Requirement of helix 1 and the AF-2 domain of the thyroid hormone receptor for coactivation by PGC-1

PGC1α-Mediated Metabolic Reprogramming Drives the Stemness of Pancreatic Precursor Lesions

PURPOSE

Metabolic reprogramming and cancer stem cells drive the aggressiveness of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, the metabolic and stemness programs of pancreatic precursor lesions (PPL), considered early PDAC development events, have not been thoroughly explored.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Meta-analyses using gene expression profile data from NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus and IHC on tissue microarrays (TMA) were performed. The following animal and cellular models were used: cerulean-induced Kras^G12D; Pdx1 Cre (KC) acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM) mice, Kras^G12D; Smad4^Loss; Pdx-1 Cre (KC^Smad4-) intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) mice, LGKC1 cell line derived from the doxycycline-inducible Gnas IPMN model, and human IPMN organoids. Flow cytometry, Seahorse extracellular flux analyzer, qRT-PCR, and sphere assay were used to analyze metabolic and stemness features. SR18292 was used to inhibit PGC1α, and short hairpin RNA was used to knockdown (KD) PGC1α.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis revealed a significant upregulation of specific stemness genes in ADM-mediated pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasms (PanIN) and IPMN. Meta- and TMA analyses followed by in vitro and in vivo validation revealed that ADM/PanIN exhibit increased PGC1α and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPhos) but reduced CPT1A. IPMN showed elevated PGC1α, fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) gene expression, and FAO-OXPhos. PGC1α was co-overexpressed with its coactivator NRF1 in ADM/PanINs and with PPARγ in IPMN. PGC1α KD or SR18292 inhibited the specific metabolic and stemness features of PPLs and repressed IPMN organoid growth.

CONCLUSIONS

ADM/PanINs and IPMNs show specific stemness signatures with unique metabolisms. Inhibition of PGC1α using SR18292 diminishes the specific stemness by targeting FAO-independent and FAO-dependent OXPhos of ADM/PanINs and IPMNs, respectively.

First High-Resolution Crystal Structures of the Glucocorticoid Receptor Ligand-Binding Domain-Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated γ Coactivator 1-α Complex with Endogenous and Synthetic Glucocorticoids

Both synthetic and endogenous glucocorticoids are important pharmaceutic drugs known to bind to the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of glucocorticoid receptor (GR), a member of the nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily. Ligand binding induces conformational changes within GR, resulting in subsequent DNA binding and differential coregulator recruitment, ultimately activating or repressing target gene expression. One of the most crucial coregulators is peroxisome proliferator-activated γ coactivator 1-α (PGC1α), which acts to regulate energy metabolism by directly interacting with GR to modulate gene expression. However, the mechanisms through which PGC1α senses GR conformation to drive transcription are not completely known. Here, an ancestral variant of the GR (AncGR2) LBD was used as a tool to produce stable protein for biochemical and structural studies. PGC1α is found to interact more tightly and form a more stable complex with AncGR2 LBD than nuclear receptor coactivator 2. We report the first high-resolution X-ray crystal structures of AncGR2 LBD in complex with PGC1α and dexamethasone (DEX) or hydrocortisone (HCY). Structural analyses reveal how distinct steroid drugs bind to GR with different affinities by unique hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. Important charge clamps are formed between the activation function 2 and PGC1α to mediate their specific interactions. These interactions lead to a high level of protection from hydrogen-deuterium exchange at the coregulator interaction site and strong intramolecular allosteric communication to ligand binding site. This is the first structure detailing the GR-PGC1α interaction providing a foundation for future design of specific therapeutic agents targeting these critical metabolic regulators. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: High-resolution structures of AncGR2 LBD bound to DEX and HCY in complex with PGC1α reveal the molecular mechanism of PGC1α binding to AncGR2 LBD as well as the distinct affinities between DEX and HCY binding. Identifying the structural mechanisms that drive drug affinity is of pharmacologic interest to the glucocorticoid receptor field as an avenue to guide future drug design targeting GR-PGC1α signaling, which plays a crucial role in controlling hepatic glucose output.

Mangiferin Accelerates Glycolysis and Enhances Mitochondrial Bioenergetics

One of the main causes of hyperglycemia is inefficient or impaired glucose utilization by skeletal muscle, which can be exacerbated by chronic high caloric intake. Previously, we identified a natural compound, mangiferin (MGF) that improved glucose utilization in high fat diet (HFD)-induced insulin resistant mice. To further identify the molecular mechanisms of MGF action on glucose metabolism, we conducted targeted metabolomics and transcriptomics studies of glycolyic and mitochondrial bioenergetics pathways in skeletal muscle. These data revealed that MGF increased glycolytic metabolites that were further augmented as glycolysis proceeded from the early to the late steps. Consistent with an MGF-stimulation of glycolytic flux there was a concomitant increase in the expression of enzymes catalyzing glycolysis. MGF also increased important metabolites in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, such as α-ketoglutarate and fumarate. Interestingly however, there was a reduction in succinate, a metabolite that also feeds into the electron transport chain to produce energy. MGF increased succinate clearance by enhancing the expression and activity of succinate dehydrogenase, leading to increased ATP production. At the transcriptional level, MGF induced mRNAs of mitochondrial genes and their transcriptional factors. Together, these data suggest that MGF upregulates mitochondrial oxidative capacity that likely drives the acceleration of glycolysis flux.

Thyroid Hormone Induces PGC-1α during Dendritic Outgrowth in Mouse Cerebellar Purkinje Cells

Thyroid hormone 3,3′,5-Triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) is essential for proper brain development. Perinatal loss of T3 causes severe growth defects in neurons and glia, including strong inhibition of dendrite formation in Purkinje cells in the cerebellar cortex. Here we show that T3 promotes dendritic outgrowth of Purkinje cells through induction of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) co-activator 1α (PGC-1α), a master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis. PGC-1α expression in Purkinje cells is upregulated during dendritic outgrowth in normal mice, while it is significantly retarded in hypothyroid mice or in cultures depleted of T3. In cultured Purkinje cells, PGC-1α knockdown or molecular perturbation of PGC-1α signaling inhibits enhanced dendritic outgrowth and mitochondrial generation and activation caused by T3 treatment. In contrast, PGC-1α overexpression promotes dendrite extension even in the absence of T3. PGC-1α knockdown also downregulates dendrite formation in Purkinje cells in vivo. Our findings suggest that the growth-promoting activity of T3 is partly mediated by PGC-1α signaling in developing Purkinje cells.

Role of co-regulators in metabolic and transcriptional actions of thyroid hormone

Thyroid hormone (TH) controls a wide range of physiological processes through TH receptor (TR) isoforms. Classically, TRs are proposed to function as tri-iodothyronine (T3)-dependent transcription factors: on positively regulated target genes, unliganded TRs mediate transcriptional repression through recruitment of co-repressor complexes, while T3 binding leads to dismissal of co-repressors and recruitment of co-activators to activate transcription. Co-repressors and co-activators were proposed to play opposite roles in the regulation of negative T3 target genes and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, but exact mechanisms of the negative regulation by TH have remained elusive. Important insights into the roles of co-repressors and co-activators in different physiological processes have been obtained using animal models with disrupted co-regulator function. At the same time, recent studies interrogating genome-wide TR binding have generated compelling new data regarding effects of T3, local chromatin structure, and specific response element configuration on TR recruitment and function leading to the proposal of new models of transcriptional regulation by TRs. This review discusses data obtained in various mouse models with manipulated function of nuclear receptor co-repressor (NCoR or NCOR1) and silencing mediator of retinoic acid receptor and thyroid hormone receptor (SMRT or NCOR2), and family of steroid receptor co-activators (SRCs also known as NCOAs) in the context of TH action, as well as insights into the function of co-regulators that may emerge from the genome-wide TR recruitment analysis.

Critical roles of nardilysin in the maintenance of body temperature homoeostasis

Body temperature homoeostasis in mammals is governed centrally through the regulation of shivering and non-shivering thermogenesis and cutaneous vasomotion. Non-shivering thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue (BAT) is mediated by sympathetic activation, followed by PGC-1α induction, which drives UCP1. Here we identify nardilysin (Nrd1 and NRDc) as a critical regulator of body temperature homoeostasis. Nrd1^−/− mice show increased energy expenditure owing to enhanced BAT thermogenesis and hyperactivity. Despite these findings, Nrd1^−/− mice show hypothermia and cold intolerance that are attributed to the lowered set point of body temperature, poor insulation and impaired cold-induced thermogenesis. Induction of β3-adrenergic receptor, PGC-1α and UCP1 in response to cold is severely impaired in the absence of NRDc. At the molecular level, NRDc and PGC-1α interact and co-localize at the UCP1 enhancer, where NRDc represses PGC-1α activity. These findings reveal a novel nuclear function of NRDc and provide important insights into the mechanism of thermoregulation.

The precise regulation of mammalian body temperature is important for survival. Here the authors show that the peptidase nardilysin represses the transcription factor PGC-1α, and identify nardilysin as a regulator of basal body temperature, cold-induced thermogenesis and body insulation.

Energy metabolism and cytochrome oxidase activity: linking metabolism to gene expression

Modification of mitochondrial content demands the synthesis of hundreds of proteins encoded by nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. The responsibility for coordination of this process falls to nuclear-encoded master regulators of transcription. DNA-binding proteins and coactivators integrate information from energy-sensing pathways and hormones to alter mitochondrial gene expression. In mammals, the signaling cascade for mitochondrial biogenesis can be described as follows: hormonal signals and energetic information are sensed by protein-modifying enzymes that in turn regulate the post-translational modification of transcription factors. Once activated, transcription-factor complexes form on promoter elements of many of the nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes, recruiting proteins that remodel chromatin and initiate transcription. One master regulator in mammals, PGC-1α, is well studied because of its role in determining the metabolic phenotype of muscles, but also due to its importance in mitochondria-related metabolic diseases. However, relatively little is known about the role of this pathway in other vertebrates. These uncertainties raise broader questions about the evolutionary origins of the pathway and its role in generating the diversity in muscle metabolic phenotypes seen in nature.

Dual mode action of mangiferin in mouse liver under high fat diet

Chronic over-nutrition is a major contributor to the spread of obesity and its related metabolic disorders. Development of therapeutics has been slow compared to the speedy increase in occurrence of these metabolic disorders. We have identified a natural compound, mangiferin (MGF) (a predominant component of the plants of Anemarrhena asphodeloides and Mangifera indica), that can protect against high fat diet (HFD) induced obesity, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia in mice. However, the molecular mechanisms whereby MGF exerts these beneficial effects are unknown. To understand MGF mechanisms of action, we performed unbiased quantitative proteomic analysis of protein profiles in liver of mice fed with HFD utilizing 15N metabolically labeled liver proteins as internal standards. We found that out of 865 quantified proteins 87 of them were significantly differentially regulated by MGF. Among those 87 proteins, 50% of them are involved in two major processes, energy metabolism and biosynthesis of metabolites. Further classification indicated that MGF increased proteins important for mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative activity including oxoglutarate dehydrogenase E1 (Dhtkd1) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 6B1 (Cox6b1). Conversely, MGF reduced proteins critical for lipogenesis such as fatty acid stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (Scd1) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (Acac1). These mass spectrometry data were confirmed and validated by western blot assays. Together, data indicate that MGF upregulates proteins pivotal for mitochondrial bioenergetics and downregulates proteins controlling de novo lipogenesis. This novel mode of dual pharmacodynamic actions enables MGF to enhance energy expenditure and inhibit lipogenesis, and thereby correct HFD induced liver steatosis and prevent adiposity. This provides a molecular basis supporting development of MGF or its metabolites into therapeutics to treat metabolic disorders.

Distinct ligand-dependent and independent modes of thyroid hormone receptor (TR)/PGC-1α interaction

Thyroid hormone receptor (TR)/peroxisome proliferator activated receptor coactivator (PGC-1α) interactions are required for T(3)-dependent transcriptional responses involved in adaptive thermogenesis and liver. Thus, it is important to define TR/PGC-1α contact modes and to understand their significance in gene expression. Previous studies have shown that TRβ1 recruits PGC-1α to target promoters via contacts between the hormone-dependent TRβ1 activation function 2 (AF-2) in the C-terminal ligand binding domain (LBD) and a major PGC-1α nuclear receptor (NR) interaction box (consensus LxxLL) at amino acids 142-146. While our studies verify the existence and importance of this interaction, we present evidence that TRβ1 also binds PGC-1α in a second ligand and LxxLL motif independent mode and show that this interaction requires the TRβ1 N-terminal domain (NTD) and the PGC-1α N-terminal activation domain (AD) at amino acids 1-130. Transfection assays suggest that optimal PGC-1α coactivation requires the TRβ1 NTD and that these contacts are needed for utilization of the PGC-1α C-terminal AD, which does not bind TR and is implicated in basal transcription machinery contacts. We propose that TR AF-1/PGC-1α contacts are needed for transition between activities of PGC-1α N-and C-terminal ADs in gene expression. Our findings provide insights into possible roles for TR and NR AF-1 in gene expression.

Small-molecule hormones: molecular mechanisms of action

Small-molecule hormones play crucial roles in the development and in the maintenance of an adult mammalian organism. On the molecular level, they regulate a plethora of biological pathways. Part of their actions depends on their transcription-regulating properties, exerted by highly specific nuclear receptors which are hormone-dependent transcription factors. Nuclear hormone receptors interact with coactivators, corepressors, basal transcription factors, and other transcription factors in order to modulate the activity of target genes in a manner that is dependent on tissue, age and developmental and pathophysiological states. The biological effect of this mechanism becomes apparent not earlier than 30-60 minutes after hormonal stimulus. In addition, small-molecule hormones modify the function of the cell by a number of nongenomic mechanisms, involving interaction with proteins localized in the plasma membrane, in the cytoplasm, as well as with proteins localized in other cellular membranes and in nonnuclear cellular compartments. The identity of such proteins is still under investigation; however, it seems that extranuclear fractions of nuclear hormone receptors commonly serve this function. A direct interaction of small-molecule hormones with membrane phospholipids and with mRNA is also postulated. In these mechanisms, the reaction to hormonal stimulus appears within seconds or minutes.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1β (PGC-1β) protein attenuates vascular lesion formation by inhibition of chromatin loading of minichromosome maintenance complex in smooth muscle cells

Proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in response to vascular injury plays a critical role in vascular lesion formation. Emerging data suggest that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1 (PGC-1) is a key regulator of energy metabolism and other biological processes. However, the physiological role of PGC-1β in VSMCs remains unknown. A decrease in PGC-1β expression was observed in balloon-injured rat carotid arteries. PGC-1β overexpression substantially inhibited neointima formation in vivo and markedly inhibited VSMC proliferation and induced cell cycle arrest at the G(1)/S transition phase in vitro. Accordingly, overexpression of PGC-1β decreased the expression of minichromosome maintenance 4 (MCM4), which leads to a decreased loading of the MCM complex onto chromatin at the replication origins and decreased cyclin D1 levels, whereas PGC-1β loss of function by adenovirus containing PGC-1β shRNA resulted in the opposite effect. The transcription factor AP-1 was involved in the down-regulation of MCM4 expression. Furthermore, PGC-1β is up-regulated by metformin, and metformin-associated anti-proliferative activity in VSMCs is at least partially dependent on PGC-1β. Our data show that PGC-1β is a critical component in regulating DNA replication, VSMC proliferation, and vascular lesion formation, suggesting that PGC-1β may emerge as a novel therapeutic target for control of proliferative vascular diseases.

A role for protein inhibitor of activated STAT1 (PIAS1) in lipogenic regulation through SUMOylation-independent suppression of liver X receptors

Liver X receptors (LXRs) are nuclear receptors that function to modulate lipid metabolism as well as immune and inflammatory responses. Upon activation by their ligands, LXRs up-regulate a spectrum of gene transcription programs involved in cholesterol and fatty acid homeostasis. However, the mechanisms by which LXR-mediated transcriptional activation is regulated remain incompletely understood. Here, we show that PIAS1, a member of the protein inhibitor of the activated STAT family of proteins with small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) E3 ligase activity, acts to suppress LXR ligand-dependent transcriptional activation of the lipogenic program in hepatocytes. We found that liver mRNA expression levels of Pias1 and Pias3 were inversely associated with those of genes involved in lipogenesis in mouse models with diet-induced or genetic obesity. Overexpression of PIAS1 in primary hepatocytes resulted in a reduction of LXR ligand-induced fatty acid synthesis and suppression of the expression of lipogenic genes, including Srebp1c and Fas. Moreover, PIAS1 was able to interact with LXRβ and repress its transcriptional activity upon ligand stimulation, which did not require PIAS1-promoted SUMO modification of LXRβ. In addition, PIAS1 could also interact with PGC-1β and attenuate its association with LXRβ, blunting the ability of PGC-1β to co-activate LXRβ. Importantly, PIAS1 impaired LXRβ binding to its target DNA sequence. Taken together, our results suggest that PIAS1 may serve as a lipogenic regulator by negatively modulating LXRs in a SUMOylation-independent manner.

The Drosophila juvenile hormone receptor candidates methoprene-tolerant (MET) and germ cell-expressed (GCE) utilize a conserved LIXXL motif to bind the FTZ-F1 nuclear receptor

Juvenile hormone (JH) has been implicated in many developmental processes in holometabolous insects, but its mechanism of signaling remains controversial. We previously found that in Drosophila Schneider 2 cells, the nuclear receptor FTZ-F1 is required for activation of the E75A gene by JH. Here, we utilized insect two-hybrid assays to show that FTZ-F1 interacts with two JH receptor candidates, the bHLH-PAS paralogs MET and GCE, in a JH-dependent manner. These interactions are severely reduced when helix 12 of the FTZ-F1 activation function 2 (AF2) is removed, implicating AF2 as an interacting site. Through homology modeling, we found that MET and GCE possess a C-terminal α-helix featuring a conserved motif LIXXL that represents a novel nuclear receptor (NR) box. Docking simulations supported by two-hybrid experiments revealed that FTZ-F1·MET and FTZ-F1·GCE heterodimer formation involves a typical NR box-AF2 interaction but does not require the canonical charge clamp residues of FTZ-F1 and relies primarily on hydrophobic contacts, including a unique interaction with helix 4. Moreover, we identified paralog-specific features, including a secondary interaction site found only in MET. Our findings suggest that a novel NR box enables MET and GCE to interact JH-dependently with the AF2 of FTZ-F1.

The Δ337T mutation on the TRβ causes alterations in growth, adiposity, and hepatic glucose homeostasis in mice

Mice bearing the genomic mutation Δ337T on the thyroid hormone receptor β (TRβ) gene present the classical signs of resistance to thyroid hormone (TH), with high serum TH and TSH. This mutant TR is unable to bind TH, remains constitutively bound to co-repressors, and has a dominant negative effect on normal TRs. In this study, we show that homozygous (TRβΔ337T) mice for this mutation have reduced body weight, length, and body fat content, despite augmented relative food intake and relative increase in serum leptin. TRβΔ337T mice exhibited normal glycemia and were more tolerant to an i.p. glucose load accompanied by reduced insulin secretion. Higher insulin sensitivity was observed after single insulin injection, when the TRβΔ337T mice developed a profound hypoglycemia. Impaired hepatic glucose production was confirmed by the reduction in glucose generation after pyruvate administration. In addition, hepatic glycogen content was lower in homozygous TRβΔ337T mice than in wild type. Collectively, the data suggest that TRβΔ337T mice have deficient hepatic glucose production, by reduced gluconeogenesis and lower glycogen deposits. Analysis of liver gluconeogenic gene expression showed a reduction in the mRNA of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, a rate-limiting enzyme, and of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α, a key transcriptional factor essential to gluconeogenesis. Reduction in both gene expressions is consistent with resistance to TH action via TRβ, reproducing a hypothyroid phenotype. In conclusion, mice carrying the Δ337T-dominant negative mutation on the TRβ are leaner, exhibit impaired hepatic glucose production, and are more sensitive to hypoglycemic effects of insulin.

Hydrogen/deuterium exchange reveals distinct agonist/partial agonist receptor dynamics within vitamin D receptor/retinoid X receptor heterodimer

Regulation of nuclear receptor (NR) activity is driven by alterations in the conformational dynamics of the receptor upon ligand binding. Previously, we demonstrated that hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX) can be applied to determine novel mechanism of action of PPARγ ligands and in predicting tissue specificity of selective estrogen receptor modulators. Here, we applied HDX to probe the conformational dynamics of the ligand binding domain (LBD) of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) upon binding its natural ligand 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D3), and two analogs, alfacalcidol and ED-71. Comparison of HDX profiles from ligands in complex with the LBD with full-length receptor bound to its cognate receptor retinoid X receptor (RXR) revealed unique receptor dynamics that could not be inferred from static crystal structures. These results demonstrate that ligands modulate the dynamics of the heterodimer interface as well as provide insight into the role of AF-2 dynamics in the action of VDR partial agonists.

Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) and PPAR gamma coactivator (PGC-1alpha) induce carnitine palmitoyltransferase IA (CPT-1A) via independent gene elements

Long chain fatty acids and pharmacologic ligands for the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) activate expression of genes involved in fatty acid and glucose oxidation including carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1A (CPT-1A) and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4). CPT-1A catalyzes the transfer of long chain fatty acids from acyl-CoA to carnitine for translocation across the mitochondrial membranes and is an initiating step in the mitochondrial oxidation of long chain fatty acids. PDK4 phosphorylates and inhibits the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) which catalyzes the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA in the glucose oxidation pathway. The activity of CPT-1A is modulated both by transcriptional changes as well as by malonyl-CoA inhibition. In the liver, CPT-1A and PDK4 gene expression are induced by starvation, high fat diets and PPARalpha ligands. Here, we characterized a binding site for PPARalpha in the second intron of the rat CPT-1A gene. Our studies indicated that WY14643 and long chain fatty acids induce CPT-1A gene expression through this element. In addition, we found that mutation of the PPARalpha binding site reduced the expression of CPT-1A-luciferase vectors in the liver of fasted rats. We had demonstrated previously that CPT-1A was stimulated by the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma coactivator (PGC-1) via sequences in the first intron of the rat CPT-1A gene. Surprisingly, PGC-1alpha did not enhance CPT-1A transcription through the PPARalpha binding site in the second intron. Following knockdown of PGC-1alpha with short hairpin RNA, the CPT-1A and PDK4 genes remained responsive to WY14643. Overall, our studies indicated that PPARalpha and PGC-1alpha stimulate transcription of the CPT-1A gene through different regions of the CPT-1A gene.

Key roles for MED1 LxxLL motifs in pubertal mammary gland development and luminal-cell differentiation

Mediator recently has emerged as a central player in the direct transduction of signals from transcription factors to the general transcriptional machinery. In the case of nuclear receptors, in vitro studies have shown that the transcriptional coactivator function of the Mediator involves direct ligand-dependent interactions of the MED1 subunit, through its two classical LxxLL motifs, with the receptor AF2 domain. However, despite the strong in vitro evidence, there currently is little information regarding in vivo functions of the LxxLL motifs either in MED1 or in other coactivators. Toward this end, we have generated MED1 LxxLL motif-mutant knockin mice. Interestingly, these mice are both viable and fertile and do not exhibit any apparent gross abnormalities. However, they do exhibit severe defects in pubertal mammary gland development. Consistent with this phenotype, as well as loss of the strong ligand-dependent estrogen receptor (ER)alpha-Mediator interaction, expression of a number of known ERalpha-regulated genes was down-regulated in MED1-mutant mammary epithelial cells and could no longer respond to estrogen stimulation. Related, estrogen-stimulated mammary duct growth in MED1-mutant mice was also greatly diminished. Finally, additional studies show that MED1 is differentially expressed in different types of mammary epithelial cells and that its LxxLL motifs play a role in mammary luminal epithelial cell differentiation and progenitor/stem cell determination. Our results establish a key nuclear receptor- and cell-specific in vivo role for MED1 LxxLL motifs, through Mediator-ERalpha interactions, in mammary gland development.

Regulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4) by thyroid hormone: role of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator (PGC-1 alpha)

PDK4 (pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4) regulates pyruvate oxidation through the phosphorylation and inhibition of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC). PDC catalyzes the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA and is an important control point in glucose and pyruvate metabolism. PDK4 gene expression is stimulated by thyroid hormone (T(3)), glucocorticoids, and long chain fatty acids. The effects of T(3) on gene expression in the liver are mediated via the thyroid hormone receptor. Here, we have identified two binding sites for thyroid hormone receptor beta in the promoter of the rat PDK4 (rPDK4) gene. In addition, we have investigated the role of transcriptional coactivators and found that the PGC-1 alpha (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator) enhances the T(3) induction of rPDK4. Following T(3) administration, there is an increase in the association of PGC-1 alpha with the rPDK4 promoter. Interestingly, this increased association is with the proximal rPDK4 promoter rather than the distal region of the gene that contains the T(3) response elements. Administration of T(3) to hypothyroid rats elevated the abundance of PGC-1 alpha mRNA and protein in the liver. In addition, we observed greater association of PGC-1 alpha not only with the rPDK4 gene but also with phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and CPT-1a (carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a) genes. Knockdown of PGC-1 alpha in rat hepatocytes reduced the T(3) induction of PDK4, PEPCK, and CPT-1a genes. Our results indicate that T(3) regulates PGC-1 alpha abundance and association with hepatic genes, and in turn PGC-1 alpha is an important participant in the T(3) induction of selected genes.

Multiple binding modes between HNF4alpha and the LXXLL motifs of PGC-1alpha lead to full activation

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4alpha (HNF4alpha) is a novel nuclear receptor that participates in a hierarchical network of transcription factors regulating the development and physiology of such vital organs as the liver, pancreas, and kidney. Among the various transcriptional coregulators with which HNF4alpha interacts, peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) coactivator 1alpha (PGC-1alpha) represents a novel coactivator whose activation is unusually robust and whose binding mode appears to be distinct from that of canonical coactivators such as NCoA/SRC/p160 family members. To elucidate the potentially unique molecular mechanism of PGC-1alpha recruitment, we have determined the crystal structure of HNF4alpha in complex with a fragment of PGC-1alpha containing all three of its LXXLL motifs. Despite the presence of all three LXXLL motifs available for interactions, only one is bound at the canonical binding site, with no additional contacts observed between the two proteins. However, a close inspection of the electron density map indicates that the bound LXXLL motif is not a selected one but an averaged structure of more than one LXXLL motif. Further biochemical and functional studies show that the individual LXXLL motifs can bind but drive only minimal transactivation. Only when more than one LXXLL motif is involved can significant transcriptional activity be measured, and full activation requires all three LXXLL motifs. These findings led us to propose a model wherein each LXXLL motif has an additive effect, and the multiple binding modes by HNF4alpha toward the LXXLL motifs of PGC-1alpha could account for the apparent robust activation by providing a flexible mechanism for combinatorial recruitment of additional coactivators and mediators.

Dynamic interactions and cooperative functions of PGC-1alpha and MED1 in TRalpha-mediated activation of the brown-fat-specific UCP-1 gene

PGC-1alpha is an inducible nuclear receptor coactivator with direct functions in both p300-mediated chromatin remodeling and Mediator-dependent transcription in vitro. Here, we have employed the PPARgamma- and TRalpha-activated brown adipose tissue-specific UCP-1 enhancer to investigate mechanistic aspects of PGC-1alpha function. We first demonstrate a cellular role for the PGC-1alpha-interacting MED1 subunit of Mediator in UCP-1 induction, as well as the accumulation of TRalpha, PPARgamma, PGC-1alpha, and MED1 on the UCP-1 enhancer in brown adipocytes. We then use biochemical assays to show that (i) PGC-1alpha is recruited to the TRalpha-RXRalpha-UCP-1 enhancer complex through interaction of an N-terminal LXXLL domain with TRalpha, (ii) MED1/Mediator displaces PGC-1alpha from TRalpha through LXXLL domain competition, and (iii) upon loss of PGC-1alpha-TRalpha interactions, PGC-1alpha remains associated with the enhancer complex through an interaction between PGC-1alpha and MED1 C-terminal domains. These results indicate dynamic MED1-dependent PGC-1alpha interactions related to functions in both chromatin remodeling and the transition to subsequent transcription initiation.

Thyroid hormone-related regulation of gene expression in human fatty liver

CONTEXT

Fatty liver is an important complication of obesity; however, regulatory mechanisms mediating altered gene expression patterns have not been identified.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to identify novel transcriptional changes in human liver that could contribute to hepatic lipid accumulation and associated insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

DESIGN

We evaluated gene expression in surgical liver biopsies from 13 obese (nine with type 2 diabetes) and five control subjects using Affymetrix U133A microarrays. PCR validation was performed in liver biopsies using an additional 16 subjects. We also tested thyroid hormone responses in mice fed chow or high-fat diet.

SETTING

Recruitment was performed in an academic medical center.

PARTICIPANTS

Individuals undergoing elective surgery for obesity or gallstones participated in the study.

RESULTS

The top-ranking gene set, down-regulated in obese subjects, was comprised of genes previously demonstrated to be positively regulated by T(3) in human skeletal muscle (n = 399; P < 0.001; false discovery rate = 0.07). This gene set included genes related to RNA metabolism (SNRPE, HNRPH3, TIA1, and SFRS2), protein catabolism (PSMA1, PSMD12, USP9X, IBE2B, USP16, and PCMT1), and energy metabolism (ATP5C1, COX7C, UQCRB). We verified thyroid hormone regulation of these genes in the liver after injection of C57BL/6J mice with T(3) (100 microg/100 g body weight); furthermore, T(3)-induced increases in expression of these genes were abolished by high-fat diet. In agreement, expression of these genes inversely correlated with liver fat content in humans.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that impaired thyroid hormone action may contribute to altered patterns of gene expression in fatty liver.

Novel functions of protein arginine methyltransferase 1 in thyroid hormone receptor-mediated transcription and in the regulation of metamorphic rate in Xenopus laevis

Protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) acts as a transcription coactivator for nuclear receptors through histone H4 R3 methylation. The in vivo function of PRMT1 is largely unknown. Here we investigated the role of PRMT1 in thyroid hormone (T3) receptor (TR)-mediated transcription in vivo during vertebrate development. By using intestinal remodeling during T3-dependent Xenopus laevis metamorphosis for in vivo molecular analysis, we first showed that PRMT1 expression was upregulated during metamorphosis when both TR and T3 were present. We then demonstrated a role for PRMT1 in TR-mediated transcription by showing that PRMT1 enhanced transcriptional activation by liganded TR in the frog oocyte transcription system and was recruited to the T3 response element (TRE) of the target promoter in the oocyte, as well as to endogenous TREs during frog metamorphosis. Surprisingly, we found that PRMT1 was only transiently recruited to the TREs in the target during metamorphosis and observed no PRMT1 recruitment to TREs at the climax of intestinal remodeling when both PRMT1 and T3 were at peak levels. Mechanistically, we showed that overexpression of PRMT1 enhanced TR binding to TREs both in the frog oocyte model system and during metamorphosis. More importantly, transgenic overexpression of PRMT1 enhanced gene activation in vivo and accelerated both natural and T3-induced metamorphosis. These results thus indicate that PRMT1 functions transiently as a coactivator in TR-mediated transcription by enhancing TR-TRE binding and further suggest that PRMT1 has tissue-specific roles in regulating the rate of metamorphosis.

Characterization of the transactivation domain in the peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator (PGC-1)

The PGC-1s (peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activators) are a family of transcriptional regulators that induce the expression of various metabolic genes. PGC-1 proteins stimulate genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis, fatty acid oxidation and hepatic gluconeogenesis. Previous studies have demonstrated that the PGC-1alpha and beta isoforms interact with nuclear receptors through the conserved LXXLL (leucine-X-X-leucine-leucine) motifs. In the present study, we have investigated the mechanisms by which these PGC-1 isoforms stimulate gene expression. We have determined that the N-terminus of PGC-1 is responsible for transcriptional activation. Two conserved peptide motifs were identified in the N-terminus of PGC-1alpha and beta isoforms. These domains were named AD1 and AD2 (activation domain 1 and 2). Deletion of both of these motifs decreased the induction of various PGC-1-regulated genes including the PEPCK (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase) and CPT-I (carnitine palmitoyltransferase-I) genes. It was determined that amino acids containing a negative charge in AD1 and the leucine residues in AD2 were important for the transcriptional induction of the PEPCK and CPT-I genes. Disruption of the AD motifs did not diminish the ability of the PGC-1alpha protein to associate with the PEPCK or CPT-I genes. In addition, deletion of the AD domains did not eliminate the ability of PGC-1alpha to interact with the thyroid hormone receptor. The data indicate that the AD1 and AD2 motifs mediate the induction of many PGC-1- responsive genes, but they do not contribute to the recruitment of PGC-1 to target genes.

Regulation of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT-Ialpha) gene expression by the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma coactivator (PGC-1) isoforms

The peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma coactivators (PGC-1) have important roles in mitochondrial biogenesis and metabolic control in a variety of tissues. There are multiple isoforms of PGC-1 including PGC-1alpha and PGC-1beta. Both the PGC-1alpha and beta isoforms promote mitochondrial biogenesis and fatty acid oxidation, but only PGC-1alpha stimulates gluconeogenesis in the liver. Carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT-I) is a key enzyme regulating mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. In these studies, we determined that PGC-1beta stimulated expression of the "liver" isoform of CPT-I (CPT-Ialpha) but that PGC-1beta did not induce pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4) which is a regulator of pyruvate metabolism. The CPT-Ialpha gene is induced by thyroid hormone. We found that T3 increased the expression of PGC-1beta and that PGC-1beta enhanced the T3 induction of CPT-Ialpha. The thyroid hormone receptor interacts with PGC-1beta in a ligand dependent manner. Unlike PGC-1alpha, the interaction of PGC-1beta and the T3 receptor does not occur exclusively through the leucine-X-X-leucine-leucine motif in PGC-1beta. We have found that PGC-1beta is associated with the CPT-Ialpha gene in vivo. Overall, our results demonstrate that PGC-1beta is a coactivator in the T3 induction of CPT-Ialpha and that PGC-1beta has similarities and differences with the PGC-1alpha isoform.

Definition of the molecular basis for estrogen receptor-related receptor-alpha-cofactor interactions

Estrogen receptor-related receptor-alpha (ERRalpha) is an orphan nuclear receptor that does not appear to require a classical small molecule ligand to facilitate its interaction with coactivators and/or hormone response elements within target genes. Instead, the apo-receptor is capable of interacting in a constitutive manner with coactivators that stimulate transcription by acting as protein ligands. We have screened combinatorial phage libraries for peptides that selectively interact with ERRalpha to probe the architecture of the ERRalpha-coactivator pocket. In this manner, we have uncovered a fundamental difference in the mechanism by which this receptor interacts with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1alpha, as compared with members of the steroid receptor coactivator subfamily of coactivators. Our findings suggest that it may be possible to develop ERRalpha ligands that exhibit different pharmacological activities as a consequence of their ability to differentially regulate coactivator recruitment. In addition, these findings have implications beyond ERRalpha because they suggest that subtle alterations in the structure of the activation function-2 pocket within any nuclear receptor may enable differential recruitment of coactivators, an observation of notable pharmaceutical importance.

The role of triiodothyronine-induced substrate cycles in the hepatic response to overnutrition: thyroid hormone as an antioxidant

Overnutrition, by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), produces oxidative stress - an important cause of cellular injury. In the liver, overnutrition begins in the perivenous hepatocytes. To prevent injury, cells must protect themselves against ROS accumulation. Overnutrition also activates the enzyme deiodinase-1 (D1), which catalyzes the conversion of T4 to T3. D1 is primarily located in the PV region of the liver. Thyroid hormone is known to generate substrate cycling. The hypothesis of this paper is that a nutrient-induced increase in intracellular T3 acts as an antioxidant by inducing substrate cycles that reduce ROS accumulation. These cycles do this by: (i) reducing ROS formation by hydrolyzing excess ATP, thus enhancing oxidative phosphorylation and reducing the proton motive force on the electron transport chain (ETC), and; (ii) enhancing the removal (reduction) of ROS by producing the NADPH required for regeneration of reduced glutathione, a potent endogenous antioxidant. Oxidative stress is an important factor in the etiology of a number of hepatic injuries, including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and hepatocarcinogenesis. In the latter, the frequency of mutations in thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) supports the concept that thyroid hormone acts as a tumor suppressor by reducing oxidative stress. This paper reviews the substrate cycles involved in this process. It also describes other mechanisms that permit rapid availability of T3 to cells undergoing oxidative stress.

The Gly482Ser variant of the PPARGC1 gene is associated with Type 2 diabetes mellitus in northern Chinese, especially men

AIMS

To investigate the prevalence of the Gly482Ser polymorphism of the PPARGC1 gene in a northern Chinese population and to clarify the susceptibility of individuals with the Gly482Ser polymorphism to insulin resistance and related diseases.

METHODS

We studied the association of the Gly482Ser polymorphism identified in the PPARGC1 gene with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in 390 unrelated patients with T2DM and 525 control subjects with normal glucose tolerance. Clinical parameters and measures of insulin resistance were recorded. Genotypes were determined by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method, which was further confirmed by direct sequencing in 20 randomly selected cases.

RESULTS

The Gly482Ser polymorphism was common in the northern Chinese population. Univariate analysis indicated no statistically significant differences in allele frequencies or genotype frequencies of the Gly482Ser polymorphism in diabetic and control subjects (minor 482Ser allele frequency 44.4 vs. 41.4%, P = 0.169). However, logistic regression analysis demonstrated a positive 1.645-fold higher risk of the Ser/Ser genotype for T2DM (P = 0.039, 95% CI = 1.026-2.632). After stratification by gender, the risk of Type 2 diabetes in men was increased 1.852-fold (95% CI = 1.125-3.049) in those with the Ser/X genotype compared with those with the Gly/Gly genotype (P = 0.015). No associations were observed between the Gly482Ser polymorphism and parameters of insulin resistance, obesity and hypertension.

CONCLUSION

The Gly482Ser variant of the PPARGC1 gene might contribute to susceptibility to T2DM in northern Chinese subjects. The Ser/X genotype of the Gly482Ser polymorphism in the PPARGC1 gene appears to be a risk factor for T2DM in northern Chinese men.

PGC-1alpha: a potent transcriptional cofactor involved in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes

Data derived from several recent studies implicate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1alpha) in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. Lacking DNA binding activity itself, PGC-1alpha is a potent, versatile regulator of gene expression that co-ordinates the activation and repression of transcription via protein-protein interactions with specific, as well as more general, factors contained within the basal transcriptional machinery. PGC-1alpha is suggested to play a pivotal role in the control of genetic pathways that result in homeostatic glucose utilisation in liver and muscle, beta cell insulin secretion and mitochondrial biogenesis. This review focuses on the role of PGC-1alpha in glucose metabolism and considers how PGC-1alpha links cellular glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity and mitochondrial function, and why defects in PGC-1alpha expression and regulation may contribute to the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes in humans.

The region of CQQQKPQRRP of PGC-1α interacts with the DNA-binding complex of FXR/RXRα

PGC-1alpha co-activates transcription by several nuclear receptors. To study the interaction among PGC-1alpha, RXRalpha/FXR, and DNA, we performed electrophoresis mobility shift assays. The RXRalpha/FXR proteins specifically bound to DNA containing the IR-1 sequence in the absence of ligand. When the fusion protein of GST-PGC-1alpha was added to the mixture of RXRalpha/FXR/DNA, the ligand-influenced retardation of the mobility was observed. The ligand for RXRalpha (9-cis-retinoic acid) was necessary for this retardation, whereas, the ligand for FXR, chenodeoxycholic acid, barely had an effect. The results obtained using truncated PGC-1alpha proteins suggested that two regions are necessary for PGC-1alpha to interact with the DNA-binding complex of RXRalpha/FXR. One is the region of the second leucine-rich motif, and the other is that of the amino acid sequence CQQQKPQRRP, present between the second and third leucine-rich motifs. The results obtained with the SPQSS mutation for KPQRR suggested that the basic amino acids are important for the interaction.

Identification and characterization of noncalcemic, tissue-selective, nonsecosteroidal vitamin D receptor modulators

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) ligands are therapeutic agents for the treatment of psoriasis, osteoporosis, and secondary hyperparathyroidism. VDR ligands also show immense potential as therapeutic agents for autoimmune diseases and cancers of skin, prostate, colon, and breast as well as leukemia. However, the major side effect of VDR ligands that limits their expanded use and clinical development is hypercalcemia that develops as a result of the action of these compounds mainly on intestine. In order to discover VDR ligands with less hypercalcemia liability, we sought to identify tissue-selective VDR modulators (VDRMs) that act as agonists in some cell types and lack activity in others. Here, we describe LY2108491 and LY2109866 as nonsecosteroidal VDRMs that function as potent agonists in keratinocytes, osteoblasts, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells but show poor activity in intestinal cells. Finally, these nonsecosteroidal VDRMs were less calcemic in vivo, and LY2108491 exhibited more than 270-fold improved therapeutic index over the naturally occurring VDR ligand 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] in an in vivo preclinical surrogate model of psoriasis.

Coactivation of the Human Vitamin D Receptor by the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ Coactivator-1 α

The vitamin D receptor (VDR) belongs to the superfamily of steroid/thyroid hormone receptors that is activated by 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3). Traditional targets for 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) action include tissues involved in the maintenance of calcium homeostasis and bone development and remodeling. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1alpha), a transcriptional coactivator that plays a role in mitochondrial biogenesis and energy metabolism, is predominantly expressed in kidney, heart, liver, and skeletal muscle. Because VDR and PGC-1alpha display an overlapping pattern of expression, we investigated the possibility that PGC-1alpha could serve as a coactivator for VDR. Transient cotransfection assays demonstrate that PGC-1alpha augments ligand-dependent VDR transcription when either full-length VDR or Gal4 DNA binding domain-VDR-ligand binding domain chimeras were analyzed. Furthermore, mammalian two-hybrid assays, coimmunoprecipitation analyses, and biochemical coactivator recruitment assays demonstrate a ligand-dependent interaction between the two proteins both in cells and in vitro. The coactivation potential of PGC-1alpha requires an intact AF-2 domain of VDR and the LXXLL motif in PGC-1alpha. Taken together, these results indicate that PGC-1alpha serves as a coactivator for VDR.

Distinct amino acid residues may be involved in coactivator and ligand interactions in hepatocyte nuclear factor-4alpha

Hepatocyte nuclear factor-4 (HNF-4) is a transcription factor of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily that is constitutively active without the addition of exogenous ligand. Crystallographic analysis of the HNF-4alpha and HNF-4gamma ligand binding domains (LBDs) demonstrated the presence of endogenous ligands that may act as structural cofactors for HNF-4. It was also proposed by crystallographic studies that a combination of ligand and coactivator might be required to lock the receptor in its active state. We previously showed that mutations in amino acid residues Ser-181 and Met-182 in H3, Leu-219 and Leu-220 and Arg-226 in H5, Ileu-338 in H10, and Ileu-346 in H11, which line the LBD pocket in HNF-4alpha and come in contact with the ligand, impair its transactivation potential. In the present study, physical and functional interaction assays were utilized with two different coactivators, PGC-1 and SRC-3, to address the role of coactivators in HNF-4 function. We show that the integrity of the hinge (D) domain of HNF-4alpha and the activation function (AF)-2 activation domain region are critical for coactivation. Surprisingly, a different mode of coactivation is observed among the LBD point mutants that lack transcriptional activity. In particular, coactivation is maintained in mutants Ser-181, Arg-226, and Ile-346 but is abolished in mutants Met-182, Leu-219, and Ile-338. Physical interactions confirm this pattern of activation, implying that distinct amino acid residues may be involved in coactivator and ligand interactions, although some residues may be critical for both functions. Our results provide evidence and expand predictions based on the crystallographic data as to the role of coactivators in HNF-4alpha constitutive transcriptional activity.

Coregulator Interactions with the Thyroid Hormone Receptor

The thyroid hormone receptor (TR) directly regulates the transcription of thyroid hormone-responsive genes in response to changing levels of thyroid hormone. Mechanistically TR utilizes a complex set of binding interactions, with hormone, response elements, and coregulatory proteins, to provide specific local control of patterns of transcriptional response that are partially responsible for inducing the tissue-selective responses to the circulating hormone. One of the apparently dominant phenomena in the regulation of thyroid hormone responses is the protein interactions between TR and its coregulators. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge with respect to the identity of these coregulators, their interaction with TR, and the consequences of those interactions.

Unique functional properties of a member of the Fushi Tarazu-Factor 1 family from Schistosoma mansoni

SmFtz-F1 (Schistosoma mansoni Fushi Tarazu-Factor 1) belongs to the Ftz-F1 subfamily of nuclear receptors, but displays marked structural differences compared with its mammalian homologues SF-1 (steroidogenic factor-1) or liver receptor homologue-1. These include a long F domain (104 amino acids), an unusually large hinge region (133 amino acids) and a poorly conserved E-domain. Here, using Gal4 constructs and a mammalian two-hybrid assay, we have characterized the roles of these specific regions both in the transcriptional activity of the receptor and in its interactions with cofactors. Our results have shown that, although the AF-2 (activation function-2) region is the major activation function of the receptor, both the F and D domains are essential for AF-2-dependent activity. Modelling of SmFtz-F1 LBD (ligand-binding domain) and structure-guided mutagenesis allowed us to show the important role of helix H1 in maintaining the structural conformation of the LBD, and suggested that its autonomous transactivation activity, also observed with SF-1, is fortuitous. This strategy also allowed us to study an eventual ligand-dependence for this orphan receptor, the predicted three-dimensional models suggesting that the SmFtz-F1 LBD contains a large and well-defined ligand-binding pocket sealed by two arginine residues orientated towards the interior of the cavity. Mutation of these two residues provoked a loss of transcriptional activity of the receptor, and strongly reduced its interaction with SRC1 (steroid receptor cofactor-1), suggesting a ligand-dependent activity for SmFtz-F1. Taken together, our results argue for original and specific functional activities for this platyhelminth nuclear receptor.

Peroxisomal proliferator activated receptor gamma coactivator (PGC-1alpha) stimulates carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT-Ialpha) through the first intron

Peroxisomal proliferator activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 (PGC-1alpha) is a transcriptional coactivator that promotes mitochondrial biogenesis and energy metabolism in brown fat, skeletal muscle and heart. Previous studies demonstrated that PGC-1alpha is present at low levels in the liver but that the hepatic abundance of PGC-1alpha is elevated in diabetic and fasted animals. Elevated PGC-1alpha expression is associated with increased fatty acid oxidation and hepatic glucose production. Carnitine palmitoyltransferase-I (CPT-I) is a rate controlling step in the mitochondrial oxidation of long chain fatty acids. CPT-I transfers the acyl moiety from fatty acyl-CoA to carnitine for the translocation of long chain fatty acids across the mitochondrial membrane. There are two isoforms of CPT-I including a liver isoform CPT-Ialpha and a muscle isoform CPT-Ibeta. Here, we characterized the regulation of CPT-Ialpha isoform by PGC-1alpha. PGC-1alpha stimulates CPT-Ialpha primarily through multiple sites in the first intron. We found that PGC-1alpha can induce CPT-Ialpha gene expression in cardiac myocytes and primary hepatocytes. Our results indicate that PGC-1alpha elevates the expression of CPT-Ialpha via a unique mechanism that utilizes elements within the intron.

The coactivator LXXLL nuclear receptor recognition motif

Nuclear receptors require coactivator binding in order to activate transcription of their cognate target genes. Ligands regulate nuclear receptor (NR)-mediated recruitment of coactivators by binding to the ligand-binding domain of the receptor and inducing a conformational change allowing for recognition of a specific motif contained within the coactivator protein. This motif is known as the NR box or LXXLL (where L is leucine and X is any amino acid) domain. Here, we review the discovery of the domain as well as its characterization.

Peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1 alpha) enhances the thyroid hormone induction of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT-I alpha)

Carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT-I) catalyzes the rate-controlling step in the pathway of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. Thyroid hormone will stimulate the expression of the liver isoform of CPT-I (CPT-I alpha). This induction of CPT-I alpha gene expression requires the thyroid hormone response element in the promoter and sequences within the first intron. The peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1 alpha) is a coactivator that promotes mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, and hepatic gluconeogenesis. In addition, PGC-1 alpha will stimulate the expression of CPT-I alpha in primary rat hepatocytes. Here we report that thyroid hormone will increase PGC-1 alpha mRNA and protein levels in rat hepatocytes. In addition, overexpression of PGC-1 alpha will enhance the thyroid hormone induction of CPT-I alpha indicating that PGC-1 alpha is a coactivator for thyroid hormone. By using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we show that PGC-1 alpha is associated with both the thyroid hormone response element in the CPT-I alpha gene promoter and the first intron of the CPT-I alpha gene. Our data demonstrate that PGC-1 alpha participates in the stimulation of CPT-I alpha gene expression by thyroid hormone and suggest that PGC-1 alpha is a coactivator for thyroid hormone.

The nuclear bile acid receptor FXR is activated by PGC-1alpha in a ligand-dependent manner

The nuclear bile acid receptor FXR (farnesoid X receptor) is one of the key factors that suppress bile acid biosynthesis in the liver. PGC-1alpha [PPARgamma (peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor gamma) co-activator-1alpha] is known to control energy homoeostasis in adipose tissue, skeletal muscle and liver. We performed cell-based reporter assays using the expression system of a GAL4-FXR chimaera, the ligand-binding domain of FXR fused to the DNA-binding domain of yeast GAL4, to find the co-activators for FXR. We found that the transcriptional activation of a reporter plasmid by a GAL4-FXR chimaera was strongly enhanced by PGC-1alpha, in a ligand-dependent manner. Transcriptional activation of the SHP (small heterodimer partner) gene by the FXR-RXRalpha (retinoid X receptor alpha) heterodimer was also enhanced by PGC-1alpha in the presence of CDCA (chenodeoxycholic acid). Co-immunoprecipitation and pull-down studies using glutathione S-transferase-PGC-1alpha fusion proteins revealed that the ligand-binding domain of FXR binds PGC-1alpha in a ligand-influenced manner both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, our studies revealed that SHP represses its own transcription, and the addition of excess amounts of PGC-1alpha can overcome the inhibitory effect of SHP. These observations indicate that PGC-1alpha mediates the ligand-dependent activation of FXR and transcription of SHP gene.

Ligand-dependent coactivation of the human bile acid receptor FXR by the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1alpha

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1alpha) has been shown to play an important role in energy metabolism by coordinating transcriptional programs involved in mitochondrial biogenesis, adaptive thermogenesis, gluconeogenesis, and fatty acid oxidation. PGC-1alpha also plays a crucial role in cholesterol metabolism by serving as a coactivator of the liver X receptor-alpha and inducing the expression of cholesterol 7-alpha-hydroxylase. Here, we demonstrate that PGC-1alpha also functions as an effective coactivator of farnesoid X receptor (FXR), the bile acid receptor. Transient cotransfection assays demonstrate that PGC-1alpha enhances ligand-mediated FXR transcription when either full-length FXR or Gal4 DNA binding domain-FXR-ligand binding domain chimeras were analyzed. Mammalian two-hybrid analyses, glutathione S-transferase affinity chromatography and biochemical coactivator recruitment assays demonstrate ligand-dependent interaction between the two proteins both in vivo and in vitro. PGC-1alpha-mediated coactivation of FXR was highly ligand-dependent and absolutely required an intact activation function-2 (AF-2) domain of FXR and the LXXLL motif in PGC-1alpha. The integrity of the charge clamp was required, further illustrating the role of the ligand binding domain of FXR in PGC-1alpha recognition. Together, these results indicate that PGC-1alpha functions as a potent coactivator for FXR and further implicates its role in the regulation of genes that are involved in bile acid and lipid metabolism.

Quantitative Proteomics of the Thyroid Hormone Receptor-Coregulator Interactions

The thyroid hormone receptor regulates a diverse set of genes that control processes from embryonic development to adult homeostasis. Upon binding of thyroid hormone, the thyroid receptor releases corepressor proteins and undergoes a conformational change that allows for the interaction of coactivating proteins necessary for gene transcription. This interaction is mediated by a conserved motif, termed the NR box, found in many coregulators. Recent work has demonstrated that differentially assembled coregulator complexes can elicit specific biological responses. However, the mechanism for the selective assembly of these coregulator complexes has yet to be elucidated. To further understand the principles underlying thyroid receptor-coregulator selectivity, we designed a high-throughput in vitro binding assay to measure the equilibrium affinity of thyroid receptor to a library of potential coregulators in the presence of different ligands including the endogenous thyroid hormone T3, synthetic thyroid receptor beta-selective agonist GC-1, and antagonist NH-3. Using this homogenous method several coregulator NR boxes capable of associating with thyroid receptor at physiologically relevant concentrations were identified including ones found in traditional coactivating proteins such as SRC1, SRC2, TRAP220, TRBP, p300, and ARA70; and those in coregulators known to repress gene activation including RIP140 and DAX-1. In addition, it was discovered that the thyroid receptor-coregulator binding patterns vary with ligand and that this differential binding can be used to predict biological responses. Finally, it is demonstrated that this is a general method that can be applied to other nuclear receptors and can be used to establish rules for nuclear receptor-coregulator selectivity.

Cardiac-specific induction of the transcriptional coactivator peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1alpha promotes mitochondrial biogenesis and reversible cardiomyopathy in a developmental stage-dependent manner

Recent evidence has identified the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1alpha) as a regulator of cardiac energy metabolism and mitochondrial biogenesis. We describe the development of a transgenic system that permits inducible, cardiac-specific overexpression of PGC-1alpha. Expression of the PGC-1alpha transgene in this system (tet-on PGC-1alpha) is cardiac-specific in the presence of doxycycline (dox) and is not leaky in the absence of dox. Overexpression of PGC-1alpha in tet-on PGC-1alpha mice during the neonatal stages leads to a dramatic increase in cardiac mitochondrial number and size coincident with upregulation of gene markers associated with mitochondrial biogenesis. In contrast, overexpression of PGC-1alpha in the hearts of adult mice leads to a modest increase in mitochondrial number, derangements of mitochondrial ultrastructure, and development of cardiomyopathy. The cardiomyopathy in adult tet-on PGC-1alpha mice is characterized by an increase in ventricular mass and chamber dilatation. Surprisingly, removal of dox and cessation of PGC-1alpha overexpression in adult mice results in complete reversal of cardiac dysfunction within 4 weeks. These results indicate that PGC-1alpha drives mitochondrial biogenesis in a developmental stage-dependent manner permissive during the neonatal period. This unique murine model should prove useful for the study of the molecular regulatory programs governing mitochondrial biogenesis and characterization of the relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and cardiomyopathy and as a general model of inducible, reversible cardiomyopathy.

Pharmacology of nuclear receptor-coregulator recognition

The nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily comprises approximately 50 members that are responsible for regulating a number of physiologic processes in humans, including metabolism, homeostasis, and reproduction. Included in the superfamily are the receptors for steroids, lipophilic vitamins, bile acids, retinoids, and various fatty acids. NRs exert their action as transcription factors that directly bind to the promoters of target genes and regulate their rate of transcription. To modulate transcription, however, NRs must recruit a number of accessory coregulators known as corepressors and coactivators. These coregulators harbor a variety of activities, such as the ability to modify chromatin structure, interact with basal transcriptional machinery, and modify RNA splicing. Recent studies have revealed that the pharmacological characteristics of various NR ligands are regulated by their ability to modulate the coregulator interaction profile of an NR.

Alternative splicing within the ligand binding domain of the human constitutive androstane receptor

The human constitutive androstane receptor (hCAR; NR1I3) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily. The activity of hCAR is regulated by a variety of xenobiotics including clotrimazole and acetaminophen metabolites. hCAR, in turn, regulates a number of genes responsible for xenobiotic metabolism and transport including several cytochrome P450s (CYP 2B5, 2C9, and 3A4) and the multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2, ABCC2). Thus, hCAR is believed to be a mediator of drug-drug interactions. We identified two novel hCAR splice variants: hCAR2 encodes a receptor in which alternative splice acceptor sites are utilized resulting in a 4 amino acid insert between exons 6 and 7, and a 5 amino acid insert between 7 and 8, and hCAR3 encodes a receptor with exon 7 completely deleted resulting in a 39 amino acid deletion. Both hCAR2 and hCAR3 mRNAs are expressed in a pattern similar to the initially described MB67 (hCAR1) with some key distinctions. Although the levels of expression vary depending on the tissue examined, hCAR2 and hCAR3 contribute 6-8% of total hCAR mRNA in liver. Analysis of the activity of these variants indicates that both hCAR2 and hCAR3 lose the ability to heterodimerize with RXR and lack transactivation activity in cotransfection experiments where either full-length receptor or GAL4 DNA-binding domain/CAR ligand binding domain chimeras were utilized. Although the role of hCAR2 and hCAR3 is currently unclear, these additional splice variants may provide for increased diversity in terms of responsiveness to xenobiotics.

Upstream stimulatory factor represses the induction of carnitine palmitoyltransferase-Ibeta expression by PGC-1

Transcriptional regulation of carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1beta (CPT-1beta) is coordinated with contractile gene expression through cardiac-enriched transcription factors, GATA4 and SRF. Metabolic modulation of CPT-1beta promoter activity has been described with the stimulation of gene expression by oleate that is mediated through the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) pathway. The coactivator, peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator (PGC-1), enhances gene expression through interactions with nuclear hormone receptors and the myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) family. PGC-1 and MEF2A synergistically activate CPT-1beta promoter activity. This stimulation is enhanced by mutation of the E-box sequences that flank the MEF2A binding site. These elements bind the upstream stimulatory factors (USF1 and USF2), which activate transcription in CV-1 fibroblasts. However, overexpression of the USF proteins in myocytes depresses CPT-1beta activity and significantly reduces MEF2A and PGC-1 synergy. Co-immunoprecipitation studies demonstrate that PGC-1 and USF2 proteins can physically interact. Our studies demonstrate that PGC-1 stimulates CPT-1beta gene expression through MEF2A. USF proteins have a novel role in repressing the expression of the CPT-1beta gene and modulating the induction by the coactivator, PGC-1.

Potentiation of liver X receptor transcriptional activity by peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator 1 alpha

Peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma co-activator 1 alpha (PGC-1 alpha/PPARGC1) plays an important role in energy metabolism by co-ordinating transcriptional programmes of mitochondrial biogenesis, adaptive thermogenesis and fatty acid beta-oxidation. PGC-1 alpha has also been identified to play a role in the intermediary metabolism by co-activating key transcription factors of hepatic gluconeogenesis and glucose uptake in muscles. In the present study, we show that PGC-1 alpha serves as a co-activator for the liver X receptor (LXR) alpha, known to contribute to the regulation of cellular cholesterol homoeostasis. In transient transfection studies, PGC-1 alpha amplified the LXR-mediated autoregulation of the LXR alpha promoter in a human brown adipocyte line and in 3T3-L1 cells via an LXR response element described previously. LXR-mediated transactivation via a natural LXR response element from the cholesteryl ester transfer-protein gene promoter was also enhanced by PGC-1 alpha in a ligand-dependent manner. Mutational analysis showed that the LXXLL signature motif (L2) of PGC-1 alpha was essential for co-activation of LXR-mediated transcriptional responses. This motif is located in the vicinity of the binding region for a putative repressor described previously. The repressor sequesters PGC-1 alpha from PPAR alpha and the glucocorticoid receptor, and this repressor did not interfere with PGC-1 alpha-mediated co-activation of LXR-dependent gene transcription. Moreover, inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling, shown to abolish the co-activation of PPAR alpha by PGC-1 alpha, had only a moderate inhibitory effect on the co-activation of LXR. These results identify PGC-1 alpha as a bona fide LXR co-activator and implicate distinct interfaces of PGC-1 alpha and/or additional cofactors in the modulation of LXR and PPAR alpha transcriptional activities.

Activation of orphan nuclear constitutive androstane receptor requires subnuclear targeting by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha. A possible link between xenobiotic response and nutritional state

In contrast to the classical nuclear receptors, the constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) is transcriptionally active in the absence of ligand. In the course of searching for the mediator of CAR activation, we found that ligand-independent activation of CAR was achieved in cooperation with the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1 alpha). PGC-1 beta, a PGC-1 alpha homologue, also activated CAR to less of an extent than PGC-1 alpha. Coexpression of the ligand-binding domain of a heterodimerization partner, retinoid X receptor alpha, enhanced the PGC-1 alpha-mediated activation of CAR, although it had a weak effect on the basal activity of CAR in the absence of PGC-1 alpha. Both the N-terminal region, with the LXXLL motif, and the C-terminal region, with a serine/arginine-rich domain (RS domain), in PGC-1 alpha were required for full activation of CAR. Pull-down experiments using recombinant proteins revealed that CAR directly interacted with both the LXXLL motif and the RS domain. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the RS domain of PGC-1 alpha was required for CAR localization at nuclear speckles. These results indicate that PGC-1 alpha mediates the ligand-independent activation of CAR by means of subnuclear targeting through the RS domain of PGC-1 alpha.

Ligand and coactivator identity determines the requirement of the charge clamp for coactivation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma

The activation function 2 (AF-2)-dependent recruitment of coactivator is essential for gene activation by nuclear receptors. We show that the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) (NR1C3) coactivator-1 (PGC-1) requires both the intact AF-2 domain of PPARgamma and the LXXLL domain of PGC-1 for ligand-dependent and ligand-independent interaction and coactivation. Although the AF-2 domain of PPARgamma is absolutely required for PGC-1-mediated coactivation, this coactivator displayed a unique lack of requirement for the charge clamp of the ligand-binding domain of the receptor that is thought to be essential for LXXLL motif recognition. The mutation of a single serine residue adjacent to the core LXXLL motif of PGC-1 led to restoration of the typical charge clamp requirement. Thus, the unique structural features of the PGC-1 LXXLL motif appear to mediate an atypical mode of interaction with PPARgamma. Unexpectedly, we discovered that various ligands display variability in terms of their requirement for the charge clamp of PPARgamma for coactivation by PGC-1. This ligand-selective variable requirement for the charge clamp was coactivator-specific. Thus, distinct structural determinants, which may be unique for a particular ligand, are utilized by the receptor to recognize the coactivator. Our data suggest that even subtle differences in ligand structure are perceived by the receptor and translated into a unique display of the coactivator-binding surface of the ligand-binding domain, allowing for differential recognition of coactivators that may underlie distinct pharmacological profiles observed for ligands of a particular nuclear receptor.

Identification of a specific molecular repressor of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma Coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1alpha)

The nuclear co-activator PGC-1alpha is a pivotal regulator of numerous pathways controlling both metabolism and overall energy homeostasis. Inappropriate increases in PGC-1alpha activity have been linked to a number of pathological conditions including heart failure and diabetes mellitus. Previous studies (Puigserver, P., Adelmant, G., Wu, Z., Fan, M., Xu, J., O'Malley, B., and Spiegelman, B. M. (1999) Science 286, 1368-1371) have demonstrated an inhibitory domain within PGC-1alpha that limits transcriptional activity. Using this inhibitory domain in a yeast two-hybrid screen, we demonstrate that PGC-1alpha directly associates with the orphan nuclear receptor estrogen-related receptor-alpha (ERR-alpha). The binding of ERR-alpha to PGC-1alpha requires the C-terminal AF2 domain of ERR-alpha. PGC-1alpha and ERR-alpha have a similar pattern of expression in human tissues, with both being present predominantly in organs with high metabolic needs such as skeletal muscle and kidney. Similarly, we show that in mice physiological stimuli such as fasting coordinately induces PGC-1alpha and ERR-alpha transcription. We also demonstrate that under normal conditions PGC-1alpha is located within discrete nuclear speckles, whereas the expression of ERR-alpha results in PGC-1alpha redistributing uniformly throughout the nucleoplasm. Finally, we show that the expression of ERR-alpha can dramatically and specifically repress PGC-1alpha transcriptional activity. These results suggest a novel mechanism of transcriptional control wherein ERR-alpha can function as a specific molecular repressor of PGC-1alpha activity. In addition, our results suggest that other co-activators might also have specific repressors, thereby identifying another layer of combinatorial complexity in transcriptional regulation.