16-0661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) is descended from a corticoid receptor (CR), which has descendants in lamprey and hagfish, cyclostomes (jawless fish), a taxon that evolved at the base of the vertebrate line. A distinct MR and GR first appear in cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyes), such as sharks, skates, rays and chimeras. Skate MR has a strong response to corticosteroids that are mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids in humans. The half-maximal responses (EC50s) for skate MR for the mineralocorticoids aldosterone and 11-deoxycorticosterone are 0.07 nM and 0.03 nM, respectively. EC50s for the glucocorticoids cortisol and corticosterone are 1 nM and 0.09 nM, respectively. The physiological mineralocorticoid in ray-finned fish, which do not synthesize aldosterone, is not fully understood because several 3-ketosteroids, including cortisol, 11-deoxycortisol, corticosterone, 11-deoxycorticosterone and progesterone are transcriptional activators of fish MR. Further divergence of the MR and GR in terrestrial vertebrates, which synthesize aldosterone, led to emergence of aldosterone as a selective ligand for the MR. Here, we combine sequence analysis of the CR and vertebrate MRs and GRs, analysis of crystal structures of human MR and GR and data on transcriptional activation by 3-ketosteroids of wild-type and mutant MRs and GRs to investigate the evolution of selectivity for 3-ketosteroids by the MR in terrestrial vertebrates and ray-finned fish, as well as the basis for binding of some glucocorticoids by human MR and other vertebrate MRs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael E Baker
- Division of Nephrology-HypertensionDepartment of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Yoshinao Katsu
- Graduate School of Life ScienceHokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Shewade LH, Schneider KA, Brown AC, Buchholz DR. In-vivo regulation of Krüppel-like factor 9 by corticosteroids and their receptors across tissues in tadpoles of Xenopus tropicalis. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2017; 248:79-86. [PMID: 28232027 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2017.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Corticosteroids are critical for normal development and for mediating effects of stress during development in all vertebrates. Even though gene knockout studies in mouse and zebrafish have identified a number of developmental roles of corticosteroids and their receptors, the numerous pleiotropic actions of these hormones affecting various aspects of development are understudied. For the most part, neither the endogenous hormone(s) nor their receptor(s) regulating developmental processes during natural development have been determined. Here, we address this issue by elucidating the endogenous regulation of the transcription factor Krüppel-like factor 9 (klf9) across tissues during development by corticosteroid hormones (aldosterone and corticosterone) and their nuclear receptors (type-I and type-II receptors). First, we measured the developmental expression profiles of klf9 and type-I and type-II corticosteroid receptors in key target tissues, brain, lungs, and tail, during larval and metamorphic stages in Xenopus tropicalis. We also studied the corticosteroid regulation of klf9 in these tissues in-vivo using exogenous hormone treatments and receptor antagonists. Klf9 and the corticosteroid receptors were expressed in each tissue and significantly increased in expression reaching a peak at metamorphic climax, except for the type-II receptor in brain and tail whose expression did not change significantly across stages. Both corticosteroid hormones induced klf9 in each tissue, although aldosterone required a five times higher dose than corticosterone to cause a significant induction. The upregulation of klf9 by both corticosteroids was completely blocked by the use of the type-II receptor antagonist RU486 and not the type-I receptor antagonist spironolactone. These results are consistent with previous in-vitro studies and indicate for the first time in-vivo that corticosteroid regulation of klf9 occurs exclusively via corticosterone and type-II receptor interaction across tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leena H Shewade
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, 312 Clifton Court, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
| | - Katelin A Schneider
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, 312 Clifton Court, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
| | - Audrey C Brown
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, 312 Clifton Court, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
| | - Daniel R Buchholz
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, 312 Clifton Court, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Mijiti A, Matsuno N, Iwahori T, Takeuchi H, Nagao T, Oka K, Hirano T. Increased Sensitivities of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Immunosuppressive Drugs in Cirrhosis Patients Awaiting Liver Transplantation. Cell Transplant 2017; 15:885-91. [PMID: 17299993 DOI: 10.3727/000000006783981314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful immunosuppressive therapy is critical for liver transplantation. However, a considerable number of patients show clinical resistance to the therapy and experience rejection episodes, or alternatively exhibits serious adverse effects of drugs. We examined the in vitro response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to immunosuppressive drugs in cirrhosis patients awaiting liver transplantation. We evaluated the suppressive efficacy of prednisolone, methylprednisolone, cyclosporine, and tacrolimus on the in vitro blastogenesis of PBMCs obtained from 22 cirrhosis patients and 31 healthy subjects. In vitro drug concentrations giving 50% inhibition of PBMC blastogenesis (IC50s) were calculated. Two out of these 22 patients received liver transplantation from living donors, and their clinical courses were surveyed until 5 weeks after operation. The median IC50 values for prednisolone, cyclosporine, and tacrolimus against blastogenesis of PBMCs from cirrhosis patients were significantly lower than those of PBMCs from healthy subjects (p < 0.01). However, large individual differences were observed in the IC50 values of the immunosuppressive drugs examined, especially in the cirrhosis patients. One recipient exhibiting high PBMC sensitivity to tacrolimus (IC50 = 0.001 ng/ml) showed good clinical course without rejection until 5 weeks after liver transplantation. The other recipient exhibiting relatively low PBMC sensitivity to taclolimus (IC50 = 0.30) showed allograft rejection at 1 week after operation. We concluded from these observations that PBMCs of cirrhosis patients are vulnerable to the immunosuppressive effects of prednisolone and calcineurin inhibitors. However, large individual variations in the IC50 values suggest that patients exhibiting relatively lower sensitivity to these drugs may have risks of rejection, whereas highly sensitive patients are possibly able to reduce the dose of immunosuppressive drugs to avoid serious drug-adverse effects, after liver transplantation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abuduxhukuer Mijiti
- Department of the 5th Surgery, Hachioji Medical Center, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
van Weert LTCM, Buurstede JC, Mahfouz A, Braakhuis PSM, Polman JAE, Sips HCM, Roozendaal B, Balog J, de Kloet ER, Datson NA, Meijer OC. NeuroD Factors Discriminate Mineralocorticoid From Glucocorticoid Receptor DNA Binding in the Male Rat Brain. Endocrinology 2017; 158:1511-1522. [PMID: 28324065 DOI: 10.1210/en.2016-1422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
In the limbic brain, mineralocorticoid receptors (MRs) and glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) both function as receptors for the naturally occurring glucocorticoids (corticosterone/cortisol) but mediate distinct effects on cellular physiology via transcriptional mechanisms. The transcriptional basis for specificity of these MR- vs GR-mediated effects is unknown. To address this conundrum, we have identified the extent of MR/GR DNA-binding selectivity in the rat hippocampus using chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing. We found 918 and 1450 nonoverlapping binding sites for MR and GR, respectively. Furthermore, 475 loci were co-occupied by MR and GR. De novo motif analysis resulted in a similar binding motif for both receptors at 100% of the target loci, which matched the known glucocorticoid response element (GRE). In addition, the Atoh/NeuroD consensus sequence was found in co-occurrence with all MR-specific binding sites but was absent for GR-specific or MR-GR overlapping sites. Basic helix-loop-helix family members Neurod1, Neurod2, and Neurod6 showed hippocampal expression and were hypothesized to bind the Atoh motif. Neurod2 was detected at rat hippocampal MR binding sites but not at GR-exclusive sites. All three NeuroD transcription factors acted as DNA-binding-dependent coactivators for both MR and GR in reporter assays in heterologous HEK293 cells, likely via indirect interactions with the receptors. In conclusion, a NeuroD family member binding to an additional motif near the GRE seems to drive specificity for MR over GR binding at hippocampal binding sites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa T C M van Weert
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University, 6525 EN, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jacobus C Buurstede
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ahmed Mahfouz
- Department of Radiology, Division of Image Processing, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Delft Bioinformatics Laboratory, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CD, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Pamela S M Braakhuis
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - J Annelies E Polman
- Division of Medical Pharmacology, Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hetty C M Sips
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Benno Roozendaal
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University, 6525 EN, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Judit Balog
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - E Ronald de Kloet
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Division of Medical Pharmacology, Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nicole A Datson
- Division of Medical Pharmacology, Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Onno C Meijer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Meijer OC, de Kloet ER. A Refill for the Brain Mineralocorticoid Receptor: The Benefit of Cortisol Add-On to Dexamethasone Therapy. Endocrinology 2017; 158:448-454. [PMID: 27967238 DOI: 10.1210/en.2016-1495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 12/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Some serious medical conditions require life-saving treatment with high doses of synthetic glucocorticoids such as dexamethasone. A substantial number of patients subjected to this treatment develops psychosis, mood disturbances, or sleep problems. A recent clinical trial demonstrated that dexamethasone therapy for young patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia caused severe adverse psychological effects and sleep disturbances in about 30% of these patients. These side effects were ameliorated by coadministration of a low dose of the naturally occurring glucocorticoid hormone cortisol. This paradoxical finding was predicted by the idea that the synthetic glucocorticoid targets the glucocorticoid receptor, causing suppression of cortisol secretion and, thus, depletion of the brain mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) of its endogenous ligand. The refill of the unoccupied brain MR with physiological amounts of cortisol ameliorates the dexamethasone-induced psychological side effects. In the present report, we discuss the mechanistic underpinning of the MR refill concept in glucocorticoid therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Onno C Meijer
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - E Ronald de Kloet
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Ong GSY, Young MJ. Mineralocorticoid regulation of cell function: the role of rapid signalling and gene transcription pathways. J Mol Endocrinol 2017; 58:R33-R57. [PMID: 27821439 DOI: 10.1530/jme-15-0318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Accepted: 11/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and mineralocorticoids regulate epithelial handling of electrolytes, and induces diverse effects on other tissues. Traditionally, the effects of MR were ascribed to ligand-receptor binding and activation of gene transcription. However, the MR also utilises a number of intracellular signalling cascades, often by transactivating unrelated receptors, to change cell function more rapidly. Although aldosterone is the physiological mineralocorticoid, it is not the sole ligand for MR. Tissue-selective and mineralocorticoid-specific effects are conferred through the enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2, cellular redox status and properties of the MR itself. Furthermore, not all aldosterone effects are mediated via MR, with implication of the involvement of other membrane-bound receptors such as GPER. This review will describe the ligands, receptors and intracellular mechanisms available for mineralocorticoid hormone and receptor signalling and illustrate their complex interactions in physiology and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gregory S Y Ong
- Cardiovascular Endocrinology LaboratoryCentre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of MedicineSchool of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Morag J Young
- Cardiovascular Endocrinology LaboratoryCentre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of PhysiologySchool of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Dougherty EJ, Elinoff JM, Ferreyra GA, Hou A, Cai R, Sun J, Blaine KP, Wang S, Danner RL. Mineralocorticoid Receptor (MR) trans-Activation of Inflammatory AP-1 Signaling: DEPENDENCE ON DNA SEQUENCE, MR CONFORMATION, AND AP-1 FAMILY MEMBER EXPRESSION. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:23628-23644. [PMID: 27650495 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.732248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids are commonly used to treat inflammatory disorders. The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) can tether to inflammatory transcription factor complexes, such as NFκB and AP-1, and trans-repress the transcription of cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules. In contrast, aldosterone and the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) primarily promote cardiovascular inflammation by incompletely understood mechanisms. Although MR has been shown to weakly repress NFκB, its role in modulating AP-1 has not been established. Here, the effects of GR and MR on NFκB and AP-1 signaling were directly compared using a variety of ligands, two different AP-1 consensus sequences, GR and MR DNA-binding domain mutants, and siRNA knockdown or overexpression of core AP-1 family members. Both GR and MR repressed an NFκB reporter without influencing p65 or p50 binding to DNA. Likewise, neither GR nor MR affected AP-1 binding, but repression or activation of AP-1 reporters occurred in a ligand-, AP-1 consensus sequence-, and AP-1 family member-specific manner. Notably, aldosterone interactions with both GR and MR demonstrated a potential to activate AP-1. DNA-binding domain mutations that eliminated the ability of GR and MR to cis-activate a hormone response element-driven reporter variably affected the strength and polarity of these responses. Importantly, MR modulation of NFκB and AP-1 signaling was consistent with a trans-mechanism, and AP-1 effects were confirmed for specific gene targets in primary human cells. Steroid nuclear receptor trans-effects on inflammatory signaling are context-dependent and influenced by nuclear receptor conformation, DNA sequence, and the expression of heterologous binding partners. Aldosterone activation of AP-1 may contribute to its proinflammatory effects in the vasculature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Dougherty
- From the Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Jason M Elinoff
- From the Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Gabriela A Ferreyra
- From the Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Angela Hou
- From the Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Rongman Cai
- From the Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Junfeng Sun
- From the Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Kevin P Blaine
- From the Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Shuibang Wang
- From the Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Robert L Danner
- From the Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Kontogiannatos D, Swevers L, Kourti A. Recent gene multiplication and evolution of a juvenile hormone esterase-related gene in a lepidopteran pest. GENE REPORTS 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2016.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
28
|
Postnatal glucocorticoid-induced hypomyelination, gliosis, and neurologic deficits are dose-dependent, preparation-specific, and reversible. Exp Neurol 2016; 278:1-3. [PMID: 26795086 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2016.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Revised: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
|
29
|
Modulation of Immunity and Inflammation by the Mineralocorticoid Receptor and Aldosterone. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:652738. [PMID: 26448944 PMCID: PMC4581510 DOI: 10.1155/2015/652738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2015] [Revised: 05/07/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) is a ligand dependent transcription factor. MR has been traditionally associated with the control of water and electrolyte homeostasis in order to keep blood pressure through aldosterone activation. However, there is growing evidence indicating that MR expression is not restricted to vascular and renal tissues, as it can be also expressed by cells of the immune system, where it responds to stimulation or antagonism, controlling immune cell function. On the other hand, aldosterone also has been associated with proinflammatory immune effects, such as the release of proinflammatory cytokines, generating oxidative stress and inducing fibrosis. The inflammatory participation of MR and aldosterone in the cardiovascular disease suggests an association with alterations in the immune system. Hypertensive patients show higher levels of proinflammatory mediators that can be modulated by MR antagonism. Although these proinflammatory properties have been observed in other autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases, the cellular and molecular mechanisms that mediate these effects remain unknown. Here we review and discuss the scientific work aimed at determining the immunological role of MR and aldosterone in humans, as well as animal models.
Collapse
|
30
|
Fuller PJ. Novel interactions of the mineralocorticoid receptor. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2015; 408:33-7. [PMID: 25662276 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2015.01.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2014] [Revised: 01/17/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) differs from the other steroid receptors in that it responds to two physiological ligands, aldosterone and cortisol. In epithelial tissues, aldosterone selectivity is determined by 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II. In other tissues cortisol is the primary ligand; in some tissues cortisol may act as an antagonist. To better target MR, an understanding of the structural determinants of tissue and ligand-specific MR activation is required. Our focus is on interactions of the ligand-binding domain (LBD) with ligand, the N-terminal domain and putative co-regulatory molecules. Molecular modelling has identified a region in the LBD of the MR and indeed other steroid receptors that critically defines ligand-specificity for aldosterone and cortisol, yet is not part of the ligand-binding pocket. An interaction between the N-terminus and LBD observed in the MR is aldosterone-dependent but is unexpectedly antagonised by cortisol. The structural basis of this interaction has been defined. We have identified proteins which interact in the presence of either aldosterone or cortisol but not both. These have been confirmed as coactivators of the full-length hMR. The structural basis of this interaction has been determined for tesmin, a ligand-discriminant coactivator of the MR. The successful identification of the structural basis of antagonism and of ligand-specific interactions of the MR may provide the basis for the development of novel MR ligands with tissue specificity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Fuller
- MIMR-PHI Institute (formerly Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research), Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Rossier BC, Baker ME, Studer RA. Epithelial sodium transport and its control by aldosterone: the story of our internal environment revisited. Physiol Rev 2015; 95:297-340. [PMID: 25540145 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00011.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription and translation require a high concentration of potassium across the entire tree of life. The conservation of a high intracellular potassium was an absolute requirement for the evolution of life on Earth. This was achieved by the interplay of P- and V-ATPases that can set up electrochemical gradients across the cell membrane, an energetically costly process requiring the synthesis of ATP by F-ATPases. In animals, the control of an extracellular compartment was achieved by the emergence of multicellular organisms able to produce tight epithelial barriers creating a stable extracellular milieu. Finally, the adaptation to a terrestrian environment was achieved by the evolution of distinct regulatory pathways allowing salt and water conservation. In this review we emphasize the critical and dual role of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in the control of the ionic composition of the extracellular fluid and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in salt and water conservation in vertebrates. The action of aldosterone on transepithelial sodium transport by activation of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) at the apical membrane and that of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase at the basolateral membrane may have evolved in lungfish before the emergence of tetrapods. Finally, we discuss the implication of RAAS in the origin of the present pandemia of hypertension and its associated cardiovascular diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bernard C Rossier
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Division of Nephrology-Hypertension, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California; and Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Division of Biosciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael E Baker
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Division of Nephrology-Hypertension, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California; and Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Division of Biosciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Romain A Studer
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Division of Nephrology-Hypertension, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California; and Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Division of Biosciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Abstract
The clinical impact of cardiovascular disease cannot be underestimated. Equally, the importance of cost-effective management of cardiac failure is a pressing issue in the face of an ageing population and the increasing incidence of metabolic disorders worldwide. Targeting the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) offers one approach for the treatment of heart failure with current strategies for novel MR therapeutics focusing on harnessing their cardio-protective benefits, but limiting the side effects of existing agents. It is now well accepted that activation of the MR in the cardiovascular system promotes tissue inflammation and fibrosis and has negative consequences for cardiac function and patient outcomes following cardiac events. Indeed, blockade of the MR using one of the two available antagonists (spironolactone and eplerenone) provides significant cardio-protective effects in the clinical and experimental setting. Although the pathways downstream of MR that translate receptor activation into tissue inflammation, fibrosis and dysfunction are still being elucidated, a series of recent studies using cell-selective MR (NR3C2)-null or MR-overexpressing mice have offered many new insights into the role of MR in cardiovascular disease and the control of blood pressure. Dissecting the cell-specific roles of MR signalling in the heart and vasculature to identify those pathways that are critical for MR-dependent responses is an important step towards achieving cardiac-selective therapeutics. The goal of this review is to discuss recent advances in this area that have emerged from the study of tissue-selective MR-null mice, and other targeted transgenic models and their relevance to clinical disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Morag J Young
- Cardiovascular EndocrinologyMIMR-PHI Institute, 27-31 Wright St, Clayton 3168, AustraliaDepartment of PhysiologyMonash University, Clayton 3168, Australia Cardiovascular EndocrinologyMIMR-PHI Institute, 27-31 Wright St, Clayton 3168, AustraliaDepartment of PhysiologyMonash University, Clayton 3168, Australia
| | - Amanda J Rickard
- Cardiovascular EndocrinologyMIMR-PHI Institute, 27-31 Wright St, Clayton 3168, AustraliaDepartment of PhysiologyMonash University, Clayton 3168, Australia Cardiovascular EndocrinologyMIMR-PHI Institute, 27-31 Wright St, Clayton 3168, AustraliaDepartment of PhysiologyMonash University, Clayton 3168, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Schmidt C, Klammt J, Thome UH, Laube M. The interaction of glucocorticoids and progesterone distinctively affects epithelial sodium transport. Lung 2014; 192:935-46. [PMID: 25173779 DOI: 10.1007/s00408-014-9640-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2014] [Accepted: 08/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Glucocorticoids and progesterone exert stimulatory effects on epithelial Na(+) transport, including increased mRNA expression of the participating ion transporters (epithelial Na(+) channels [ENaC] and Na,K-ATPases) and their electrophysiological activity. Fetuses threatened by preterm labor may receive high doses of glucocorticoids to stimulate lung maturation and are naturally exposed to high levels of female sex steroids. However, it is still unknown how the combination of both hormones influences the epithelial Na(+) transport, which is crucial for alveolar fluid clearance. METHODS Fetal distal lung epithelial cells were incubated in media supplemented with dexamethasone and progesterone. Real-time qPCR and Ussing chamber analysis were used to determine the effects on ENaC mRNA expression and channel activity. In addition, the specific progesterone receptor antagonist (PF-02367982) and the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist mifepristone were used to identify the involved hormone receptors. RESULTS Both dexamethasone and progesterone increased ENaC subunit expression and channel activity. However, the combination of dexamethasone and progesterone reduced the α- and γ-ENaC subunit expression compared to the effect of dexamethasone alone. Furthermore, higher dexamethasone concentrations in combination with progesterone also significantly reduced Na(+) transport in Ussing chamber measurements. Hormone receptor antagonists showed that inhibition of the progesterone receptor increased the mRNA expression of α- and γ-ENaC, whereas mifepristone decreased mRNA expression of all ENaC subunits. CONCLUSION Glucocorticoids and progesterone individually increase ENaC mRNA expression; however, the combination of both hormones decreases the stimulatory effects of dexamethasone on Na(+) transport and ENaC mRNA expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Schmidt
- Division of Neonatology, Center for Pediatric Research Leipzig, Hospital for Children & Adolescents, University of Leipzig, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Ritter HD, Mueller CR. Expression microarray identifies the unliganded glucocorticoid receptor as a regulator of gene expression in mammary epithelial cells. BMC Cancer 2014; 14:275. [PMID: 24755251 PMCID: PMC4021255 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-14-275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2013] [Accepted: 04/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background While glucocorticoids and the liganded glucocorticoid receptor (GR) have a well-established role in the maintenance of differentiation and suppression of apoptosis in breast tissue, the involvement of unliganded GR in cellular processes is less clear. Our previous studies implicated unliganded GR as a positive regulator of the BRCA1 tumour suppressor gene in the absence of glucocorticoid hormone, which suggested it could play a similar role in the regulation of other genes. Methods An shRNA vector directed against GR was used to create mouse mammary cell lines with depleted endogenous levels of this receptor in order to further characterize the role of GR in breast cells. An expression microarray screen for targets of unliganded GR was performed using our GR-depleted cell lines maintained in the absence of glucocorticoids. Candidate genes positively regulated by unliganded GR were identified, classified by Gene Ontology and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis, and validated using quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and dual luciferase expression assays were conducted to further investigate the mechanism through which unliganded GR regulates these genes. Results Expression microarray analysis revealed 260 targets negatively regulated and 343 targets positively regulated by unliganded GR. A number of the positively regulated targets were involved in pro-apoptotic networks, possibly opposing the activity of liganded GR targets. Validation and further analysis of five candidates from the microarray indicated that two of these, Hsd11b1 and Ch25h, were regulated by unliganded GR in a manner similar to Brca1 during glucocorticoid treatment. Furthermore, GR was shown to interact directly with and upregulate the Ch25h promoter in the absence, but not the presence, of hydrocortisone (HC), confirming our previously described model of gene regulation by unliganded GR. Conclusion This work presents the first identification of targets of unliganded GR. We propose that the balance between targets of liganded and unliganded GR signaling is responsible for controlling differentiation and apoptosis, respectively, and suggest that gene regulation by unliganded GR may represent a mechanism for reducing the risk of breast tumourigenesis by the elimination of abnormal cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Christopher R Mueller
- Queen's Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L 3N6.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Richardson AJ, Laurence JM, Lam VWT. Use of pre-operative steroids in liver resection: a systematic review and meta-analysis. HPB (Oxford) 2014; 16:12-9. [PMID: 23461716 PMCID: PMC3892310 DOI: 10.1111/hpb.12066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2012] [Accepted: 12/05/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND By attenuating the systemic inflammatory response to major surgery, the pre-operative administration of steroids may reduce the incidence of complications. METHODS A systematic review was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing pre-operative steroid administration with placebo during a liver resection. Meta-analyses were performed. RESULTS Five RCTs were identified including a total of 379 patients. Pre-operative steroids were associated with statistically significant reductions in the levels of serum bilirubin and interleukin 6 (IL-6) on post-operative day one. There was a trend towards a lower incidence of post-operative complications and prothrombin time (PT), but this did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION Pre-operative steroids may be associated with a clinically significant benefit in liver resection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arthur J Richardson
- Department of Surgery, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Discipline of Surgery, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Chatterjee S, Sikdar SK. Corticosterone targets distinct steps of synaptic transmission via concentration specific activation of mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors. J Neurochem 2013; 128:476-90. [PMID: 24117520 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2013] [Revised: 09/15/2013] [Accepted: 09/30/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Hippocampal neurons are affected by chronic stress and have a high density of cytoplasmic mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors (MR and GR). Detailed studies on the genomic effects of the stress hormone corticosterone at physiologically relevant concentrations on different steps in synaptic transmission are limited. In this study, we tried to delineate how activation of MR and GR by different concentrations of corticosterone affects synaptic transmission at various levels. The effect of 3-h corticosterone (25, 50, and 100 nM) treatment on depolarization-mediated calcium influx, vesicular release and properties of miniature excitatory post-synaptic currents (mEPSCs) were studied in cultured hippocampal neurons. Activation of MR with 25 nM corticosterone treatment resulted in enhanced depolarization-mediated calcium influx via a transcription-dependent process and increased frequency of mEPSCs with larger amplitude. On the other hand, activation of GR upon 100 nM corticosterone treatment resulted in increase in the rate of vesicular release via the genomic actions of GR. Furthermore, GR activation led to significant increase in the frequency of mEPSCs with larger amplitude and faster decay. Our studies indicate that differential activation of the dual receptor system of MR and GR by corticosterone targets the steps in synaptic transmission differently.
Collapse
|
37
|
Baker ME, Funder JW, Kattoula SR. Evolution of hormone selectivity in glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2013; 137:57-70. [PMID: 23907018 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2013.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2013] [Revised: 07/02/2013] [Accepted: 07/22/2013] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) and glucocorticoid receptors (GR) are descended from an ancestral corticoid receptor (CR). To date, the earliest CR have been found in lamprey and hagfish, two jawless fish (cyclostomes) that evolved at the base of the vertebrate line. Lamprey CR has both MR and GR activity. Distinct orthologs of the GR and MR first appear in skates and sharks, which are cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyes). Aldosterone, the physiological mineralocorticoid in terrestrial vertebrates, first appears in lobe-finned fish, such as lungfish and coelacanth, forerunners of terrestrial vertebrates, but not in sharks, skates or ray-finned fish. Skate MR are transcriptionally activated by glucocorticoids, such as corticosterone and cortisol, as well as by mineralocorticoids such as deoxycorticosterone and (experimentally) aldosterone; skate GR have low affinity for all human corticosteroids and 1α-OH-corticosterone, which has been proposed to be biologically active glucocorticoid. In fish, cortisol is both physiological mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid; in terrestrial vertebrates, cortisol or corticosterone are the physiological glucocorticoids acting through GR, and aldosterone via MR as the physiologic mineralocorticoid. MR have equally high affinity for cortisol, corticosterone and progesterone. We review this evolutionary process through an analysis of changes in sequence and structure of vertebrate GR and MR, identifying changes in these receptors in skates and lobe-fined fish important in allowing aldosterone to act as an agonist at epithelial MR and glucocorticoid specificity for GR. hMR and hGR have lost a key contact between helix 3 and helix 5 that was present in their common ancestor. A serine that is diagnostic for vertebrate MR, and absent in terrestrial and fish GR, is present in lamprey CR, skate MR and GR, but not in coelacanth GR, marking the transition of the GR from MR ancestor. Based on the response of the CR and skate MR and GR to corticosteroids, we conclude that the mechanism(s) for selectivity of GR for cortisol and corticosterone and the specificity of aldosterone for MR are incompletely understood. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'CSR 2013'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael E Baker
- Department of Medicine, 0693, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0693, United States.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Whirledge S, Xu X, Cidlowski JA. Global gene expression analysis in human uterine epithelial cells defines new targets of glucocorticoid and estradiol antagonism. Biol Reprod 2013; 89:66. [PMID: 23843231 PMCID: PMC4435104 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.113.111054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2013] [Revised: 06/18/2013] [Accepted: 07/04/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In preparation for embryo implantation and pregnancy, the uterine epithelium undergoes a genomic and biological transition that mediates adhesion and invasion of the blastocyst. These events resemble an inflammatory response, and the immune system likely takes an active role in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Although glucocorticoids are primary mediators of the immune system, the functional role of glucocorticoid signaling in the uterine epithelium is not well defined. To investigate the dynamic relationship between glucocorticoids and reproductive hormones, we performed whole-genome microarray analysis in a human uterine endometrial cancer cell line (ECC1 cells) treated with the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (Dex) alone or in combination with estradiol (E₂). Over 10,000 genes were significantly regulated in the presence of Dex and/or E₂. Surprisingly, unique targets of Dex and E₂ together represented the largest group of regulated genes. Ingenuity pathway analysis found both overlapping and independent regulated networks for each hormone. Several hundred genes were found to be coregulated by Dex and E₂, including several that were antagonistically regulated. The effects of glucocorticoids and E₂ are mediated primarily through the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) and estrogen receptor (ESR1), respectively. In silico promoter analysis revealed that NR3C1 and ESR1 response elements are enriched in antagonistically regulated genes, and signaling through these receptors was required for antagonism. Glucocorticoid and E₂ antagonism of target genes may represent a critical junction between the immune system and female reproductive system. Moreover, identification and ontology analysis of glucocorticoid-regulated genes in a uterine epithelial-like cell line suggests that glucocorticoid signaling regulates important biological functions, including immune cell trafficking and embryonic development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shannon Whirledge
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Xiaojiang Xu
- Laboratory of Integrative Bioinformatics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - John A. Cidlowski
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Kil SH, Kalinec F. Expression and dexamethasone-induced nuclear translocation of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors in guinea pig cochlear cells. Hear Res 2013; 299:63-78. [PMID: 23403298 PMCID: PMC3633732 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2013.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2012] [Revised: 01/14/2013] [Accepted: 01/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GC) are powerful anti-inflammatory agents frequently used to protect the auditory organ against damage associated with a variety of conditions, including noise exposure and ototoxic drugs as well as bacterial and viral infections. In addition to glucocorticoid receptors (GC-R), natural and synthetic GC are known to bind mineralocorticoid receptors (MC-R) with great affinity. We used light and laser scanning confocal microscopy to investigate the expression of GC-R and MC-R in different cell populations of the guinea pig cochlea, and their translocation to different cell compartments after treatment with the synthetic GC dexamethasone. We found expression of both types of receptors in the cytoplasm and nucleus of sensory inner and outer hair cells as well as pillar, Hensen and Deiters cells in the organ of Corti, inner and outer sulcus cells, spiral ganglion neurons and several types of spiral ligament and spiral limbus cells; stria vascularis cells expressed mostly MC-R whereas fibrocytes type IV were positive for GC-R only. GC-R and MC-R were also localized at or near the plasma membrane of pillar cells and outer hair cells, whereas GC-R were found at or near the plasma membrane of Hensen cells only. We investigated the relative levels of receptor expression in the cytoplasm and the nucleus of Hensen cells treated with dexamethasone, and found they varied in a way suggestive of dose-induced translocation. These results suggest that the oto-protective effects of GC could be associated with the concerted activation of genomic and non-genomic, GC-R and MC-R mediated signaling pathways in different regions of the cochlea.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Hee Kil
- Division of Cell Biology and Genetics, House Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, 90057, USA
| | - Federico Kalinec
- Division of Cell Biology and Genetics, House Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, 90057, USA
- Departments of Cell & Neurobiology and Otolaryngology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Africander D, Louw R, Hapgood JP. Investigating the anti-mineralocorticoid properties of synthetic progestins used in hormone therapy. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2013; 433:305-10. [PMID: 23473756 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2013.02.086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2013] [Accepted: 02/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
A more detailed understanding of the affinities and efficacies for transcriptional regulation by the synthetic progestins medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and norethisterone acetate (NET-A) via the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) is required, to better understand their relative risk profiles. Both MPA and NET-A bind to the MR, although with about 100-fold lower affinities than that of Prog. MPA and NET-A exhibit no agonist activity, but NET-A, unlike MPA, has similar antagonistic efficacy to Prog on the endogenous mineralocorticoid/glucocorticoid response element (MRE/GRE)-containing genes, α-glycolytic protein or orosomucoid-1 (Orm-1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). This study is the first to show that NET-A, but not MPA, can dissociate between transrepression and transactivation via the MR. Given the relatively low affinity and potency of MPA and NET-A for the MR, our results suggest that these progestins are unlikeley to exert significant effects via the MR at doses used in hormonal therapy. However, considering their relative free concentrations compared to endogenous hormones, the possibility that NET-A may exhibit significant MR antagonist activity, with some possible cardiovascular protective benefits, should not be excluded.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Donita Africander
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Stellenbosch, 7600 Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Yang J, Fuller PJ. Interactions of the mineralocorticoid receptor--within and without. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2012; 350:196-205. [PMID: 21784126 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2011.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2011] [Revised: 06/28/2011] [Accepted: 07/03/2011] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The mineralocortoid receptor (MR) regulates salt homeostasis in the kidneys and plays a range of other roles in the heart, vasculature, brain and adipose tissue. It interacts with both mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids to mediate transcription of target genes. The ability of the MR to exert tissue- and ligand-specific effects relies on its interactions with a range of binding partners, including the chaperone proteins, coregulators, other transcription factors, DNA and modifying proteins. Interactions within the domains of the MR also modulate the overall transcriptional complex. This review will discuss the current understanding of interactions involving the MR and highlight their relevance to ligand- or tissue-specificity as well as their suitability as therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Yang
- Department of Medicine, Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Ritter HD, Antonova L, Mueller CR. The unliganded glucocorticoid receptor positively regulates the tumor suppressor gene BRCA1 through GABP beta. Mol Cancer Res 2012; 10:558-69. [PMID: 22328717 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-11-0423-t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Loss of BRCA1 tumor suppressor function is a critical event in breast tumorigenesis. We have previously identified the stress hormone hydrocortisone as a negative regulator of BRCA1 expression in nonmalignant mammary cells. Here, we have identified a direct role for the unliganded glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in BRCA1 upregulation in the absence of hydrocortisone. The positive regulatory effect of GR is lost upon the addition of hydrocortisone. We have shown that GR interacts with the BRCA1 promoter only in the absence of hydrocortisone, and that this interaction is mediated through the β-subunit of the ets transcription factor GA-binding protein (GABP) at the RIBS promoter element. GR and GABPβ interact in both coimmunoprecipitation and mammalian two-hybrid assays, and this interaction involves the N-terminal to central regions of both proteins. This work presents the first evidence of a ligand-independent role for GR as a positive regulator of gene expression, and loss of GR from the BRCA1 promoter in response to stress hormones leads to decreased BRCA1 expression. Because low levels of BRCA1 have been implicated in the development of sporadic breast cancer, this may represent a novel mechanism through which prolonged stress signaling increases breast cancer risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heather D Ritter
- Department of Biochemistry, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6, Canada
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Jones HP. Immune cells listen to what stress is saying: neuroendocrine receptors orchestrate immune function. Methods Mol Biol 2012; 934:77-87. [PMID: 22933141 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-62703-071-7_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Over the past three decades, the field of psychoneuroimmunology research has blossomed into a major field of study, gaining interests of researchers across all traditionally accepted disciplines of scientific research. This chapter provides an overview of our current understanding in defining neuroimmune interactions with a primary focus of discussing the neuroendocrine receptor activity by immune cells. This chapter highlights the necessity of neuroimmune responses as it relates to a better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of health and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Harlan P Jones
- Department of Molecular Biology and Immunology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Coutinho AE, Chapman KE. The anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects of glucocorticoids, recent developments and mechanistic insights. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2011; 335:2-13. [PMID: 20398732 PMCID: PMC3047790 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2010.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1101] [Impact Index Per Article: 84.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2009] [Revised: 04/02/2010] [Accepted: 04/06/2010] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Since the discovery of glucocorticoids in the 1940s and the recognition of their anti-inflammatory effects, they have been amongst the most widely used and effective treatments to control inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. However, their clinical efficacy is compromised by the metabolic effects of long-term treatment, which include osteoporosis, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes mellitus. In recent years, a great deal of effort has been invested in identifying compounds that separate the beneficial anti-inflammatory effects from the adverse metabolic effects of glucocorticoids, with limited effect. It is clear that for these efforts to be effective, a greater understanding is required of the mechanisms by which glucocorticoids exert their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive actions. Recent research is shedding new light on some of these mechanisms and has produced some surprising new findings. Some of these recent developments are reviewed here.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Karen E. Chapman
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +44 131 242 6736; fax: +44 131 242 6779.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Meijer OC. Corticosteroid receptor signalling modes and stress adaptation in the brain. Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig 2011; 7:317-26. [PMID: 25961270 DOI: 10.1515/hmbci.2011.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2011] [Accepted: 07/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Adrenal glucocorticoid hormones modulate neuronal activity to support an adaptive response to stress. They modulate brain circuitry mediating physiological responses, emotion and cognitive processing. Chronically elevated glucocorticoid exposure is however linked to the development of mental disease. Glucocorticoid effects depend on mineralo- and glucocorticoid receptors, which are powerful transcription factors, but also can act via a diversity of non-genomic mechanisms. Here, I review generic factors that determine neuronal glucocorticoid sensitivity, in relation to brain function. First, pre-receptor mechanisms determine ligand availability. Second, there may be considerable variation in the receptor splice- and translation variants. Third, other transcription factors and many transcriptional coregulators interact with steroid receptors, determining nature and magnitude of steroid responses, in part through epigenetic regulation of DNA accessibility. Which factors underlie adaptive and pathogenic effects of stress hormones is largely unknown. Genome-wide identification of the receptor-DNA interactions in specific behavioural and physiological contexts provides a way of assessing the complete genomic range of glucocorticoid modes of action. Novel ligands that induce selective activation of particular receptor signalling modes will aid our understanding of receptor signalling and may allow selective targeting of glucocorticoid effects in emotional or cognitive domains, in research and, hopefully, in clinical settings.
Collapse
|
46
|
Honorat M, Mesnier A, Vendrell J, Di Pietro A, Lin V, Dumontet C, Cohen P, Payen L. MRP8/ABCC11 expression is regulated by dexamethasone in breast cancer cells and is associated to progesterone receptor status in breast tumors. Int J Breast Cancer 2011; 2011:807380. [PMID: 22332017 PMCID: PMC3275985 DOI: 10.4061/2011/807380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2010] [Revised: 12/02/2010] [Accepted: 12/20/2010] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The ATP-binding cassette multidrug resistance protein 8 (MRP8/ABCC11) mediates the excretion of anticancer drugs. ABCC11 mRNA and protein levels were enhanced by DEX (dexamethasone) and by PROG (progesterone) in MCF7 (progesterone receptor-(PR-) positive) but not in MDA-MB-231 (PR-negative) breast cancer cells. This suggested a PR-signaling pathway involvement in ABCC11 regulation. Nevertheless, pregnenolone-16α-carbonitrile (GR antagonist) and clotrimazole strongly and moderately decreased ABCC11 expression levels in Glucocortocoid Receptor-(GR-) and Pregnane X Receptor (PXR)-positive MCF7 cells but not in MDA-MB-231 cells (GR- and PXR-positive). Thus, GR-signaling pathway involvement could not be excluded in ABCC11 regulation in MCF7 cells. Furthermore, ABCC11 levels were positively correlated with the PR status of postmenopausal patient breast tumors from two independent cohorts. Thus, in the subclass of breast tumors (Estrogen Receptor-(ER-) negative/PR-positive), the elevated expression level of ABCC11 may alter the sensitivity to ABCC11 anticancer substrates, especially under treatment combinations with DEX.
Collapse
|
47
|
Yamamoto Y, Moore R, Flavell RA, Lu B, Negishi M. Nuclear receptor CAR represses TNFalpha-induced cell death by interacting with the anti-apoptotic GADD45B. PLoS One 2010; 5:e10121. [PMID: 20404936 PMCID: PMC2853562 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0010121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2010] [Accepted: 03/15/2010] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Phenobarbital (PB) is the most well-known among numerous non-genotoxic carcinogens that cause the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). PB activates nuclear xenobiotic receptor Constitutive Active/Androstane Receptor (CAR; NR1I3) and this activation is shown to determine PB promotion of HCC in mice. The molecular mechanism of CAR-mediated tumor promotion, however, remains elusive at the present time. Here we have identified Growth Arrest and DNA Damage-inducible 45β (GADD45B) as a novel CAR target, through which CAR represses cell death. Methodology/Principal Findings PB activation of nuclear xenobiotic receptor CAR is found to induce the Gadd45b gene in mouse liver throughout the development of HCC as well as in liver tumors. Given the known function of GADD45B as a factor that represses Mitogen-activated protein Kinase Kinase 7 - c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (MKK7-JNK) pathway-mediated apoptosis, we have now demonstrated that CAR interacts with GADD45B to repress Tumor Necrosis Factor α ( TNFα)-induced JNK1 phosphorylation as well as cell death. Primary hepatocytes, prepared from Car+/+, Car−/−, Gadd45b+/+ and Gadd45b−/− mice, were treated with TNFα and Actinomycin D to induce phosphorylation of JNK1 and cell death. Co-treatment with the CAR activating ligand TCPOBOP (1,4 bis[2-(3,5-dichloropyridyloxy)]benzene) has resulted in repression of both phosphorylation and cell death in the primary hepatocytes from Car+/+ but not Car−/−mice. Repression by TCPOBOP was not observed in those prepared from Gadd45b−/− mice. In vitro protein-protein interaction and phosphorylation assays have revealed that CAR interacts with MKK7 and represses the MKK7-mediated phosphorylation of JNK1. Conclusions/Significance CAR can form a protein complex with GADD45B, through which CAR represses MKK7-mediated phosphorylation of JNK1. In addition to activating the Gadd45b gene, CAR may repress death of mouse primary hepatocytes by forming a GADD45B complex and repressing MKK7-mediated phosphorylation of JNK1. The present finding that CAR can repress cell death via its interaction with GADD45B provides an insight for further investigations into the CAR-regulated molecular mechanism by which PB promotes development of HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yukio Yamamoto
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Rick Moore
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Richard A. Flavell
- Section of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Binfeng Lu
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Masahiko Negishi
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Genomic determination of the glucocorticoid response reveals unexpected mechanisms of gene regulation. Genome Res 2009; 19:2163-71. [PMID: 19801529 DOI: 10.1101/gr.097022.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 399] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The glucocorticoid steroid hormone cortisol is released by the adrenal glands in response to stress and serves as a messenger in circadian rhythms. Transcriptional responses to this hormonal signal are mediated by the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). We determined GR binding throughout the human genome by using chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by next-generation DNA sequencing, and measured related changes in gene expression with mRNA sequencing in response to the glucocorticoid dexamethasone (DEX). We identified 4392 genomic positions occupied by the GR and 234 genes with significant changes in expression in response to DEX. This genomic census revealed striking differences between gene activation and repression by the GR. While genes activated with DEX treatment have GR bound within a median distance of 11 kb from the transcriptional start site (TSS), the nearest GR binding for genes repressed with DEX treatment is a median of 146 kb from the TSS, suggesting that DEX-mediated repression occurs independently of promoter-proximal GR binding. In addition to the dramatic differences in proximity of GR binding, we found differences in the kinetics of gene expression response for induced and repressed genes, with repression occurring substantially after induction. We also found that the GR can respond to different levels of corticosteroids in a gene-specific manner. For example, low doses of DEX selectively induced PER1, a transcription factor involved in regulating circadian rhythms. Overall, the genome-wide determination and analysis of GR:DNA binding and transcriptional response to hormone reveals new insights into the complexities of gene regulatory activities managed by GR.
Collapse
|
49
|
Goto M, Chow J, Muramoto K, Chiba KI, Yamamoto S, Fujita M, Obaishi H, Tai K, Mizui Y, Tanaka I, Young D, Yang H, Wang YJ, Shirota H, Gusovsky F. E6201 [(3S,4R,5Z,8S,9S,11E)-14-(Ethylamino)-8, 9,16-trihydroxy-3,4-dimethyl-3,4,9,19-tetrahydro-1H-2-benzoxacyclotetradecine-1,7(8H)-dione], a Novel Kinase Inhibitor of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase/Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Kinase (MEK)-1 and MEK Kinase-1: In Vitro Characterization of Its Anti-Inflammatory and Antihyperproliferative Activities. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2009; 331:485-95. [DOI: 10.1124/jpet.109.156554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
|
50
|
Tsugita M, Iwasaki Y, Nishiyama M, Taguchi T, Shinahara M, Taniguchi Y, Kambayashi M, Nishiyama A, Gomez-Sanchez CE, Terada Y, Hashimoto K. Glucocorticoid receptor plays an indispensable role in mineralocorticoid receptor-dependent transcription in GR-deficient BE(2)C and T84 cells in vitro. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2009; 302:18-25. [PMID: 19146914 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2008.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2008] [Revised: 10/26/2008] [Accepted: 12/04/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) plays an important functional role in the central nervous system; however, the molecular mechanism of MR-dependent gene expression is not entirely clear. In this study, we examined the MR-dependent transcriptional regulation using a human neuronal cell line BE(2)C and an MR/GR-dependent reporter gene (HRE-luciferase) in vitro. Western blot analysis revealed that the cell line expresses MR but not glucocorticoid receptor (GR). In this experimental condition, unexpectedly, the MR-specific ligand aldosterone did not induce HRE-dependent transcription in a native or MR-overexpressed condition, whereas significant transcriptional induction by aldosterone was observed when the GR was co-expressed. The effect of aldosterone was completely inhibited by the MR antagonist spironolactone, indicating an MR-dependent effect. We found similar results in T84 colonic cells expressing neither MR nor GR, such that the aldosterone effect was obtained only when both receptors were co-expressed. The co-operative effect of GR was not obvious with the dimer-deficient mutant GR. Finally, the above findings were reproducible with different promoters containing HRE such as ENaC and MMTV. These results suggest that GR plays an indispensable role in MR-dependent transcription, possibly by forming a MR/GR heterodimer or by acting as a co-activator of MR/MR homodimer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Tsugita
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nephrology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku 783-8505, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|