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Lang A, Isigkeit L, Schubert-Zsilavecz M, Merk D. The Medicinal Chemistry and Therapeutic Potential of LRH-1 Modulators. J Med Chem 2021; 64:16956-16973. [PMID: 34839661 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The ligand-activated transcription factor liver receptor homologue 1 (LRH-1, NR5A2) is involved in the regulation of metabolic homeostasis, including cholesterol and glucose balance. Preliminary evidence points to therapeutic potential of LRH-1 modulation in diabetes, hepatic diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, atherosclerosis, and certain cancers, but because of a lack of suitable ligands, pharmacological control of LRH-1 has been insufficiently studied. Despite the availability of considerable structural knowledge on LRH-1, only a few ligand chemotypes have been developed, and potent, selective, and bioavailable tools to explore LRH-1 modulation in vivo are lacking. In view of the therapeutic potential of LRH-1 in prevalent diseases, improved chemical tools are needed to probe the beneficial and adverse effects of pharmacological LRH-1 modulation in sophisticated preclinical models and to further elucidate the receptor's molecular function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisa Lang
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Laura Isigkeit
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Daniel Merk
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany.,Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5-13, D-81377 Munich, Germany
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Meinsohn MC, Smith OE, Bertolin K, Murphy BD. The Orphan Nuclear Receptors Steroidogenic Factor-1 and Liver Receptor Homolog-1: Structure, Regulation, and Essential Roles in Mammalian Reproduction. Physiol Rev 2019; 99:1249-1279. [DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00019.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptors are intracellular proteins that act as transcription factors. Proteins with classic nuclear receptor domain structure lacking identified signaling ligands are designated orphan nuclear receptors. Two of these, steroidogenic factor-1 (NR5A1, also known as SF-1) and liver receptor homolog-1 (NR5A2, also known as LRH-1), bind to the same DNA sequences, with different and nonoverlapping effects on targets. Endogenous regulation of both is achieved predominantly by cofactor interactions. SF-1 is expressed primarily in steroidogenic tissues, LRH-1 in tissues of endodermal origin and the gonads. Both receptors modulate cholesterol homeostasis, steroidogenesis, tissue-specific cell proliferation, and stem cell pluripotency. LRH-1 is essential for development beyond gastrulation and SF-1 for genesis of the adrenal, sexual differentiation, and Leydig cell function. Ovary-specific depletion of SF-1 disrupts follicle development, while LRH-1 depletion prevents ovulation, cumulus expansion, and luteinization. Uterine depletion of LRH-1 compromises decidualization and pregnancy. In humans, SF-1 is present in endometriotic tissue, where it regulates estrogen synthesis. SF-1 is underexpressed in ovarian cancer cells and overexpressed in Leydig cell tumors. In breast cancer cells, proliferation, migration and invasion, and chemotherapy resistance are regulated by LRH-1. In conclusion, the NR5A orphan nuclear receptors are nonredundant factors that are crucial regulators of a panoply of biological processes, across multiple reproductive tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Charlotte Meinsohn
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction et Fertilité, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
| | - Olivia E. Smith
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction et Fertilité, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
| | - Kalyne Bertolin
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction et Fertilité, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
| | - Bruce D. Murphy
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction et Fertilité, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
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Dhiman VK, Bolt MJ, White KP. Nuclear receptors in cancer — uncovering new and evolving roles through genomic analysis. Nat Rev Genet 2017; 19:160-174. [DOI: 10.1038/nrg.2017.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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LRH-1 expression patterns in breast cancer tissues are associated with tumour aggressiveness. Oncotarget 2017; 8:83626-83636. [PMID: 29137369 PMCID: PMC5663541 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.18886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The significance and regulation of liver receptor homologue 1 (LRH-1, NR5A2), a tumour-promoting transcription factor in breast cancer cell lines, is unknown in clinical breast cancers. This study aims to determine LRH-1/NR5A2 expression in breast cancers and relationship with DNA methylation and tumour characteristics. In The Cancer Genome Atlas breast cancer cohort NR5A2 expression was positively associated with intragenic CpG island methylation (1.4-fold expression for fully methylated versus not fully methylated, p=0.01) and inversely associated with promoter CpG island methylation (0.6-fold expression for fully methylated versus not fully methylated, p=0.036). LRH-1 immunohistochemistry of 329 invasive carcinomas and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) was performed. Densely punctate/coarsely granular nuclear reactivity was significantly associated with high tumour grade (p<0.005, p=0.033 in invasive carcinomas and DCIS respectively), negative estrogen receptor status (p=0.008, p=0.038 in overall cohort and invasive carcinomas, respectively), negative progesterone receptor status (p=0.003, p=0.013 in overall cohort and invasive carcinomas, respectively), HER2 amplification (overall cohort p=0.034) and non-luminal intrinsic subtype (p=0.018, p=0.038 in overall cohort and invasive carcinomas, respectively). These significant associations of LRH-1 protein expression with tumour phenotype suggest that LRH-1 is an important indicator of tumour biology in breast cancers and may be useful in risk stratification.
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Aesoy R, Clyne CD, Chand AL. Insights into Orphan Nuclear Receptors as Prognostic Markers and Novel Therapeutic Targets for Breast Cancer. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2015; 6:115. [PMID: 26300846 PMCID: PMC4528200 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2015.00115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2015] [Accepted: 07/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
There is emerging evidence asserting the importance of orphan nuclear receptors (ONRs) in cancer initiation and progression. In breast cancer, there is a lot unknown about ONRs in terms of their expression profile and their transcriptional targets in the various stages of tumor progression. With the classification of breast tumors into distinct molecular subtypes, we assess ONR expression in the different breast cancer subtypes and with patient outcomes. Complementing this, we review evidence implicating ONR-dependent molecular pathways in breast cancer progression to identify candidate ONRs as potential prognostic markers and/or as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reidun Aesoy
- Cancer Drug Discovery, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Colin D. Clyne
- Cancer Drug Discovery, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Ashwini L. Chand
- Cancer Drug Discovery, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Cancer and Inflammation Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- *Correspondence: Ashwini L. Chand,
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To SQ, Knower KC, Cheung V, Simpson ER, Clyne CD. Transcriptional control of local estrogen formation by aromatase in the breast. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2015; 145:179-86. [PMID: 24846828 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2014.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2014] [Accepted: 05/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Aromatase is the critical enzyme that converts androgens to estrogens. It is frequently highly expressed in the tumour bearing breast of women diagnosed with estrogen receptor positive tumours, resulting in dramatically increased local estrogen production to drive tumour progression. Expression of aromatase is regulated primarily at the transcriptional level of its encoding gene CYP19A1, located on chromosome 15 of the human genome. A characteristic feature of CYP19A1 expression is its use of alternative promoters to regulate transcription in a tissue-specific manner. In breast cancer, the increase in aromatase expression is mediated via higher expression of the distal adipose-specific promoter I.4 and a switch to the preferential use of proximal promoters I.3 and II. This results in a net increase of CYP19A1 transcripts in tumour-bearing breast up to 3-4-fold higher than normal breast. Current aromatase inhibitors - whilst efficacious - exhibit significant side effects that reduce patient compliance. Understanding the transcription factors and signalling pathways that control aromatase expression will lead to opportunities to develop breast-specific inhibitors with an improved side-effects profile. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Essential role of DHEA'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Q To
- Cancer Drug Discovery Laboratory, MIMR-PHI Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia; Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
| | - Kevin C Knower
- Cancer Drug Discovery Laboratory, MIMR-PHI Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia; Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
| | - Vanessa Cheung
- Cancer Drug Discovery Laboratory, MIMR-PHI Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia; Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Evan R Simpson
- Metabolism and Cancer Laboratory, MIMR-PHI Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia; Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Colin D Clyne
- Cancer Drug Discovery Laboratory, MIMR-PHI Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia; Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
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LRH-1 controls proliferation in breast tumor cells by regulating CDKN1A gene expression. Oncogene 2014; 34:4509-18. [DOI: 10.1038/onc.2014.382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2014] [Revised: 10/22/2014] [Accepted: 10/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Knower KC, Chand AL, Eriksson N, Takagi K, Miki Y, Sasano H, Visvader JE, Lindeman GJ, Funder JW, Fuller PJ, Simpson ER, Tilley WD, Leedman PJ, Graham JD, Muscat GEO, Clarke CL, Clyne CD. Distinct nuclear receptor expression in stroma adjacent to breast tumors. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2014; 142:211-23. [PMID: 24122391 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-013-2716-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2013] [Accepted: 09/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The interaction between breast tumor epithelial and stromal cells is vital for initial and recurrent tumor growth. While breast cancer-associated stromal cells provide a favorable environment for proliferation and metastasis, the molecular mechanisms contributing to this process are not fully understood. Nuclear receptors (NRs) are intracellular transcription factors that directly regulate gene expression. Little is known about the status of NRs in cancer-associated stroma. Nuclear Receptor Low-Density Taqman Arrays were used to compare the gene expression profiles of all 48 NR family members in a collection of primary cultured cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) obtained from estrogen receptor (ER)α positive breast cancers (n = 9) and normal breast adipose fibroblasts (NAFs) (n = 7). Thirty-three of 48 NRs were expressed in both the groups, while 11 NRs were not detected in either. Three NRs (dosage-sensitive sex reversal, adrenal hypoplasia critical region, on chromosome X, gene 1 (DAX-1); estrogen-related receptor beta (ERR-β); and RAR-related orphan receptor beta (ROR-β)) were only detected in NAFs, while one NR (liver receptor homolog-1 (LRH-1)) was unique to CAFs. Of the NRs co-expressed, four were significantly down-regulated in CAFs compared with NAFs (RAR-related orphan receptor-α (ROR-α); Thyroid hormone receptor-β (TR-β); vitamin D receptor (VDR); and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ)). Quantitative immunohistochemistry for LRH-1, TR-β, and PPAR-γ proteins in stromal fibroblasts from an independent panel of breast cancers (ER-positive (n = 15), ER-negative (n = 15), normal (n = 14)) positively correlated with mRNA expression profiles. The differentially expressed NRs identified in tumor stroma are key mediators in aromatase regulation and subsequent estrogen production. Our findings reveal a distinct pattern of NR expression that therefore fits with a sustained and increased local estrogen microenvironment in ER-positive tumors. NRs in CAFs may provide a new avenue for the development of intratumoral-targeted therapies in breast cancer.
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Bianco S, Brunelle M, Jangal M, Magnani L, Gévry N. LRH-1 Governs Vital Transcriptional Programs in Endocrine-Sensitive and -Resistant Breast Cancer Cells. Cancer Res 2014; 74:2015-25. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-13-2351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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