Androgen receptor-interacting protein 3 and other PIAS proteins cooperate with glucocorticoid receptor-interacting protein 1 in steroid receptor-dependent signaling

Photochemical reaction of glucocorticoids in aqueous solution: Influencing factors and photolysis products

Glucocorticoids (GCs), as endocrine disruptors, have attracted widespread attention due to their impacts on organisms' growth, development, and reproduction. In the current study, the photodegradation of budesonide (BD) and clobetasol propionate (CP), as targeted GCs, was investigated including the effects of initial concentrations and typical environmental factors (Cl^-, NO₂^-, Fe³⁺, and fulvic acid (FA)). The results showed that the degradation rate constants (k) were 0.0060 and 0.0039 min^-1 for BD and CP at concentration of 50 μg·L^-1, and increased with the initial concentrations. Under the addition of Cl^-, NO₂^-, and Fe³⁺ to the GCs/water system, the photodegradation rate was decreased with increasing Cl^-, NO₂^-, and Fe³⁺ concentrations, which were in contrast to the addition of FA. Electron resonance spectroscopy (EPR) analysis and the radical quenching experiments verified that GCs could transition to the triplet excited states of GCs (³GCs*) for direct photolysis under irradiation to undergo, while NO₂^-, Fe³⁺, and FA could generate ·OH to induce indirect photolysis. According to HPLC-Q-TOF MS analysis, the structures of the three photodegradation products of BD and CP were elucidated, respectively, and the phototransformation pathways were inferred based on the product structures. These findings help to grasp the fate of synthetic GCs in the environment and contribute to the understanding of their ecological risks.

Overview of the regulation of the class IA PI3K/AKT pathway by SUMO

The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway is a major regulator of metabolism, migration, survival, proliferation, and antiviral immunity. Both an overactivation and an inhibition of the PI3K/AKT pathway are related to different pathologies. Activation of this signaling pathway is tightly controlled through a multistep process and its deregulation can be associated with aberrant post-translational modifications including SUMOylation. Here, we review the complex modulation of the PI3K/AKT pathway by SUMOylation and we discuss its putative incvolvement in human disease.

Novel insights into the impact of the SUMOylation pathway in hematological malignancies (Review)

The small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) system serves an important role in the regulation of protein stability and function. SUMOylation sustains the homeostatic equilibrium of protein function in normal tissues and numerous types of tumor. Accumulating evidence has revealed that SUMO enzymes participate in carcinogenesis via a series of complex cellular or extracellular processes. The present review outlines the physiological characteristics of the SUMOylation pathway and provides examples of SUMOylation participation in different cancer types, including in hematological malignancies (leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma). It has been indicated that the SUMO pathway may influence chromosomal instability, cell cycle progression, apoptosis and chemical drug resistance. The present review also discussed the possible relationship between SUMOylation and carcinogenic mechanisms, and evaluated their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the diagnosis and treatment of hematological malignancies. Developing and investigating inhibitors of SUMO conjugation in the future may offer promising potential as novel therapeutic strategies.

The implication of the SUMOylation pathway in breast cancer pathogenesis and treatment

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in woman worldwide, and is the second most common cause of death in developed countries. The transformation of a normal cell into a malignant derivate requires the acquisition of diverse genomic and proteomic changes, including enzymatic post-translational modifications (PTMs) on key proteins encompassing critical cell signaling events. PTMs occur on proteins after translation, and regulate several aspects of proteins activity, including their localization, activation and turnover. Deregulation of PTMs can potentially lead to tumorigenesis, and several de-regulated PTM pathways contribute to abnormal cell proliferation during breast tumorigenesis. SUMOylation is a PTM that plays a pivotal role in numerous aspects of cell physiology, including cell cycle regulation, protein trafficking and turnover, and DNA damage repair. Consistently with this, the deregulation of the SUMO pathway is observed in different human pathologies, including breast cancer. In this review we will describe the role of SUMOylation in breast tumorigenesis and its implication for breast cancer therapy.

The Role of PIAS SUMO E3-Ligases in Cancer

SUMOylation modifies the interactome, localization, activity, and lifespan of its target proteins. This process regulates several cellular machineries, including transcription, DNA damage repair, cell-cycle progression, and apoptosis. Accordingly, SUMOylation is critical in maintaining cellular homeostasis, and its deregulation leads to the corruption of a plethora of cellular processes that contribute to disease states. Among the proteins involved in SUMOylation, the protein inhibitor of activated STAT (PIAS) E3-ligases were initially described as transcriptional coregulators. Recent findings also indicate that they have a role in regulating protein stability and signaling transduction pathways. PIAS proteins interact with up to 60 cellular partners affecting several cellular processes, most notably immune regulation and DNA repair, but also cellular proliferation and survival. Here, we summarize the current knowledge about their role in tumorigenesis and cancer-related processes. Cancer Res; 77(7); 1542-7. ©2017 AACR.

Identification of NR0B1 as a novel androgen receptor co-repressor in mouse Sertoli cells

Nuclear receptor subfamily 0 group B member 1 (Nr0b1) is an atypical member of the nuclear receptor family that is predominantly expressed in mouse Sertoli cells (SCs). Mutations of NR0B1 in humans cause adrenal failure and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. The targeted mutagenesis of Nr0b1 in mice has revealed a primary gonadal defect characterized by the overexpression of aromatase and cellular obstruction of the seminiferous tubules and efferent ductules, leading to germ cell death and infertility. The transgenic expression of Nr0b1 under the control of the Müllerian-inhibiting substance promoter (MIS-Nr0b1), which is selectively expressed in SCs, improves fertility. Testicular androgen receptor (AR) was also expressed in SCs. Many genes are directly regulated by androgen and its AR, which are involved in spermatogenesis and male infertility. As the association between NR0B1 and AR remains unclear in mouse SCs, we decided to further explore the relationship between them. In the present study, we have identified NR0B1 as a novel AR co-repressor in mouse SCs. Using RT‑qPCR and immunofluorescence, we determined that NR0B1 was mainly expressed in mouse SCs in an age-dependent manner from 2-8 weeks of age postnatally. The inhibition of the effects of AR on AR target genes by NR0B1, in an androgen‑dependent manner, was further demonstrated by western blot analysis and RT-qPCR in TM4 cells, a mouse Sertoli cell line. Finally, in vitro luciferase and co-immunoprecipitation assays validated that NR0B1, as an AR co-repressor, significantly inhibited the transcriptional activation of its target genes. These results suggest that novel inhibitory mechanisms underlie the effects of NR0B1 in modulating androgen-dependent gene transcription in mouse SCs.

Steroid Hormone Receptor Coregulators in Endocrine Cancers

Coregulators span a broad and extensive domain in modulating cellular transcriptional activity. Studies have established a dynamic role for such coregulators in various endocrine cancers. Steroid hormone receptors (SHRs) play a pivotal role in such endocrine cancers, and interact abundantly with transcriptional coregulators in altering gene expression. Several families of coregulators have implications in propagating the development, progression and invasion of breast, prostate, and other hormone-responsive cancers. This mini-review aims to discuss different classes of coregulators involved in endocrine cancers and highlight unique information regarding each family with relevance to mechanism, intervention, and novel directions being investigated. © 2016 IUBMB Life, 68(7):504-515, 2016.

PIAS1 binds p300 and behaves as a coactivator or corepressor of the transcription factor c-Myb dependent on SUMO-status

The PIAS proteins (Protein Inhibitor of Activated STATs) constitute a family of multifunctional nuclear proteins operating as SUMO E3 ligases and being involved in a multitude of interactions. They participate in a range of biological processes, also beyond their well-established role in the immune system and cytokine signalling. They act both as transcriptional corepressors and coactivators depending on the context. In the present work, we investigated mechanisms by which PIAS1 causes activation or repression of c-Myb dependent target genes. Analysis of global expression data shows that c-Myb and PIAS1 knockdowns affect a subset of common targets, but with a dual outcome consistent with a role of PIAS1 as either a corepressor or coactivator. Our mechanistic studies show that PIAS1 engages in a novel interaction with the acetyltransferase and coactivator p300. Interaction and ChIP analysis suggest a bridging function where PIAS1 enhances p300 recruitment to c-Myb-bound sites through interaction with both proteins. In addition, the E3 activity of PIAS1 enhances further its coactivation. Remarkably, the SUMO status of c-Myb had a decisive role, indicating a SUMO-dependent switch in the way PIAS1 affects c-Myb, either as a coactivator or corepressor. Removal of the two major SUMO-conjugation sites in c-Myb (2KR mutant), which enhances its activity significantly, turned PIAS1 into a corepressor. Also, p300 was less efficiently recruited to chromatin by c-Myb-2KR. We propose that PIAS1 acts as a "protein inhibitor of activated c-Myb" in the absence of SUMOylation while, in its presence, PIAS behaves as a "protein activator of repressed c-Myb".

Ubiquitously expressed transcript is a novel interacting protein of protein inhibitor of activated signal transducer and activator of transcription 2

Protein inhibitor of activated signal transducer and activator of transcription 2 (PIAS2) is a member of the PIAS protein family. This protein family modulates the activity of several transcription factors and acts as an E3 ubiquitin ligase in the sumoylation pathway. To improve understanding of the physiological roles of PIAS2, the current study used a yeast two-hybrid system to screen mouse stem cell cDNA libraries for proteins that interact with PIAS2. The screening identified an interaction between PIAS2 and ubiquitously expressed transcript (UXT). UXT, also termed androgen receptor trapped clone-27, is an α-class prefoldin-type chaperone that acts as a coregulator for various transcription factors, including nuclear factor-κB and androgen receptor (AR). A direct interaction between PIAS2 and UXT was confirmed by direct yeast two-hybrid analysis. In vitro evidence of the association of UXT with PIAS2 was obtained by co-immunoprecipitation. Colocalization between PIAS2 and UXT was identified in the nucleus and cytoplasm of HEK 293T and human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells. The results of the current study suggested that UXT is a binding protein of PIAS2, and interaction between PIAS2 and UXT may be important for the transcriptional activation of AR.

PIASxα ligase enhances SUMO1 modification of PTEN protein as a SUMO E3 ligase

The tumor suppressor PTEN plays a critical role in the regulation of multiple cellular processes that include survival, cell cycle, proliferation, and apoptosis. PTEN is frequently mutated or deleted in various human cancer cells to promote tumorigenesis. PTEN is regulated by SUMOylation, but the SUMO E3 ligase involved in the SUMOylation of PTEN remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated that PIASxα is a SUMO E3 ligase for PTEN. PIASxα physically interacted with PTEN both in vitro and in vivo. Their interaction depended on the integrity of phosphatase and C2 domains of PTEN and the region of PIASxα comprising residues 134-347. PIASxα enhanced PTEN protein stability by reducing PTEN ubiquitination, whereas the mutation of PTEN SUMO1 conjugation sites neutralized the effect of PIASxα on PTEN protein half-life. Functionally, PIASxα, as a potential tumor suppressor, negatively regulated the PI3K-Akt pathway through stabilizing PTEN protein. Overexpression of PIASxα led to G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, thus triggering cell proliferation inhibition and tumor suppression, whereas PIASxα knockdown or deficiency in catalytic activity abolished the inhibition. Together our studies suggest that PIASxα is a novel SUMO E3 ligase for PTEN, and it positively regulates PTEN protein level in tumor suppression.

cAMP response element-binding protein interacts with and stimulates the proteasomal degradation of the nuclear receptor coactivator GRIP1

The glucocorticoid receptor interacting protein (GRIP1) belongs to the p160 steroid receptor coactivator family that plays essential roles in nuclear receptor-dependent transcriptional regulation. Previously, we reported that the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) induces ubiquitination leading to degradation of GRIP1. Here we show that the cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) downregulates GRIP1 and is necessary for the PKA-stimulated degradation of GRIP1, which leads to changes in the expression of a subset of genes regulated by estrogen receptor-α in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Our data of domain-mapping and ubiquitination analyses suggest that CREB promotes the proteasomal breakdown of ubiquitinated GRIP1 through 2 functionally independent protein domains containing amino acids 347 to 758 and 1121 to 1462. We provide evidence that CREB interacts directly with GRIP1 and that CREB Ser-133 phosphorylation or transcriptional activity is not required for GRIP1 interaction and degradation. The basic leucine zipper domain (bZIP) of CREB is important for the interaction with GRIP1, and deletion of this domain led to an inability to downregulate GRIP1. We propose that CREB mediates the PKA-stimulated degradation of GRIP1 through protein-protein interaction and stimulation of proteasomal degradation of ubiquitinated GRIP1.

Dynamic regulation of steroid hormone receptor transcriptional activity by reversible SUMOylation

Transcription complexes containing steroid hormone receptors (SRs) have been well characterized at selected canonical target genes. More recently, the advent of whole genome technologies has allowed for complete SR transcriptome analyses in diverse cell types and in response to a variety of cellular stimuli. These types of studies have revealed little overlap between the tissue or cell type-specific transcriptomes of a given SR, suggesting that all SRs are highly context-dependent transcription factors. However, the mechanisms controlling SR promoter selectivity have not been fully elucidated. Many factors may influence SR promoter selectivity, including chromatin structure, cofactor availability, and posttranslational modifications to SRs and/or their numerous coregulators; this review focuses on the impact that covalent attachment of small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) moieties to SRs (i.e., SUMOylation) have on the transcriptional regulation of SR target genes.

Biology and significance of the JAK/STAT signalling pathways

Since its discovery two decades ago, the activation of the Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway by numerous cytokines and growth factors has resulted in it becoming one of the most well-studied intracellular signalling networks. The field has progressed from the identification of the individual components to high-resolution crystal structures of both JAK and STAT, and an understanding of the complexities of the molecular activation and deactivation cycle which results in a diverse, yet highly specific and regulated pattern of transcriptional responses. While there is still more to learn, we now appreciate how disruption and deregulation of this pathway can result in clinical disease and look forward to adoption of the next generation of JAK inhibitors in routine clinical treatment.

The transcriptional activity of co-activator AIB1 is regulated by the SUMO E3 ligase PIAS1

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Amplified in breast cancer 1 (AIB1) is a transcriptional coactivator of nuclear receptors and other transcription factors. It is required for animal growth and reproductive development, and has also been implicated in breast carcinogenesis. Although AIB1 is known to be covalently modified by SUMO-1, which serves to regulate its stability and transcriptional activity, the exact SUMO E3 ligase involved in its sumoylation has not been determined. In order to resolve this question, we investigated the interaction between AIB1 and different members of PIAS proteins (all are SUMO E3 ligases) through immunoprecipiation.

RESULTS

Among the five different PIAS proteins, only PIAS1 co-immunoprecipitated with AIB1 in extract prepared from breast cancer cells (MCF-7). Over-expression of PIAS1 together with AIB1 in MCF-7 cells led to increased sumoylation of AIB1, resulting in repression of its transcriptional activity. In contrast, the PIAS1 mutant (C350S) lacking E3 ligase activity appeared to have no effect on the sumoylation of AIB1. Through sumoylation of AIB1, PIAS1 also promoted the stability of AIB1 and attenuated its interaction with estrogen receptor α (ERα), resulting in repression of the transactivation activity of ERα. In addition, MCF-7 cells co-transfected with wild-type PIAS1 and AIB1 showed about 40% reduction in cell growth, while cells co-transfected with wild-type PIAS1 and mutant AIB1 resistant to sumoylation showed about 34% increase in cell growth compared to cells transformed with wild-type AIB1 only.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, these results suggested that PIAS1 may play a crucial role in the regulation of AIB1 transcriptional activity through sumoylation.

A novel role for protein inhibitor of activated STAT (PIAS) proteins in modulating the activity of Zimp7, a novel PIAS-like protein, in androgen receptor-mediated transcription

The PIAS proteins (protein inhibitor of activated STAT) were originally identified as inhibitors of the JAK-STAT pathway. Subsequently, their roles on transcriptional regulation have been identified in modulation of the androgen receptor (AR) and other nuclear hormone receptor-mediated actions. Zimp7, also named Zmiz2, is a novel PIAS-like protein and functions as a transcriptional co-activator. In this study, we demonstrate an interaction between Zimp7 and PIAS proteins with higher preference for PIAS3. A modified mammalian one-hybrid assay showed that the NH(2)-terminal proline-rich domain of Zimp7 and the region spanning amino acids 321-486 of PIAS3 were the primary interaction segments. The interaction between Zimp7 and PIAS3 proteins was further confirmed by in vitro protein pull-down and co-immunoprecipitation assays with both exogenous and endogenous proteins. Expression of exogenous PIAS3 further enhances Zimp7-mediated augmentation of AR transcription. Knockdown of the endogenous PIAS3 protein using a specific PIAS3 small hairpin RNA reduced the augmentation of Zimp7 on AR-mediated transcription. Co-localization of Zimp7 and PIAS3 proteins was observed in the nuclei of cells by immunostaining. Exogenous PIAS3 expression enhances the stability of the Zimp7 protein. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we showed that PIAS3 is involved in the AR- and Zimp7-formed protein complex(es) in the AR downstream target promoter to facilitate androgen-induced transcription. Finally, we further demonstrated that loss of Zimp7 significantly impaired PIAS3-mediated enhancement on AR activity in mouse Zimp7 null (zimp7(-/-)) embryonic fibroblasts. Taken together, these results demonstrate a novel interaction between PIAS and PIAS-like proteins and elucidate a novel regulatory mechanism for PIAS proteins in AR-mediated transcription.

PIAS proteins: pleiotropic interactors associated with SUMO

The interactions and functions of protein inhibitors of activated STAT (PIAS) proteins are not restricted to the signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs), but PIAS1, -2, -3 and -4 interact with and regulate a variety of distinct proteins, especially transcription factors. Although the majority of PIAS-interacting proteins are prone to modification by small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO) proteins and the PIAS proteins have the capacity to promote the modification as RING-type SUMO ligases, they do not function solely as SUMO E3 ligases. Instead, their effects are often independent of their Siz/PIAS (SP)-RING finger, but dependent on their capability to noncovalently interact with SUMOs or DNA through their SUMO-interacting motif and scaffold attachment factor-A/B, acinus and PIAS domain, respectively. Here, we present an overview of the cellular regulation by PIAS proteins and propose that many of their functions are due to their capability to mediate and facilitate SUMO-linked protein assemblies.

Normal and cancer-related functions of the p160 steroid receptor co-activator (SRC) family

The three homologous members of the p160 SRC family (SRC1, SRC2 and SRC3) mediate the transcriptional functions of nuclear receptors and other transcription factors, and are the most studied of all the transcriptional co-activators. Recent work has indicated that the SRCgenes are subject to amplification and overexpression in various human cancers. Some of the molecular mechanisms responsible for SRC overexpression, along with the mechanisms by which SRCs promote breast and prostate cancer cell proliferation and survival, have been identified, as have the specific contributions of individual SRC family members to spontaneous breast and prostate carcinogenesis in genetically manipulated mouse models. These studies have identified new challenges for cancer research and therapy.

Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) modification of the androgen receptor attenuates polyglutamine-mediated aggregation

The neurodegenerative disorder spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy or Kennedy disease is caused by a CAG trinucleotide repeat expansion within the androgen receptor (AR) gene. The resulting expanded polyglutamine tract in the N-terminal region of the receptor renders AR prone to ligand-dependent misfolding and formation of oligomers and aggregates that are linked to neuronal toxicity. How AR misfolding is influenced by post-translational modifications, however, is poorly understood. AR is a target of SUMOylation, and this modification inhibits AR activity in a promoter context-dependent manner. SUMOylation is up-regulated in response to multiple forms of cellular stress and may therefore play an important cytoprotective role. Consistent with this view, we find that gratuitous enhancement of overall SUMOylation significantly reduced the formation of polyglutamine-expanded AR aggregates without affecting the levels of the receptor. Remarkably, this effect requires SUMOylation of AR itself because it depends on intact AR SUMOylation sites. Functional analyses, however, indicate that the protective effects of enhanced AR SUMOylation are not due to alterations in AR transcriptional activity because a branched protein structure in the appropriate context of the N-terminal region of AR is necessary to antagonize aggregation but not for inhibiting AR transactivation. Remarkably, small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) attenuates AR aggregation through a unique mechanism that does not depend on critical features essential for its interaction with canonical SUMO binding motifs. Our findings therefore reveal a novel function of SUMOylation and suggest that approaches that enhance AR SUMOylation may be of clinical use in polyglutamine expansion diseases.

Recruitment of coactivator glucocorticoid receptor interacting protein 1 to an estrogen receptor transcription complex is regulated by the 3',5'-cyclic adenosine 5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase

Steroid receptor coactivators (SRCs), such as glucocorticoid receptor interacting protein 1 (GRIP1) are recruited to the DNA-bound nuclear receptors (NRs) and are also shown to enhance the gene transactivation by other transcription factors. In contrast to the two other members of the SRC family, SRC-1 and SRC-3/amplified in breast cancer 1, SRC-2/GRIP1 is regulated by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase [protein kinase A (PKA)] that stimulates its ubiquitination and degradation. In this report we demonstrate that COS-1 and MCF-7 cells treated with cAMP-elevating agents and 8-para-chlorophenylthio-cAMP for short periods of time showed an increase in GRIP1 coactivator function, whereas prolonged stimulation of the cAMP/PKA pathway led to a decline in GRIP1-mediated activation and protein levels. Furthermore, MCF-7 breast cancer cells were subjected to chromatin immunoprecipitation assays after stimulation of the cAMP/PKA pathway. cAMP/PKA initiated a rapid recruitment of GRIP1 to the endogenous estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha target pS2 gene promoter. In contrast to the estradiol-induced recruitment of GRIP1 to pS2, we observed an additional increase in GRIP1 recruitment on inhibition of the proteasome, suggesting that inhibition of GRIP1 degradation leads to accumulation at the pS2. Real-time PCR experiments confirmed that cAMP/PKA enhanced the expression of pS2. Moreover, confocal imaging of COS-1 cells transfected with yellow fluorescent protein-GRIP1 and cyan fluorescent protein-ERalpha revealed that PKA led to redistribution and colocalization of yellow fluorescent protein-GRIP1 and cyan fluorescent protein-ERalpha in subnuclear foci. In conclusion, these results suggest that activation of the cAMP/PKA pathway stimulates recruitment of GRIP1 to an ER-responsive gene promoter. The initial stimulation of GRIP1 coactivator function is followed by an increased turnover and subsequent degradation of GRIP1 protein.

Differential regulation of the two transcriptional activation domains of the coiled-coil coactivator CoCoA by sumoylation

Background

The coiled-coil coactivator (CoCoA) enhances transcriptional activity of nuclear receptors, the xenobiotic aryl hydrocarbon receptor, and the lymphocyte enhancer factors (LEF) in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. CoCoA is comprised of a large central coiled coil domain flanked by N-terminal and C-terminal activation domains (AD). The N-terminal AD of CoCoA is required for coactivator function with LEF and β-catenin, while the C-terminal AD of CoCoA is required for coactivator function with nuclear receptors. We explored the role of sumoylation in regulating the activities of the two ADs and the coactivator function of CoCoA.

Results

The N-terminus of CoCoA is covalently modified by SUMO1 at Lys-29; both PIAS1 and ARIP3 function as E3 ligases. Fusion of SUMO1 to the N-terminus (mimicking sumoylation) reduced coactivator function of CoCoA with LEF1 and the activity of the N-terminal AD. The N- and C-termini of CoCoA can bind to each other, and C-terminal transactivation activity is attenuated in the presence of the N-terminus, indicating that the N-C interaction regulates the activity of the C-terminal AD. Fusion of SUMO1 to the N-terminal fragment of CoCoA reduced the N-C interaction and inhibition of C-terminal AD activity by the N-terminal fragment.

Conclusion

Sumoylation of CoCoA differentially regulates the coactivator activity of CoCoA with nuclear receptors versus LEF1, by attenuating the N-terminal AD activity and enhancing the activity of the C-terminal AD.

Androgen receptor (AR) coregulators: a diversity of functions converging on and regulating the AR transcriptional complex

Androgens, acting through the androgen receptor (AR), are responsible for the development of the male phenotype during embryogenesis, the achievement of sexual maturation at puberty, and the maintenance of male reproductive function and behavior in adulthood. In addition, androgens affect a wide variety of nonreproductive tissues. Moreover, aberrant androgen action plays a critical role in multiple pathologies, including prostate cancer and androgen insensitivity syndromes. The formation of a productive AR transcriptional complex requires the functional and structural interaction of the AR with its coregulators. In the last decade, an overwhelming and ever increasing number of proteins have been proposed to possess AR coactivating or corepressing characteristics. Intriguingly, a vast diversity of functions has been ascribed to these proteins, indicating that a multitude of cellular functions and signals converge on the AR to regulate its function. The current review aims to provide an overview of the AR coregulator proteins identified to date and to propose a classification of these AR coregulator proteins according to the function(s) ascribed to them. Taken together, this approach will increase our understanding of the cellular pathways that converge on the AR to ensure an appropriate transcriptional response to androgens.

The PIAS-like protein Zimp10 is essential for embryonic viability and proper vascular development

Members of the PIAS (for protein inhibitor of activated STAT) family play critical roles in modulating the activity of a variety of transcriptional regulators. Zimp10, a novel PIAS-like protein, is a transcriptional coregulator and may be involved in the modification of chromatin through interactions with the SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complexes. Here, we investigate the biological role of Zimp10 in zimp10-deficient mice. Homozygosity for the Zimp10-targeted allele resulted in developmental arrest at approximately embryonic day 10.5. Analysis of knockout embryos revealed severe defects in the reorganization of the yolk sac vascular plexus. No significant abnormality in hematopoietic potential was observed in zimp10 null mice. Microarray and quantified reverse transcription-PCR analyses showed that the expression of the Fos family member Fra-1, which is involved in extraembryonic vascular development, was reduced in yolk sac tissues of zimp10 null embryos. Using fra-1 promoter/reporter constructs, we further demonstrate the regulatory role of Zimp10 on the transcription of Fra-1. This study provides evidence to demonstrate a crucial role for Zimp10 in vasculogenesis.

The novel PIAS-like protein hZimp10 is a transcriptional co-activator of the p53 tumor suppressor

The tumor suppressor, p53, plays critical roles in the cell cycle progression, DNA repair and apoptosis. The PIAS proteins (protein inhibitor of activated STAT) were originally identified as inhibitors of the JAK-STAT pathway. Subsequently, crosstalk between the PIAS proteins and other signaling pathways has been shown to be involved in various cellular processes. Particularly, previous studies have demonstrated that PIAS proteins regulate p53-mediated transcription through sumoylation. hZimp10, also named zmiz1, is a novel PIAS-like protein and functions as a transcriptional co-activator. We recently identified p53 to be an hZimp10 interacting protein in the yeast two-hybrid screen. The interaction between p53 and hZimp10 was confirmed by GST pull-down and co-immunoprecipitation assays. Co-localization of p53 and hZimp10 proteins was also observed within cell nuclei by immunostaining. Moreover, we show that expression of exogenous hZimp10 enhances the transcriptional activity of p53 and knockdown of endogenous hZimp10 reduces the transcriptional activity of p53. Furthermore, using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we demonstrate that hZimp10 binds to p53 on the p21 promoter. Finally, p53-mediated transcription is significantly impaired in Zimp10 null embryonic fibroblasts. Taken together, these results provide the first line of evidence to demonstrate a role for Zimp10 in regulating p53 function.

A crosstalk between hSiah2 and Pias E3-ligases modulates Pias-dependent activation

Protein inhibitor of activated STAT (Pias) and human homologues of seven in absentia (hSiah) proteins both exhibit properties of ubiquitin-family peptides conjugating enzymes. Pias present E3-ligase activity for small ubiquitin-related modifiers (Sumo) covalent attachment to their targets. This post-translational modification is responsible for the activation of different transcription factors such as AP1. HSiah proteins possess ubiquitin-E3-ligase activity that triggers their partners to proteasomal-dependent degradation. The present study identifies Pias as a new hSiah2-interacting protein. We demonstrate that hSiah2 regulates specifically the proteasome-dependent degradation of Pias proteins. On reverse, Pias does not prevent hSiah2 degradation. We provide evidences for hSiah2-dependent degradation of Pias as being a mechanism in the regulation of c-jun N-terminal kinase-activating pathways. This report describes a new interconnection between sumoylation and ubiquitination pathways by regulating the levels of the E3-ligases available for these processes.

Regulation of SRC family coactivators by post-translational modifications

Initially identified as a group of auxiliary protein factors involved in transcriptional regulation by steroid hormone receptors as well as by other members of the nuclear receptor superfamily, the steroid receptor coactivators (SRCs) have since then been implicated in the transcriptional regulation of other transcription factors which are important components of very different signaling pathways. Members of the SRC family have been shown to interact with myogenin, MEF-2, transcriptional enhancer factor (TEF), NF-kappaB, AP-1, STAT, p53, and E2F1, suggesting that SRC coactivators participate in diverse cellular processes. Recent evidence indicates that various post-translational modifications play critical roles in determining the final transcriptional output and specificity of SRC coactivators. In this review, we summarized the current knowledge concerning post-translational modifications, dynamic interplay between different modifications, and patho-physiological relevance of the modifications of SRC proteins.

Coactivation of the N-terminal Transactivation of Mineralocorticoid Receptor by Ubc9

Molecular mechanisms underlying mineralocorticoid receptor (MR)-mediated gene expression are not fully understood. Various transcription factors are post-translationally modified by small ubiquitin-related modifier-1 (SUMO-1). We investigated the role of the SUMO-1-conjugating enzyme Ubc9 in MR transactivation. Yeast two-hybrid, GST-pulldown, and coimmunoprecipitation assays showed that Ubc9 interacted with N-terminal MR-(1-670). Endogenous Ubc9 is associated with stably expressing MR in 293-MR cells. Transient transfection assays in COS-1 cells showed that Ubc9 increased MR transactivation of reporter constructs containing MRE, ENaC, or MMTV promoter in a hormone-sensitive manner. Moreover, reduction of Ubc9 protein levels by small interfering RNA attenuated hormonal activation of a reporter construct as well as an endogenous target gene by MR. A sumoylation-inactive mutant Ubc9(C93S) similarly interacted with MR and potentiated aldosterone-dependent MR transactivation. An MR mutant in which four lysine residues within sumoylation motifs were mutated into arginine (K89R/K399R/K494R/K953R) failed to be sumoylated, but Ubc9 similarly enhanced transactivation by the mutant MR, indicating that sumoylation activity is dispensable for coactivation capacity of Ubc9. Coexpression of Ubc9 and steroid receptor coactivator-1 (SRC-1) synergistically enhanced MR-mediated transactivation in transient transfection assays. Indeed, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that endogenous MR, Ubc9, and SRC-1 were recruited to an endogenous ENaC gene promoter in a largely aldosterone-dependent manner. Coimmunoprecipitation assays showed a complex of MR, Ubc9, and SRC-1 in mammalian cells, and the endogenous proteins were colocalized in the nuclei of the mouse collecting duct cells. These findings support a physiological role of Ubc9 as a transcriptional MR coactivator, beyond the known SUMO E2-conjugating enzyme.

The Novel PIAS-like Protein hZimp10 Enhances Smad Transcriptional Activity

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) plays critical roles in the control of cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Smad proteins are substrates of the TGF-beta type I receptor and are responsible for transducing receptor signals to target genes in the nucleus. The PIAS (protein inhibitor of activated STAT) proteins were originally identified as transcriptional co-regulators of the JAK-STAT pathway. Subsequently, cross-talk between the PIAS proteins and other signaling pathways has been shown to be involved in various cellular processes. Importantly, PIAS proteins modulate TGF-beta signaling by regulating the transcriptional activity of Smad3. In this study we tested whether hZimp10, a novel PIAS-like protein, acts as other PIAS proteins to regulate Smad3-mediated transcription. We show that expression of exogenous hZimp10 enhances the transcriptional activity of Smad3, which appears to be Smad4-dependent and responsive to TGF-beta induction. Furthermore, knockdown of endogenous hZimp10 reduced the transcriptional activity of Smad3. A protein-protein interaction between Smad3 and Smad4 with hZimp10 was identified in glutathione S-transferase-pulldown and co-immunoprecipitation assays. The Miz domain of hZimp10 and the MH2 domains of Smad3 and Smad4 were mapped as the regions responsible for binding. Results from immunostaining assays further demonstrated that Smad3, Smad4, and hZimp10 co-localize within cell nuclei. Finally, we demonstrated that Smad3/4-mediated transcription is significantly impaired in response to TGF-beta induction in Zimp10 null (zimp10-/-) embryonic fibroblasts. Taken together, these results provide the first line of evidence to demonstrate a role for Zimp10 in regulating the TGF-beta/Smad signaling pathway.

FLI-1 functionally interacts with PIASxalpha, a member of the PIAS E3 SUMO ligase family

FLI-1 is a transcription factor of the ETS family that is involved in several developmental processes and that becomes oncogenic when overexpressed or mutated. As the functional regulators of FLI-1 are largely unknown, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screen with FLI-1 and identified the SUMO E3 ligase PIASxalpha/ARIP3 as a novel in vitro and in vivo binding partner of FLI-1. This interaction involved the ETS domain of FLI-1 and required the integrity of the SAP domain of PIASxalpha/ARIP3. SUMO-1 and Ubc9, the ubiquitin carrier protein component in the sumoylation pathway, were also identified as interactors of FLI-1. Both PIASxalpha/ARIP3 and the closely related PIASxbeta isoform specifically enhanced sumoylation of FLI-1 at Lys(67), located in its N-terminal activation domain. PIASxalpha/ARIP3 relocalized the normally nuclear but diffusely distributed FLI-1 protein to PIASxalpha nuclear bodies and repressed FLI-1 transcriptional activation as assessed using different ETS-binding site-dependent promoters and different cell systems. PIASxalpha repressive activity was independent of sumoylation and did not result from inhibition of FLI-1 DNA-binding activity. Analysis of the properties of a series of ARIP3 mutants showed that the repressive properties of PIASxalpha/ARIP3 require its physical interaction with FLI-1, identifying PIASxalpha as a novel corepressor of FLI-1.

Testicular expression of small ubiquitin-related modifier-1 (SUMO-1) supports multiple roles in spermatogenesis: silencing of sex chromosomes in spermatocytes, spermatid microtubule nucleation, and nuclear reshaping

SUMO-1 is a member of a ubiquitin-related family of proteins that mediates important post-translational effects affecting diverse physiological functions. Whereas SUMO-1 is detected in the testis, little is known about its reproductive role in males. Herein, cell-specific SUMO-1 was localized in freshly isolated, purified male germ cells and somatic cells of mouse and rat testes using Western analysis, high-resolution single-cell bioimaging, and in situ confocal microscopy of seminiferous tubules. During germ cell development, SUMO-1 was observed at low but detectable levels in the cytoplasm of spermatogonia and early spermatocytes. SUMO-1 appeared on gonosomal chromatin during zygotene when chromosome homologues pair and sex chromatin condensation is initiated. Striking SUMO-1 increases in the sex body of early-to-mid-pachytene spermatocytes correlated with timing of additional sex chromosome condensation. Before the completion of the first meiotic division, SUMO-1 disappeared from the sex body when X and Y chromosomal activity resumed. Together, these data indicate that sumoylation may be involved in non-homologous chromosomal synapsis, meiotic sex chromosome inactivation, and XY body formation. During spermiogenesis, SUMO-1 localized in chromocenters of certain round spermatids and perinuclear ring and centrosomes of elongating spermatids, data implicating SUMO-1 in the process of microtubule nucleation and nuclear reshaping. STAT-4, one potential target of sumoylation, was located along the spermatid nuclei, adjacent but not co-localized with SUMO-1. Androgen receptor-positive Leydig, Sertoli, and some peritubular myoepithelial cells express SUMO-1, findings suggesting a role in modulating steroid action. Testicular SUMO-1 expression supports its specific functions in inactivation of sex chromosomes during meiosis, spermatid microtubule nucleation, nuclear reshaping, and gene expression.

Neonatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol leads to impaired action of androgens in adult male hamsters

Neonatal treatment with diethylstilbestrol (DES) leads to disruption of spermatogenesis in adult animals after apparently normal testicular development during puberty indicating aberrant androgen action in DES-exposed adult hamsters. The present study determined the effects of exogenous androgens in neonatally DES-exposed hamsters. Exogenous androgens failed to reverse the disruption of spermatogenesis in DES-exposed animals. Neonatal DES exposure caused a significant decrease in seminal vesicle weight, and abnormal histology. While exogenous androgens caused a significant increase in seminal vesicle weight in control animals, they failed to restore the seminal vesicle weight and normal histology in DES-exposed animals. Northern blot and/or RT-PCR analysis revealed that (1) AR, ERalpha and ERbeta mRNA levels were unchanged in DES-exposed animals, and (2) mRNA levels for the AR-responsive genes calreticulin, SEC-23B, and ornithine decarboxylase were significantly decreased in DES-exposed animals. Our results suggest that neonatal DES exposure impairs the action of androgens on target organs in male hamsters.

The DEAD-box protein DP103 (Ddx20 or Gemin-3) represses orphan nuclear receptor activity via SUMO modification

Structural analysis of nuclear receptor subfamily V orphan nuclear receptors suggests that ligand-independent mechanisms must regulate this subclass of receptors. Here, we report that steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) and liver receptor homolog 1 are repressed via posttranslational SUMO modification at conserved lysines within the hinge domain. Indeed, mutating these lysines or adding the SUMO isopeptidase SENP1 dramatically increased both native and Gal4-chimera receptor activities. The mechanism by which SUMO conjugation attenuates SF-1 activity was found to be largely histone deacetylase independent and was unaffected by the AF2 corepressor Dax1. Instead, our data suggest that SUMO-mediated repression involves direct interaction of the DEAD-box protein DP103 with sumoylated SF-1. Of potential E3-SUMO ligase candidates, PIASy and PIASxalpha strongly promoted SF-1 sumoylation, and addition of DP103 enhanced both PIAS-dependent receptor sumoylation and SF-1 relocalization to discrete nuclear bodies. Taken together, we propose that DEAD-box RNA helicases are directly coupled to transcriptional repression by protein sumoylation.

PIASy-deficient mice display modest defects in IFN and Wnt signaling

Protein inhibitors of activated STATs (PIAS) represent a small family of nuclear proteins that modulate the activity of many transcription factors and act as E3 ligases for covalent modification of proteins with the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO). In particular, PIASy has been shown to inhibit the activation of gene expression by the IFN-responsive transcription factor STAT1 and the Wnt-responsive transcription factor LEF1. To assess the function of PIASy in vivo, we generated and analyzed mice carrying a targeted mutation of the Piasy gene. We find that homozygous mutant mice have no obvious morphological defects and have a normal distribution of lymphocyte populations. Molecular analysis of signaling in response to IFN-gamma and Wnt agonists revealed a modest reduction in the activation of endogenous and transfected target genes. Two-dimensional analysis of total proteins and SUMO-modified proteins in transformed pre-B cells showed no significant differences between wild-type mice and homozygous mutant mice. Taken together, our data indicate that PIASy has a modest effect on cytokine and Wnt signaling, suggesting a redundancy with other members of the family of PIAS proteins.

Ubc9 and Protein Inhibitor of Activated STAT 1 Activate Chicken Ovalbumin Upstream Promoter-Transcription Factor I-mediated Human CYP11B2 Gene Transcription

Aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) is involved in the final steps of aldosterone biosynthesis and expressed exclusively in the adrenal zona glomerulosa cells. Using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay, we demonstrate that COUP-TFI binds to the -129/-114 element (Ad5) of human CYP11B2 promoter. Transient transfection in H295R adrenal cells demonstrated that COUP-TFI enhanced CYP11B2 reporter activity. However, the reporter construct with mutated Ad5 sequences showed reduced basal and COUP-TFI-enhanced activity, suggesting that binding of COUP-TFI to Ad5 is important for CYP11B2 transactivation. To elucidate molecular mechanisms of COUP-TFI-mediated activity, we subsequently screened for COUP-TFI-interacting proteins from a human adrenal cDNA library using a yeast two-hybrid system and identified Ubc9 and PIAS1, which have small ubiquitin-related modifier-1 (SUMO-1) conjugase and ligase activities, respectively. The coimmunoprecipitation assays confirmed that COUP-TFI forms a complex with Ubc9 and PIAS1 in mammalian cells. Immunohistochemistry showed that Ubc9 and PIAS1 are markedly expressed in rat adrenal glomerulosa cells. Coexpression of Ubc9 and PIAS1 synergistically enhanced the COUP-TFI-mediated CYP11B2 reporter activity, indicating that both proteins function as coactivators of COUP-TFI. However, sumoylation-defective mutants, Ubc9 (C93S) and PIAS1 (C351S), continued to function as coactivators of COUP-TFI, indicating that sumoylation activity are separable from coactivator ability. In addition, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that ectopically expressed COUP-TFI, Ubc9, and PIAS1 were recruited to an endogenous CYP11B2 promoter. Moreover, reduction of Ubc9 or PIAS1 protein levels by small interfering RNA inhibited the CYP11B2 transactivation by COUP-TFI. Our data support a physiological role of Ubc9 and PIAS1 as transcriptional coactivators in COUP-TFI-mediated CYP11B2 transcription.

Partial agonist/antagonist properties of androstenedione and 4-androsten-3beta,17beta-diol

Androgens play important endocrine roles in development and physiology. Here, we characterize activities of two "Andro" prohormones, androstenedione (A-dione) and 4-androsten-3beta,17beta-diol (A-diol) in MDA-MB-453 (MDA) and LNCaP cells. A-dione and A-diol, like cyproterone acetate, were partial agonists of transfected mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) and endogenous prostate-specific antigen (PSA) promoters. Different from bicalutamide but similar to CPA, both are inducers of LNCaP cell proliferation with only mild suppression of 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-enhanced cell growth. Like bicalutamide and cyproterone acetate, A-dione and A-diol significantly antagonized DHT/R1881-induced PSA expression by up to 30% in LNCaP cells. Meanwhile, in MDA cells, EC(50)s for the MMTV promoter were between 10 and 100nM. Co-factor studies showed GRIP1 as most active for endogenous androgen receptor (AR), increasing MMTV transcription by up to five-fold, without substantially altering EC(50)s of DHT, A-dione or A-diol. Consistent with their transcriptional activities, A-dione and A-diol bound full-length endogenous AR from MDA or LNCaP cells with affinities of 30-70nM, although binding to expressed ligand-binding domain (LBD) was >20-fold weaker. In contrast, DHT, R1881, and bicalutamide bound similarly to LBD or aporeceptor. Together, these data suggest that A-dione and A-diol are ligands for AR with partial agonist/antagonist activities in cell-based transcription assays. Binding affinities for both are most accurately assessed by AR aporeceptor complex. In addition to being testosterone precursors in vivo, either may impart its own transcriptional regulation of AR.

ATBF1 enhances the suppression of STAT3 signaling by interaction with PIAS3

ATBF1 was first discovered as a suppressor of AFP expression in hepatocytes. It is present in brain, adult liver, lung, and gastro-intestinal tract. Recently, it has been reported that ATBF1 regulates myoblastic differentiation and interacts with v-Myb in regulation of its transactivation. Using the yeast two-hybrid system, we searched for protein-protein interactions to uncover new functions for ATBF1. We present here experimental evidence that ATBF1 is a new regulatory factor for STAT3-mediated signal transduction through its interaction with PIAS3. PIAS3 was thus identified as an ATBF1-binding protein. In co-transfection experiments, the full-length ATBF1 was found to form complexes with PIAS3 in Hep G2 cells. In the luciferase assay, ATBF1 was found to have no influence on STAT3 signaling induced by IL-6 stimulation, but it did synergistically enhance PIAS3 inhibition of activated STAT3. In conclusion, ATBF1 can suppress the IL-6-mediated cellular response by acting together with PIAS3.

The 'PINIT' motif, of a newly identified conserved domain of the PIAS protein family, is essential for nuclear retention of PIAS3L

PIAS proteins, cytokine-dependent STAT-associated repressors, exhibit intrinsic E3-type SUMO ligase activities and form a family of transcriptional modulators. Three conserved domains have been identified so far in this protein family, the SAP box, the MIZ-Zn finger/RING module and the acidic C-terminal domain, which are essential for protein interactions, DNA binding or SUMO ligase activity. We have identified a novel conserved domain of 180 residues in PIAS proteins and shown that its 'PINIT' motif as well as other conserved motifs (in the SAP box and in the RING domain) are independently involved in nuclear retention of PIAS3L, the long form of PIAS3, that we have characterized in mouse embryonic stem cells.

Direct and distinguishable inhibitory roles for SUMO isoforms in the control of transcriptional synergy

Functional interactions between factors bound at multiple sites on DNA often lead to a synergistic or more-than-additive transcriptional response. We previously defined a class of peptide sequences termed synergy control motifs (SC motifs) that function in multiple regulators by selectively inhibiting synergistic activity driven from multiple but not single response elements. By studying the prototypic SC motifs of the glucocorticoid receptor, we show that SC motifs inhibit transcription per se both in cis and in trans, and that a requirement for multiple contacts with DNA renders them selective for compound response elements. Notably, SC motifs are sites for SUMOylation, and the degree of modification correlates strongly with the extent of synergy control. Recruiting SUMO to the promoter either independently or as a fusion to the glucocorticoid receptor is sufficient to recapitulate the in trans and in cis inhibition by SC motifs without apparent changes in subcellular localization. Moreover, we find that the core ubiquitin fold domain of SUMO is sufficient for inhibition and that, independently of their potential for polySUMO chain formation, SUMO-2 and SUMO-3 are more effective inhibitors than SUMO-1.

PIAS proteins promote SUMO-1 conjugation to STAT1

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) is a critical mediator of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-induced transcription that is regulated through posttranslational modifications and through transacting proteins such as protein inhibitor of activated STAT1 (PIAS1). PIAS proteins have been shown to function as E3-type small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) ligases, and sumoylation has been identified as a modulatory mechanism for several transcription factors. Here we show that STAT1 is subject to SUMO-1 modification, and sumoylation occurs in vivo and in vitro at a single, evolutionary conserved amino acid residue Lys703. Members of the PIAS family of proteins were found to strongly stimulate sumoylation of STAT1. Furthermore, activation of STAT1 by IFN-gamma or pervanadate induced SUMO-1 conjugation. Mutation of Lys703 in STAT1 resulted in increased IFN-gamma-mediated transactivation, suggesting a negative regulatory function for sumoylation. These results indicate that STAT1 is covalently modified by SUMO-1 in cytokine signaling and that PIAS proteins promote SUMO-1 conjugation to STAT1.

Nuclear and unclear functions of SUMO

Post-translational modification by the ubiquitin-like SUMO protein is emerging as a defining feature of eukaryotic cells. Sumoylation has crucial roles in the regulatory challenges that face nucleate cells, including the control of nucleocytoplasmic signalling and transport and the faithful replication of a large and complex genome, as well as the regulation of gene expression.

SUMO modification of STAT1 and its role in PIAS-mediated inhibition of gene activation

The PIAS (protein inhibitors of activated STAT) family of proteins were first discovered as inhibitors of activated signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs). More recently these proteins have been shown to function as E3 ligases that promote the SUMO modification of a number of transcription regulators. We have investigated the relationship between the effects of PIAS proteins on STAT1 transcriptional activity and the ability of the PIAS proteins to function as SUMO E3 ligases. We demonstrate that STAT1 is a substrate for SUMO modification and that PIASx-alpha, but not PIAS1, functions as an E3 ligase to promote STAT1 modification. In addition, we have mapped the major site for SUMO modification on STAT1 to lysine 703. This lysine residue is in close proximity to the regulatory tyrosine residue at position 701, whose phosphorylation mediates STAT1 activation in response to cytokine signaling. Mutation of lysine 703 to arginine abolishes SUMO modification of STAT1 both in vitro and in vivo. However, this mutation does not affect the activation of STAT1 or the ability of either PIAS1 or PIASx-alpha to function as an inhibitor of STAT1-mediated transcription activation. Our findings demonstrate that inhibition of STAT1 by PIAS proteins does not require SUMO modification of STAT1 itself. SUMO modification of STAT1 may nonetheless be functionally important given the close proximity between the SUMO modification site and tyrosine 701.

Nuclear receptor modifications and endocrine cell proliferation

Heritable and reversible changes in gene expression can occur without alterations in DNA sequence largely dependent upon the position of a gene within an accessible (euchromatic) chromatin environment. This position effect variegation in Drosophila and S. pombe, and higher order chromatin structure regulation in yeast, is orchestrated by modifier genes of the Su(var) group (e.g. histone deacetylases (HDACs), protein phosphatases) and enhancer E(var) group (e.g. ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeling proteins). Higher order chromatin structure is regulated in part by covalent modification of the N-terminal histone tails of chromatin and histone tails in turn serve as platforms for recruitment of signaling modules that include non-histone proteins such as HP1 and NuRD. As the enzymes governing chromatin structure through covalent modifications of histones (acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, ubiquitination) can also target non-histone substrates, a mechanism is in place by which epigenetic regulatory processes can affect the function of these alternate substrates. The nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily consists of conserved modular transcriptional regulators. Herein, we review the functional properties of nuclear receptors regulated by their direct acetylation including ligand-dependent activation, cellular growth and apoptosis.

PIAS3 (protein inhibitor of activated STAT-3) modulates the transcriptional activation mediated by the nuclear receptor coactivator TIF2

PIAS3, a member of the protein inhibitor of activated STAT family, was found to interact in vivo and in vitro with TIF2, a previously described coactivator for nuclear receptors. The interaction is mediated by two distinct non-contiguous regions of TIF2. We found that TIF2-PIAS3 interaction occurs through a unique domain of PIAS3, very rich in acidic residues and conserved throughout the PIAS family. PIAS3 modulates the ability of TIF2 to mediate ligand-enhanced transcription activation positively or negatively, for different steroid receptors. Taken together, our results indicate a potential role of PIAS3 as transcriptional modulator of TIF2-mediated signalling.

The nuclear receptor interaction domain of GRIP1 is modulated by covalent attachment of SUMO-1

The steroid receptor coactivator (SRC) proteins comprise a well-characterized family of nuclear receptor (NR) coactivators that increase transcriptional activation by NRs via covalent modification of chromatin proteins and recruitment of other coactivators. We have recently shown that the SRC family member GRIP1 interacts with a class of SUMO-1 (small ubiquitin-like modifier 1) E3 ligases, the PIAS proteins, and that the coactivator is subjected to SUMO-1 modifications (sumoylation). In this work, we demonstrate that lysine residues 239, 731, and 788 of GRIP1 serve as principal attachment sites for SUMO-1. Lys-731 and Lys-788 are located in the NR interaction domain (NID), and their substitution by arginines impairs the ability of GRIP1 to colocalize with androgen receptor (AR) in nuclei. Likewise, Lys-731 and Lys-788 mutants of GRIP1 have attenuated ability to enhance AR-dependent transcription and fail to synergize with PIASx beta-mediated activation of AR function, indicating that sumoylation modifies the ability of GRIP1 to function as a steroid receptor coactivator. The Lys-731 sumoylation site is conserved in SRC-3 and SRC-1, and the NIDs of the latter coactivators harbor one or two additional sites matching with the consensus sites for SUMO-1 attachment, respectively, suggesting a more general role for the modification in the regulation of SRC protein activity.

PIAS proteins modulate transcription factors by functioning as SUMO-1 ligases

PIAS (protein inhibitor of activated STAT) proteins interact with and modulate the activities of various transcription factors. In this work, we demonstrate that PIAS proteins xalpha, xbeta, 1, and 3 interact with the small ubiquitin-related modifier SUMO-1 and its E2 conjugase, Ubc9, and that PIAS proteins themselves are covalently modified by SUMO-1 (sumoylated). PIAS proteins also tether other sumoylated proteins in a noncovalent fashion. Furthermore, recombinant PIASxalpha enhances Ubc9-mediated sumoylation of the androgen receptor and c-Jun in vitro. Importantly, PIAS proteins differ in their abilities to promote sumoylation in intact cells. The ability to stimulate protein sumoylation and the interaction with sumoylated proteins are dependent on the conserved PIAS RING finger-like domain. These functions are linked to the activity of PIASxalpha on androgen receptor-dependent transcription. Collectively, our results imply that PIAS proteins function as SUMO-1-tethering proteins and zinc finger-dependent E3 SUMO protein ligases, and these properties are likely to explain their ability to modulate the activities of various transcription factors.