The rat growth hormone gene contains multiple thyroid response elements

Thyroid hormone and thyroid hormone nuclear receptors: History and present state of art

The present review traces the road leading to discovery of L-thyroxine, thyroid hormone (3,5,3´-triiodo-L-thyronine, T₃) and its cognate nuclear receptors. Thyroid hormone is a pleio-tropic regulator of growth, differentiation, and tissue homeostasis in higher organisms. The major site of the thyroid hormone action is predominantly a cell nucleus. T₃ specific binding sites in the cell nuclei have opened a new era in the field of the thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) discovery. T₃ actions are mediated by high affinity nuclear TRs, TRalpha and TRbeta, which function as T₃-activated transcription factors playing an essential role as transcription-modulating proteins affecting the transcriptional responses in target genes. Discovery and characterization of nuclear retinoid X receptors (RXRs), which form with TRs a heterodimer RXR/TR, positioned RXRs at the epicenter of molecular endocrinology. Transcriptional control via nuclear RXR/TR heterodimer represents a direct action of thyroid hormone. T₃ plays a crucial role in the development of brain, it exerts significant effects on the cardiovascular system, skeletal muscle contractile function, bone development and growth, both female and male reproductive systems, and skin. It plays an important role in maintaining the hepatic, kidney and intestine homeostasis and in pancreas, it stimulates the beta-cell proliferation and survival. The TRs cross-talk with other signaling pathways intensifies the T₃ action at cellular level. The role of thyroid hormone in human cancers, acting via its cognate nuclear receptors, has not been fully elucidated yet. This review is aimed to describe the history of T₃ receptors, starting from discovery of T3 binding sites in the cell nuclei to revelation of T₃ receptors as T₃-inducible transcription factors in relation to T₃ action at cellular level. It also focuses on milestones of investigation, comprising RXR/TR dimerization, cross-talk between T₃ receptors, and other regulatory pathways within the cell and mainly on genomic action of T₃. This review also focuses on novel directions of investigation on relationships between T₃ receptors and cancer. Based on the update of available literature and the author's experimental experience, it is devoted to clinicians and medical students.

Thyroid hormones regulate phosphate homoeostasis through transcriptional control of the renal type IIa sodium-dependent phosphate co-transporter (Npt2a) gene

The type IIa renal sodium-dependent phosphate (Na/Pi) co-transporter Npt2a is implicated in the control of serum phosphate levels. It has been demonstrated previously that renal Npt2a protein and its mRNA expression are both up-regulated by the thyroid hormone T3 (3,3',5-tri-iodothyronine) in rats. However, it has never been established whether the induction was mediated by a direct effect of thyroid hormones on the Npt2a promoter. To address the role of Npt2a in T3-dependent regulation of phosphate homoeostasis and to identify the molecular mechanisms by which thyroid hormones modulate Npt2a gene expression, mice were rendered pharmacologically hypo- and hyper-thyroid. Hypothyroid mice showed low levels of serum phosphate and a marked decrease in renal Npt2a protein abundance. Importantly, we also showed that Npt2a-deficient mice had impaired serum phosphate responsiveness to T3 compared with wild-type mice. Promoter analysis with a luciferase assay revealed that the transcriptional activity of a reporter gene containing the Npt2a promoter and intron 1 was dependent upon TRs (thyroid hormone receptors) and specifically increased by T3 in renal cells. Deletion analysis and EMSAs (electrophoretic mobility-shift assays) determined that there were unique TREs (thyroid-hormone-responsive elements) within intron 1 of the Npt2a gene. These results suggest that Npt2a plays a critical role as a T3-target gene, to control phosphate homoeostasis, and that T3 transcriptionally activates the Npt2a gene via TRs in a renal cell-specific manner.

Effects of thyroidectomy, T4, and DITPA replacement on brain blood vessel density in adult rats

In hypothyroid patients, altered microvascular structure and function may affect mood and cognitive function. We hypothesized that adult male hypothyroid rats will have significantly lower forebrain blood vessel densities (BVD) than euthyroid rats and that treatment with 3,5-diiothyroprionic acid (DITPA) (a thyroid hormone analog) or thyroxine (T4) will normalize BVDs. The euthyroid group received no thyroidectomy or treatment. The other three groups received thyroidectomies and pellets. The hypothyroid group received a placebo pellet, the DITPA group received an 80-mg DITPA-containing pellet, and the T4group received a 5.2-mg T4slow-release pellet for 6 wk. Body weights, cardiac function, and body temperatures were measured. A monoclonal antiplatelet endothelial cell adhesion antibody was used to visualize blood vessels. The euthyroid group averaged body weights of 548 ± 54 g, while the hypothyroid group averaged a body weight of 332 ± 19 g ( P value < 0.001). Relative to the euthyroid group, the DITPA-treated group was significantly lighter ( P value < 0.05), while the T4-treated group was comparable in body weight to the euthyroid group. The same trends were seen with body temperature and cardiac function with the largest difference between the euthyroid and hypothyroid groups. BVD in the euthyroid group was 147 ± 12 blood vessels/mm2and in hypothyroid group 69 ± 5 blood vessels/mm2( P = 0.013) but similar among the euthyroid, DITPA, and T4groups. These results show that hypothyroidism decreased BVD in adult rat forebrain regions. Moreover, DITPA and T4were efficacious in preventing effects of hypothyroidism on cardiac function and BVD.

Coactivator recruitment is enhanced by thyroid hormone receptor trimers

Thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) are hormone-regulated transcription factors. TRs are generally thought to bind to their DNA target sites as homodimers or as TR/retinoid X receptor (RXR) heterodimers. However, we have shown that certain TR isoforms, such as TRbeta0, can bind as trimers to a subset of naturally occurring DNA elements. We report here that this trimeric mode of DNA recognition by TRbeta0 also results in an enhanced recruitment of coactivators in vitro and increased transcriptional activation in cells compared to TRbeta0 dimers. At least part of this enhanced coactivator recruitment reflects a selectively enhanced avidity of the TRbeta0 trimer for a specific LXXLL interaction motif within the p160 coactivators. TRbeta0 trimers also recruit certain coactivators at lower concentrations of T3 hormone and exhibit distinct coactivator stoichiometries than do TRbeta0 dimers. We conclude that trimer formation confers isoform-specific DNA recognition and transcriptional regulatory properties that are not observed for TR dimers.

Two uniquely arranged thyroid hormone response elements in the far upstream 5' flanking region confer direct thyroid hormone regulation to the murine cholesterol 7alpha hydroxylase gene

Cholesterol 7α hydroxlyase (CYP7A1) is a key enzyme in cholesterol catabolism to bile acids and its activity is important for maintaining appropriate cholesterol levels. The murine CYP7A1 gene is highly inducible by thyroid hormone in vivo and there is an inverse relationship between thyroid hormone and serum cholesterol. Eventhough gene expression has been shown to be upregulated, whether the induction was mediated through a direct effect of thyroid hormone on the CYP7A1 promoter has never been established. Using gene targeted mice, we show that either of the two TR isoforms are sufficient to maintain normal hepatic CYP7A1 expression but a loss of both results in a significant decrease in expression. We also identified two new functional thyroid hormone receptor-binding sites in the CYP7A1 5′ flanking sequence located 3 kb upstream from the transcription start site. One site is a DR-0, which is an unusual type of TR response element, and the other consists of only a single recognizable half site that is required for TR/retinoid X receptor (RXR) binding. These two independent TR-binding sites are closely spaced and both are required for full induction of the CYP7A1 promoter by thyroid hormone, although the DR-0 site was more crucial.

Thyroid hormone receptor alpha1 directly controls transcription of the beta-catenin gene in intestinal epithelial cells

Thyroid hormones, T3 and T4, are known regulators of intestine development. The best characterized example is the remodeling of the gastrointestinal tract during amphibian metamorphosis. Thyroid hormones act via nuclear receptors, the TRs, which are T3-dependent transcription factors. We previously showed that intestinal epithelial cell proliferation is controlled by thyroid hormones and the TRalpha gene. To analyze the mechanisms responsible, we studied the expression of genes belonging to and/or activated by the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway, a major actor in the control of physiological and pathological epithelial proliferation in the intestine. We show that T3-TRalpha1 controls the transcription of the beta-catenin gene in an epithelial cell-autonomous way. This is parallel to positive regulation of proliferation-controlling genes such as type D cyclins and c-myc, known targets of the Wnt/beta-catenin. In addition, we show that the regulation of the beta-catenin gene is direct, as TR binds in vitro and in chromatin in vivo to a specific thyroid hormone-responsive element present in intron 1 of this gene. This is the first report concerning in vivo transcriptional control of the beta-catenin gene. As Wnt/beta-catenin plays a crucial role in intestinal tumorigenesis, our observations open a new perspective on the study of TRs as potential tumor inducers.

Novel mode of deoxyribonucleic acid recognition by thyroid hormone receptors: thyroid hormone receptor beta-isoforms can bind as trimers to natural response elements comprised of reiterated half-sites

Thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) regulate gene expression by binding to specific DNA sequences, denoted thyroid hormone response elements (TREs). The accepted paradigm for TRs proposes that they bind as homo- or heterodimers to TREs comprised of two AGGTCA half-site sequences. In the prototypic TRE, these half-sites are arranged as direct repeats separated by a four-base spacer. This dimeric model of TR binding, derived from analysis of artificial DNA sequences, fails to explain why many natural TREs contain more than two half-sites. Therefore, we investigated the ability of different TR isoforms to bind to TREs possessing three or more half-sites. We report that the TRbeta isoforms (TRbeta0, TRbeta1, TRbeta2), but not TRalpha1, can bind to reiterated DNA elements, such as the rat GH-TRE, as complexes trimeric or greater in size. The TRbeta0 isoform, in particular, formed homo- and heterotrimers (with the retinoid X receptor) with high efficiency and cooperativity, and TRbeta0 preferentially used reporters containing these reiterated elements to drive gene expression in vivo. Our data demonstrate that TRbeta isoforms can form multimeric receptor complexes on appropriately reiterated DNA response elements, providing a functional distinction between the TR isoforms and an explanation for TREs possessing three or more half-sites.

Thyroid hormone stimulates hepatic IGF-I mRNA expression in a bony fish, the tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus, in vitro and in vivo

To gain more knowledge about the physiological regulation of hepatic insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) production in bony fish, we examined the potential influence of thyroid hormone (T3, 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine) on the expression of IGF-I in the liver of the tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus, using in vitro and in vivo methods. The in vitro experiments were performed using a recently established primary hepatocyte cell culture and IGF-I expression was determined by means of semiquantitative RT-PCR. T3 (100 nM) significantly enhanced the synthesis rate of IGF-I mRNA in short (>8h) and long (>42h) time courses. The stimulating effect of T3 was detected already after 1h. After 4h, the IGF-I mRNA expression was more than 150% of the starting amount. In long time courses, after 6h the IGF-I mRNA value was about 170% of that in untreated cells and at the end of the experiment, it was still three times higher than in the control. In addition, the increase in IGF-I mRNA expression evoked by T3 (1 nM to 1 microM) was dose-dependent. In the in vivo approach, 10 individuals of tilapia received 4 daily intraperitoneal injections of T3 (6 microg/g body weight). IGF-I mRNA was assessed using dot blot technique with a tilapia specific IGF-I cRNA probe. The T3 treatment led to an increase of the IGF-I mRNA level up to 45% in the liver compared to the untreated animals. In conclusion, our results show that T3 directly stimulates the hepatic production of IGF-I in the tilapia in vitro and in vivo and indicate that in tilapia liver regulatory mechanisms seem to exist, as they are discussed for mammals.

Thyroid Hormone Stimulates Renin Gene Expression Through the Thyroid Hormone Response Element

-We previously reported that thyroid hormone stimulates renin synthesis in vivo and in vitro. Here, we analyzed the 5'-flanking sequence of the human renin gene for promoter activity responsive to thyroid hormone using Calu-6 cells, which secrete renin endogenously and express thyroid hormone receptor-ss. The luciferase reporter gene was cloned together with 5'-flanking portions of the human renin gene of various lengths into the pGL3-Basic vector. Luciferase activity assays were performed using the Dual Luciferase Reporter Assay System. 3,3',5-Triiodo-L-thyronine stimulated the promoter activity of pGL3-Basic-1111/+12 and pGL3-Basic-1298/+12 by 2.3+/-0.1- and 1.7+/-0.1-fold, respectively. Shorter constructs (pGL3-Basic-144/+12, pGL3-Basic-226/+12, pGL3-Basic-452/+12, and pGL3-Basic-953/+12) were not stimulated by thyroid hormone. These results suggest that there is a possible thyroid hormone response element (5'-AGG TCA GGT CAc aat GTT CCT-3') between nucleotides -1111 and -953. In 3 constructs with site-directed mutations in this sequence, basal promoter activities were significantly increased, whereas promoter activation by thyroid hormone was abolished. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that the -1111/-953 DNA fragment of the intact human renin gene was bound to nuclear proteins of Calu-6 cells; however, none of the 3 mutant probes were bound to any nuclear proteins. These results suggest that thyroid hormone stimulates the promoter activity of the human renin gene through thyroid hormone response element-dependent mechanisms in Calu-6 cells.

Effects of selenium deficiency on tissue selenium content, deiodinase activity, and thyroid hormone economy in the rat during development

The iodothyronine deiodinases, D1, D2, and D3, all contain selenium (Se) in the form of selenocysteine at their active sites, and they play crucial roles in determining the circulating and intracellular levels of the active thyroid hormone (TH), T3. However, not only are serum T3 levels normal in Se-deficient rats but phenotypic and reproductive abnormalities are minimal, and it has been suggested that regulatory mechanisms exist to conserve Se in critical tissues. The present study was designed to determine, in rats: 1) whether the effects of Se-deficiency are greater in the fetus and neonate than in the adult; 2) whether there are tissues other than brain and thyroid in which deiodinase activities are maintained; 3) whether the maintenance of deiodinase activity in a specific tissue is associated with a concomitant preservation of Se level in that tissue; and 4) whether TH economy and general health is maintained over several generations. The tissues studied included liver, cerebrum, thyroid, pituitary, skin, brown adipose tissue, uterus, ovary, testis, placenta, and the implantation site (uterus plus contents) at E9. The results have revealed that, with the exception of liver, skin, and nonpregnant uterus, all of the tissues studied maintained substantial deiodinase activity (>50%) during prolonged Se-deficiency. Second, although the ability of a tissue to maintain deiodinase activity in the face of dietary Se deprivation was associated in some tissues with a concomitant local preservation of Se concentration, this was not the case for all tissues. Only when Se levels were decreased by more than 80% was deiodinase activity markedly decreased. Third, the effects of Se-deficiency were no greater in the fetus than in the adult; and fourth, at the level of Se-deficiency employed in this study, TH economy and general health were successfully maintained over six generations of Se-deficient rats. How Se levels are maintained in specific tissues, whether Se is sequestered in specific cells of a tissue or organ during dietary Se deprivation, and the precise mechanisms by which plasma T3 levels are maintained in Se-deficient animals remain unanswered. Further insights may be gained by using diets that are even lower in Se than those that were used herein and/or by conducting studies using radioactive forms of Se and thyroid hormones.

Thyroid hormone negatively regulates the transcriptional activity of the beta-amyloid precursor protein gene

The expression of the beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP), which plays a key role in the development of Alzheimer's disease, is regulated by a variety of cellular mediators in a cell-dependent manner. In the present study, we present evidence that thyroid hormones negatively regulate the expression of the APP gene in neuroblastoma cells. Transient transfection studies using plasmids that contain progressive deletions of the 5' region of the gene demonstrate that triiodothyronine (T3), the more active form of the thyroid hormones, represses APP promoter activity by a mechanism that requires binding of the nuclear T3 receptor (TR) to a specific sequence located in the first exon. The unliganded receptor increases promoter activity, and T3 reverses that activity to basal levels. The repressive effect of T3 does not exhibit TR isoform specificity, and it is equally mediated by TRalpha and TRbeta. Gel mobility shift assays using in vitro synthesized nuclear receptors and nuclear extracts led to the identification of a negative thyroid hormone response element, at nucleotide position +80/+96, that preferentially binds heterodimers of TR with the retinoid X receptor. Insertion of sequences containing this element confers negative regulation by T3 to a heterologous TK promoter, thus indicating the functionality of the element.

Characterization of thyroid hormone response elements in the gene for chicken malic enzyme. Factors that influence triiodothyronine responsiveness

Transcription of the gene for malic enzyme in chick embryo hepatocytes is stimulated about 30-fold by triiodothyronine (T3). T3 responsiveness is mediated by seven direct repeat hexamers that resemble T3 response elements (T3REs); these elements are located far upstream in the 5'-flanking DNA (Hodnett, D. W., Fantozzzi, D. A., Thurmond, D. C., Klautky, S. A., MacPhee, K. G., Estrem, S. T., Xu, G., and Goodridge, A. G. (1996) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 334, 309-324). In transiently transfected hepatocytes, single copies of six of these elements conferred varying degrees of T3 responsiveness to linked reporter genes. In gel electrophoretic mobility shift analyses, the T3REs bound retinoid X receptor (RXR)-T3 receptor (TR) heterodimers and non-RXR/TR factors present in nuclear extracts prepared from hepatocytes. Binding of the non-RXR/TR factors was specific to individual T3REs and was unaffected by antibodies to TR or RXR. Mutagenesis of binding sites for proteins specific for T3REs 2-5 altered binding of the proteins and T3 responsiveness. These factors appear to bind to and alter function of T3REs without binding directly to TR, differentiating their actions from other TR cofactors; they were tentatively characterized as co-repressors, inhibitors, and activators of T3RE function. Together with RXR and TR, they modulate T3 responsiveness of the gene for chicken malic enzyme.

A unique role of the beta-2 thyroid hormone receptor isoform in negative regulation by thyroid hormone. Mapping of a novel amino-terminal domain important for ligand-independent activation

Negative regulation by thyroid hormone is mediated by nuclear thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) acting on thyroid hormone response elements (TREs). We examine here the role of human TR-beta2, a TR isoform with central nervous system-restricted expression, in the regulation of target genes whose expression are decreased by triiodothyronine (T3). Using transient transfection studies, we found that TR-beta2 achieved significantly greater ligand-independent activation on the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and common glycoprotein alpha-subunit genes than either TR-beta1 or TR-alpha1. A chimeric TR-beta isoform containing the TR-beta2 amino terminus linked to the TR-alpha1 DNA- and ligand-binding domains functioned like the TR-beta2 isoform on these promoters, confirming that the amino terminus of TR-beta2 was both necessary and sufficient to mediate this effect. By constructing deletion mutants of the TR-beta2 amino terminus, we demonstrate that amino acids 89-116 mediate this function. This domain, important in ligand-independent activation on negative TREs, is discrete from a previously described activation domain in the amino-terminal portion of TR-beta2. We conclude that the central nervous system-restricted TR-beta2 isoform has a unique effect on negative regulation by T3 that can be mapped to amino acids 89-116 of the amino terminus of the human TR-beta2.

Localization of a negative thyroid hormone-response region in hepatic stearoyl-CoA desaturase gene 1

The effect of thyroid hormone on stearoyl-CoA desaturase gene 1 (SCD1) expression was investigated in mouse liver. Daily injections of 15 micrograms triiodothyronine (T3)/100 g body weight to hypothyroid mice resulted in repression of SCD1 mRNA levels by more than 50% in 48 hours and up to 65% in 6 days. Transient co-transfections were performed with an expression vector for T3 receptor alpha (T3R alpha) in HepG2 cells using chimeric reporter gene constructs of the SCD1 5'-flanking region. Transcriptional repression of the SCD1 putative promoter was observed upon treatment with 100 nM T3 when cotransfected with T3R alpha, but not without cotransfection of receptor. Transient gene expression studies localized a T3 response region to a 70-bp sequence in the SCD1 putative promoter. Eliminating the TATA box and an AP-2 binding site, DNA mobility shift analysis demonstrated specific binding of in vivo nuclear protein from mouse liver nuclear extract to a 43-bp sequence. DNA mobility shift with purified T3R alpha confirmed the presence of a T3 receptor binding site in this thyroid hormone-responsive region. These data indicate that SCD1 contains a negative T3 response region in its proximal promoter.

Plasticity of tetramer formation by retinoid X receptors. An alternative paradigm for DNA recognition

Retinoid X receptors (RXRs) are transcription factors that traditionally have been thought to bind DNA as protein dimers. Recently, however, it has been recognized that RXRs can also bind to DNA as protein tetramers. Receptor tetramers form cooperatively on response elements containing suitably reiterated half-sites, and play an important role in determining the specificity of DNA recognition by different nuclear receptors. We report here that RXR tetramers exhibit significant functional plasticity, and form on response elements possessing diverse half-site orientations and spacings. This ability of RXRs to form tetramers and related oligomers appears to contribute to the synergistic transcriptional activation observed when multiple, spatially separated response elements are introduced into a single promoter. Oligomerization may therefore be a common paradigm for DNA recognition and combinatorial regulation by several different classes of transcription factors.

Thyroid hormone stimulates Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger expression in rat cardiac myocytes

We investigated whether thyroid hormone directly affects Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger expression in cardiac myocytes. Cultured neonatal rat cardiocytes were prepared from 1-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats. Intracellular Na+ concentration ([Na+]i) in cardiocytes was measured by using the Na(+)-sensitive dye sodium-binding benzofran isophthalate (SBFI). Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression were assayed by Northern and Western blotting, respectively. Triiodothyronine (T3; 10(-8) M) showed no effect on [Na+]i in cardiocytes, whereas ouabain (100 microM) caused a significant increase in [Na+]i from 11.3 +/- 5.0 to 21.8 +/- 5.0 mM. Exposure of cardiocytes to ouabain caused a rapid increase in Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger mRNA accumulation, with a maximal twofold elevation at 12 h. The ouabain-induced Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger mRNA accumulation was still observed in the Ca(2+)-free culture medium. On the other hand, exposure of cardiocytes to T3 induced a gradual increase in Na+ exchanger mRNA accumulation, with a maximal threefold increase at 24 h. Even in Na(+)-free medium, T3 still induced a twofold increase in Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger mRNA accumulation in cardiocytes. Exposure of cardiocytes to T3 for 24-48 h also caused a marked increase in Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger protein accumulation. In conclusion, thyroid hormone directly increases cardiac Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger expression, independent of alterations in Na+ mobilization. These findings suggest also that thyroid hormone and Na+ regulate Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger gene expression through distinct molecular regulatory pathways.

A Purkinje cell protein-2 intronic thyroid hormone response element binds developmentally regulated thyroid hormone receptor-nuclear protein complexes

Two thyroid hormone response elements (TREs), designated A1 TRE (-295/-268) and B1 TRE (+207/+227), have been identified within the Purkinje cell-expressed Pcp-2 gene. Previous studies have characterized the A1 TRE (Zou et al., 1994). This article analyzes the structural and functional characteristics of the intronic B1 TRE. The B1 sequence contains four overlapping TRE half-sites. The 3' DR4 motif, consisting of the second and forth half-sites, is responsible for the T3 induction observed with the B1 sequence. Gel-shift analysis reveals developmentally regulated complexes that are abundant in the fetus and at birth and then fall precipitously in the neonate bind to B1. The observed time-course of these complexes varies inversely with the rise in Pcp-2 expression, thus raising the possibility that the complexes may represent inhibitory factors. Supershift analysis indicates that endogenous TR alpha 1 is present in the fetal nuclear protein complexes that bind to B1. Competition analysis also indicates the second B1 TRE half-site is important in binding the TR alpha 1-TRAP complexes. These studies suggest that the B1 sequence may bind potential TR alpha 1-TRAP repressor complexes in the fetus, whereas in the neonate, these TRE sites may be involved in the activation of Pcp-2 by binding other TR-TRAP-activating complexes.

Function of nuclear co-repressor protein on thyroid hormone response elements is regulated by the receptor A/B domain

Recently, a family of nuclear co-repressor proteins (TRACs) have been identified that interact with thyroid hormone (TR) and retinoic acid receptors to mediate ligand-independent repression of gene transcription. In this report, we have cloned and characterized a human TRAC, which when expressed as a truncated protein lacking its repressing domains, can abolish endogenous cellular TRAC activity. Use of this inhibitor has uncovered a differential function of TRACs on negative versus positive thyroid hormone response elements and has demonstrated the importance of the TR A/B domain in modulating TRAC function. Thus, isoform-specific functions of the TR may be mediated by their functional interaction with co-repressor proteins.

Variant chicken kidney AE1 anion exchanger transcripts are derived from a single promoter by alternative splicing

Previous studies have demonstrated that three variant transcripts, AE1-3, AE1-4 and AE1-5, are derived from the AE1 gene in chicken kidney. These variant transcripts encode AE1 anion exchangers that possess alternative N-terminal cytoplasmic domains. To determine the mechanisms involved in generating these transcripts, a genomic clone, containing the unique sequences at the 5' ends of the AE1-4 and AE1-5 transcripts, was isolated. Characterization of this clone revealed that the sequences at the 5' ends of the AE1-3, AE1-4 and AE1-5 transcripts were each present with an approx. 1.2-kb BamHI fragment of the chicken AE1 gene. RNA blotting and RNase protection analyses using probes derived from this genomic clone have shown that the AE1-4 variant corresponds to the approx. 4.5-kb chicken kidney AE1 transcript, while the AE1-5 variant corresponds to the approx. 5.1-kb transcript. These studies have shown that the AE1-5 transcript extends further 5' than had been previously shown from cDNA cloning studies, and contains the sequence present at the 5' end of the AE1-4 transcript. In addition, primer extension analyses have shown that the variant kidney AE1 transcripts initiate transcription from a common site. This result indicates that the expression of the AE1-3, AE1-4, and AE1-5 transcripts is regulated by a single promoter, P3, that is distinct from the P1 and P2 erythroid-specific promoters of the chicken AE1 gene.

Retinoid X receptor alters the determination of DNA binding specificity by the P-box amino acids of the thyroid hormone receptor

Nuclear hormone receptors bind to hormone response elements in DNA consisting of two half-sites of 6 base pairs. The P-box amino acids of each receptor determine the identities of the central nucleotides of the half-site. 57 P-box variants of the human thyroid hormone receptor (hT3Rbeta) were used to demonstrate the relationship between P-box sequence and DNA binding specificity by homodimers and heterodimers formed with the retinoid X receptor (RXR). In general, the formation of heterodimers relieved many of the constraints on the compatibility of hT3Rbeta P-box sequences with DNA binding. Effects were most dramatic for heterodimers bound to a direct repeat spaced by four base pairs. RXR also overrides the P-box-derived DNA binding specificity of hT3Rbeta when heterodimers are bound to inverted or everted repeat elements. These effects of RXR are most pronounced on AGGTCA half-sites but are squelched when the RXR partner of the heterodimer is bound to an AGGACA half-site. The influence of RXR on hT3Rbeta DNA binding specificity varies with the orientation of half-sites in the element, the identity of the fourth base pair of the half-site, and the spacing between the half-sites of direct repeats. These differences suggest that the DNA binding domains of RXR-hT3Rbeta heterodimers are not positioned equivalently on the various elements, affecting the manner in which the P-box amino acids of hT3Rbeta interact with base pairs within the half-site.

Enhancement of nuclear receptor transcriptional signalling

Glucocorticoids and thyroid hormones induce complex responses in about every mammalian tissue. These effects are mediated by the transcription factor function of the corresponding nuclear receptors, which in most cases achieve the observed regulatory strength in synergy with other factors. Here we describe the functional interaction of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) with liver-specific transcription factors, the functional synergy of GR with the thyroid hormone receptor (TR), the synergizing sub-domains of the TR, and finally the direct interaction of the GR with other proteins.

Ligand-independent and -dependent functions of thyroid hormone receptor isoforms depend upon their distinct amino termini

Isoform specificity likely plays a large role in the ability of the thyroid hormone receptor (TR) to specifically regulate gene expression in both the presence and absence of its cognate ligand, triiodothyronine. To investigate further the mechanism of isoform specificity of human TRs (TR alpha 1 and TR beta 1), we have examined their functional effects on positive thyroid hormone response elements (TREs) both in the presence and absence of ligand. TR alpha 1 was greater than 2-fold more potent than TR beta 1 on both TREs studied, in terms of both ligand-independent repression and ligand-dependent stimulation. By creating a number of chimeric and mutant receptors, we have established that the increased functional potency of TR alpha 1 is due to its unique amino terminus. Deletion or substitution of the TR alpha 1 amino terminus leads to a loss of both its ligand-independent and -dependent functions on positive TREs. Furthermore, the TR alpha 1 amino terminus antagonizes homodimer formation on the positive TREs studied. TR constructs, which contain the TR alpha 1 amino terminus, are unable to form homodimers and form exclusively heterodimers with RXR alpha on direct repeat and palindromic TREs. Deletion of the amino terminus from either TR isoform leads to preferential homodimer formation, which suggests that the TR amino terminus is important for relative heterodimerization capability. From these data, we conclude that TR alpha 1 isoform specificity on positive TREs resides predominantly in its amino terminus through its ability to favor heterodimerization with the retinoid X receptor or other nuclear proteins.

Ligand-dependent antagonism by retinoid X receptors of inhibitory thyroid hormone response elements

The role of retinoid X receptors (RXRs) on negative thyroid hormone response elements (nTREs) is not well understood. In this report, we demonstrate that an orientation-specific monomeric thyroid hormone receptor (T3R) DNA-binding site mediates thyroid hormone inhibition in the thyrotropin beta subunit gene (TSH-beta) from human and murine species. Unlike positive TREs, addition of the ligand 9-cis retinoic acid (9-cis RA) to cells transfected with a T3R beta 1 expression vector significantly reduces thyroid hormone inhibition of the TSH-beta gene, indicating that endogenous retinoid receptors antagonize T3R function. Cotransfection of an RXR-alpha but not a retinoic acid receptor-alpha expression vector further antagonizes thyroid hormone inhibition, but only in the presence of 9-cis RA. Antagonism by RXR requires both an intact DNA- and ligand-binding domain. Removal of monomeric T3R binding to the TSH-beta nTRE also requires both RXR domains. A model is proposed whereby monomeric T3R is removed from a nTRE by RXR occupied by its ligand 9-cis RA. This is the first report of 9-cis RA-dependent antagonism of thyroid hormone inhibition via negative TREs.

The nuclear hormone receptor gene superfamily

The nuclear hormone receptor gene superfamily encodes structurally related proteins that regulate transcription of target genes. These macromolecules include receptors for steroid and thyroid hormones, vitamins, and other proteins for which no ligands have been found. These receptors have modular domains. The DNA-binding domain directs the receptors to bind specific DNA sequences as monomers, homodimers, or heterodimers. The ligand-binding domain responds to binding of the cognate hormone; this domain and the amino terminal domain interact with other transcription factors. Nuclear receptor-specific actions are derived from a combination of diverse elements, including availability of ligand, receptors, and nonreceptor factors; target-site structure; interactions with other proteins, such as the general transcription factors; and influences of other signaling pathways. These interactions result in ligand-regulated and ligand-independent effects on initiation of transcription of the target genes. Understanding the mechanisms of nuclear receptor action will enhance our knowledge of transcription and hormone influences on disease and facilitate the design of drugs with greater therapeutic value.

Trans-activation by thyroid hormone receptors of the 5' flanking region of the human ChAT gene

Fusion gene constructs containing the human choline acetyltransferase 5' flanking region are stimulated by thyroid hormone (T3) in neuronal NG108-15 and NE1-115 cells but not in non neuronal COS-1 and JEG-3 cells. To identify potential T3 receptor binding elements (T3RE), chimeric plasmids containing various lengths of the 5' end of the hChAT gene linked to the CAT reporter gene were assayed by transient transfections into NG108-15, NE1-115 and COS-1 cells. We show that regulation is T3 specific as estrogen, dexamethasone, dihydrotestosterone, all-trans-retinoic acid and 9-cis-retinoic acid have no effect. We localized several potential T3REs and characterized the most proximal T3RE (position 3280-3291) which contains two hexameric half-sites arranged as a direct repeat without a base pair spacer. An oligonucleotide containing this sequence confers T3 responsiveness to a heterologous promoter. The transcriptional response of this T3RE is markedly reduced after mutation of the first or second half-site indicating that both half-sites are required for a maximal T3 response. We have found that RAR alpha, RXR alpha and COUP-TF do not enhance T3 responsiveness and therefore they may not interact with T3R alpha in NG108-15 cells on this regulatory sequence. T3R monomer and dimer specific binding to the proximal T3RE is demonstrated by gel-retardation DNA binding assays and by methylation interference experiments. In COS-1 cells, T3R inhibits transcriptional activation by the transcription factor AP-1 whereas in NE1-115 cells T3R enhances AP-1 mediated activation in a T3 dependant fashion. It is likely that these effects involve protein-protein interactions. These results suggest that the T3 receptor can act as a positive transcriptional regulatory factor on the hChAT gene.

Promoter independent down-regulation of the firefly luciferase gene by T3 and T3 receptor in CV1 cells

We report that the activity of the firefly luciferase (LUC) reporter gene is down-regulated by T3 and T3 receptor (TR) in the CV1 mammalian cell line, which is widely used for studies of TR action. Repression was highly reproducible, T3 and TR dependent, promoter independent, and observed regardless of whether an internal control for transfection efficiency was used. Cotransfections with normal and mutant TRs indicate that the negative T3 response is mediated by sequences within the LUC gene coding region, and is not due to the interaction of TR with a limiting transcription factor. Negative regulation of the LUC reporter was overcome by a strong, cis-linked T3 response element (TRE), but continued in the presence of a TRE of moderate strength. The results described here demonstrate that conclusions drawn from studies of TRE structure and activity performed using the LUC reporter in CV1 cells should be interpreted with caution.

Regulation of Na,K-ATPase gene expression by thyroid hormone in rat cardiocytes

Synthesis and activity of the enzymatic equivalent of the sodium pump, Na,K-ATPase, are regulated by thyroid hormone in responsive tissues. The purpose of this study was to determine whether triiodothyronine (T3) regulates the level of the messenger RNA (mRNA) coding for Na,K-ATPase alpha- and beta-subunits in the heart. The expression of Na,K-ATPase mRNAs in in vitro myocardial cells was directly assayed by Northern and slot blot hybridization using Na,K-ATPase alpha- and beta-isoform-specific cDNA probes. Exposure of cultured neonatal rat cardiocytes to 10(-8) M T3 resulted in 1) threefold to fourfold increase in alpha 1- and beta 1-mRNA accumulation, with a maximum elevation at 48 hours, 2) sevenfold increase in alpha 2-mRNA accumulation with a peak elevation at 72 hours, and 3) transient threefold increase in alpha 3-mRNA within the first 24 hours followed by a deinduction thereafter. The increase in alpha 1-mRNA accumulation by T3 occurred over the physiological T3 concentration range with an EC50 of 5 x 10(-10) M. This was associated with a twofold increase in alpha 1-subunit protein accumulation and an increase in Na,K-ATPase transport activity. The half-life of alpha 1-mRNA analyzed by actinomycin D chase was less than 3 hours and was not affected by T3. Transfection experiments with the luciferase reporter gene revealed that thyroid hormone response sequences are located within the 5'-flanking regions of each alpha-isoform gene.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Structure of the human gastric H,K-ATPase gene and comparison of the 5'-flanking sequences of the human and rat genes

We have isolated and analyzed the genes encoding the human and rat gastric H,K-ATPase catalytic subunits. The complete sequence of the human gene, including 2.2 kb of 5'-flanking sequence, and the 5' end of the rat gene, including exons 1-4 and 2.5 kb of 5'-flanking sequence, have been determined. The human gene contains 22 exons. Its intron-exon organization is identical to that of the Na,K-ATPase gene, except that exon 6 corresponds to a fusion of exons 6 and 7 of the Na,K-ATPase gene. The transcription initiation sites of both the human and rat genes were determined by primer extension and S1 nuclease protection analyses. Comparison of the 5'-flanking regions of the human and rat genes revealed three extended regions of high sequence similarity, one of which includes a potential TATA box and other basic promoter elements beginning about 30 nucleotides upstream of the transcription start site. Other conserved sequences, including possible response elements for Ca2+ and cAMP, which are known intracellular mediators of acid secretion, are located up to 2 kb 5' to the transcription initiation site.