Characterization of the amino-terminal transcriptional activation function of the human estrogen receptor in animal and yeast cells

Palazestrant (OP-1250), A Complete Estrogen Receptor Antagonist, Inhibits Wild-type and Mutant ER-positive Breast Cancer Models as Monotherapy and in Combination

The estrogen receptor (ER) is a well-established target for the treatment of breast cancer, with the majority of patients presenting as ER-positive (ER+). Endocrine therapy is a mainstay of breast cancer treatment but the development of resistance mutations in response to aromatase inhibitors, poor pharmacokinetic properties of fulvestrant, agonist activity of tamoxifen, and limited benefit for elacestrant leave unmet needs for patients with or without resistance mutations in ESR1, the gene that encodes the ER protein. Here we describe palazestrant (OP-1250), a novel, orally bioavailable complete ER antagonist and selective ER degrader. OP-1250, like fulvestrant, has no agonist activity on the ER and completely blocks estrogen-induced transcriptional activity. In addition, OP-1250 demonstrates favorable biochemical binding affinity, ER degradation, and antiproliferative activity in ER+ breast cancer models that is comparable or superior to other agents of interest. OP-1250 has superior pharmacokinetic properties relative to fulvestrant, including oral bioavailability and brain penetrance, as well as superior performance in wild-type and ESR1-mutant breast cancer xenograft studies. OP-1250 combines well with cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 inhibitors in xenograft studies of ER+ breast cancer models and effectively shrinks intracranially implanted tumors, resulting in prolonged animal survival. With demonstrated preclinical efficacy exceeding fulvestrant in wild-type models, elacestrant in ESR1-mutant models, and tamoxifen in intracranial xenografts, OP-1250 has the potential to benefit patients with ER+ breast cancer.

Current view of liver cancer cell-of-origin and proposed mechanisms precluding its proper determination

Hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma are devastating primary liver cancers with increasing prevalence in many parts of the world. Despite intense investigation, many aspects of their biology are still largely obscure. For example, numerous studies have tackled the question of the cell-of-origin of primary liver cancers using different experimental approaches; they have not, however, provided a clear and undisputed answer. Here, we will review the evidence from animal models supporting the role of all major types of liver epithelial cells: hepatocytes, cholangiocytes, and their common progenitor as liver cancer cell-of-origin. Moreover, we will also propose mechanisms that promote liver cancer cell plasticity (dedifferentiation, transdifferentiation, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition) which may contribute to misinterpretation of the results and which make the issue of liver cancer cell-of-origin particularly complex.

Lineage Tracing of Spermatogonial Stem Cells Within the Male Germline

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are the fundamental units from which continuous spermatogenesis arises. Although our knowledge regarding the basic properties of SSCs has grown, driven primarily through the advancement of techniques and technologies to study SSCs, the mechanisms controlling their fate remain largely unknown. Among the modern strategies to evaluate SSCs, lineage tracing is among the few established approaches that allow for functional assessment of stem cell capacity. As a result, lineage tracing continues to forge new discoveries underlying the basic attributes of SSCs as well as the molecular factors that govern SSC function. Traditional approaches to lineage tracing with dyes or radioactive labels suffer from progressive loss after successive cell divisions or unintentional label transfer to neighboring cells. To address these limitations, genetic approaches primarily leveraging transgenic technologies have prevailed as the preferred avenue for modern lineage tracing. This chapter will discuss current protocols for effective genetic lineage tracing and address applications of this technology, considerations when designing lineage tracing experiments, and the methods involved in utilizing lineage tracing to study SSCs and other cell populations.

An overview on Estrogen receptors signaling and its ligands in breast cancer

Estrogen governs the regulations of various pathological and physiological actions throughout the body in both males and females. Generally, 17β-estradiol an endogenous estrogen is responsible for different health problems in pre and postmenopausal women. The major activities of endogenous estrogen are executed by nuclear estrogen receptors (ERs) ERα and ERβ while non-genomic cytoplasmic pathways also govern cell growth and apoptosis. Estrogen accomplished a fundamental role in the formation and progression of breast cancer. In this review, we have hyphenated different studies regarding ERs and a thorough and detailed study of estrogen receptors is presented. This review highlights different aspects of estrogens ranging from receptor types, their isoforms, structures, signaling pathways of ERα, ERβ and GPER along with their crystal structures, pathological roles of ER, ER ligands, and therapeutic strategies to overcome the resistance.

Segregation of nuclear and membrane-initiated actions of estrogen receptor using genetically modified animals and pharmacological tools

Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and beta (ERβ) are members of the nuclear receptor superfamily, playing widespread functions in reproductive and non-reproductive tissues. Beside the canonical function of ERs as nuclear receptors, in this review, we summarize our current understanding of extra-nuclear, membrane-initiated functions of ERs with a specific focus on ERα. Over the last decade, in vivo evidence has accumulated to demonstrate the physiological relevance of this ERα membrane-initiated-signaling from mouse models to selective pharmacological tools. Finally, we discuss the perspectives and future challenges opened by the integration of extra-nuclear ERα signaling in physiology and pathology of estrogens.

Tamoxifen and oxidative stress: an overlooked connection

Tamoxifen is the gold standard drug for the treatment of breast cancer in pre and post-menopausal women. Its journey from a failing contraceptive to a blockbuster is an example of pharmaceutical innovation challenges. Tamoxifen has a wide range of pharmacological activities; a drug that was initially thought to work via a simple Estrogen receptor (ER) mechanism was proven to mediate its activity through several non-ER mechanisms. Here in we review the previous literature describing ER and non-ER targets of tamoxifen, we highlighted the overlooked connection between tamoxifen, tamoxifen apoptotic effects and oxidative stress.

Dual recombinases-based genetic lineage tracing for stem cell research with enhanced precision

Stem cell research has become a hot topic in biology, as the understanding of stem cell biology can provide new insights for both regenerative medicine and clinical treatment of diseases. Accurately deciphering the fate of stem cells is the basis for understanding the mechanism and function of stem cells during tissue repair and regeneration. Cre-loxP-mediated recombination has been widely applied in fate mapping of stem cells for many years. However, nonspecific labeling by conventional cell lineage tracing strategies has led to discrepancies or even controversies in multiple fields. Recently, dual recombinase-mediated lineage tracing strategies have been developed to improve both the resolution and precision of stem cell fate mapping. These new genetic strategies also expand the application of lineage tracing in studying cell origin and fate. Here, we review cell lineage tracing methods, especially dual genetic approaches, and then provide examples to describe how they are used to study stem cell fate plasticity and function in vivo.

Strategies for site-specific recombination with high efficiency and precise spatiotemporal resolution

Site-specific recombinases (SSRs) are invaluable genome engineering tools that have enormously boosted our understanding of gene functions and cell lineage relationships in developmental biology, stem cell biology, regenerative medicine, and multiple diseases. However, the ever-increasing complexity of biomedical research requires the development of novel site-specific genetic recombination technologies that can manipulate genomic DNA with high efficiency and fine spatiotemporal control. Here, we review the latest innovative strategies of the commonly used Cre-loxP recombination system and its combinatorial strategies with other site-specific recombinase systems. We also highlight recent progress with a focus on the new generation of chemical- and light-inducible genetic systems and discuss the merits and limitations of each new and established system. Finally, we provide the future perspectives of combining various recombination systems or improving well-established site-specific genetic tools to achieve more efficient and precise spatiotemporal genetic manipulation.

Next-Generation Lineage Tracing and Fate Mapping to Interrogate Development

Lineage tracing and fate mapping, overlapping yet distinct disciplines to follow cells and their progeny, have evolved rapidly over the last century. Lineage tracing aims to identify all progeny arising from an individual cell, placing them within a lineage hierarchy. The recent emergence of genomic technologies, such as single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, has fostered sophisticated new methods to reconstruct lineage relationships at high resolution. In contrast, fate maps, schematics showing which parts of the embryo will develop into which tissue, have remained relatively static since the 1970s. However, fate maps provide spatial information, often lost in lineage reconstruction, that can offer fundamental mechanistic insight into development. Here, we broadly review the origins of fate mapping and lineage tracing approaches. We focus on the most recent developments in lineage tracing, permitted by advances in single-cell genomics. Finally, we explore the current potential to leverage these new technologies to synthesize high-resolution fate maps and discuss their potential for interrogating development at new depths.

Application of the human estrogen receptor within a synthetic transcription factor in Trichoderma reesei

Background

Synthetic gene expression systems offer a possibility for controllable and targeted induction of the expression of genes of interest, which is a fundamental technique necessary for basic research and industrial applications. The human estrogen receptor α contains a ligand binding domain that enforces dimerization and nuclear import upon binding of the inducer 17β-estradiol. In this study, we tested the potential of this ligand binding domain to be used in filamentous fungi as an auto-regulatory domain in a synthetic transcription factor.

Results

We constructed the synthetic transcription factor SynX by fusing the DNA-binding domain of Xyr1 (Xylanase Regulator 1), the transactivation domain of Ypr1 (Yellow Pigment Regulator 1), and the ligand binding domain of the human estrogen receptor α. SynX is able to strongly induce the gene expression of xylanases and an aldose reductase by addition of 17β-estradiol, but SynX does not induce gene expression of cellulases. Importantly, the induction of xylanase activities is mostly carbon source independent and can be fine-tuned by controlling the concentration of 17β-estradiol.

Conclusion

The ability of SynX to induce gene expression of xylanase encoding genes by addition of 17β-estradiol demonstrates that the ligand binding domain of the human estrogen receptor α works in filamentous fungi, and that it can be combined with a transactivation domain other than the commonly used transactivation domain of herpes simplex virion protein VP16.

Genetic lineage tracing with multiple DNA recombinases: A user's guide for conducting more precise cell fate mapping studies

Site-specific recombinases, such as Cre, are a widely used tool for genetic lineage tracing in the fields of developmental biology, neural science, stem cell biology, and regenerative medicine. However, nonspecific cell labeling by some genetic Cre tools remains a technical limitation of this recombination system, which has resulted in data misinterpretation and led to many controversies in the scientific community. In the past decade, to enhance the specificity and precision of genetic targeting, researchers have used two or more orthogonal recombinases simultaneously for labeling cell lineages. Here, we review the history of cell-tracing strategies and then elaborate on the working principle and application of a recently developed dual genetic lineage-tracing approach for cell fate studies. We place an emphasis on discussing the technical strengths and caveats of different methods, with the goal to develop more specific and efficient tracing technologies for cell fate mapping. Our review also provides several examples for how to use different types of DNA recombinase-mediated lineage-tracing strategies to improve the resolution of the cell fate mapping in order to probe and explore cell fate-related biological phenomena in the life sciences.

Estrogen Receptors (ESRs) Mutations in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the most common spinal deformity, but its etiology is unclear. Multiple genetic mutations have been reported to be associated with AIS.

Material/Methods

We enrolled a cohort of 113 surgically treated AIS patients with available parental subjects from the Peking Union Medical College Hospital. We performed whole-exome sequencing in 10 trio families and whole-genome sequencing in 103 singleton patients. Luciferase assay was used to detect the functional alterations of candidate ESR1 and ESR2 variants.

Results

Using a de novo strategy, a missense variant in ESR1 (c.868A>G) was selected as a candidate gene for AIS. The main Cobb angle of this patient was 41° (T6–T10). Another potential pathogenic variant in ESR2 (c.236T>C) was identified. The main curve of the patient was 45° at T10–L3. The transactivation capacities of the mutated ESR1 and ESR2 protein were both significantly decreased (p=0.026 and 0.014, respectively).

Conclusions

Potential pathogenic variants in ESR1 and ESR2 were identified in 113 AIS patients, suggesting that genetic mutations in ESR1/2 were associated with the risk of AIS.

Molecular mechanism of endocrine-disruptive effects induced by Bisphenol A: The role of transmembrane G-protein estrogen receptor 1 and integrin αvβ3

Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the highest volume industrial products worldwide and has been widely used to make various products as the intermediates of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Inevitably, general population has been widely exposed to BPA due to extensive use of BPA-containing products. BPA has similar chemical structure with the natural estrogen and has been shown to induce a variety of estrogen-like endocrine effects on organism in vivo or in vitro. High doses of BPA tend to act as antagonist of estrogen receptors (ERs) by directly regulating the genomic transcription. However, BPA at environmentally relevant low-dose always disrupt the biological function via a non-genomic manner mediated by membrane receptors, rather than ERs. Although some studies had investigated the non-genomic effects of low-dose BPA, the exact molecular mechanism still remains unclear. Recently, we found that membrane G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 and integrin αvβ3 and its relative signal pathways participate in the induction of male germ cell proliferation and thyroid transcription disruption by the low-dose BPA. A profound understanding for the mechanism of action of the environmentally relevant BPA exposure not only contributes to objectively evaluate and predict the potential influence to human health, but also provides theoretical basis and methodological support for assessing health effects trigged by other estrogen-like environmental endocrine disruptors. Based mainly on our recent findings, this review outlines the research progress of molecular mechanism on endocrine disrupting effects of environmental low-dose BPA, existing problems and some consideration for future studies.

Estrogen receptor subcellular localization and cardiometabolism

BACKGROUND

In addition to their crucial role in reproduction, estrogens are key regulators of energy and glucose homeostasis and they also exert several cardiovascular protective effects. These beneficial actions are mainly mediated by estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), which is widely expressed in metabolic and vascular tissues. As a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, ERα was primarily considered as a transcription factor that controls gene expression through the activation of its two activation functions (ERαAF-1 and ERαAF-2). However, besides these nuclear actions, a pool of ERα is localized in the vicinity of the plasma membrane, where it mediates rapid signaling effects called membrane-initiated steroid signals (MISS) that have been well described in vitro, especially in endothelial cells.

SCOPE OF THE REVIEW

This review aims to summarize our current knowledge of the mechanisms of nuclear vs membrane ERα activation that contribute to the cardiometabolic protection conferred by estrogens. Indeed, new transgenic mouse models (affecting either DNA binding, activation functions or membrane localization), together with the use of novel pharmacological tools that electively activate membrane ERα effects recently allowed to begin to unravel the different modes of ERα signaling in vivo.

CONCLUSION

Altogether, available data demonstrate the prominent role of ERα nuclear effects, and, more specifically, of ERαAF-2, in the preventive effects of estrogens against obesity, diabetes, and atheroma. However, membrane ERα signaling selectively mediates some of the estrogen endothelial/vascular effects (NO release, reendothelialization) and could also contribute to the regulation of energy balance, insulin sensitivity, and glucose metabolism. Such a dissection of ERα biological functions related to its subcellular localization will help to understand the mechanism of action of "old" ER modulators and to design new ones with an optimized benefit/risk profile.

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated targeting of the Rosa26 locus produces Cre reporter rat strains for monitoring Cre-loxP-mediated lineage tracing

The rat is an important laboratory animal for physiological, toxicological and pharmacological studies. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated 9 (Cas9) is a simple and efficient tool to generate precise genetic modifications in rats, which will promote the accumulation of genetic resources and enable more precise studies of gene function. To monitor Cre-loxP-mediated excision in vivo, we generated a Cre reporter rat strain (Rosa26-imCherry) by knockin of a Cre reporter cassette at the Rosa26 locus using CRISPR/Cas9. Rosa26-imCherry rats exhibited inducible expression of the mCherry cassette (imCherry) using the Cre-loxP system, whereas normal rats exhibited ubiquitous expression of eGFP but not mCherry in the whole body. Injection of adeno-associated virus serotype 9-Cre into the hippocampus and skeletal muscle resulted in mCherry expression in virus-infected cells. Cre-loxP-mediated mCherry expression was then evaluated by crossing Rosa26-imCherry rats with transgenic rats ubiquitously expressing CAG-Cre, heart-specific α-MHC-Cre transgenic rats and liver-specific Alb-Cre knockin rats. Finally, using the established system the expression pattern of Cre driven by two endogenous gene promoters (Wfs1-Cre knockin rat, FabP2-Cre knockin rat) was traced. In summary, we demonstrated excision of the loxP-flanked allele in Rosa26-imCherry rats via activation of mCherry expression in the presence of Cre recombinase. This newly established Rosa26-imCherry rat strain represents a useful tool to facilitate Cre-expression pattern determination and tracing experiments.

Membrane and Nuclear Estrogen Receptor Alpha Actions: From Tissue Specificity to Medical Implications

Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) has been recognized now for several decades as playing a key role in reproduction and exerting functions in numerous nonreproductive tissues. In this review, we attempt to summarize the in vitro studies that are the basis of our current understanding of the mechanisms of action of ERα as a nuclear receptor and the key roles played by its two activation functions (AFs) in its transcriptional activities. We then depict the consequences of the selective inactivation of these AFs in mouse models, focusing on the prominent roles played by ERα in the reproductive tract and in the vascular system. Evidence has accumulated over the two last decades that ERα is also associated with the plasma membrane and activates non-nuclear signaling from this site. These rapid/nongenomic/membrane-initiated steroid signals (MISS) have been characterized in a variety of cell lines, and in particular in endothelial cells. The development of selective pharmacological tools that specifically activate MISS and the generation of mice expressing an ERα protein impeded for membrane localization have begun to unravel the physiological role of MISS in vivo. Finally, we discuss novel perspectives for the design of tissue-selective ER modulators based on the integration of the physiological and pathophysiological roles of MISS actions of estrogens.

Nuclear and Membrane Actions of Estrogen Receptor Alpha: Contribution to the Regulation of Energy and Glucose Homeostasis

Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) has been demonstrated to play a key role in reproduction but also to exert numerous functions in nonreproductive tissues. Accordingly, ERα is now recognized as a key regulator of energy homeostasis and glucose metabolism and mediates the protective effects of estrogens against obesity and type 2 diabetes. This chapter attempts to summarize our current understanding of the mechanisms of ERα activation and their involvement in the modulation of energy balance and glucose metabolism. We first focus on the experimental studies that constitute the basis of the understanding of ERα as a nuclear receptor and more specifically on the key roles played by its two activation functions (AFs). We depict the consequences of the selective inactivation of these AFs in mouse models, which further underline the prominent role of nuclear ERα in the prevention of obesity and diabetes, as on the reproductive tract and the vascular system. Besides these nuclear actions, a fraction of ERα is associated with the plasma membrane and activates nonnuclear signaling from this site. Such rapid effects, called membrane-initiated steroid signals (MISS), have been characterized in a variety of cell lines and in particular in endothelial cells. The development of selective pharmacological tools that specifically activate MISS as well as the generation of mice expressing an ERα protein impeded for membrane localization has just begun to unravel the physiological role of MISS in vivo and their contribution to ERα-mediated metabolic protection. Finally, we discuss novel perspectives for the design of tissue-selective ER modulators.

Molecular mechanism of estrogen-estrogen receptor signaling

17β‐Estradiol (E2), as the main circulating estrogen hormone, regulates many tissue and organ functions in physiology. The effects of E2 on cells are mediated by the transcription factors and estrogen receptor (ER)α and ERβ that are encoded by distinct genes. Localized at the peri‐membrane, mitochondria, and the nucleus of cells that are dependent on estrogen target tissues, the ERs share similar, as well as distinct, regulatory potentials. Different intracellular localizations of the ERs result in dynamically integrated and finely tuned E2 signaling cascades that orchestrate cellular growth, differentiation, and death. The deregulation of E2–ER signaling plays a critical role in the initiation and progression of target tissue malignancies. A better understanding of the complex regulatory mechanisms that underlie ER actions in response to E2 therefore holds a critical trajectory for the development of novel prognostic and therapeutic approaches with substantial impacts on the systemic management of target tissue diseases.

SERMs have substance-specific effects on bone, and these effects are mediated via ERαAF-1 in female mice

The bone-sparing effect of estrogens is mediated primarily via estrogen receptor (ER)α, which stimulates gene transcription through activation function (AF)-1 and AF-2. The role of ERαAF-1 for the estradiol (E2) effects is tissue specific. The selective ER modulators (SERMs) raloxifene (Ral), lasofoxifene (Las), and bazedoxifene (Bza) can be used to treat postmenopausal osteoporosis. They all reduce the risk for vertebral fractures, whereas Las and partly Bza, but not Ral, reduce the risk for nonvertebral fractures. Here, we have compared the tissue specificity of Ral, Las, and Bza and evaluated the role of ERαAF-1 for the effects of these SERMs, with an emphasis on bone parameters. We treated ovariectomized (OVX) wild-type (WT) mice and OVX mice lacking ERαAF-1 (ERαAF-1(0)) with E2, Ral, Las, or Bza. All three SERMs increased trabecular bone mass in the axial skeleton. In the appendicular skeleton, only Las increased the trabecular bone volume/tissue volume and trabecular number, whereas both Ral and Las increased the cortical bone thickness and strength. However, Ral also increased cortical porosity. The three SERMs had only a minor effect on uterine weight. Notably, all evaluated effects of these SERMs were absent in ovx ERαAF-1(0) mice. In conclusion, all SERMs had similar effects on axial bone mass. However, the SERMs had slightly different effects on the appendicular skeleton since only Las increased the trabecular bone mass and only Ral increased the cortical porosity. Importantly, all SERM effects require a functional ERαAF-1 in female mice. These results could lead to development of more specific treatments for osteoporosis.

Fate Mapping Mammalian Corneal Epithelia

The anterior aspect of the cornea consists of a stratified squamous epithelium, thought to be maintained by a rare population of stem cells (SCs) that reside in the limbal transition zone. Although migration of cells that replenish the corneal epithelium has been studied for over a century, the process is still poorly understood and not well characterized. Numerous techniques have been employed to examine corneal epithelial dynamics, including visualization by light microscopy, the incorporation of vital dyes and DNA labels, and transplantation of genetically marked cells that have acted as cell and lineage beacons. Modern-day lineage tracing utilizes molecular methods to determine the fate of a specific cell and its progeny over time. Classically employed in developmental biology, lineage tracing has been used more recently to track the progeny of adult SCs in a number of organs to pin-point their location and understand their movement and influence on tissue regeneration. This review highlights key discoveries that have led researchers to develop cutting-edge genetic tools to effectively and more accurately monitor turnover and displacement of cells within the mammalian corneal epithelium. Collating information on the basic biology of SCs will have clinical ramifications in furthering our knowledge of the processes that govern their role in homeostasis, wound-healing, transplantation, and how we can improve current unsatisfactory SC-based therapies for patients suffering blinding corneal disease.

Yeast Two-Hybrid Detection Systems That Are Highly Sensitive to a Certain Kind of Endocrine Disruptors

We tested the effects of several combinations of bait and fish components of the yeast two-hybrid detection system for estrogenic activity. A combination of the full-length human estrogen receptor alpha with the nuclear receptor-binding domain of co-activator steroid receptor co-activator-1 (SRC-1) or transcriptional intermediate factor-2 (TIF-2) was most effective for estrogen-dependent induction of the chromosome-integrated UAS(GAL)-CYC1(p)-lacZ reporter construct among the two-hybrid systems so far tested.

Transgenic zebrafish reveal tissue-specific differences in estrogen signaling in response to environmental water samples

BACKGROUND

Environmental endocrine disruptors (EEDs) are exogenous chemicals that mimic endogenous hormones such as estrogens. Previous studies using a zebrafish transgenic reporter demonstrated that the EEDs bisphenol A and genistein preferentially activate estrogen receptors (ERs) in the larval heart compared with the liver. However, it was not known whether the transgenic zebrafish reporter was sensitive enough to detect estrogens from environmental samples, whether environmental estrogens would exhibit tissue-specific effects similar to those of BPA and genistein, or why some compounds preferentially target receptors in the heart.

METHODS

We tested surface water samples using a transgenic zebrafish reporter with tandem estrogen response elements driving green fluorescent protein expression (5xERE:GFP). Reporter activation was colocalized with tissue-specific expression of ER genes by RNA in situ hybridization.

RESULTS

We observed selective patterns of ER activation in transgenic fish exposed to river water samples from the Mid-Atlantic United States, with several samples preferentially activating receptors in embryonic and larval heart valves. We discovered that tissue specificity in ER activation was due to differences in the expression of ER subtypes. ERα was expressed in developing heart valves but not in the liver, whereas ERβ2 had the opposite profile. Accordingly, subtype-specific ER agonists activated the reporter in either the heart valves or the liver.

CONCLUSION

The use of 5xERE:GFP transgenic zebrafish revealed an unexpected tissue-specific difference in the response to environmentally relevant estrogenic compounds. Exposure to estrogenic EEDs in utero was associated with adverse health effects, with the potentially unanticipated consequence of targeting developing heart valves.

Lessons from the dissection of the activation functions (AF-1 and AF-2) of the estrogen receptor alpha in vivo

Estrogens influence most of the physiological processes in mammals, including but not limited to reproduction, cognition, behavior, vascular system, metabolism and bone integrity. Given this widespread role for estrogen in human physiology, it is not surprising that estrogen influence the pathophysiology of numerous diseases, including cancer (of the reproductive tract as breast, endometrial but also colorectal, prostate,…), as well as neurodegenerative, inflammatory-immune, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and osteoporosis. These actions are mediated by the activation of estrogen receptors (ER) alpha (ERα) and beta (ERβ), which regulate target gene transcription (genomic action) through two independent activation functions (AF)-1 and AF-2, but can also elicit rapid membrane initiated steroid signals (MISS). Targeted ER gene inactivation has shown that although ERβ plays an important role in the central nervous system and in the heart, ERα appears to play a prominent role in most of the other tissues. Pharmacological activation or inhibition of ERα and/or ERβ provides already the basis for many therapeutic interventions, from hormone replacement at menopause to prevention of the recurrence of breast cancer. However, the use of these estrogens or selective estrogen receptors modulators (SERMs) have also induced undesired effects. Thus, an important challenge consists now to uncouple the beneficial actions from other deleterious ones. The in vivo molecular "dissection" of ERα represents both a molecular and integrated approach that already allowed to delineate in mouse the role of the main "subfunctions" of the receptor and that could pave the way to an optimization of the ER modulation.

The role of activation functions 1 and 2 of estrogen receptor-α for the effects of estradiol and selective estrogen receptor modulators in male mice

Estradiol (E2) is important for male skeletal health and the effect of E2 is mediated via estrogen receptor (ER)-α. This was demonstrated by the findings that men with an inactivating mutation in aromatase or a nonfunctional ERα had osteopenia and continued longitudinal growth after sexual maturation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of different domains of ERα for the effects of E2 and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) on bone mass in males. Three mouse models lacking either ERαAF-1 (ERαAF-1(0)), ERαAF-2 (ERαAF-2(0)), or the total ERα (ERα(-/-)) were orchidectomized (orx) and treated with E2 or placebo. E2 treatment increased the trabecular and cortical bone mass and bone strength, whereas it reduced the thymus weight and bone marrow cellularity in orx wild type (WT) mice. These parameters did not respond to E2 treatment in orx ERα(-/-) or ERαAF-2(0). However, the effects of E2 in orx ERαAF-1(0) [corrected] were tissue-dependent, with a clear response in cortical bone parameters and bone marrow cellularity, but no response in trabecular bone. To determine the role of ERαAF-1 for the effects of SERMs, we treated orx WT and ERαAF-1(0) mice with raloxifene (Ral), lasofoxifene (Las), bazedoxifene (Bza), or vehicle. These SERMs increased total body areal bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular volumetric BMD to a similar extent in orx WT mice. Furthermore, only Las increased cortical thickness significantly and only Bza increased bone strength significantly. However, all SERMs showed a tendency toward increased cortical bone parameters. Importantly, all SERM effects were absent in the orx ERαAF-1(0) mice. In conclusion, ERαAF-2 is required for the estrogenic effects on all evaluated parameters, whereas the role of ERαAF-1 is tissue-specific. All evaluated effects of Ral, Las and Bza are dependent on a functional ERαAF-1. Our findings might contribute to the development of bone-specific SERMs in males.

Bisphenol A at a low concentration boosts mouse spermatogonial cell proliferation by inducing the G protein-coupled receptor 30 expression

Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most prevalent chemicals in daily-use materials, therefore, human exposure to BPA is ubiquitous. We found that low concentrations of BPA stimulate the spermatogonial GC-1 cells proliferation by G protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30)-mediated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-extracellular regulated kinase (ERK)-c-Fos pathway. However, through the same pathway GPR30 expression has been shown to be induced by EGF, an EGFR ligand. Thus, we want to know if low concentrations of BPA are able to induce the GPR30 expression and the possible mechanism(s) in GC-1 cells. By transient transfection with expression plasmids, 10(-9)M BPA significantly transactivates the Gpr30-5'-flanking region through activating the GPR30, cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG), estrogen receptor-α (ER-α), and EFGR-ERK pathways. Furthermore, an activator protein-1 (AP-1) site located within this region is found to be responsible for the transactivation of BPA. Expectedly, through the same pathways, BPA significantly induces the gene and protein expression of GPR30. c-Fos is further observed to be strongly recruited to the AP-1 site in a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay and its dysfunction on the AP-1 site markedly suppresses the expression of GPR30, p-ERK1/2, p-Ser118-ER-α and cell proliferation by BPA. Our results demonstrate that a low-concentration BPA induces GPR30 expression through the GPR30-EFGR-ERK-c-Fos, ER-α, and PKG pathways, presumably boosting the cells proliferation via a regulatory loop. The present study provides a novel insight into the potential role of GPR30 in the initiation and progression of male germ cell cancer induced by environmentally relevant BPA.

A small RNA derived from RNA coactivator SRA blocks steroid receptor signaling via inhibition of Pus1p-mediated pseudouridylation of SRA: evidence of a novel RNA binding domain in the N-terminus of steroid receptors

Estrogen receptors (ERs) and androgen receptors (ARs) are important targets for cancer therapy; however, the efficacy of receptor antagonists is limited, and alternative strategies are needed. Steroid receptor RNA Activator (SRA) is a long, noncoding RNA coactivator (although some protein-encoding 5' splice variants have also been reported) that requires pseudouridylation by Pus1p to stimulate steroid receptor signaling. A uridine at position 206 (U206), which is located in small hairpin structure STR5 in the conserved SRA core sequence, is a critical target for pseudouridylation. We assessed if synthetic STR5 could serve as a novel competitive inhibitor of ERα and AR signaling by disrupting the Pus1p-SRA-steroid receptor axis. STR5 specifically inhibited Pus1p-dependent pseudouridylation of SRA with higher efficiency than STR5 mutant U206A. We show that SRA binds to the N-terminal domain (NTD) of ERα and AR with high affinity despite the absence of a recognizable RNA binding motif (RBM). Finally, we show that STR5 specifically inhibits ERα- and AR-dependent transactivation of target genes in steroid-sensitive cancer cells, consistent with disruption of the targeted Pus1p-SRA pathway. Together, our results show that the NTD of ERα and AR contains a novel RBM that directly binds SRA, and that STR5 can serve as a novel class of RNA inhibitor of ERα and AR signaling by interfering with Pus1p-mediated SRA pseudouridylation. Targeting this unexplored receptor signaling pathway may pave the way for the development of new types of cancer therapeutics.

Allosteric modulators of steroid hormone receptors: structural dynamics and gene regulation

Steroid hormones are synthesized from cholesterol primarily in the adrenal gland and the gonads and play vital roles in normal physiology, the control of development, differentiation, metabolic homeostasis, and reproduction. The actions of these small lipophilic molecules are mediated by intracellular receptor proteins. It is just over 25 yr since the first cDNA for steroid receptors were cloned, a development that led to the birth of a superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors: the nuclear receptors. The receptor proteins share structurally and functionally related ligand binding and DNA-binding domains but possess distinct N-terminal domains and hinge regions that are intrinsically disordered. Since the original cloning experiments, considerable progress has been made in our understanding of the structure, mechanisms of action, and biology of this important class of ligand-activated transcription factors. In recent years, there has been interest in the structural plasticity and function of the N-terminal domain of steroid hormone receptors and in the allosteric regulation of protein folding and function in response to hormone, DNA response element architecture, and coregulatory protein binding partners. The N-terminal domain can exist as an ensemble of conformers, having more or less structure, which prime this region of the receptor to rapidly respond to changes in the intracellular environment through hormone binding and posttranslation modifications. In this review, we address the question of receptor structure and function dynamics with particular emphasis on the structurally flexible N-terminal domain, intra- and interdomain communications, and the allosteric regulation of receptor action.

Lineage tracing

Lineage tracing is the identification of all progeny of a single cell. Although its origins date back to developmental biology of invertebrates in the 19(th) century, lineage tracing is now an essential tool for studying stem cell properties in adult mammalian tissues. Lineage tracing provides a powerful means of understanding tissue development, homeostasis, and disease, especially when it is combined with experimental manipulation of signals regulating cell-fate decisions. Recently, the combination of inducible recombinases, multicolor reporter constructs, and live-cell imaging has provided unprecedented insights into stem cell biology. Here we discuss the different experimental strategies currently available for lineage tracing, their associated caveats, and new opportunities to integrate lineage tracing with the monitoring of intracellular signaling pathways.

Low concentrations of bisphenol A induce mouse spermatogonial cell proliferation by G protein-coupled receptor 30 and estrogen receptor-α

BACKGROUND

Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most prevalent chemicals in daily-use materials; therefore, human exposure to BPA is ubiquitous. The estrogenicity of BPA is generally mediated by nuclear estrogen receptors (ERs). However, low concentrations of BPA stimulate seminoma cell proliferation by an uncertain mechanism that does not involve activation of ERs.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the possible promoting effects of low-concentration BPA and the possible mechanism(s) using the murine ER-β negative spermatogonial GC-1 cell line.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using the specific signaling inhibitor, BPA at test concentrations ranging from 10-10 to 10-8 M markedly induced proliferation of GC-1 cells by activating both cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) pathways. BPA stimulated a rapid (15-min) phosphorylation of the transcription factor cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) and the cell cycle regulator retinoblastoma protein (Rb). Interestingly, ER-α phosphorylation is involved in the proliferation, whereas BPA does not directly transactivate ER-α in gene reporter assays. Using specific agonists and gene silencing, we further observed that BPA mediates the proliferation and fos gene expression of GC-1 cells by G protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30) and ER-α.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that low concentrations of BPA activate the PKG and EGFR/ERK/c-fos pathways through a cross-talk between GPR30 and ER-α, which in turn stimulates GC-1 cell proliferation. The present study provides a novel insight regarding the potential role of GPR30 and ER-α in mediating the proliferative effects of BPA in male germ cells.

Activation function 2 (AF2) of estrogen receptor-alpha is required for the atheroprotective action of estradiol but not to accelerate endothelial healing

17β-Estradiol (E2) regulates estrogen receptor-α (ERα) target gene transcription through the two independent activation functions (AFs), AF1 and AF2, located in the N-terminal and ligand binding domain of ERα, respectively. We previously reported that ERα is required for the E2 atheroprotective action as well as for its accelerative action on endothelial healing, but its AF1 function is dispensable. Here, we investigated the role of ERαAF2 in these two major beneficial actions of E2 by electively targeting ERαAF2 (named ERαAF2(0)). Our results prove four points. (i) Compared with WT ERα, the ability of ERαAF2(0) to stimulate the C3 complement or the estrogen response element-thymidine kinase promoter in two cell lines was dramatically decreased, confirming the importance of AF2 in the E2-induced transcriptional activity of ERα. (ii) The uterotrophic action of E2 was totally absent in ERαAF2(0) mice, showing the crucial role of ERαAF2 in E2-induced uterus hyperplasia. (iii) ERαAF2 was dispensable for the accelerative action of E2 on endothelial healing, underlining the functionality of ERαAF2(0) in vivo. (iv) Finally, the atheroprotective effect of E2 was abrogated in ERαAF2(0) LDL-r(-/-) mice. Thus, whereas ERαAF1 and ERαAF2 are both required for the uterotrophic action of E2, we show that only ERαAF2 is necessary for its atheroprotective effect.

Roles of transactivating functions 1 and 2 of estrogen receptor-alpha in bone

The bone-sparing effect of estrogen is primarily mediated via estrogen receptor-α (ERα), which stimulates target gene transcription through two activation functions (AFs), AF-1 in the N-terminal and AF-2 in the ligand binding domain. To evaluate the role of ERα AF-1 and ERα AF-2 for the effects of estrogen in bone in vivo, we analyzed mouse models lacking the entire ERα protein (ERα(-/-)), ERα AF-1 (ERαAF-1(0)), or ERα AF-2 (ERαAF-2(0)). Estradiol (E2) treatment increased the amount of both trabecular and cortical bone in ovariectomized (OVX) WT mice. Neither the trabecular nor the cortical bone responded to E2 treatment in OVX ERα(-/-) or OVX ERαAF-2(0) mice. OVX ERαAF-1(0) mice displayed a normal E2 response in cortical bone but no E2 response in trabecular bone. Although E2 treatment increased the uterine and liver weights and reduced the thymus weight in OVX WT mice, no effect was seen on these parameters in OVX ERα(-/-) or OVX ERαAF-2(0) mice. The effect of E2 in OVX ERαAF-1(0) mice was tissue-dependent, with no or weak E2 response on thymus and uterine weights but a normal response on liver weight. In conclusion, ERα AF-2 is required for the estrogenic effects on all parameters evaluated, whereas the role of ERα AF-1 is tissue-specific, with a crucial role in trabecular bone and uterus but not cortical bone. Selective ER modulators stimulating ERα with minimal activation of ERα AF-1 could retain beneficial actions in cortical bone, constituting 80% of the skeleton, while minimizing effects on reproductive organs.

Effects of estrogens and endocrine-disrupting chemicals on cell differentiation-survival-proliferation in brain: contributions of neuronal cell lines

Estrogens and estrogen receptors (ER) are key actors in the control of differentiation and survival and act on extrareproductive tissues such as brain. Thus, estrogens may display neuritogenic effects during development and neuroprotective effects in the pathophysiological context of brain ischemia and neurodegenerative pathologies like Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease. Some of these effects require classical transcriptional "genomic" mechanisms through ER, whereas other effects appear to rely clearly on "membrane-initiated mechanisms" through cytoplasmic signal transduction pathways. Disturbances of these mechanisms by endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC) may exert adverse effects on brain. Some EDC may act via ER-independent mechanisms but might cross-react with endogenous estrogen. Other EDC may act through ER-dependent mechanisms and display agonistic/antagonistic estrogenic properties. Because of these potential effects of EDC, it is necessary to establish sensitive cell-based assays to determine EDC effects on brain. In the present review, some effects of estrogens and EDC are described with focus on ER-mediated effects in neuronal cells. Particular attention is given to PC12 cells, an interesting model to study the mechanisms underlying ER-mediated differentiating and neuroprotective effects of estrogens.

Molecular basis for gene-specific transactivation by nuclear receptors

Nuclear receptors (NRs) are key transcriptional regulators of metazoan physiology and metabolism. Different NRs bind to similar or even identical core response elements; however, they regulate transcription in a highly receptor- and gene-specific manner. These differences in gene activation can most likely be accounted for by mechanisms involving receptor-specific interactions with DNA as well as receptor-specific interactions with protein complexes binding to adjacent and distant DNA sequences. Here, we review key molecular aspects of transactivation by NRs with special emphasis on the recent advances in the molecular mechanisms responsible for receptor- and gene-specific transcriptional activation. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Translating nuclear receptors from health to disease.

The pro-metastatic protein anterior gradient-2 predicts poor prognosis in tamoxifen-treated breast cancers

Transcriptomic screens in breast cancer cell lines have identified a protein named anterior gradient-2 (AGR2) as a potentially novel oncogene overexpressed in estrogen receptor (ER) positive tumours. As targeting the ER is responsible for major improvements in cure rates and prevention of breast cancers, we have evaluated the pro-oncogenic function of AGR2 in anti-hormone therapeutic responses. We show that AGR2 expression promotes cancer cell survival in clonogenic assays and increases cell proliferation and viability in a range of cancer cell lines. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and reporter assays indicate that AGR2 is transcriptionally activated by estrogen through ERalpha. However, we also found that AGR2 expression is elevated rather than inhibited in response to tamoxifen, thus identifying a novel mechanism to account for an agonistic effect of the drug on a specific pro-oncogenic pathway. Consistent with these data, clinical analysis indicates that AGR2 expression is related to treatment failure in ERalpha-positive breast cancers treated with tamoxifen. In contrast, AGR2 is one of the most highly suppressed genes in cancers of responding patients treated with the anti-hormonal drug letrozole. These data indicate that the AGR2 pathway represents a novel pro-oncogenic pathway for evaluation as anti-cancer drug developments, especially therapies that by-pass the agonist effects of tamoxifen.

Repression of estrogen receptor beta function by putative tumor suppressor DBC1

It has been well established that estrogen is involved in the pathophysiology of breast cancer. Estrogen receptor (ER) alpha appears to promote the proliferation of cancer tissues, while ERbeta can protect against the mitogenic effect of estrogen in breast tissue. The expression status of ERalpha and ERbeta may greatly influence on the development, treatment, and prognosis of breast cancer. Previous studies have indicated that the deleted in breast cancer 1 (DBC1/KIAA1967) gene product has roles in regulating functions of nuclear receptors. The gene encoding DBC1 is a candidate for tumor suppressor identified by genetic search for breast cancer. Caspase-dependent processing of DBC1 promotes apoptosis, and depletion of the endogenous DBC1 negatively regulates p53-dependent apoptosis through its specific inhibition of SIRT1. In addition, DBC1 modulates ERalpha expression and promotes breast cancer cell survival by binding to ERalpha. Here we report an ERbeta-specific repressive function of DBC1. Immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence studies show that ERbeta and DBC1 interact in a ligand-independent manner similar to ERalpha. In vitro pull-down assays revealed a direct interaction between DBC1 amino-terminus and activation function-1/2 domain of ERbeta. Although DBC1 shows no influence on the ligand-dependent transcriptional activation function of ERalpha, the expression of DBC1 negatively regulates the ligand-dependent transcriptional activation function of ERbetain vivo, and RNA interference-mediated depletion of DBC1 stimulates the transactivation function of ERbeta. These results implicate the principal role of DBC1 in regulating ERbeta-dependent gene expressions.

Research into Specific Modulators of Vascular Sex Hormone Receptors in the Management of Postmenopausal Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is more common in men and postmenopausal women than premenopausal women, suggesting vascular benefits of female sex hormones. Studies on the vasculature have identified estrogen receptors ERα, ERβ and a novel estrogen binding membrane protein GPR30, that mediate genomic and/or non-genomic effects. Estrogen promotes endothelium-dependent relaxation by inducing the production/activity of nitric oxide, prostacyclin, and hyperpolarizing factor, and inhibits the mechanisms of vascular smooth muscle contraction including [Ca(2+)](i), protein kinase C, Rho kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase. Additional effects of estrogen on the cytoskeleton, matrix metalloproteinases and inflammatory factors contribute to vascular remodeling. However, the experimental evidence did not translate into vascular benefits of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), and the HERS, HERS-II and WHI clinical trials demonstrated adverse cardiovascular events. The discrepancy has been partly related to delayed MHT and potential changes in the vascular ER amount, integrity, affinity, and downstream signaling pathways due to the subjects' age and preexisting CVD. The adverse vascular effects of MHT also highlighted the need of specific modulators of vascular sex hormone receptors. The effectiveness of MHT can be improved by delineating the differences in phramcokinetics and pharmacodynamics of natural, synthetic, and conjugated equine estrogens. Estriol, "hormone bioidenticals" and phytoestrogens are potential estradiol substitutes. The benefits of low dose MHT, and transdermal or vaginal estrogens over oral preparations are being evaluated. Specific ER modulators (SERMs) and ER agonists are being developed to maximize the effects on vascular ERs. Also, the effects of estrogen are being examined in the context of the whole body hormonal environment and the levels of progesterone and androgens. Thus, the experimental vascular benefits of estrogen can be translated to the outcome of MHT in postmenopausal CVD, as more specific modulators of sex hormone receptors become available and are used at the right dose, route of administration and timing, depending on the subject's age and preexisting cardiovascular condition.

In vivo interaction of steroid receptor coactivator (SRC)-1 and the activation function-2 domain of the thyroid hormone receptor (TR) beta in TRbeta E457A knock-in and SRC-1 knockout mice

The activation function-2 (AF-2) domain of the thyroid hormone (TH) receptor (TR)-beta is a TH-dependent binding site for nuclear coactivators (NCoA), which modulate TH-dependent gene transcription. In contrast, the putative AF-1 domain is a TH-independent region interacting with NCoA. We determined the specificity of the AF-2 domain and NCoA interaction by evaluating thyroid function in mice with combined disruption of the AF-2 domain in TRbeta, due to a point mutation (E457A), and deletion of one of the NCoAs, steroid receptor coactivator (SRC)-1. The E457A mutation was chosen because it abolishes NCoA recruitment in vitro while preserving normal TH binding and corepressor interactions resulting in resistance to TH. At baseline, disruption of SRC-1 in the homozygous knock-in (TRbeta(E457A/E457A)) mice worsened the degree of resistance to TH, resulting in increased serum T(4) and TSH. During TH deprivation, disruption of AF-2 and SRC-1 resulted in a TSH rise 50% of what was seen when AF-2 alone was removed, suggesting that SRC-1 was interacting outside of the AF-2 domain. Therefore, 1) during TH deprivation, SRC-1 is necessary for activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis; 2) ligand-dependent repression of TSH requires an intact AF-2; and 3) SRC-1 may interact with the another region of the TRbeta or the TRalpha to regulate TH action in the pituitary. This report demonstrates the dual interaction of NCoA in vivo: the TH-independent up-regulation possibly through another domain and TH-dependent down-regulation through the AF-2 domain.

The transactivating function 1 of estrogen receptor alpha is dispensable for the vasculoprotective actions of 17beta-estradiol

Full-length 66-kDa estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) stimulates target gene transcription through two activation functions (AFs), AF-1 in the N-terminal domain and AF-2 in the ligand binding domain. Another physiologically expressed 46-kDa ERalpha isoform lacks the N-terminal A/B domains and is consequently devoid of AF-1. Previous studies in cultured endothelial cells showed that the N-terminal A/B domain might not be required for estradiol (E2)-elicited NO production. To evaluate the involvement of ERalpha AF-1 in the vasculoprotective actions of E2, we generated a targeted deletion of the ERalpha A/B domain in the mouse. In these ERalphaAF-1(0) mice, both basal endothelial NO production and reendothelialization process were increased by E2 administration to a similar extent than in control mice. Furthermore, exogenous E2 similarly decreased fatty streak deposits at the aortic root from both ovariectomized 18-week-old ERalphaAF-1(+/+) LDLr(-/-) (low-density lipoprotein receptor) and ERalphaAF-1(0) LDLr (-/-) mice fed with a hypercholesterolemic diet. In addition, quantification of lesion size on en face preparations of the aortic tree of 8-month-old ovariectomized or intact female mice revealed that ERalpha AF-1 is dispensable for the atheroprotective action of endogenous estrogens. We conclude that ERalpha AF-1 is not required for three major vasculoprotective actions of E2, whereas it is necessary for the effects of E2 on its reproductive targets. Thus, selective ER modulators stimulating ERalpha with minimal activation of ERalpha AF-1 could retain beneficial vascular actions, while minimizing the sexual effects.

The first 17 amino acids of the beet necrotic yellow vein virus RNA-5-encoded p26 protein are sufficient to activate transcription in a yeast one-hybrid system

The beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) RNA-5-encoded p26 protein is involved in the accentuation of symptoms expression of infected Chenopodium quinoa plants and is capable of transcription activation (TA) in yeast. TA was previously localized within the first 55 residues of the p26 protein. Interestingly, TA did not occur when C-terminally deleted forms of p26 were used. We used a genetic screen in the yeast one-hybrid system to select restored TA from randomly generated mutants. The TA domain was found to be located within the first 17 residues. Alanine replacement of aspartic acids 11, 16, and 17 within the full-length p26 prevented TA but did not impair subcellular localization and the symptom expression.

Genetic dissection of neural circuits and behavior in Mus musculus

One of the major challenges in the field of neurobiology is to elucidate the molecular machinery that underlies the formation and storage of memories. For many decades, genetic studies in the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) have provided insight into the role of specific genes underlying memory storage. Although these pioneering studies were groundbreaking, a transition to a mammalian system more closely resembling the human brain is critical for the translation of basic research findings into therapeutic strategies in humans. Because the mouse (Mus musculus) shares the complex genomic and neuroanatomical organization of mammals and there is a wealth of molecular tools that are available to manipulate gene function in mice, the mouse has become the primary model for research into the genetic basis of mammalian memory. Another major advantage of mouse research is the ability to examine in vivo electrophysiological processes, such as synaptic plasticity and neuronal firing patterns during behavior (e.g., the analysis of place cell activity). The focus on mouse models for memory research has led to the development of sophisticated behavioral protocols capable of exploring the role of particular genes in distinct phases of learning and memory formation, which is one of the major accomplishments of the past decade. In this chapter, we will give an overview of several state of the art genetic approaches to study gene function in the mouse brain in a spatially and temporally restricted fashion.

Metabolic actions of estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) are mediated by a negative cross-talk with PPARgamma

Estrogen receptors (ER) are important regulators of metabolic diseases such as obesity and insulin resistance (IR). While ERα seems to have a protective role in such diseases, the function of ERβ is not clear. To characterize the metabolic function of ERβ, we investigated its molecular interaction with a master regulator of insulin signaling/glucose metabolism, the PPARγ, in vitro and in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed ERβ -/- mice (βERKO) mice. Our in vitro experiments showed that ERβ inhibits ligand-mediated PPARγ-transcriptional activity. That resulted in a blockade of PPARγ-induced adipocytic gene expression and in decreased adipogenesis. Overexpression of nuclear coactivators such as SRC1 and TIF2 prevented the ERβ-mediated inhibition of PPARγ activity. Consistent with the in vitro data, we observed increased PPARγ activity in gonadal fat from HFD-fed βERKO mice. In consonance with enhanced PPARγ activation, HFD-fed βERKO mice showed increased body weight gain and fat mass in the presence of improved insulin sensitivity. To directly demonstrate the role of PPARγ in HFD-fed βERKO mice, PPARγ signaling was disrupted by PPARγ antisense oligonucleotide (ASO). Blockade of adipose PPARγ by ASO reversed the phenotype of βERKO mice with an impairment of insulin sensitization and glucose tolerance. Finally, binding of SRC1 and TIF2 to the PPARγ-regulated adiponectin promoter was enhanced in gonadal fat from βERKO mice indicating that the absence of ERβ in adipose tissue results in exaggerated coactivator binding to a PPARγ target promoter. Collectively, our data provide the first evidence that ERβ-deficiency protects against diet-induced IR and glucose intolerance which involves an augmented PPARγ signaling in adipose tissue. Moreover, our data suggest that the coactivators SRC1 and TIF2 are involved in this interaction. Impairment of insulin and glucose metabolism by ERβ may have significant implications for our understanding of hormone receptor-dependent pathophysiology of metabolic diseases, and may be essential for the development of new ERβ-selective agonists.

In the present study, we demonstrate for the first time a pro-diabetogenic function of the ERβ. Our experiments indicate that ERβ impairs insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in mice challenged with a high fat diet (HFD). Loss of ERβ, studied in ERβ -/- mice (βERKO mice), results in increased body weight gain and fat deposition under HFD-treatment. Conversely, absence of ERβ averted accumulation of triglycerides and preserved regular insulin signaling in liver and skeletal muscle. This observation was associated with improved whole-body insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. Increased adipose tissue mass in the presence of improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance is usually observed under chronic stimulation of the nuclear hormone receptor PPARγ. In consonance, we show that activation of PPARγ was markedly induced in gonadal fat from βERKO mice and blockade of adipose PPARγ signaling by antisense oligonucleotide injection reversed the metabolic phenotype. Moreover, our cell culture experiments indicate that ERβ is a negative regulator of ligand-induced PPARγ activity in vitro. Finally, we identify SRC1 and TIF2 as key players in the ERβ-PPARγ interaction. In summary, the present study demonstrates that ERβ impairs insulin and glucose metabolism, which may, at least in part, result from a negative cross-talk with adipose PPARγ.

The estrogen receptor pathway in rhabdomyosarcoma: a role for estrogen receptor-beta in proliferation and response to the antiestrogen 4'OH-tamoxifen

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children. Highly malignant, RMS frequently fails to respond to conventional aggressive multimodal radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy treatment protocols that also cause significant sequelae in the growing child. Other tumors of mesenchymal origin, such as locally aggressive fibromatoses and desmoid tumors, have been successfully treated with a selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulator, tamoxifen. In an effort to identify new targets for RMS therapy, our group investigated the previously uncharacterized ER pathway in RMS cell culture and primary tumors. We detected ER isoform beta (ER beta), but not isoform alpha, RNA, and protein in five RMS cell lines. Immunohistochemical staining of primary RMS tumor sections confirmed high levels of ER beta but not ER alpha protein. RMS cell growth was dramatically inhibited in steroid-free conditions, and this growth inhibition was rescued with 17-beta-estradiol (E2) supplementation. Exposure of RMS cells to 4'OH-tamoxifen (4OHT) decreased cell viability and inhibited colony formation as detected by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and colony-forming assays. 4OHT also induced apoptotic signaling in RMS cells as detected by cleavage of caspase-3 and poly(ADP)ribose polymerase. This effect increased 3- to 8-fold in steroid-deprived conditions but was rescued by supplementation with E2. Immunofluorescence studies detected a change in the subcellular localization of ER beta in response to 4OHT. Together, these data suggest an active ER beta-mediated signal transduction pathway in RMS. The ability of 4OHT to induce apoptotic signaling and disrupt estradiol-mediated proliferation provides a rationale to explore a role for selective ER modulators in the treatment of RMS.