SMAD3 inhibits SF-1-dependent activation of the CYP17 promoter in H295R cells

Transactivation of miR-202-5p by Steroidogenic Factor 1 (SF1) Induces Apoptosis in Goat Granulosa Cells by Targeting TGFβR2

MicroRNAs play key roles during ovary development, with emerging evidence suggesting that miR-202-5p is specifically expressed in female animal gonads. Granulosa cells (GCs) are somatic cells that are closely related to the development of female gametes in mammalian ovaries. However, the biological roles of miR-202-5p in GCs remain unknown. Here, we show that miR-202-5p is specifically expressed in GCs and accumulates in extracellular vesicles (EVs) from large growth follicles in goat ovaries. In vitro assays showed that miR-202-5p induced apoptosis and suppressed the proliferation of goat GCs. We further revealed that miR-202-5p is a functional miRNA that targets the transforming growth factor-beta type II receptor (TGFβR2). MiR-202-5p attenuated TGF-β/SMAD signaling through the degradation of TGFβR2 at both the mRNA and protein level, decreasing p-SMAD3 levels in GCs. Moreover, we verified that steroidogenic factor 1 (SF1) is a transcriptional factor that binds to the promoters of miR-202 and cytochrome P450 family 19 subfamily A member 1 (CYP19A1) through luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. That contributed to positive correlation between miR-202-5p and CYP19A1 expression and estradiol (E2) release. Furthermore, SF1 repressed TGFβR2 and p-SMAD3 levels in GCs through the transactivation of miR-202-5p. Taken together, these results suggest a mechanism by which miR-202-5p regulates canonical TGF-β/SMAD signaling through targeting TGFβR2 in GCs. This provides insight into the transcriptional regulation of miR-202 and CYP19A1 during goat ovarian follicular development.

Transforming growth factor-β1 signaling represses testicular steroidogenesis through cross-talk with orphan nuclear receptor Nur77

Transforming growth factor- β1 (TGF-β1) has been reported to inhibit luteinizing hormone (LH) mediated-steroidogenesis in testicular Leydig cells. However, the mechanism by which TGF-β1 controls the steroidogenesis in Leydig cells is not well understood. Here, we investigated the possibility that TGF-β1 represses steroidogenesis through cross-talk with the orphan nuclear receptor Nur77. Nur77, which is induced by LH/cAMP signaling, is one of major transcription factors that regulate the expression of steroidogenic genes in Leydig cells. TGF-β1 signaling inhibited cAMP-induced testosterone production and the expression of steroidogenic genes such as P450c17, StAR and 3β-HSD in mouse Leydig cells. Further, TGF-β1/ALK5 signaling repressed cAMP-induced and Nur77-activated promoter activity of steroidogenic genes. In addition, TGF-β1/ALK5-activated Smad3 repressed Nur77 transactivation of steroidogenic gene promoters by interfering with Nur77 binding to DNA. In primary Leydig cells isolated from Tgfbr2^flox/flox Cyp17iCre mice, TGF-β1-mediated repression of cAMP-induced steroidogenic gene expression was significantly less than that in primary Leydig cells from Tgfbr2^flox/flox mice. Taken together, these results suggest that TGF-β1/ALK5/Smad3 signaling represses the expression of steroidogenic genes via the suppression of Nur77 transactivation in testicular Leydig cells. These findings may provide a molecular mechanism involved in the TGF-β1-mediated repression of testicular steroidogenesis.

TGF-β1 regulation of estrogen production in mature rat Leydig cells

BACKGROUND

Besides androgens, estrogens produced in Leydig cells are also crucial for mammalian germ cell differentiation. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is now known to have multiple effects on regulation of Leydig cell function. The objective of the present study is to determine whether TGF-β1 regulates estradiol (E2) synthesis in adult rat Leydig cells and then to assess the impact of TGF-β1 on Cx43-based gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) between Leydig cells.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Primary cultured Leydig cells were incubated in the presence of recombinant TGF-β1 and the production of E2 as well as testosterone (T) were measured by RIA. The activity of P450arom was addressed by the tritiated water release assay and the expression of Cyp19 gene was evaluated by Western blotting and real time RT-PCR. The expression of Cx43 and GJIC were investigated with immunofluorescence and fluorescence recovery after photo-bleaching (FRAP), respectively. Results from this study show that TGF-β1 down-regulates the level of E2 secretion and the activity of P450arom in a dose-dependent manner in adult Leydig cells. In addition, the expression of Cx43 and GJIC was closely related to the regulation of E2 and TGF-β1, and E2 treatment in turn restored the inhibition of TGF-β1 on GJIC.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate, for the first time in adult rat Leydig cells, that TGF-β1 suppresses P450arom activity, as well as the expression of the Cyp19 gene, and that depression of E2 secretion leads to down-regulation of Cx43-based GJIC between Leydig cells.

Knockdown of SF-1 and RNF31 affects components of steroidogenesis, TGFβ, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling in adrenocortical carcinoma cells

The orphan nuclear receptor Steroidogenic Factor-1 (SF-1, NR5A1) is a critical regulator of development and homeostasis of the adrenal cortex and gonads. We recently showed that a complex containing E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF31 and the known SF-1 corepressor DAX-1 (NR0B1) interacts with SF-1 on target promoters and represses transcription of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and aromatase (CYP19) genes. To further evaluate the role of SF-1 in the adrenal cortex and the involvement of RNF31 in SF-1-dependent pathways, we performed genome-wide gene-expression analysis of adrenocortical NCI-H295R cells where SF-1 or RNF31 had been knocked down using RNA interference. We find RNF31 to be deeply connected to cholesterol metabolism and steroid hormone synthesis, strengthening its role as an SF-1 coregulator. We also find intriguing evidence of negative crosstalk between SF-1 and both transforming growth factor (TGF) β and Wnt/β-catenin signaling. This crosstalk could be of importance for adrenogonadal development, maintenance of adrenocortical progenitor cells and the development of adrenocortical carcinoma. Finally, the SF-1 gene profile can be used to distinguish malignant from benign adrenocortical tumors, a finding that implicates SF-1 in the development of malignant adrenocortical carcinoma.

Inhibin removes the inhibitory effects of activin on steroid enzyme expression and androgen production by normal ovarian thecal cells

Activin and inhibin are important local modulators of theca cell steroidogenesis in the ovary. Using a serum-free primary theca cell culture system, this study investigated the effects of inhibin on theca cell androgen production and expression of steroidogenic enzymes. Androstenedione secretion from theca cells cultured in media containing activin, inhibin and follistatin was assessed by RIA over 144 h. Activin (1-100 ng/ml) suppressed androstenedione production. Inhibin (1-100 ng/ml) blocked the suppressive effects of added activin, but increased androstenedione production when added alone, suggesting it was blocking endogenous activin produced by theca cells. Addition of SB-431542 (activin receptor inhibitor) and follistatin (500 ng/ml) increased androstenedione production, supporting this concept. Infection of theca cells with adenoviruses expressing inhibitory Smad6 or 7 increased androstenedione secretion, confirming that the suppressive effects of activin required activation of the Smad2/3 pathway. Activin decreased the expression levels of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR), whereas STAR expression was increased by inhibin and SB-431542, alone and in combination. CYP11A was unaffected. The expression of CYP17 encoding 17α-hydroxylase was unaffected by activin but increased by inhibin and SB-431542, and when added in combination the effect was further enhanced. The expression of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) was significantly decreased by activin, while inhibin alone and in combination with SB-431542 both potently increased the expression of 3β-HSD. In conclusion, activin suppressed theca cell androstenedione production by decreasing the expression of STAR and 3β-HSD. Inhibin and other blockers of activin action reversed this effect, supporting the concept that endogenous thecal activin modulates androgen production in theca cells.

Steroidogenic factor-1 is required for TGF-beta3-mediated 17beta-estradiol synthesis in mouse ovarian granulosa cells

The TGF-β superfamily members are indicated to play key roles in ovarian follicular development, such as granulosa cell proliferation, estrogens, and progesterone production. However, little is known about the roles of TGF-β3 in follicular development. In this study, we found that TGF-β3 was predominantly expressed in granulosa cells of mouse ovarian follicles, and it significantly promoted 17β-estradiol (E(2)) release in a dose-dependent manner. The orphan nuclear receptor steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1) was required in TGF-β3-induced Cyp19a1 (a key rate-limiting enzyme for estrogen biosynthesis) expression and E(2) release. Additionally, TGF-β3 enhanced the binding of SF-1 to endogenous ovary-specific Cyp19a1 type II promoter, as evidenced by chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. The enhanced effect of SF-1 by TGF-β3 may be mediated through functional interactions between SF-1 and mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (Smad)3 (a mediator of TGF-β signaling pathway), because disruption of the interaction abolished the synergistic effects of SF-1, Smad3, and TGF-β3 on Cyp19a1 mRNA expression. RNA interference and chromatin immunoprecipitation studies also demonstrated that Smad3 was required for SF-1 binding to Cyp19a1 type II promoter and activation of Cyp19a1. Smad3 thus acts as a point of convergence that involves integration of SF-1 and TGF-β signaling in affecting E(2) production. Taken together, our data provide mechanistic insights into the roles of SF-1 in TGF-β3-mediated E(2) synthesis. Understanding of potential cross-points between extracellular signals affecting estrogen production will help to discover new therapeutic targets in estrogen-related diseases.

TGF-beta inhibits CYP17 transcription in H295R cells acting via activin receptor-like kinase 5

OBJECTIVE

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is a potent inhibitor of 17alpha-hydroxylase/17,20 lyase activity and CYP17 gene expression. We investigated the mechanism how CYP17 is inhibited by TGF-beta in adrenocortical cells.

METHODS

H295R cells were culture and incubated with TGF-beta, transcription inhibitor (DRB), activin receptor-like kinase 5 ALK5 (TbetaRII) inhibitor (SB431542), mitogen activated kinases inhibitors (PD98059 and SB203580), subsequently using reverse transcription and quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) we determined CYP17 expression.

RESULTS

TGF-beta significantly decreased the level of cytochrome P450c17 mRNA and this inhibitory effect of TGF-beta on CYP17 expression required activin receptor-like kinase 5 (ALK5) and on-going transcription. Mitogen activated kinases MEK1 and p38 MAPK are not involved it the inhibitory effect of TGF-beta on CYP17 expression.

CONCLUSION

We concluded that the TGF-beta-dependent decrease of 17alpha-hydroxylase/17,20 lyase activity in the H295R cells is caused by inhibition of CYP17 transcription and is mediated by the ALK5 receptor.