The targeted disruption of both alleles of RARbeta(2) in F9 cells results in the loss of retinoic acid-associated growth arrest

DNA Methylation of Genes Participating in Hepatic Metabolisms and Function in Fetal Calf Liver Is Altered by Maternal Undernutrition during Gestation

This study aimed to elucidate the effects of maternal undernutrition (MUN) on epigenetic modification of hepatic genes in Japanese Black fetal calves during gestation. Using a previously established experimental design feeding the dams with 60% (LN) or 120% (HN) of their global nutritional requirements during the 8.5-month gestational period, DNA methylation in the fetal liver was analyzed with reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS). The promoters and gene bodies in the LN fetuses were hypomethylated compared to HN fetuses. Pathway analysis showed that the genes with DMR in the exon/intron in the LN group were associated with pathways involved in Cushing syndrome, gastric acid secretion, and aldosterone synthesis and secretion. Promoter hypomethylation in the LN group was frequently observed in genes participating in various signaling pathways (thyroid hormone, Ras/Rap1, PIK3-Akt, cAMP), fatty acid metabolism, and cholesterol metabolism. The promoter hypomethylated genes ALPL and GNAS were upregulated in the LN group, whereas the promoter hypermethylated genes GRB10 and POR were downregulated. The intron/exon hypomethylated genes IGF2, IGF2R, ACAD8, TAT, RARB, PINK1, and SOAT2 were downregulated, whereas the hypermethylated genes IGF2BP2, NOS3, and NR2F1 were upregulated. Collectively, MUN alters the promoter and gene body methylation of genes associated with hepatic metabolisms (energy, cholesterol, mitochondria) and function, suggesting an impact of altered gene methylation on the dysregulation of gene expression in the fetal liver.

Retinoid metabolism: new insights

Vitamin A (retinol) is a critical micronutrient required for the control of stem cell functions, cell differentiation, and cell metabolism in many different cell types, both during embryogenesis and in the adult organism. However, we must obtain vitamin A from food sources. Thus, the uptake and metabolism of vitamin A by intestinal epithelial cells, the storage of vitamin A in the liver, and the metabolism of vitamin A in target cells to more biologically active metabolites, such as retinoic acid (RA) and 4-oxo-RA, must be precisely regulated. Here, I will discuss the enzymes that metabolize vitamin A to RA and the cytochrome P450 Cyp26 family of enzymes that further oxidize RA. Because much progress has been made in understanding the regulation of ALDH1a2 (RALDH2) actions in the intestine, one focus of this review is on the metabolism of vitamin A in intestinal epithelial cells and dendritic cells. Another focus is on recent data that 4-oxo-RA is a ligand required for the maintenance of hematopoietic stem cell dormancy and the important role of RARβ (RARB) in these stem cells. Despite this progress, many questions remain in this research area, which links vitamin A metabolism to nutrition, immune functions, developmental biology, and nuclear receptor pharmacology.

Multilayer omics analysis reveals a non-classical retinoic acid signaling axis that regulates hematopoietic stem cell identity

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) rely on complex regulatory networks to preserve stemness. Due to the scarcity of HSCs, technical challenges have limited our insights into the interplay between metabolites, transcription, and the epigenome. In this study, we generated low-input metabolomics, transcriptomics, chromatin accessibility, and chromatin immunoprecipitation data, revealing distinct metabolic hubs that are enriched in HSCs and their downstream multipotent progenitors. Mechanistically, we uncover a non-classical retinoic acid (RA) signaling axis that regulates HSC function. We show that HSCs rely on Cyp26b1, an enzyme conventionally considered to limit RA effects in the cell. In contrast to the traditional view, we demonstrate that Cyp26b1 is indispensable for production of the active metabolite 4-oxo-RA. Further, RA receptor beta (Rarb) is required for complete transmission of 4-oxo-RA-mediated signaling to maintain stem cells. Our findings emphasize that a single metabolite controls stem cell fate by instructing epigenetic and transcriptional attributes.

Recent progress on the role and molecular mechanism of chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor II in cancer

Chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor II (COUP-TFII) is an orphan receptor that regulates the expression of genes involved in development and homeostasis. COUP-TFII is also dysregulated in cancer, where it plays important roles in oncogenesis and malignant progression. Recent studies have also investigated altered microRNA-mediated regulation of COUP-TFII in cancer. Although many investigators have studied the expression and clinical significance of COUP-TFII in several cancer types, there remain many controversies regarding its role in these diseases. In this review, we will describe the functions and underlying molecular mechanisms of COUP-TFII in several cancers, especially colorectal, gastric, breast, and prostate cancer; additionally, we will briefly summarize what is known about microRNA-mediated regulation of COUP-TFII.

MiR-30a and miR-379 modulate retinoic acid pathway by targeting DNA methyltransferase 3B in oral cancer

BACKGROUND

Epigenetic silencing of retinoic acid (RA) signaling-related genes have been linked with the pathogenesis and clinical outcome in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) carcinogenesis. However, the precise mechanisms underlying the abnormal silencing of RA signaling-related genes in OSCC have not been well investigated.

METHODS

Using combined analysis of genome-wide gene expression and methylation profile from 40 matched normal-tumor pairs of OSCC specimens, we found a set of retinoid signaling related genes are frequently hypermethylated and downregulated in OSCC patient samples, including alcohol dehydrogenase, iron containing 1 (ADHFE1) and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family, member A2 (ALDH1A2), which are the important rate-limiting enzymes in synthesis of RA. The expression of ADHFE1 and ALDH1A2 in OSCC patients was determine by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. The binding sites of miR-30a and miR-379 with DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT3B) were predicted using a series of bioinformatic tools, and validated using dual luciferase assay and Western blot analyses. The functions of miR-30a, miR-379, and DNMT3B were accessed by growth and colony formation analyses using gain- and loss-of-function approaches. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) was performed to explore the molecular mechanisms by arecoline and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) treatment.

RESULTS

We demonstrated that deregulated miR-30a and miR-379 could represent a mechanism for the silencing of ADHFE1 and ALDH1A2 in OSCC through targeting DNMT3B. Ectopic expression of miR-30a and miR-379 could induce re-expression of methylation-silenced ADHFE1 and ALDH1A2, and lead to growth inhibition in oral cancer cells. Furthermore, the dysregulation of the miRNAs and DNMT-3B may result from exposure to tobacco smoking and betel quid chewing.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that tobacco smoking and betel quid chewing could repress miR-30a and miR-379, which upregulate the DNMT3B expression, in turn, lead to the hypermethylation of ADHFE1 and ALDH1A genes, consequently, promote the oncogenic activity. These findings highlight the potential use of retinoids in combination with epigenetic modifiers for the prevention or treatment of oral cancer.

Effects of AM80 compared to AC261066 in a high fat diet mouse model of liver disease

The roles of retinoids in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remain unclear and a better understanding may lead to therapies that prevent or limit NAFLD progression. We examined the actions of retinoic acid receptor (RAR) agonists- AM80 for RARα and AC261066 for RARβ2- in a murine model of NAFLD. We fed wild type C57Bl/6 mice a chow or a 45% high fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks, followed by 4 additional weeks with the HFD+AM80; HFD+AC261066; or HFD. The HFD+AM80 group showed greater hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance compared to other groups. Histopathological evaluation of the livers showed the highest degree of steatosis, triglycerides levels, and inflammation, assessed by F4/80 staining, in the HFD+AM80-treated compared to the HFD, the HFD+AC261066, and chow-fed mice. Liver vitamin A (retinol (ROL)) and retinyl palmitate levels were markedly lower in all HFD groups compared to chow-fed controls. HFD+AC261066-treated mice showed higher levels of a key intracellular ROL transporter, retinol-binding protein-1 (RBP1) compared to the HFD and HFD+AM80 groups. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that the selective RARα agonist AM80 exacerbates HFD-induced NAFLD and hyperglycemia. These findings should inform future studies examining the therapeutic potential of RAR agonists in HFD-related disorders.

Combinatorial knockout of RARα, RARβ, and RARγ completely abrogates transcriptional responses to retinoic acid in murine embryonic stem cells

All-trans-retinoic acid (RA), a potent inducer of cellular differentiation, functions as a ligand for retinoic acid receptors (RARα, β, and γ). RARs are activated by ligand binding, which induces transcription of direct genomic targets. However, whether embryonic stem cells respond to RA through routes that do not involve RARs is unknown. Here, we used CRISPR technology to introduce biallelic frameshift mutations in RARα, RARβ, and RARγ, thereby abrogating all RAR functions in murine embryonic stem cells. We then evaluated RA-responsiveness of the RAR-null cells using RNA-Seq transcriptome analysis. We found that the RAR-null cells display no changes in transcripts in response to RA, demonstrating that the RARs are essential for the regulation of all transcripts in murine embryonic stem cells in response to RA. Our key finding, that in embryonic stem cells the transcriptional effects of RA all depend on RARs, addresses a long-standing topic of discussion in the field of retinoic acid signaling.

Therapeutic use of selective synthetic ligands for retinoic acid receptors: a patent review

INTRODUCTION

Differentiation therapy using all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) revolutionised the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukaemia to such an extent that it is now one of the most curable types of leukaemia, with ATRA and anthracycline-based chemotherapy providing cure rates above 80%. Isotretinoin is used to treat chronic acne. Here, we examine the information described in recent patents and the extent to which new findings are influencing extending retinoid-based differentiation therapy to other cancers, as well as the development of new therapies for other disorders.

AREAS COVERED

A search has been performed on the literature and worldwide patents filed during 2014 to the present time, focusing on synthetic agonists and antagonists of retinoic acid receptors and novel compositions for the delivery of these agents.

EXPERT OPINION

New potential therapeutic applications have been described, including lung, breast and head and neck cancers, T cell lymphoma and neurodegenerative, metabolic, ophthalmic, muscle, and inflammatory disorders. Recent patents have described the means to maximise retinoid activity. Two decades of efforts to extend retinoid-based therapies have been disappointing and new synthetic retinoids, target diseases and modes of delivery may well resolve this long standing issue.

Retinoids and rexinoids in cancer prevention: from laboratory to clinic

Early in the age of modern medicine the consequences of vitamin A deficiency drew attention to the fundamental link between retinoid-dependent homeostatic regulation and malignant hyperproliferative diseases. The term "retinoid" includes a handful of endogenous and a large group of synthetic derivatives of vitamin A. These multifunctional lipid-soluble compounds directly regulate target genes of specific biological functions and critical signaling pathways to orchestrate complex functions from vision to development, metabolism, and inflammation. Many of the retinoid activities on the cellular level have been well characterized and translated to the regulation of processes like differentiation and cell death, which play critical roles in the outcome of malignant transformation of tissues. In fact, retinoid-based differentiation therapy of acute promyelocytic leukemia was one of the first successful examples of molecularly targeted treatment strategies. The selectivity, high receptor binding affinity and the ability of retinoids to directly modulate gene expression programs present a distinct pharmacological opportunity for cancer treatment and prevention. However, to fully exploit their potential, the adverse effects of retinoids must be averted. In this review we provide an overview of the biology of retinoid (activated by nuclear retinoic acid receptors [RARs]) and rexinoid (engaged by nuclear retinoid X receptors [RXRs]) action concluded from a long line of preclinical studies, in relation to normal and transformed states of cells. We will also discuss the past and current uses of retinoids in the treatment of malignancies, the potential of rexinoids in the cancer prevention setting, both as single agents and in combinations.

CRABP1 is associated with a poor prognosis in breast cancer: adding to the complexity of breast cancer cell response to retinoic acid

Background

Clinical trials designed to test the efficacy of retinoic acid (RA) as an adjuvant for the treatment of solid cancers have been disappointing, primarily due to RA resistance. Estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer cells are more resistant to RA than ER-positive cells. The expression and subcellular distribution of two RA-binding proteins, FABP5 and CRABP2, has already been shown to play critical roles in breast cancer cell response to RA. CRABP1, a third member of the RA-binding protein family, has not previously been investigated as a possible mediator of RA action in breast cancer.

Methods

CRABP1 and CRABP2 expression in primary breast tumor tissues was analyzed using gene expression and tissue microarrays. CRABP1 levels were manipulated using siRNAs and by transient overexpression. RA-induced subcellular translocation of CRABPs was examined by immunofluorescence microscopy and immunoblotting. RA-induced transactivation of RAR was analyzed using a RA response element (RARE)-driven luciferase reporter system. Effects of CRABP1 expression and RA treatment on downstream gene expression were investigated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis.

Results

Compared to normal mammary tissues, CRABP1 expression is significantly down-regulated in ER+ breast tumors, but maintained in triple-negative breast cancers. Elevated CRABP1 levels are associated with poor patient prognosis, high Ki67 immunoreactivity and high tumor grade in breast cancer. The prognostic significance of CRABP1 is attributed to its cytoplasmic localization. We demonstrate that CRABP1 expression attenuates RA-induced cell growth arrest and inhibits RA signalling in breast cancer cells by sequestering RA in the cytoplasm. We also show that CRABP1 affects the expression of genes involved in RA biosynthesis, trafficking and metabolism.

Conclusions

CRABP1 is an adverse factor for clinical outcome in triple-negative breast cancer and a potent inhibitor of RA signalling in breast cancer cells. Our data indicate that CRABP1, in conjunction with previously identified CRABP2 and FABP5, plays a key role in breast cancer cell response to RA. We propose that these three RA-binding proteins can serve as biomarkers for predicting triple-negative breast cancer response to RA, with elevated levels of either cytoplasmic CRABP1 or FABP5 associated with RA resistance, and elevated levels of nuclear CRABP2 associated with sensitivity to RA.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12943-015-0380-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

RAR/RXR binding dynamics distinguish pluripotency from differentiation associated cis-regulatory elements

In mouse embryonic cells, ligand-activated retinoic acid receptors (RARs) play a key role in inhibiting pluripotency-maintaining genes and activating some major actors of cell differentiation. To investigate the mechanism underlying this dual regulation, we performed joint RAR/RXR ChIP-seq and mRNA-seq time series during the first 48 h of the RA-induced Primitive Endoderm (PrE) differentiation process in F9 embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells. We show here that this dual regulation is associated with RAR/RXR genomic redistribution during the differentiation process. In-depth analysis of RAR/RXR binding sites occupancy dynamics and composition show that in undifferentiated cells, RAR/RXR interact with genomic regions characterized by binding of pluripotency-associated factors and high prevalence of the non-canonical DR0-containing RA response element. By contrast, in differentiated cells, RAR/RXR bound regions are enriched in functional Sox17 binding sites and are characterized with a higher frequency of the canonical DR5 motif. Our data offer an unprecedentedly detailed view on the action of RA in triggering pluripotent cell differentiation and demonstrate that RAR/RXR action is mediated via two different sets of regulatory regions tightly associated with cell differentiation status.

An Unexpected Mode Of Binding Defines BMS948 as A Full Retinoic Acid Receptor β (RARβ, NR1B2) Selective Agonist

Retinoic acid is an important regulator of cell differentiation which plays major roles in embryonic development and tissue remodeling. The biological action of retinoic acid is mediated by three nuclear receptors denoted RARα, β and γ. Multiple studies support that RARβ possesses functional characteristics of a tumor suppressor and indeed, its expression is frequently lost in neoplastic tissues. However, it has been recently reported that RARβ could also play a role in mammary gland tumorigenesis, thus demonstrating the important but yet incompletely understood function of this receptor in cancer development. As a consequence, there is a great need for RARβ-selective agonists and antagonists as tools to facilitate the pharmacological analysis of this protein in vitro and in vivo as well as for potential therapeutic interventions. Here we provide experimental evidences that the novel synthetic retinoid BMS948 is an RARβ-selective ligand exhibiting a full transcriptional agonistic activity and activating RARβ as efficiently as the reference agonist TTNPB. In addition, we solved the crystal structures of the RARβ ligand-binding domain in complex with BMS948 and two related compounds, BMS641 and BMS411. These structures provided a rationale to explain how a single retinoid can be at the same time an RARα antagonist and an RARβ full agonist, and revealed the structural basis of partial agonism. Finally, in addition to revealing that a flip by 180° of the amide linker, that usually confers RARα selectivity, accounts for the RARβ selectivity of BMS948, the structural analysis uncovers guidelines for the rational design of RARβ-selective antagonists.

An alternative retinoic acid-responsive Stra6 promoter regulated in response to retinol deficiency

Cellular uptake of vitamin A (retinol) is essential for many biological functions. The Stra6 protein binds the serum retinol-binding protein, RBP4, and acts in conjunction with the enzyme lecithin:retinol acyltransferase to facilitate retinol uptake in some cell types. We show that in embryonic stem (ES) cells and in some tissues, the Stra6 gene encodes two distinct mRNAs transcribed from two different promoters. Whereas both are all-trans-retinoic acid (RA)-responsive in ES cells, the downstream promoter contains a half-site RA response element (RARE) and drives an ∼ 13-fold, RA-associated increase in luciferase reporter activity. We employed CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing to show that the endogenous RARE is required for RA-induced transcription of both Stra6 isoforms. We further demonstrate that in ES cells, 1) both RARγ and RXRα are present at the Stra6 RARE; 2) RA increases co-activator p300 (KAT3B) binding and histone H3 Lys-27 acetylation at both promoters; 3) RA decreases Suz12 levels and histone H3 Lys-27 trimethylation epigenetic marks at both promoters; and 4) these epigenetic changes are diminished in the absence of RARγ. In the brains of WT mice, both the longer and the shorter Stra6 transcript (Stra6L and Stra6S, respectively) are highly expressed, whereas these transcripts are found only at low levels in RARγ(-/-) mice. In the brains of vitamin A-deficient mice, both Stra6L and Stra6S levels are decreased. In contrast, in the vitamin A-deficient kidneys, the Stra6L levels are greatly increased, whereas Stra6S levels are decreased. Our data show that kidneys respond to retinol deficiency by differential Stra6 promoter usage, which may play a role in the retention of retinol when vitamin A is low.

Retinoic acid receptors: from molecular mechanisms to cancer therapy

Retinoic acid (RA), the major bioactive metabolite of retinol or vitamin A, induces a spectrum of pleiotropic effects in cell growth and differentiation that are relevant for embryonic development and adult physiology. The RA activity is mediated primarily by members of the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) subfamily, namely RARα, RARβ and RARγ, which belong to the nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily of transcription factors. RARs form heterodimers with members of the retinoid X receptor (RXR) subfamily and act as ligand-regulated transcription factors through binding specific RA response elements (RAREs) located in target genes promoters. RARs also have non-genomic effects and activate kinase signaling pathways, which fine-tune the transcription of the RA target genes. The disruption of RA signaling pathways is thought to underlie the etiology of a number of hematological and non-hematological malignancies, including leukemias, skin cancer, head/neck cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, glioblastoma and neuroblastoma. Of note, RA and its derivatives (retinoids) are employed as potential chemotherapeutic or chemopreventive agents because of their differentiation, anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, and anti-oxidant effects. In humans, retinoids reverse premalignant epithelial lesions, induce the differentiation of myeloid normal and leukemic cells, and prevent lung, liver, and breast cancer. Here, we provide an overview of the biochemical and molecular mechanisms that regulate the RA and retinoid signaling pathways. Moreover, mechanisms through which deregulation of RA signaling pathways ultimately impact on cancer are examined. Finally, the therapeutic effects of retinoids are reported.

Retinoic acid regulates cell cycle genes and accelerates normal mouse liver regeneration

All-trans retinoic acid (RA) is a potent inducer of regeneration. Because the liver is the principal site for storage and bioactivation of vitamin A, the current study examines the effect of RA in mouse hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration. Mice that received a single dose of RA (25μg/g) by oral gavage developed hepatomegaly with increased number of Ki67-positive cells and induced expression of cell cycle genes in the liver. DNA binding data revealed that RA receptors retinoic acid receptor β (RARβ) and retinoid x receptor α (RXRα) bound to cell cycle genes Cdk1, Cdk2, Cyclin B, Cyclin E, and Cdc25a in mice with and without RA treatment. In addition, RA treatment induced novel binding of RARβ/RXRα to Cdk1, Cdk2, Cyclin D, and Cdk6 genes. All RARβ/RXRα binding sites contained AGGTCA-like motifs. RA treatment also promoted liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH). RA signaling was implicated in normal liver regeneration as the mRNA levels of RARβ, Aldh1a2, Crabp1, and Crbp1 were all induced 1.5 days after PH during the active phase of hepatocyte proliferation. RA treatment prior to PH resulted in early up-regulation of RARβ, Aldh1a2, Crabp1, and Crbp1, which was accompanied by an early induction of cell cycle genes. Western blotting for RARβ, c-myc, Cyclin D, E, and A further supported the early induction of retinoid signal and cell proliferation by RA treatment. Taken together, our data suggest that RA may regulate cell cycle progression and accelerates liver regeneration. Such effect is associated with an early induction of RA signaling, which includes increased expression of the receptor, binding proteins, and processing enzyme for retinoids.

TAF4 inactivation reveals the 3 dimensional growth promoting activities of collagen 6A3

Collagen 6A3 (Col6a3), a component of extracellular matrix, is often up-regulated in tumours and is believed to play a pro-oncogenic role. However the mechanisms of its tumorigenic activity are poorly understood. We show here that Col6a3 is highly expressed in densely growing mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). In MEFs where the TAF4 subunit of general transcription factor IID (TFIID) has been inactivated, elevated Col6a3 expression prevents contact inhibition promoting their 3 dimensional growth as foci and fibrospheres. Analyses of gene expression in densely growing Taf4^−/− MEFs revealed repression of the Hippo pathway and activation of Wnt signalling. The Hippo activator Kibra/Wwc1 is repressed under dense conditions in Taf4^−/− MEFs, leading to nuclear accumulation of the proliferation factor YAP1 in the cells forming 3D foci. At the same time, Wnt9a is activated and the Sfrp2 antagonist of Wnt signalling is repressed. Surprisingly, treatment of Taf4^−/− MEFs with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) restores contact inhibition suppressing 3D growth. ATRA represses Col6a3 expression independently of TAF4 expression and Col6a3 silencing is sufficient to restore contact inhibition in Taf4^−/− MEFs and to suppress 3D growth by reactivating Kibra expression to induce Hippo signalling and by inducing Sfrp2 expression to antagonize Wnt signalling. All together, these results reveal a critical role for Col6a3 in regulating both Hippo and Wnt signalling to promote 3D growth, and show that the TFIID subunit TAF4 is essential to restrain the growth promoting properties of Col6a3. Our data provide new insight into the role of extra cellular matrix components in regulating cell growth.

Mutual exclusivity analysis of genetic and epigenetic drivers in melanoma identifies a link between p14 ARF and RARβ signaling

Melanoma genomes contain thousands of alterations including: mutations, copy number alterations, structural aberrations, and methylation changes. The bulk of this variation is stochastic and functionally neutral, with only a small minority representing "drivers" that contribute to the genesis and maintenance of tumors. Drivers are often directly or inversely correlated across tumors, reflecting the molecular and regulatory signaling pathways in which they operate. Here, a profile of genetic and epigenetic drivers in 110 human melanoma cell lines was generated and searched for non-random distribution patterns. Statistically significant mutual exclusivity was revealed among components of each of the p16(INK4A)-CDK4-RB, RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways. In addition, an inverse correlation was observed between promoter hypermethylation of retinoic acid receptor β (RARB) and CDKN2A alterations affecting p14(ARF) (P < 0.0001), suggesting a functional link between RARβ signaling and the melanoma-suppressive activities of p14(ARF). Mechanistically, all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) treatment increased the expression of p14(ARF) in primary human melanocytes and the steady-state levels of p14(ARF) in these cells were shown to be regulated via RARβ. Furthermore, the ability of ATRA to induce senescence is reduced in p14(ARF)-depleted melanocytes, and we provide proof-of-concept that ATRA can induce irreversible growth arrest in melanoma cells with an intact RARβ-p14(ARF) signaling axis, independent of p16(INK4A) and p53 status.

IMPLICATIONS

These data highlight the power of mutual exclusivity analysis of cancer drivers to unravel molecular pathways and establish a previously unrecognized cross-talk between RARβ and p14(ARF) with potential implications for melanoma treatment.

Polycomb recruitment attenuates retinoic acid-induced transcription of the bivalent NR2F1 gene

Polycomb proteins play key roles in mediating epigenetic modifications that occur during cell differentiation. The Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) mediates the tri-methylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3). In this study, we identify a distinguishing feature of two classes of PRC2 target genes, represented by the Nr2F1 (Coup-TF1) and the Hoxa5 gene, respectively. Both genes are transcriptionally activated by all-trans retinoic acid (RA) and display increased levels of the permissive H3K9/K14ac and tri-methylated histone H3 lysine 4 epigenetic marks in response to RA. However, while in response to RA the PRC2 and H3K27me3 marks are greatly decreased at the Hoxa5 promoter, these marks are initially increased at the Nr2F1 promoter. Functional depletion of the essential PRC2 protein Suz12 by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) technology enhanced the RA-associated transcription of Nr2F1, Nr2F2, Meis1, Sox9 and BMP2, but had no effect on the Hoxa5, Hoxa1, Cyp26a1, Cyp26b1 and RARβ2 transcript levels in wild-type embryonic stem cells. We propose that PRC2 recruitment attenuates the RA-associated transcriptional activation of a subset of genes. Such a mechanism would permit the fine-tuning of transcriptional networks during differentiation.

DNA methylation associated with polycomb repression in retinoic acid receptor β silencing

Retinoic acid receptor β 2 (RARβ2) is a tumor suppressor gene whose loss of expression is recurrent in prostate cancers. Here we studied the epigenetic mechanisms leading to its stable silencing. First, we characterized all RARβ isoforms in 6 human tumor cell lines (prostate DU145, LNCaP, PC3, lung A549, breast Hs578T, and colon HCT116) by RT-PCR and Western blot. We excluded loss of heterozygosity (2D-FISH) and loss of RARa expression, an upstream regulator, as origin of RARβ2 silencing. All data concluded to an epigenetic silencing. In agreement, a DNA methylation inhibitor restored its expression. Second RARβ2 loss of expression was found associated with different epigenetic profiles in LNCaP and DU145 cells. According to bisulfite sequencing and ChIP analysis, we observed heavy methylation (97%) of the RARβ2 promoter with repressive histone mark H3K9me3 in LNCaP. While DNA methylation and polycomb repression are described to be mutually exclusive at CpG-rich promoters, we observed that in DU145, moderate DNA methylation (36%) and H3K9me3 mark were present concomitantly with H3K27me3, a signature of polycomb repression. In summary, we provide new insights on how the RARβ2 promoter is silenced, reveal the existence of two distinct repressive chromatin profiles at the same locus, and support a polycomb-mediated epigenetic repression process in prostate cancer.

Identification and characterization of nucleolin as a COUP-TFII coactivator of retinoic acid receptor β transcription in breast cancer cells

INTRODUCTION

The orphan nuclear receptor COUP-TFII plays an undefined role in breast cancer. Previously we reported lower COUP-TFII expression in tamoxifen/endocrine-resistant versus sensitive breast cancer cell lines. The identification of COUP-TFII-interacting proteins will help to elucidate its mechanism of action as a transcriptional regulator in breast cancer.

RESULTS

FLAG-affinity purification and multidimensional protein identification technology (MudPIT) identified nucleolin among the proteins interacting with COUP-TFII in MCF-7 tamoxifen-sensitive breast cancer cells. Interaction of COUP-TFII and nucleolin was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation of endogenous proteins in MCF-7 and T47D breast cancer cells. In vitro studies revealed that COUP-TFII interacts with the C-terminal arginine-glycine repeat (RGG) domain of nucleolin. Functional interaction between COUP-TFII and nucleolin was indicated by studies showing that siRNA knockdown of nucleolin and an oligonucleotide aptamer that targets nucleolin, AS1411, inhibited endogenous COUP-TFII-stimulated RARB2 expression in MCF-7 and T47D cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed COUP-TFII occupancy of the RARB2 promoter was increased by all-trans retinoic acid (atRA). RARβ2 regulated gene RRIG1 was increased by atRA and COUP-TFII transfection and inhibited by siCOUP-TFII. Immunohistochemical staining of breast tumor microarrays showed nuclear COUP-TFII and nucleolin staining was correlated in invasive ductal carcinomas. COUP-TFII staining correlated with ERα, SRC-1, AIB1, Pea3, MMP2, and phospho-Src and was reduced with increased tumor grade.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicate that nucleolin plays a coregulatory role in transcriptional regulation of the tumor suppressor RARB2 by COUP-TFII.

Effects of PPARγ Ligands on Leukemia

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and retinoic acid receptors (RARs), members of the nuclear receptor superfamily, are transcription factors that regulate a variety of important cellular functions. PPARs form heterodimers retinoid X receptor (RXR), an obligate heterodimeric partner for other nuclear receptors. Several novel links between retinoid metabolism and PPAR responses have been identified, and activation of PPAR/RXR expression has been shown to increase response to retinoids. PPARγ has emerged as a key regulator of cell growth and survival, whose activity is modulated by a number of synthetic and natural ligands. While clinical trials in cancer patients with thiazolidinediones (TZD) have been disappointing, novel structurally different PPARγ ligands, including triterpenoids, have entered clinical arena as therapeutic agents for epithelial and hematopoietic malignancies. Here we shall review the antitumor advances of PPARγ, alone and in combination with RARα ligands in control of cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis and their potential therapeutic applications in hematological malignancies.

A clinically relevant bi-cellular murine mammary tumor model as a useful tool for evaluating the effect of retinoic acid signaling on tumor progression

BACKGROUND

The effect of retinoic acid (RA) on breast cancer progression is controversial. Our objective was to obtain information about breast cancer progression, taking advantage of the ER-negative murine mammary adenocarcinoma model LM38 (LM38-LP constituted by luminal (LEP) and myoepithelial-like cells (MEP), LM38-HP mainly composed of spindle-shaped epithelial cells, and LM38-D2 containing only large myoepithelial cells), and to validate the role of the retinoic acid receptors (RARs) in each cell-type compartment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We studied the expression and functionality of the RARs in LM38 cell lines. We analyzed cell growth and cell cycle distribution, apoptosis, the activity of proteases, motility properties, and expression of the molecules involved in these pathways. We also evaluated tumor growth and dissemination in vivo under retinoid treatment.

RESULTS

LM38 cell lines expressed most retinoic receptor isotypes that were functional. However, only the bi-cellular LM38-LP cells responded to retinoids by increasing RARβ2 and CRBP1 expression. The growth of LM38 cell sublines was inhibited by retinoids, first by inducing arrest in MEP cells, then apoptosis in LEP cells. Retinoids induced inhibitory effects on motility, invasiveness, and activity of proteolytic enzymes, mainly in the LM38-LP cell line. In in-vivo assays with the LM38-LP cell line, RA treatment impaired both primary tumor growth and lung metastases dissemination.

CONCLUSION

These in-vivo and in-vitro results show that to achieve maximum effects of RA on tumor progression both the LEP and MEP cell compartments have to be present, suggesting that the interaction between the LEP and MEP cells is crucial to full activation of the RARs.

Diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocarcinogenesis is suppressed in lecithin:retinol acyltransferase-deficient mice primarily through retinoid actions immediately after carcinogen administration

Loss of retinoid-containing lipid droplets upon hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation is one of the first events in the development of liver disease leading to hepatocellular carcinoma. Although retinoid stores are progressively lost from HSCs during the development of hepatic disease, how this affects hepatocarcinogenesis is unclear. To investigate this, we used diethylnitrosamine (DEN) to induce hepatic tumorigenesis in matched wild-type (WT) and lecithin:retinol acyltransferase (LRAT) knockout (KO) mice, which lack stored retinoid and HSC lipid droplets. Male 15-day-old WT or Lrat KO mice were given intraperitoneal injections of DEN (25 mg/kg body wt). Eight months later, Lrat KO mice showed significantly less liver tumor development compared with WT mice, characterized by less liver tumor incidence and smaller tumor size. Two days after DEN injection, lower serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and decreased hepatic levels of cyclin D1 were observed in Lrat KO mice. Lrat KO mice also exhibited increased levels of retinoic acid-responsive genes, including p21, lower levels of cytochrome P450 enzymes required for DEN bioactivation and higher levels of the DNA repair enzyme O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), both before and after DEN treatment. Our results indicate that Lrat KO mice are less susceptible to DEN-induced hepatocarcinogenesis due to increased retinoid signaling and higher expression of p21, which is accompanied by altered hepatic levels of DEN-activating enzymes and MGMT in Lrat KO mice also contribute to decreased cancer initiation and suppressed liver tumor development.

A retinoic acid receptor RARα pool present in membrane lipid rafts forms complexes with G protein αQ to activate p38MAPK

Retinoic acid (RA) regulates several gene programs by nuclear RA receptors (RARs) that are ligand-dependent transcriptional transregulators. The basic mechanism for switching on transcription of cognate-target genes involves RAR binding at specific response elements and a network of interactions with coregulatory protein complexes. In addition to these classical genomic effects, we recently demonstrated that RA also induces the rapid activation of the p38MAPK/MSK1 pathway, with characteristic downstream consequences on the phosphorylation of RARs and the expression of their target genes. Here, we aimed at deciphering the underlying mechanism of the rapid non-genomic effects of RA. We highlighted a novel paradigm in which a fraction of the cellular RARα pool is present in membrane lipid rafts, where it forms complexes with G protein alpha Q (Gαq) in response to RA. This rapid RA-induced formation of RARα/Gαq complexes in lipid rafts is required for the activation of p38MAPK that occurs in response to RA. Accordingly, in RA-resistant cancer cells, characterized by the absence of p38MAPK activation, RARα present in membrane lipid rafts does not associate with Gαq, pointing out the essential contribution of RARα/Gαq complexes in RA signaling.

Identification of a novel non-retinoid pan inverse agonist of the retinoic acid receptors

Retinoids are potent forms of vitamin A and are involved in a broad range of physiological processes and the pharmacological effects of retinoids are primarily mediated by the retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and the retinoid X receptors (RXRs). Several natural and synthetic RAR modulators have proven to be clinically useful for a number of therapeutic indications including cancer, psoriasis, and diabetes. Unfortunately, these agents lead to a number of significant side effects. Most synthetic retinoid ligands are based on the retinoid scaffold and thus have similarities to the natural ligand with all previously disclosed RAR ligands having a carboxylic acid that makes a critical ionic bridge within the ligand binding domain of the receptors. The potential therapeutic value offered from RAR modulation provides the impetus to identify novel ligands based on unique scaffolds that may offer improved toxicity and pharmacokinetic profiles. Here we describe the identification of an atypical RAR inverse agonist that represents the first non-acid, non-retinoid direct modulator of RAR receptor subfamily. SR-0065 functions as a pan-RAR inverse agonist suppressing the basal activity of RARα, RARβ, and RARγ, as well as inhibiting agonist-induced RAR activity. SR-0065 treatment enhanced receptor interaction with a peptide representative of the corepressor SMRT, and in cells SR-0065 enhances recruitment of SMRT to the promoter of the RARγ dependent gene, Cyp26A1. The acid form of SR-0065, SR-1758, was inactive in all assays. Thus, SR-0065 represents a new class of non-acid, non-retinoid RAR modulator that may be used as a point to initiate development of improved RAR-targeted drugs.

Retinoids, retinoic acid receptors, and cancer

Retinoids (i.e., vitamin A, all-trans retinoic acid, and related signaling molecules) induce the differentiation of various types of stem cells. Nuclear retinoic acid receptors mediate most but not all of the effects of retinoids. Retinoid signaling is often compromised early in carcinogenesis, which suggests that a reduction in retinoid signaling may be required for tumor development. Retinoids interact with other signaling pathways, including estrogen signaling in breast cancer. Retinoids are used to treat cancer, in part because of their ability to induce differentiation and arrest proliferation. Delivery of retinoids to patients is challenging because of the rapid metabolism of some retinoids and because epigenetic changes can render cells retinoid resistant. Successful cancer therapy with retinoids is likely to require combination therapy with drugs that regulate the epigenome, such as DNA methyltransferase and histone deacetylase inhibitors, as well as classical chemotherapeutic agents. Thus, retinoid research benefits both cancer prevention and cancer treatment.

GRIM-19 Expression and Function in Human Gliomas

OBJECTIVE

We determined whether the expression of GRIM-19 is correlated with pathologic types and malignant grades in gliomas, and determined the function of GRIM-19 in human gliomas.

METHODS

Tumor tissues were isolated and frozen at -80 just after surgery. The tissues consisted of normal brain tissue (4), astrocytomas (2), anaplastic astrocytomas (2), oligodendrogliomas (13), anaplastic oligodendrogliomas (11), and glioblastomas (16). To profile tumor-related genes, we applied RNA differential display using a Genefishing DEG kit, and validated the tumor-related genes by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). A human glioblastoma cell line (U343MG-A) was used for the GRIM-19 functional studies. The morphologic and cytoskeletal changes were examined via light and confocal microscopy. The migratory and invasive abilities were investigated by the simple scratch technique and Matrigel assay. The antiproliferative activity was determined by thiazolyl blue Tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and FACS analysis.

RESULTS

Based on RT-PCR analysis, the expression of GRIM-19 was higher in astrocytic tumors than oligodendroglial tumors. The expression of GRIM-19 was higher in high-grade tumors than low-grade tumors or normal brain tissue; glioblastomas showed the highest expression. After transfection of GRIM-19 into U343MG-A, the morphology of the sense-transfection cells became larger and more spindly. The antisense-transfection cells became smaller and rounder compared with wild type U343MG-A. The MTT assay showed that the sense-transfection cells were more sensitive to the combination of interferon-beta and retinoic acid than U343MG-A cells or antisense-transfection cells; the anti-proliferative activity was related to apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

GRIM-19 may be one of the gene profiles which regulate cell death via apoptosis in human gliomas.

The role of retinoid deficiency and estrogens as cofactors in cervical cancer

Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HR-HPVs) is involved in cervical cancer (CC), a major cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Infection occurs primarily at the transformation zone (TZ), the most estrogen- and retinoid-sensitive region of the cervix. Development of CC affects a small percentage of HR-HPV-infected women and often takes decades after infection, suggesting that HR-HPV is a necessary but not sufficient cause of CC. Thus, other cofactors are necessary for progression from cervical HR-HPV infection to cancer such as long-term use of hormonal contraceptives, multiparity, smoking, as well as micronutrient depletion and in particular retinoid deficiency, which alters epithelial differentiation, cellular growth and apoptosis of malignant cells. Therefore, early detection of HR-HPV and management of precancerous lesions together with a profound understanding of additional risk factors could be a strategy to avoid this disease. In this review we focus on the synergic effect of estrogens, retinoid deficiency and HR-HPVs in the development of CC. These risk factors may act in concert to induce neoplastic transformation in squamous epithelium of the cervix, setting the stage for secondary genetic or epigenetic events leading to cervical cancer.

Analysis of Rex1 (zfp42) function in embryonic stem cell differentiation

Rex1 (zfp42) is a zinc finger protein expressed primarily in undifferentiated stem cells, both in the embryo and the adult. Upon all-trans retinoic acid induced differentiation of murine embryonic stem (ES) cells, Rex1 mRNA levels decrease several fold. To characterize the function(s) of Rex1 more extensively, we generated Rex1 double knockout ES cell lines. The disruption of the Rex1 gene enhanced the expression of ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm markers as compared to wild-type (Wt) cells. We propose that Rex1 acts to reduce retinoic acid induced differentiation in ES cells. We performed microarray analyses on Wt and Rex1-/- cells cultured in the presence or absence of LIF to identify potential Rex1 targets. We also evaluated gene expression in a Wt line that overexpresses Rex1 and in a Rex1-/- line in which Rex1 expression was restored. These data, taken together, suggest that Rex1 influences differentiation, cell cycle regulation, and cancer progression.

Retinoic acid receptor gamma activates receptor tyrosine kinase Tie1 gene transcription through transcription factor GATA4 in F9 stem cells

OBJECTIVE

The retinoic acid receptors (RARs) alpha, beta2, and gamma regulate specific subsets of target genes during all-trans retinoic acid (RA) induced differentiation of F9 teratocarcinoma stem cells. The Tie1 gene exhibited reduced expression in RA-treated F9 RARgamma-/- cells as compared to wild-type (WT) by microarray analysis. Our goal was to analyze the Tie1 gene, which encodes a surface receptor tyrosine kinase expressed in the hematovascular system.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We assessed Tie1, Tie2, Flk1, Runx1, Peg/Mest2, and angiopoietin-1 and 2 mRNA levels and Tie1 promoter activity.

RESULTS

We showed that RARgamma, but not RARalpha or RARbeta2, is required for Tie1 promoter activation by RA. Treatment with a RARgamma selective agonist plus a retinoid X receptor agonist (LGD1069) increased Tie1 mRNA levels by 11- +/- 2.5-fold 48 hours after RA addition in F9 WT, but not in F9 RARgamma-/- cells, by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Multiple putative GATA elements were identified in the Tie1 proximal promoter. RA increased GATA4 transcripts by 12- +/- 1-fold in F9 WT at 48 hours, but not in F9 RARgamma-/- cells. In addition, transfection of a GATA4 expression vector increased Tie1 promoter/luciferase activity in both RA-treated F9 WT and RARgamma-/- cells. Tie1 promoter deletion analyses indicated that a region of the promoter that possessed multiple GATA sites mediated the RA-associated Tie1 transcriptional increase.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that GATA4 plays a role in the RA/RARgamma-associated transcriptional activation of the Tie1 promoter. An understanding of RAR specificity in RA signaling should result in insights into hematopoietic stem cell signaling and potentially in improved therapies for several human diseases.

Synthetic retinoid CD437 induces mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Retinoids play an important role in the regulation of cell growth and death. Synthetic retinoid CD437 reportedly induces apoptosis in various cancer cell lines. However, the mechanism of inducing apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells by this agent remains to be clarified. In this study, we investigated the signaling pathway by which CD437 induces apoptosis in HCC cell lines. Apoptosis of six human HCC cell lines was induced by treatment with CD437. Caspase-3 and -9 were activated by CD437, suggesting that the apoptosis is mediated by mitochondrial pathways. Consistent with these findings, the treatment with CD437 upregulated Bax protein, downregulated Bcl-2 protein and released cytochrome c into the cytoplasm. Moreover, rhodamine123 staining revealed mitochondrial depolarization in the cells treated with CD437. These data of the present study suggest that CD437 induces apoptosis in HCC cells via mitochondrial pathways.

Gene expression profiling elucidates a specific role for RARgamma in the retinoic acid-induced differentiation of F9 teratocarcinoma stem cells

The biological effects of all-trans-retinoic acid (RA), a major active metabolite of retinol, are mainly mediated through its interactions with retinoic acid receptor (RARs alpha, beta, gamma) and retinoid X receptor (RXRs alpha, beta, gamma) heterodimers. RAR/RXR heterodimers activate transcription by binding to RA-response elements (RAREs or RXREs) in the promoters of primary target genes. Murine F9 teratocarcinoma stem cells have been widely used as a model for cellular differentiation and RA signaling during embryonic development. We identified and characterized genes that are differentially expressed in F9 wild type (Wt) and F9 RARgamma-/- cells, with and without RA treatment, through the use of oligonucleotide-based microarrays. Our data indicate that RARgamma, in the absence of exogenous RA, modulates gene expression. Genes such as Sfrp2, Tie1, Fbp2, Emp1, and Emp3 exhibited higher transcript levels in RA-treated Wt, RARalpha-/- and RARbeta2-/- lines than in RA-treated RARgamma-/- cells, and represent specific RARgamma targets. Other genes, such as Runx1, were expressed at lower levels in both F9 RARbeta2-/- and RARgamma-/- cell lines than in F9 Wt and RARalpha-/-. Genes specifically induced by RA at 6h with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide in F9 Wt, but not in RARgamma-/- cells, included Hoxa3, Hoxa5, Gas1, Cyp26a1, Sfrp2, Fbp2, and Emp1. These genes represent specific primary RARgamma targets in F9 cells. Several genes in the Wnt signaling pathway were regulated by RARgamma. Delineation of the receptor-specific actions of RA with respect to cell proliferation and differentiation should result in more effective therapies with this drug.

Fenretinide-induced apoptosis of Huh-7 hepatocellular carcinoma is retinoic acid receptor beta dependent

BACKGROUND

Retinoids are used to treat several types of cancer; however, their effects on liver cancer have not been fully characterized. To investigate the therapeutic potential of retinoids on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the present study evaluates the apoptotic effect of a panel of natural and synthetic retinoids in three human HCC cell lines as well as explores the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

Apoptosis was determined by caspase-3 cleavage using western blot, DNA double-strand breaks using TUNEL assay, and phosphatidylserine translocation using flow cytometry analysis. Gene expression of nuclear receptors was assessed by real-time PCR. Transactivation assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) were conducted to evaluate the activation of RXRalpha/RARbeta pathway by fenretinide. Knockdown of RARbeta mRNA expression was achieved by siRNA transfection.

RESULTS

Our data revealed that fenretinide effectively induces apoptosis in Huh-7 and Hep3B cells. Gene expression analysis of nuclear receptors revealed that the basal and inducibility of retinoic acid receptor beta (RARbeta) expression positively correlate with the susceptibility of HCC cells to fenretinide treatment. Furthermore, fenretinide transactivates the RXRalpha/RARbeta-mediated pathway and directly increases the transcriptional activity of RARbeta. Knockdown of RARbeta mRNA expression significantly impairs fenretinide-induced apoptosis in Huh-7 cells.

CONCLUSION

Our findings reveal that endogenous expression of retinoids receptor RARbeta gene determines the susceptibility of HCC cells to fenretinide-induced apoptosis. Our results also demonstrate fenretinide directly activates RARbeta and induces apoptosis in Huh-7 cells in a RARbeta-dependent manner. These findings suggest a novel role of RARbeta as a tumor suppressor by mediating the signals of certain chemotherapeutic agents.

CYP26A1 knockout embryonic stem cells exhibit reduced differentiation and growth arrest in response to retinoic acid

CYP26A1, a cytochrome P450 enzyme, metabolizes all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) into polar metabolites, e.g. 4-oxo-RA and 4-OH-RA. To determine if altering RA metabolism affects embryonic stem (ES) cell differentiation, we disrupted both alleles of Cyp26a1 by homologous recombination. CYP26a1(-/-) ES cells had a 11.0+/-3.2-fold higher intracellular RA concentration than Wt ES cells after RA treatment for 48 h. RA-treated CYP26A1(-/-) ES cells exhibited 2-3 fold higher mRNA levels of Hoxa1, a primary RA target gene, than Wt ES cells. Despite increased intracellular RA levels, CYP26a1(-/-) ES cells were more resistant than Wt ES cells to RA-induced proliferation arrest. Transcripts for parietal endodermal differentiation markers, including laminin, J6(Hsp 47), and J31(SPARC, osteonectin) were expressed at lower levels in RA-treated CYP26a1(-/-) ES cells, indicating that the lack of CYP26A1 activity inhibits RA-associated differentiation. Microarray analyses revealed that RA-treated CYP26A1(-/-) ES cells exhibited lower mRNA levels than Wt ES cells for genes involved in differentiation, particularly in neural (Epha4, Pmp22, Nrp1, Gap43, Ndn) and smooth muscle differentiation (Madh3, Nrp1, Tagln Calponin, Caldesmon1). In contrast, genes involved in the stress response (e.g. Tlr2, Stk2, Fcgr2b, Bnip3, Pdk1) were expressed at higher levels in CYP26A1(-/-) than in Wt ES cells without RA. Collectively, our results show that CYP26A1 activity regulates intracellular RA levels, cell proliferation, transcriptional regulation of primary RA target genes, and ES cell differentiation to parietal endoderm.

RAR and RXR modulation in cancer and metabolic disease

Retinoic acid receptors (RARs) are ligand-controlled transcription factors that function as heterodimers with retinoid X receptors (RXRs) to regulate cell growth and survival. The success of RAR modulation in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) has stimulated considerable interest in the development of RAR and RXR modulators. This has been aided by recent advances in the understanding of the biological role of RARs and RXRs and in the design of selective receptor modulators that might overcome the limitations of current drugs. Here, we discuss the challenges and opportunities for therapeutic strategies based on RXR and RAR modulators, with a focus on cancer and metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity.

Retinoic acid receptor isotype specificity in F9 teratocarcinoma stem cells results from the differential recruitment of coregulators to retinoic response elements

The retinoic acid receptor (RAR) alpha, beta(2), and gamma isotypes each regulate specific subsets of target genes in F9 teratocarcinoma stem cells. We used chromatin immunoprecipitation assays to monitor the association of RARgamma, retinoic X receptor (RXR) alpha, and coregulators with the RARbeta(2), Hoxa1, and Cyp26A1 retinoic acid response elements (RAREs) in F9 wild type and RARalpha, -beta(2), and -gamma null cells. Additionally we quantitatively monitored expression of the corresponding mRNAs. We demonstrated that the association of RARgamma and/or RXRalpha with a RARE was not sufficient for retinoic acid (RA)-mediated transcription of the corresponding target gene. However, the ability of RARgamma and/or RXRalpha to recruit pCIP (AIB1/ACTR/RAC-3/TRAM-1/SRC-3) and p300 to a RARE did correlate with RA-associated transcription of target mRNAs. Therefore, the specific functions of the RAR isotypes do not manifest at the level of their DNA binding but rather from a differential ability to recruit specific components of the transcriptional machinery. We also demonstrated that RA-mediated displacement of the polycomb group protein SUZ12 from a RARE was inhibited in the absence of RARgamma. Thus, transcriptional components of the RAR signaling pathway are specifically required for displacement of SUZ12 from RAREs during RA-mediated differentiation of F9 cells.

Overexpression of CRABPI in suprabasal keratinocytes enhances the proliferation of epidermal basal keratinocytes in mouse skin topically treated with all-trans retinoic acid

We investigated whether ectopic expression of CRABPI, a cellular retinoic acid binding protein, influenced the actions of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in transgenic (TG) mice. We targeted CRABPI to the basal vs. suprabasal layers of mouse epidermis by using the keratin 14 (K14) and keratin 10 (K10) promoters, respectively. Greater CRABPI protein levels were detected in the epidermis of adult transgenic(+) mice than in transgenic(-) mice for both transgenes. In adult mouse skin CRABPI overexpression in the basal or suprabasal keratinocytes did not cause morphological abnormalities, but did result in decreased CRABPII mRNA levels. Ectopically overexpressed CRABPI in suprabasal keratinocytes, but not in basal keratinocytes, enhanced the thickening of the epidermis induced by topical ATRA treatments (10 microM, 400 microl for 4 days) by 1.59+/-0.2-fold (p<0.05). ATRA treatment (10 microM) resulted in a 59.9+/-9.8% increase (p<0.05) in the BrdU labeling index in K10/FLAG-CRABPI TG(+) mice vs. TG(-) mice. Retinoid topical treatments reduced p27 and CYP26A1 mRNA levels in TG(+) and TG(-) mouse skin in K14 and K10/FLAG-CRABPI transgenic mice. As epidermal basal keratinocyte proliferation is stimulated by paracrine growth factors secreted by ATRA activated suprabasal keratinocytes, our results indicate that CRABPI overexpression in suprabasal keratinocytes enhances the physiological functions of ATRA.

Diverse actions of retinoid receptors in cancer prevention and treatment

Retinoids (retinol [vitamin A] and its biologically active metabolites) are essential signaling molecules that control various developmental pathways and influence the proliferation and differentiation of a variety of cell types. The physiological actions of retinoids are mediated primarily by the retinoic acid receptors alpha, beta, and gamma (RARs) and rexinoid receptors alpha, beta, and gamma. Although mutations in RARalpha, via the PML-RARalpha fusion proteins, result in acute promyelocytic leukemia, RARs have generally not been reported to be mutated or part of fusion proteins in carcinomas. However, the retinoid signaling pathway is often compromised in carcinomas. Altered retinol metabolism, including low levels of lecithin:retinol acyl trasferase and retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2, and higher levels of CYP26A1, has been observed in various tumors. RARbeta(2) expression is also reduced or is absent in many types of cancer. A greater understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which retinoids induce cell differentiation, and in particular stem cell differentiation, is required in order to solve the issue of retinoid resistance in tumors, and thereby to utilize RA and synthetic retinoids more effectively in combination therapies for human cancer.

Structure, function and modulation of retinoic acid receptor beta, a tumor suppressor

Only one of the three-retinoic acid receptors, RARbeta, is frequently deleted or epigenetically silenced at early stages in tumor progression and there is compelling evidence that RARbeta corresponds to a tumor suppressor. Recent discoveries may help to reveal the molecular basis of the tumor suppressive action of this retinoic acid receptor subtype and provide new tools for its analysis and, possibly, therapeutic exploitation. The first concerns the recent elucidation of the crystal structure of the ligand-binding domain of the agonist-bound receptor. The second is the discovery of selective agonists, including isoform selective ligands, which are important tools to facilitate the pharmacological analysis of the tumor suppressor function of this protein in vivo. Lastly, its involvement in a retinoic acid-induced tumor-specific apoptosis program mediated by tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). Herein we describe the structure, function and ligand-dependent transcription mechanism of retinoic acid receptor beta, and use rational drug design to understand the selectivity of these modulators.

International Union of Pharmacology. LX. Retinoic acid receptors

Retinoid is a term for compounds that bind to and activate retinoic acid receptors (RARalpha, RARbeta, and RARgamma), members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily. The most important endogenous retinoid is all-trans-retinoic acid. Retinoids regulate a wide variety of essential biological processes, such as vertebrate embryonic morphogenesis and organogenesis, cell growth arrest, differentiation and apoptosis, and homeostasis, as well as their disorders. This review summarizes the considerable amount of knowledge generated on these receptors.

Cytodifferentiation by retinoids, a novel therapeutic option in oncology: rational combinations with other therapeutic agents

Retinoic acid (RA) and derivatives are promising antineoplastic agents endowed with both therapeutic and chemopreventive potential. Although the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia with all-trans retinoic acid is an outstanding example, the full potential of retinoids in oncology has not yet been explored and a more generalized use of these compounds is not yet a reality. One way to enhance the therapeutic and chemopreventive activity of RA and derivatives is to identify rational combinations between these compounds and other pharmacological agents. This is now possible given the information available on the biochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying the biological activity of retinoids. At the cellular level, the antileukemia and anticancer activity of retinoids is the result of three main actions, cytodifferentiation, growth inhibition, and apoptosis. Cytodifferentiation is a particularly attractive modality of treatment and differentiating agents promise to be less toxic and more specific than conventional chemotherapy. This is the result of the fact that cytotoxicity is not the primary aim of differentiation therapy. At the molecular level, retinoids act through the activation of nuclear retinoic acid receptor-dependent and -independent pathways. The cellular pathways and molecular networks relevant for retinoid activity are modulated by a panoply of other intracellular and extracellular pathways that may be targeted by known drugs and other experimental therapeutics. This chapter aims to summarize and critically discuss the available knowledge in the field.

Role of retinoic acid in the differentiation of embryonal carcinoma and embryonic stem cells

Retinoic acid (RA), the most potent natural form of vitamin A, plays an important role in many diverse biological processes such as embryogenesis and cellular differentiation. This chapter is a review of the mechanism of action of RA and the role of specific RA-regulated genes during the cellular differentiation of embryonal carcinoma (EC) and embryonic stem (ES) cells. RA acts by binding to its nuclear receptors and inducing transcription of specific target genes. The most studied mouse EC cell lines include F9 cells, which can be induced by RA to differentiate into primitive, parietal, and visceral endodermal cells; and P19 cells, which can differentiate to endodermal and neuronal cells upon RA treatment. ES cells can be induced to differentiate into a number of different cell types; many of which require RA treatment. Over the years, many RA-regulated genes have been discovered in EC and ES cells using a diverse set of techniques. Current research focuses on the elucidation how these genes affect differentiation in EC and ES cells using a variety of molecular biology approaches. However, the exact molecule events that lead from a pluripotent stem cell to a fully differentiated cell following RA treatment are yet to be determined.

Tumor-suppressive activity of retinoic acid receptor-beta in cancer

Retinoids, a group of structural and functional analogs of vitamin A, are known to regulate a large number of essential biological processes and to suppress carcinogenesis. The effects of retinoids are mainly mediated by nuclear retinoid receptors, which include retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and retinoid X receptors (RXRs). Each receptor has three subtypes (alpha, beta, and gamma) and each subtype has different isoforms. Retinoic acid receptor-beta (RAR-beta) has four isoforms that have different affinities to retinoids and different biological functions. Loss of expression of RAR-beta(2) during cancer development is associated with tumorigenesis and retinoid resistance; induction of its expression, on the other hand, can suppress carcinogenesis. Expression of another isoform, RAR-beta(4), is increased in various types of cancer. RAR-beta(4) transgenic mice develop hyperplasia and neoplasia in various tissues, and induction of RAR-beta(4) expression increases the growth of tumor cells that do not express RAR-beta(2). Future studies will focus on molecular pathways involving RAR-beta(2) and the role of RAR-beta(4) in cancer development.

RRIG1 mediates effects of retinoic acid receptor beta2 on tumor cell growth and gene expression through binding to and inhibition of RhoA

The expression of retinoic acid receptor beta2 (RAR-beta2) is frequently lost in various cancers and their premalignant lesions. However, the restoration of RAR-beta2 expression inhibits tumor cell growth and suppresses cancer development. To understand the molecular mechanisms responsible for this RAR-beta2-mediated antitumor activity, we did restriction fragment differential display-PCR and cloned a novel retinoid receptor-induced gene 1 (RRIG1), which is differentially expressed in RAR-beta2-positive and RAR-beta2-negative tumor cells. RRIG1 cDNA contains 2,851 bp and encodes a protein with 276 amino acids; the gene is localized at chromosome 9q34. Expressed in a broad range of normal tissues, RRIG1 is also lost in various cancer specimens. RRIG1 mediates the effect of RAR-beta2 on cell growth and gene expression (e.g., extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and cyclooxygenase-2). The RRIG1 protein is expressed in the cell membrane and binds to and inhibits the activity of a small GTPase RhoA. Whereas induction of RRIG1 expression inhibits RhoA activation and f-actin formation and consequently reduces colony formation, invasion, and proliferation of esophageal cancer cells, antisense RRIG1 increases RhoA activity and f-actin formation and thus induces the colony formation, invasion, and proliferation of these cells. Our findings therefore show a novel molecular pathway involving RAR-beta2 regulation of RRIG1 expression and RRIG1-RhoA interaction. An understanding of this pathway may translate into better control of human cancer.

Down-Regulation of the Tumor Suppressor Gene Retinoic Acid Receptor β2 through the Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase/Akt Signaling Pathway

The retinoic acid receptor β2 (RARβ2) is a potent, retinoid-inducible tumor suppressor gene, which is a critical molecular relay for retinoid actions in cells. Its down-regulation, or loss of expression, leads to resistance of cancer cells to retinoid treatment. Up to now, no primary mechanism underlying the repression of the RARβ2 gene expression, hence affecting cellular retinoid sensitivity, has been identified. Here, we demonstrate that the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway affects cellular retinoid sensitivity, by regulating corepressor recruitment to the RARβ2 promoter. Through direct phosphorylation of the corepressor silencing mediator for retinoic and thyroid hormone receptors (SMRT), Akt stabilized RAR/SMRT interaction, leading to an increased tethering of SMRT to the RARβ2 promoter, decreased histone acetylation, down-regulation of the RARβ2 expression, and impaired cellular differentiation in response to retinoid. The phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway, an important modulator of cellular survival, has thus a direct impact on cellular retinoid sensitivity, and its deregulation may be the triggering event in retinoid resistance of cancer cells.

Antitumor activity of the retinoid-related molecules (E)-3-(4'-hydroxy-3'-adamantylbiphenyl-4-yl)acrylic acid (ST1926) and 6-[3-(1-adamantyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]-2-naphthalene carboxylic acid (CD437) in F9 teratocarcinoma: Role of retinoic acid receptor gamma and retinoid-independent pathways

The retinoid-related molecules (RRMs) ST1926 [(E)-3-(4'-hydroxy-3'-adamantylbiphenyl-4-yl)acrylic acid] and CD437 (6-[3-(1-adamantyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]-2-naphthalene carboxylic acid) are promising anticancer agents. We compared the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) trans-activating properties of the two RRMs and all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA). ST1926 and CD437 are better RARgamma agonists than ATRA. We used three teratocarcinoma cell lines to evaluate the significance of RARgamma in the activity of RRMs: F9-wild type (WT); F9gamma-/-, lacking the RARgamma gene; F9gamma51, aF9gamma-/-derivative, complemented for the RARgamma deficit. Similar to ATRA, ST1926 and CD437 activate cytodifferentiation only in F9-WT cells. Unlike ATRA, ST1926 and CD437 arrest cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle and induce apoptosis in all F9 cell lines. Our data indicate that RARgamma and the classic retinoid pathway are not relevant for the antiproliferative and apoptotic activities of RRMs in vitro. Increases in cytosolic calcium are fundamental for apoptosis, in that intracellular calcium chelators abrogate the process. Comparison of the gene expression profiles associated with ST1926 and ATRA in F9-WT and F9gamma-/-indicates that the RRM activates a conspicuous nonretinoid response in addition to the classic and RAR-dependent pathway. The pattern of genes regulated by ST1926 selectively, in a RARgamma-independent manner, provides novel insights into the possible molecular determinants underlying the activity of RRMs in vitro. Furthermore, it suggests that RARgamma-dependent responses are relevant to the activity of RRMs in vivo. Indeed, the receptor hinders the antitumor activity in vivo, in that both syngeneic and immunosuppressed SCID mice bearing F9gamma-/- tumors have increased life spans after treatment with ST1926 and CD437 relative to their F9-WT counterparts.

PML-RARα and AML1–ETO translocations are rarely associated with methylation of the RARβ2 promoter

The acute promyelocytic leukemia-specific PML-RARalpha fusion protein is a dominant-negative transcriptional repressor of retinoic acid receptor (RAR) target genes, which recruits HDAC and corepressor proteins and inhibits coactivators. Another oncogenic transcription factor, AML1-ETO, was proposed to cause an HDAC-dependent repression of RAR target genes. The RAR target RARbeta2 gene has been reported to be frequently silenced by hypermethylation in many types of cancer cells. We examined the methylation status of the RARbeta2 and asked if demethylation could reverse ATRA resistance in ATRA-resistant PML-RARalpha and AML1-ETO-positive cells. PML-RARalpha positive NB4 and its ATRA-resistant subvariant MR2 and AML1-ETO expressing Kasumi-1 cells had heterozygous methylation of RARbeta2. Although DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine partially reversed RARbeta2 CpG methylation in these cells, it did not significantly enhance ATRA-induced RARbeta2 mRNA expression and induction of maturation. However, the histone acetylase inhibitor SAHA combined with ATRA significantly reactivated RARbeta2 mRNA both in NB4 and MR2 cells with degradation of PML-RARalpha, which was associated with maturation. In contrast, SAHA did not affect AML1-ETO levels and failed to induce RARbeta2 expression and maturation in Kasumi-1 cells. In primary AML samples, RARbeta2 expression was uniformly low; however, no specific correlation was observed between the methylation of the RARbeta2 gene and expression of the fusion proteins, PML-RARalpha, and AML1-ETO. These results demonstrate that oncogenic PML-RARalpha and AML1-ETO translocations are rarely associated with RARbeta2 promoter methylation in primary AML samples.

Distinct Roles of the Steroid Receptor Coactivator 1 and of MED1 in Retinoid-induced Transcription and Cellular Differentiation

Retinoic acid receptors (RARs) are the molecular relays of retinoid action on transcription, cellular differentiation and apoptosis. Transcriptional activation of retinoid-regulated promoters requires the dismissal of corepressors and the recruitment of coactivators to promoter-bound RAR. RARs recruit in vitro a plethora of coactivators whose actual contribution to retinoid-induced transcription is poorly characterized in vivo. Embryonal carcinoma P19 cells, which are highly sensitive to retinoids, were depleted from archetypical coactivators by RNAi. SRC1-deficient P19 cells showed severely compromised retinoid-induced responses, in agreement with the supposed role of SRC1 as a RAR coactivator. Unexpectedly, Med1/TRAP220/DRIP205-depleted cells exhibited an exacerbated response to retinoids, both in terms transcriptional responses and of cellular differentiation. Med1 depletion affected TFIIH and cdk9 detection at the prototypical retinoid-regulated RARbeta2 promoter, and favored a higher RNA polymerase II detection in transcribed regions of the RARbeta2 gene. Furthermore, the nature of the ligand impacted strongly on the ability of RARs to interact with a given coactivator and to activate transcription in intact cells. Thus RAR accomplishes transcriptional activation as a function of the ligand structure, by recruiting regulatory complexes which control distinct molecular events at retinoid-regulated promoters.

A novel function of differentiation revealed by cDNA microarray profiling of p75NTR-regulated gene expression

The expression of the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) is diminished in epithelial cells during progression of prostate cancer in vivo and in vitro. Previous studies have demonstrated a role for p75NTR as a tumor suppressor in prostate growth. To better understand the molecular mechanism of p75(NTR) on tumor suppression, we utilized a complementary deoxyribonucleic acid microarray composed of approximately 6,000 human cancer-related genes to determine the gene expression pattern altered by re-introduction of p75NTR into PC-3 prostate tumor cells. Comparison of the transcripts in the neo and p75NTR-transfected cells revealed 52 differentially expressed genes, of which 21 were up-regulated and 31 were down-regulated in the presence of p75NTR. Based on the known biological functions of the p75NTR-regulated genes, we observed that p75NTR modulated the expression of genes that are critically involved in the regulation of differentiation as well as cell adhesion, signal transduction, apoptosis, tumor cell invasion, and metastasis. Several differentially expressed genes identified by microarray were selected for confirmation using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Immunoblot analysis further confirmed increased cellular retinoic acid-binding protein I (CRABPI) and IGFBP5 protein levels and decreased level of PLAUR protein with increasing p75NTR protein expression. As CRABPI was elevated far more than any other genes, we observed that the retinoids, all-trans retinoic acid and 9-cis retinoic acid, that bind CRABPI, promoted nitroblue tetrazolium-associated functional cell differentiation in p75NTR PC-3 cells, but not in neo control PC-3 cells. Subsequent examination of the retinoic acid receptors (RARs) expression levels demonstrated an absence of RAR-beta in the neo control cells and re-expression in the p75NTR expressing cells, consistent with previous findings where RAR-beta is believed to play a critical role as a tumor suppressor gene that is lost during de-differentiation of prostate epithelial cells. Whereas the RAR-alpha and -gamma protein levels remained unchanged, retinoid X receptor (RXR)-alpha and -beta also exhibited increasing protein levels with re-expression of the p75NTR protein. Moreover, the ability of p75NTR siRNA to knockdown levels of RAR-beta, RXR-alpha, and RXR-beta supports the specificity of the functional involvement of p75NTR in differentiation. Hence, re-expression of the p75NTR appears to partially reverse de-differentiation of prostate cancer cells by up-regulating the expression of CRABPI for localized sequestration of retinoids that are available to newly up-regulated RAR-beta, RXR-alpha, and RXR-beta.