1
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Zhang SS, Larrabee L, Chang AH, Desai S, Sloan L, Wang X, Wu Y, Parvez N, Amaratunga K, Hartman AC, Whitnall A, Mason J, Barton NP, Chu AY, Davitte JM, Csakai AJ, Tibbetts CV, Tolbert AE, O'Keefe H, Polanco J, Foley J, Kmett C, Kehler J, Kozejova G, Wang F, Mayer AP, Koenig P, Foletti D, Pitts SJ, Schnackenberg CG. Discovery of RXFP2 genetic association in resistant hypertensive men and RXFP2 antagonists for the treatment of resistant hypertension. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13209. [PMID: 38851835 PMCID: PMC11162469 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62804-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Hypertension remains a leading cause of cardiovascular and kidney diseases. Failure to control blood pressure with ≥ 3 medications or control requiring ≥ 4 medications is classified as resistant hypertension (rHTN) and new therapies are needed to reduce the resulting increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Here, we report genetic evidence that relaxin family peptide receptor 2 (RXFP2) is associated with rHTN in men, but not in women. This study shows that adrenal gland gene expression of RXFP2 is increased in men with hypertension and the RXFP2 natural ligand, INSL3, increases adrenal steroidogenesis and corticosteroid secretion in human adrenal cells. To address the hypothesis that RXFP2 activation is an important mechanism in rHTN, we discovered and characterized small molecule and monoclonal antibody (mAb) blockers of RXFP2. The novel chemical entities and mAbs show potent, selective inhibition of RXFP2 and reduce aldosterone and cortisol synthesis and release. The RXFP2 mAbs have suitable rat pharmacokinetic profiles to evaluate the role of RXFP2 in the development and maintenance of rHTN. Overall, we identified RXFP2 activity as a potential new mechanism in rHTN and discovered RXFP2 antagonists for the future interrogation of RXFP2 in cardiovascular and renal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan-Shan Zhang
- Therapeutics Division, 23andMe, 349 Oyster Point Blvd, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Lance Larrabee
- Therapeutics Division, 23andMe, 349 Oyster Point Blvd, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Andrew H Chang
- Therapeutics Division, 23andMe, 349 Oyster Point Blvd, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Sapna Desai
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GSK, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, SG1 2NY, UK
| | - Lisa Sloan
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GSK, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, SG1 2NY, UK
| | - Xin Wang
- Research, 23andMe, 223 N Mathilda Ave., Sunnyvale, CA, 94086, USA
| | - Yixuan Wu
- Therapeutics Division, 23andMe, 349 Oyster Point Blvd, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Nazia Parvez
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GSK, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, SG1 2NY, UK
| | - Karen Amaratunga
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GSK, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, SG1 2NY, UK
| | - Allison C Hartman
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GSK, 1250 S. Collegeville Rd., Collegeville, PA, 19426, USA
| | - Abby Whitnall
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GSK, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, SG1 2NY, UK
| | - Joseph Mason
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GSK, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, SG1 2NY, UK
| | - Nicholas P Barton
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GSK, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, SG1 2NY, UK
| | - Audrey Y Chu
- Genomic Sciences, GSK, 300 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | | | - Adam J Csakai
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GSK, 200 Cambridgepark Drive, Cambridge, MA, 02140, USA
| | | | - Audrey E Tolbert
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GSK, 200 Cambridgepark Drive, Cambridge, MA, 02140, USA
| | - Heather O'Keefe
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GSK, 200 Cambridgepark Drive, Cambridge, MA, 02140, USA
| | - Jessie Polanco
- Therapeutics Division, 23andMe, 349 Oyster Point Blvd, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Joseph Foley
- Novel Human Genetics Research Unit, GSK, 1250 S. Collegeville Rd., Collegeville, PA, 19426, USA
| | - Casey Kmett
- DMPK, GSK, 1250 S. Collegeville Rd, Collegeville, PA, 19426, USA
| | - Jonathan Kehler
- Bioanalysis, Immunogenicity and Biomarkers, GSK, 1250 S. Collegeville Rd., Collegeville, PA, 19426, USA
| | - Gabriela Kozejova
- Medicinal Science and Technology, GSK, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, SG1 2NY, UK
| | - Feng Wang
- DMPK, GSK, 1250 S. Collegeville Rd, Collegeville, PA, 19426, USA
| | - Andrew P Mayer
- Bioanalysis, Immunogenicity and Biomarkers, GSK, 1250 S. Collegeville Rd., Collegeville, PA, 19426, USA
| | - Patrick Koenig
- Therapeutics Division, 23andMe, 349 Oyster Point Blvd, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Davide Foletti
- Therapeutics Division, 23andMe, 349 Oyster Point Blvd, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Steven J Pitts
- Research, 23andMe, 223 N Mathilda Ave., Sunnyvale, CA, 94086, USA
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2
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Esteban-Lopez M, Wilson KJ, Myhr C, Kaftanovskaya EM, Henderson MJ, Southall NT, Xu X, Wang A, Hu X, Barnaeva E, Ye W, George ER, Sherrill JT, Ferrer M, Morello R, Agoulnik IU, Marugan JJ, Agoulnik AI. Discovery of small molecule agonists of the Relaxin Family Peptide Receptor 2. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1183. [PMCID: PMC9636434 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04143-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The relaxin/insulin-like family peptide receptor 2 (RXFP2) belongs to the family of class A G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and it is the only known target for the insulin-like factor 3 peptide (INSL3). The importance of this ligand-receptor pair in the development of the gubernacular ligament during the transabdominal phase of testicular descent is well established. More recently, RXFP2 has been implicated in maintaining healthy bone formation. In this report, we describe the discovery of a small molecule series of RXFP2 agonists. These compounds are highly potent, efficacious, and selective RXFP2 allosteric agonists that induce gubernacular invagination in mouse embryos, increase mineralization activity in human osteoblasts in vitro, and improve bone trabecular parameters in adult mice. The described RXFP2 agonists are orally bioavailable and display favorable pharmacokinetic properties, which allow for future evaluation of the therapeutic benefits of modulating RXFP2 activation in disease models. Specific small molecule RXFP2 agonists with favorable pharmacokinetic properties induce gubernacular invagination in mouse embryos, increase mineralization activity in human osteoblasts in vitro, and improve bone trabecular parameters in adult mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Esteban-Lopez
- grid.65456.340000 0001 2110 1845Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL USA
| | - Kenneth J. Wilson
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Early Translation Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Courtney Myhr
- grid.65456.340000 0001 2110 1845Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL USA
| | - Elena M. Kaftanovskaya
- grid.65456.340000 0001 2110 1845Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL USA
| | - Mark J. Henderson
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Early Translation Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Noel T. Southall
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Early Translation Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Xin Xu
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Early Translation Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Amy Wang
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Early Translation Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Xin Hu
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Early Translation Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Elena Barnaeva
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Early Translation Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Wenjuan Ye
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Early Translation Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Emmett R. George
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Early Translation Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - John T. Sherrill
- grid.241054.60000 0004 4687 1637Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR USA
| | - Marc Ferrer
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Early Translation Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Roy Morello
- grid.241054.60000 0004 4687 1637Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR USA
| | - Irina U. Agoulnik
- grid.65456.340000 0001 2110 1845Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL USA ,grid.65456.340000 0001 2110 1845Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL USA
| | - Juan J. Marugan
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Early Translation Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Alexander I. Agoulnik
- grid.65456.340000 0001 2110 1845Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL USA ,grid.65456.340000 0001 2110 1845Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL USA
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3
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Sethi M, Shah N, Mohanty TK, Bhakat M, Baithalu RK. New dimensions on maternal and prepubertal nutritional disruption on bull fertility: A review. Anim Reprod Sci 2022; 247:107151. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2022.107151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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4
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Luo K, Meng X, Liu X, Nian M, Zhang Q, Tian Y, Chen D, Zhang J. Environmental Exposure to 6:2 Polyfluoroalkyl Phosphate Diester and Impaired Testicular Function in Men. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:8290-8298. [PMID: 35536153 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c07184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
6:2 polyfluoroalkyl phosphate diester (6:2 diPAP) has been demonstrated to disrupt reproductive endocrine functions using experimental studies. However, evidence from humans is not available yet. This cross-sectional study aims to assess the relationship between 6:2 diPAP exposure and the testicular function among adult men. A total of 902 men seeking preconception care were included. Plasma 6:2 diPAP concentrations were determined, while the testicular function was assessed via semen quality and reproductive hormones in serum. The association was assessed by multiple linear regression. Stratified analyses by age and body mass index (BMI) were conducted to assess the potential effect modification by these two variables. Regression analyses revealed that 6:2 diPAP exposure was significantly inversely associated with androgens [i.e., total testosterone (TT) and free androgen index (FAI)], markers of testosterone production potential [i.e., TT/luteinizing hormone (LH) and FAI/LH], estradiol, and insulin-like factor 3, a biomarker of Leydig cell function. These associations were robust in sensitivity analyses. However, age and BMI did not modify these associations, and no association was observed between 6:2 diPAP and semen quality. Our study suggests that exposure to 6:2 diPAP may inhibit androgen synthesis and impair Leydig cell function in adult men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Luo
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Xi Meng
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xiaotu Liu
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Min Nian
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Qianlong Zhang
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Ying Tian
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Da Chen
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200025, China
- Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Haikou, Hainan 570100, China
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5
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Kawate N. Insulin‐like peptide 3 in domestic animals with normal and abnormal reproductive functions, in comparison to rodents and humans. Reprod Med Biol 2022; 21:e12485. [PMID: 36310659 PMCID: PMC9601793 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Methods Main findings Conclusion
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Affiliation(s)
- Noritoshi Kawate
- Graduate School of Veterinary Science Osaka Metropolitan University Izumisano Japan
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6
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Pustovit RV, Zhang X, Liew JJ, Praveen P, Liu M, Koo A, Oparija-Rogenmozere L, Ou Q, Kocan M, Nie S, Bathgate RA, Furness JB, Hossain MA. A Novel Antagonist Peptide Reveals a Physiological Role of Insulin-Like Peptide 5 in Control of Colorectal Function. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2021; 4:1665-1674. [PMID: 34661082 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.1c00171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Insulin-like peptide 5 (INSL5), the natural ligand for the relaxin family peptide receptor 4 (RXFP4), is a gut hormone that is exclusively produced by colonic L-cells. We have recently developed an analogue of INSL5, INSL5-A13, that acts as an RXFP4 agonist in vitro and stimulates colorectal propulsion in wild-type mice but not in RXFP4-knockout mice. These results suggest that INSL5 may have a physiological role in the control of colorectal motility. To investigate this possibility, in this study we designed and developed a novel INSL5 analogue, INSL5-A13NR. This compound is a potent antagonist, without significant agonist activity, in two in vitro assays. We report here for the first time that this novel antagonist peptide blocks agonist-induced increase in colon motility in mice that express RXFP4. Our data also show that colorectal propulsion induced by intracolonic administration of bacterial products (short-chain fatty acids, SCFAs) is antagonized by INSL5-A13NR. Therefore, INSL5-A13NR is an important research tool and potential drug lead for the treatment of colon motility disorders, such as bacterial diarrheas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruslan V Pustovit
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health; Department of Anatomy and Physiology; School of Biosciences, Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, Bio21 Institute; Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology; School of Chemistry; The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Xiaozhou Zhang
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health; Department of Anatomy and Physiology; School of Biosciences, Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, Bio21 Institute; Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology; School of Chemistry; The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Jamie Jm Liew
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health; Department of Anatomy and Physiology; School of Biosciences, Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, Bio21 Institute; Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology; School of Chemistry; The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Praveen Praveen
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health; Department of Anatomy and Physiology; School of Biosciences, Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, Bio21 Institute; Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology; School of Chemistry; The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Mengjie Liu
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health; Department of Anatomy and Physiology; School of Biosciences, Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, Bio21 Institute; Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology; School of Chemistry; The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Ada Koo
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health; Department of Anatomy and Physiology; School of Biosciences, Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, Bio21 Institute; Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology; School of Chemistry; The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Lalita Oparija-Rogenmozere
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health; Department of Anatomy and Physiology; School of Biosciences, Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, Bio21 Institute; Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology; School of Chemistry; The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Qinghao Ou
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health; Department of Anatomy and Physiology; School of Biosciences, Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, Bio21 Institute; Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology; School of Chemistry; The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Martina Kocan
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health; Department of Anatomy and Physiology; School of Biosciences, Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, Bio21 Institute; Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology; School of Chemistry; The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Shuai Nie
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health; Department of Anatomy and Physiology; School of Biosciences, Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, Bio21 Institute; Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology; School of Chemistry; The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Ross Ad Bathgate
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health; Department of Anatomy and Physiology; School of Biosciences, Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, Bio21 Institute; Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology; School of Chemistry; The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - John B Furness
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health; Department of Anatomy and Physiology; School of Biosciences, Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, Bio21 Institute; Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology; School of Chemistry; The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Mohammed Akhter Hossain
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health; Department of Anatomy and Physiology; School of Biosciences, Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, Bio21 Institute; Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology; School of Chemistry; The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
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7
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Anand-Ivell R, Tremellen K, Soyama H, Enki D, Ivell R. Male seminal parameters are not associated with Leydig cell functional capacity in men. Andrology 2021; 9:1126-1136. [PMID: 33715296 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) is a constitutive, secreted peptide produced in the male uniquely by the Leydig cells of the testes. It is a biomarker for Leydig cell functional capacity, which is a measure of the numbers and differentiation status of these steroidogenic cells and lacks the biological and technical variance of the steroid testosterone. This retrospective study was carried out to examine the relationship between seminal parameters and the Leydig cell compartment, and secondarily to assess other factors responsible for determining Leydig cell functional capacity. METHODS INSL3 was assessed together with seminal, anthropometric, and hormonal parameters in a Swedish cohort of 18-year-old men, representing the average population, and in a smaller, more heterogeneous cohort of men visiting an Australian infertility clinic. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Average INSL3 concentration at 18 years is greater than that reported at younger or older ages and indicated a large 10-fold variation. In neither cohort was there a relationship between INSL3 concentration and any semen parameter. For the larger, more uniform Swedish cohort of young men, there was a significant negative relationship between INSL3 and BMI, supporting the idea that adult Leydig cell functional capacity may be established during puberty. In both cohorts, there was a significant relationship between INSL3 and FSH, but not LH concentration. No relationship was found between INSL3 and androgen receptor trinucleotide repeat polymorphisms, reinforcing the notion that Leydig cell functional capacity is unlikely to be determined by androgen influence alone. Nor did INSL3 correlate with the T/LH ratio, an alternative measure of Leydig cell functional capacity, supporting the view that these are independent measures of Leydig cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kelton Tremellen
- Department of Obstetrics Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia.,Repromed, Dulwich, SA, Australia
| | - Hiroaki Soyama
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Defense Medical College Hospital, Tokorozawa, Japan
| | - Doyo Enki
- School of Medicine, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Richard Ivell
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK.,School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
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8
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Ljubicic ML, Jørgensen A, Aksglaede L, Nielsen JE, Albrethsen J, Juul A, Johannsen TH. Serum Concentrations and Gonadal Expression of INSL3 in Eighteen Males With 45,X/46,XY Mosaicism. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:709954. [PMID: 34447353 PMCID: PMC8382946 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.709954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3) is produced in the testes and has been proposed as a circulating biomarker of Leydig cell capacity, but remains undescribed in 45,X/46,XY mosaicism. The aim was to examine serum concentrations and gonadal expression of INSL3 in 45,X/46,XY mosaicism. METHODS Retrospectively collected data from medical records, gonadal tissue samples, and prospectively analyzed serum samples from eighteen male patients with 45,X/46,XY mosaicism (one prepubertal, four testosterone-treated, 13 untreated) were included. Biochemical, clinical, and histological outcomes were evaluated according to serum INSL3 concentrations, quantified by LC-MS/MS methodology, and gonadal INSL3 immunohistochemical expression. RESULTS Serum INSL3 concentrations spanned from below to above the reference range. In untreated patients, the median serum INSL3 SD score was -0.80 (IQR: -1.65 to 0.55) and no significant difference was observed between INSL3 and testosterone. There was no clear association between serum INSL3 and External Genitalia Score at diagnosis, spontaneous puberty, or sperm concentration. INSL3 and CYP11A1 expression overlapped, except for less pronounced INSL3 expression in areas with severe Leydig cell hyperplasia. No other apparent links between INSL3 expression and histological outcomes were observed. CONCLUSIONS In this pilot study, serum INSL3 concentrations ranged and seemed independent of other reproductive hormones and clinical features in males with 45,X/46,XY mosaicism. Discordant expression of INSL3 and CYP11A1 may explain low INSL3 and normal testosterone concentrations in some patients. Further studies are needed to elucidate the divergence between serum INSL3 and testosterone and the potential clinical use of INSL3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Lindhardt Ljubicic
- Dept. of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Marie Lindhardt Ljubicic, ; orcid.org/0000-0002-7418-6878
| | - Anne Jørgensen
- Dept. of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lise Aksglaede
- Dept. of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - John Erik Nielsen
- Dept. of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jakob Albrethsen
- Dept. of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Juul
- Dept. of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Trine Holm Johannsen
- Dept. of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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9
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Ivell R, Alhujaili W, Kohsaka T, Anand-Ivell R. Physiology and evolution of the INSL3/RXFP2 hormone/receptor system in higher vertebrates. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 299:113583. [PMID: 32800774 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Although the insulin-like peptide hormone INSL3 and its cognate receptor RXFP2 (relaxin-family peptide receptor 2) have existed throughout chordate evolution, their physiological diversification appears to be linked closely with mammalian emergence and radiation. In contrast, they have been lost in birds and reptiles. Both hormone and receptor are expressed from autosomal genes which have maintained their synteny across vertebrate evolution. Whereas the INSL3 gene comprises only two exons closely linked to the JAK3 gene, RXFP2 is normally encoded by 18 exons. Both genes, however, are subject to alternative splicing to yield a variety of possibly inactive or antagonistic molecules. In mammals, the INSL3-RXFP2 dyad has maintained a probably primitive association with gametogenesis, seen also in fish, whereby INSL3 promotes the survival, growth and differentiation of male germ cells in the testis and follicle development in the ovary. In addition, however, the INSL3/RXFP2 system has adopted a typical 'neohormone' profile, essential for the promotion of internal fertilisation and viviparity; fetal INSL3 is essential for the first phase of testicular descent into a scrotum, and also appears to be associated with male phenotype, in particular horn and skeletal growth. Circulating INSL3 is produced exclusively by the mature testicular Leydig cells in male mammals and acts as a potent biomarker for testis development during fetal and pubertal development as well as in ageing. As such it can be used also to monitor seasonally breeding animals as well as to investigate environmental or lifestyle conditions affecting development. Nevertheless, most information about INSL3 and RXFP2 comes from a very limited selection of species; it will be especially useful to gain further information from a more diverse range of animals, especially those whose evolution has led them to express unusual reproductive phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Ivell
- School of Bioscience, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, LE2 5RD, UK; School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, LE2 5RD, UK.
| | - Waleed Alhujaili
- School of Bioscience, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, LE2 5RD, UK
| | - Tetsuya Kohsaka
- Dept. of Applied Life Science, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, Japan
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10
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Abstract
Insulin-like 3 peptide (INSL3) is a member of the insulin-like peptide superfamily and is the only known physiological ligand of relaxin family peptide receptor 2 (RXFP2), a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). In mammals, INSL3 is primarily produced both in testicular Leydig cells and in ovarian theca cells, but circulating levels of the hormone are much higher in males than in females. The INSL3/RXFP2 system has an essential role in the development of the gubernaculum for the initial transabdominal descent of the testis and in maintaining proper reproductive health in men. Although its function in female physiology has been less well-characterized, it was reported that INSL3 deletion affects antral follicle development during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle and uterus function. Since the discovery of its role in the reproductive system, the study of INSL3/RXFP2 has expanded to others organs, such as skeletal muscle, bone, kidney, thyroid, brain, and eye. This review aims to summarize the various advances in understanding the physiological function of this ligand-receptor pair since its first discovery and elucidate its future therapeutic potential in the management of various diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Esteban-Lopez
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Alexander I Agoulnik
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
- Biomolecular Science Institute, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
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11
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D'Ercole A, Sabatino G, Pacini L, Impresari E, Capecchi I, Papini AM, Rovero P. On‐resin microwave‐assisted copper‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition of H1‐relaxin B single chain ‘stapled’ analogues. Pept Sci (Hoboken) 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/pep2.24159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Annunziata D'Ercole
- Laboratory of Peptide and Protein Chemistry and Biology, Department of Chemistry ‘Ugo Schiff’University of Florence Sesto Fiorentino Italy
- FIS Fabbrica Italiana Sintetici S.p.A Vicenza Italy
| | - Giuseppina Sabatino
- Laboratory of Peptide and Protein Chemistry and Biology, Department of Chemistry ‘Ugo Schiff’University of Florence Sesto Fiorentino Italy
- CNR‐IC Istituto di Cristallografia Catania Italy
| | | | - Elisa Impresari
- Laboratory of Peptide and Protein Chemistry and Biology, Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health—Section of Pharmaceutical Sciences and NutraceuticsUniversity of Florence Sesto Fiorentino Italy
| | - Ilaria Capecchi
- Laboratory of Peptide and Protein Chemistry and Biology, Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health—Section of Pharmaceutical Sciences and NutraceuticsUniversity of Florence Sesto Fiorentino Italy
| | - Anna Maria Papini
- Laboratory of Peptide and Protein Chemistry and Biology, Department of Chemistry ‘Ugo Schiff’University of Florence Sesto Fiorentino Italy
- CNR‐IC Istituto di Cristallografia Catania Italy
- PeptLab@UCP and Laboratory of Chemical Biology EA4505CY Cergy Paris University Cergy‐Pontoise France
| | - Paolo Rovero
- CNR‐IC Istituto di Cristallografia Catania Italy
- Laboratory of Peptide and Protein Chemistry and Biology, Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health—Section of Pharmaceutical Sciences and NutraceuticsUniversity of Florence Sesto Fiorentino Italy
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12
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Yang N, Chen H, Hu M, Zhang G, Amanullah, Deng C. Evolution of a splice variant that acts as an endogenous antagonist of the original INSL3 in primates. Gene 2020; 754:144861. [PMID: 32531454 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2020.144861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Revised: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Alu sequences are the most abundant repetitive elements in the human genome, and have proliferated to more than one million copies in the human genome. Primate-specific Alu sequences account for ~10% of the human genome, and their spread within the genome has the potential to generate new exons. The new exons produced by Alu elements appear in various primate genes, and their functions have been elucidated. Here, we identified a new exon in the insulin-like 3 gene (INSL3), which evolved ~50 million years ago, and led to a splicing variant with 31 extra amino acid residues in addition to the original 95 nucleotides (NTs) of INSL3. The Alu-INSL3 isoform underwent diverse changes during primate evolution; we identified that human Alu-INSL3 might be on its way to functionality and has potential to antagonize LGR8-INSL3 function. Therefore, the present study is designed to provide an example of the evolutionary trajectory of a variant peptide hormone antagonist that caused by the insertion of an Alu element in primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Haidi Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China; Institutes for Systems Genetics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Minghui Hu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Geyu Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China; Institutes for Systems Genetics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Amanullah
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Cheng Deng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China; Institutes for Systems Genetics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
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13
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Engineering of chimeric peptides as antagonists for the G protein-coupled receptor, RXFP4. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17828. [PMID: 31780677 PMCID: PMC6882824 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53707-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Insulin-like peptide 5 (INSL5) is a very important pharma target for treating human conditions such as anorexia and diabetes. However, INSL5 with two chains and three disulfide bridges is an extremely difficult peptide to assemble by chemical or recombinant means. In a recent study, we were able to engineer a simplified INSL5 analogue 13 which is a relaxin family peptide receptor 4 (RXFP4)-specific agonist. To date, however, no RXFP4-specific antagonist (peptide or small molecule) has been reported in the literature. The focus of this study was to utilize the non-specific RXFP3/RXFP4 antagonist ΔR3/I5 as a template to rationally design an RXFP4 specific antagonist. Unexpectedly, we demonstrated that ΔR3/I5 exhibited partial agonism at RXFP4 when expressed in CHO cells which is associated with only partial antagonism of INSL5 analogue activation. In an attempt to improve RXFP4 specificity and antagonist activity we designed and chemically synthesized a series of analogues of ΔR3/I5. While all the chimeric analogues still demonstrated partial agonism at RXFP4, one peptide (Analogue 17) exhibited significantly improved RXFP4 specificity. Importantly, analogue 17 has a simplified structure which is more amenable to chemical synthesis. Therefore, analogue 17 is an ideal template for further development into a specific high affinity RXFP4 antagonist which will be an important tool to probe the physiological role of RXFP4/INSL5 axis.
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14
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Anand-Ivell R, Byrne CJ, Arnecke J, Fair S, Lonergan P, Kenny DA, Ivell R. Prepubertal nutrition alters Leydig cell functional capacity and timing of puberty. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0225465. [PMID: 31751436 PMCID: PMC6872131 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Leydig cell functional capacity reflects the numbers and differentiation status of the steroidogenic Leydig cells in the testes and becomes more or less fixed in early adulthood with the final establishment of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis after puberty. Factors influencing Leydig cell functional capacity and its role in puberty are poorly understood. Using a bovine model of dairy bulls fed four different nutritional regimes from 1 month to 12 months, and applying circulating Insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) as an accurate biomarker of Leydig cell functional capacity, showed that a high plane of nutrition in the first 6 months of life, but not later, significantly increased INSL3 in young adulthood. Moreover, INSL3 concentration at 4 months indicated a marked differential in early feeding regime and correlated well (negatively) with the timing of puberty, as reflected by the age in days for the first production of an ejaculate with >50 million sperm and >10% forward motility, as well as with testis size at 18 months. Reversing the diet at 6 months was unable to rectify the trend in either parameter, unlike for other parameters such as testosterone, body weight, and scrotal circumference. This study has shown that early prepubertal nutrition is a key factor in the development of Leydig cell functional capacity in early adulthood and appears to be a key driver in the dynamic progression of puberty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravinder Anand-Ivell
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Colin J. Byrne
- Animal and Bioscience Department, Teagasc, Dunsany, Ireland
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jonas Arnecke
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, United Kingdom
| | - Sean Fair
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Pat Lonergan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - David A. Kenny
- Animal and Bioscience Department, Teagasc, Dunsany, Ireland
| | - Richard Ivell
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, United Kingdom
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15
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Praveen P, Kocan M, Valkovic A, Bathgate R, Hossain MA. Single chain peptide agonists of relaxin receptors. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2019; 487:34-39. [PMID: 30641102 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2019.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
There are seven human relaxin family peptides that have two chains (A and B) and three disulfide bonds. The target receptors for four of these peptides are known as relaxin family peptide receptors, RXFP1-RXFP4. Detailed structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies of relaxin family peptides have been reported over the years and have led to the design of new analogs with agonistic and antagonistic properties. This review briefly summarizes the SAR of human relaxin 2 (H2 relaxin) and human relaxin 3 (H3 relaxin) leading to the design and development of single-B-chain only agonists, B7-33 and peptide 5. The physiological functions of these new peptides agonists in cellular and animal models are also described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praveen Praveen
- Florey Institute for Neuroscience & Mental Health, VIC, Australia
| | - Martina Kocan
- Florey Institute for Neuroscience & Mental Health, VIC, Australia
| | - Adam Valkovic
- Florey Institute for Neuroscience & Mental Health, VIC, Australia
| | - Ross Bathgate
- Florey Institute for Neuroscience & Mental Health, VIC, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mohammed Akhter Hossain
- Florey Institute for Neuroscience & Mental Health, VIC, Australia; School of Chemistry and Bio21, University of Melbourne, University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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16
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Bathgate RA, Kocan M, Scott DJ, Hossain MA, Good SV, Yegorov S, Bogerd J, Gooley PR. The relaxin receptor as a therapeutic target – perspectives from evolution and drug targeting. Pharmacol Ther 2018; 187:114-132. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2018.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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17
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Minagawa I, Murata Y, Terada K, Shibata M, Park EY, Sasada H, Kohsaka T. Evidence for the role of INSL3 on sperm production in boars by passive immunisation. Andrologia 2018; 50:e13010. [DOI: 10.1111/and.13010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- I. Minagawa
- Department of Applied Life Science; Faculty of Agriculture; Shizuoka University; Shizuoka Japan
| | - Y. Murata
- Department of Agriculture; Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology; Shizuoka University; Shizuoka Japan
| | - K. Terada
- Shizuoka Swine and Poultry Experimental Station; Kikugawa Japan
| | - M. Shibata
- Shizuoka Swine and Poultry Experimental Station; Kikugawa Japan
| | - E. Y. Park
- Research Institute of Green Science and Technology; Shizuoka University; Shizuoka Japan
- Department of Bioscience; Graduate School of Science and Technology; Shizuoka University; Shizuoka Japan
| | - H. Sasada
- School of Veterinary Science; Kitasato University; Towada Japan
| | - T. Kohsaka
- Department of Applied Life Science; Faculty of Agriculture; Shizuoka University; Shizuoka Japan
- Department of Agriculture; Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology; Shizuoka University; Shizuoka Japan
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18
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Miyazaki T, Ishizaki M, Dohra H, Park S, Terzic A, Kato T, Kohsaka T, Park EY. Insulin-like peptide 3 expressed in the silkworm possesses intrinsic disulfide bonds and full biological activity. Sci Rep 2017; 7:17339. [PMID: 29229959 PMCID: PMC5725452 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17707-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) is a member of the relaxin/insulin superfamily and is expressed in testicular Leydig cells. Essential for fetal testis descent, INSL3 has been implicated in testicular and sperm function in adult males via interaction with relaxin/insulin-like family peptide receptor 2 (RXFP2). The INSL3 is typically prepared using chemical synthesis or overexpression in Escherichia coli followed by oxidative refolding and proteolysis. Here, we expressed and purified full-length porcine INSL3 (pINSL3) using a silkworm-based Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus bacmid expression system. Biophysical measurements and proteomic analysis revealed that this recombinant pINSL3 exhibited the correct conformation, with the three critical disulfide bonds observed in native pINSL3, although partial cleavage occurred. In cAMP stimulation assays using RXFP2-expressing HEK293 cells, the recombinant pINSL3 possessed full biological activity. This is the first report concerning the production of fully active pINSL3 without post-expression treatments and provides an efficient production platform for expressing relaxin/insulin superfamily peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takatsugu Miyazaki
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Research Institute of Green Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan.,Laboratory of Biotechnology, Division of Applied Biological Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan
| | - Masaaki Ishizaki
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Division of Applied Biological Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan
| | - Hideo Dohra
- Instrumental Research Support Office, Research Institute of Green Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan
| | - Sungjo Park
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases and Center for Regenerative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Andre Terzic
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases and Center for Regenerative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Tatsuya Kato
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Research Institute of Green Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan.,Laboratory of Biotechnology, Division of Applied Biological Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Kohsaka
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Physiology, Division of Applied Biological Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan
| | - Enoch Y Park
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Research Institute of Green Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan. .,Laboratory of Biotechnology, Division of Applied Biological Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan.
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19
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Hossain MA, Bathgate RAD. Challenges in the design of insulin and relaxin/insulin-like peptide mimetics. Bioorg Med Chem 2017; 26:2827-2841. [PMID: 28988628 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2017.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Revised: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Peptidomimetics are designed to overcome the poor pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics associated with the native peptide or protein on which they are based. The design of peptidomimetics starts from developing structure-activity relationships of the native ligand-target pair that identify the key residues that are responsible for the biological effect of the native peptide or protein. Then minimization of the structure and introduction of constraints are applied to create the core active site that can interact with the target with high affinity and selectivity. Developing peptidomimetics is not trivial and often challenging, particularly when peptides' interaction mechanism with their target is complex. This review will discuss the challenges of developing peptidomimetics of therapeutically important insulin superfamily peptides, particularly those which have two chains (A and B) and three disulfide bonds and whose receptors are known, namely insulin, H2 relaxin, H3 relaxin, INSL3 and INSL5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Akhter Hossain
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
| | - Ross A D Bathgate
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
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20
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Liu F, Li P, Gelfanov V, Mayer J, DiMarchi R. Synthetic Advances in Insulin-like Peptides Enable Novel Bioactivity. Acc Chem Res 2017; 50:1855-1865. [PMID: 28771323 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.7b00227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Insulin is a miraculous hormone that has served a seminal role in the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes for nearly a century. Insulin resides within in a superfamily of structurally related peptides that are distinguished by three invariant disulfide bonds that anchor the three-dimensional conformation of the hormone. The additional family members include the insulin-like growth factors (IGF) and the relaxin-related set of peptides that includes the so-called insulin-like peptides. Advances in peptide chemistry and rDNA-based synthesis have enabled the preparation of multiple insulin analogues. The translation of these methods from insulin to related peptides has presented unique challenges that pertain to differing biophysical properties and unique amino acid compositions. This Account presents a historical context for the advances in the chemical synthesis of insulin and the related peptides, with division into two general categories where disulfide bond formation is facilitated by native conformational folding or alternatively orthogonal chemical reactivity. The inherent differences in biophysical properties of insulin-like peptides, and in particular within synthetic intermediates, have constituted a central limitation to achieving high yield synthesis of properly folded peptides. Various synthetic approaches have been advanced in the past decade to successfully address this challenge. The use of chemical ligation and metastable amide bond surrogates are two of the more important synthetic advances in the preparation of high quality synthetic precursors to high potency peptides. The discovery and application of biomimetic connecting peptides simplifies proper disulfide formation and the subsequent traceless removal by chemical methods dramatically simplifies the total synthesis of virtually any two-chain insulin-like peptide. We report the application of these higher synthetic yield methodologies to the preparation of insulin-like peptides in support of exploratory in vivo studies requiring a large quantity of peptide. Tangentially, we demonstrate the use of these methods to study the relative importance of the IGF-1 connecting peptide to its biological activity. We report the translation of these finding in search of an insulin analog that might be comparably enhanced by a suitable connecting peptide for interaction with the insulin receptor, as occurs with IGF-1 and its receptor. The results identify a unique receptor site in the IGF-1 receptor from which this enhancement derives. The selective substitution of this specific IGF-1 receptor sequence into the homologous site in the insulin receptor generated a chimeric receptor that was equally capable of signaling with insulin or IGF-1. This novel receptor proved to enhance the potency of lower affinity insulin ligands when they were supplemented with the IGF-1 connecting peptide that similarly enhanced IGF-1 activity at its receptor. The chimeric insulin receptor demonstrated no further enhancement of potency for native insulin when it was similarly prepared as a single-chain analogue with a native IGF-1 connecting peptide. These results suggest a more highly evolved insulin receptor structure where the requirement for an additional structural element to achieve high potency interaction as demonstrated for IGF-1 is no longer required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fa Liu
- Novo Nordisk Research Center Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana 46241, United States
| | - Pengyun Li
- Novo Nordisk Research Center Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana 46241, United States
| | - Vasily Gelfanov
- Novo Nordisk Research Center Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana 46241, United States
| | - John Mayer
- Novo Nordisk Research Center Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana 46241, United States
| | - Richard DiMarchi
- Novo Nordisk Research Center Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana 46241, United States
- Department
of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
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21
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Distinct activation modes of the Relaxin Family Peptide Receptor 2 in response to insulin-like peptide 3 and relaxin. Sci Rep 2017; 7:3294. [PMID: 28607406 PMCID: PMC5468325 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-03638-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Relaxin family peptide receptor 2 (RXFP2) is a GPCR known for its role in reproductive function. It is structurally related to the human relaxin receptor RXFP1 and can be activated by human gene-2 (H2) relaxin as well as its cognate ligand insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3). Both receptors possess an N-terminal low-density lipoprotein type a (LDLa) module that is necessary for activation and is joined to a leucine-rich repeat domain by a linker. This linker has been shown to be important for H2 relaxin binding and activation of RXFP1 and herein we investigate the role of the equivalent region of RXFP2. We demonstrate that the linker’s highly-conserved N-terminal region is essential for activation of RXFP2 in response to both ligands. In contrast, the linker is necessary for H2 relaxin, but not INSL3, binding. Our results highlight the distinct mechanism by which INSL3 activates RXFP2 whereby ligand binding mediates reorientation of the LDLa module by the linker region to activate the RXFP2 transmembrane domains in conjunction with the INSL3 A-chain. In contrast, relaxin activation of RXFP2 involves a more RXFP1-like mechanism involving binding to the LDLa-linker, reorientation of the LDLa module and activation of the transmembrane domains by the LDLa alone.
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22
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Ivell R, Agoulnik AI, Anand‐Ivell R. Relaxin-like peptides in male reproduction - a human perspective. Br J Pharmacol 2017; 174:990-1001. [PMID: 27933606 PMCID: PMC5406299 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Revised: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The relaxin family of peptide hormones and their cognate GPCRs are becoming physiologically well-characterized in the cardiovascular system and particularly in female reproductive processes. Much less is known about the physiology and pharmacology of these peptides in male reproduction, particularly as regards humans. H2-relaxin is involved in prostate function and growth, while insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) is a major product of the testicular Leydig cells and, in the adult, appears to modulate steroidogenesis and germ cell survival. In the fetus, INSL3 is a key hormone expressed shortly after sex determination and is responsible for the first transabdominal phase of testicular descent. Importantly, INSL3 is becoming a very useful constitutive biomarker reflecting both fetal and post-natal development. Nothing is known about roles for INSL4 in male reproduction and only very little about relaxin-3, which is mostly considered as a brain peptide, or INSL5. The former is expressed at very low levels in the testes, but has no known physiology there, whereas the INSL5 knockout mouse does exhibit a testicular phenotype with mild effects on spermatogenesis, probably due to a disruption of glucose homeostasis. INSL6 is a major product of male germ cells, although it is relatively unexplored with regard to its physiology or pharmacology, except that in mice disruption of the INSL6 gene leads to a disruption of spermatogenesis. Clinically, relaxin analogues may be useful in the control of prostate cancer, and both relaxin and INSL3 have been considered as sperm adjuvants for in vitro fertilization. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Recent Progress in the Understanding of Relaxin Family Peptides and their Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.10/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Ivell
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamLE12 5RDUK
- School of Veterinary and Medical SciencesUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamLE12 5RDUK
| | - Alexander I Agoulnik
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of MedicineFlorida International UniversityMiamiFLUSA
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23
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Patil NA, Rosengren KJ, Separovic F, Wade JD, Bathgate RAD, Hossain MA. Relaxin family peptides: structure-activity relationship studies. Br J Pharmacol 2017; 174:950-961. [PMID: 27922185 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Revised: 11/25/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The human relaxin peptide family consists of seven cystine-rich peptides, four of which are known to signal through relaxin family peptide receptors, RXFP1-4. As these peptides play a vital role physiologically and in various diseases, they are of considerable importance for drug discovery and development. Detailed structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies towards understanding the role of important residues in each of these peptides have been reported over the years and utilized for the design of antagonists and minimized agonist variants. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the SAR of human relaxin 2 (H2 relaxin), human relaxin 3 (H3 relaxin), human insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) and human insulin-like peptide 5 (INSL5). LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Recent Progress in the Understanding of Relaxin Family Peptides and their Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.10/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitin A Patil
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - K Johan Rosengren
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Frances Separovic
- School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - John D Wade
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Ross A D Bathgate
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Mohammed Akhter Hossain
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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24
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Liu F, Zaykov AN, Levy JJ, DiMarchi RD, Mayer JP. Chemical synthesis of peptides within the insulin superfamily. J Pept Sci 2016; 22:260-70. [PMID: 26910514 DOI: 10.1002/psc.2863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2015] [Revised: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The synthesis of insulin has inspired fundamental advances in the art of peptide science while simultaneously revealing the structure-function relationship of this centrally important metabolic hormone. This review highlights milestones in the chemical synthesis of insulin that can be divided into two separate approaches: (i) disulfide bond formation driven by protein folding and (ii) chemical reactivity-directed sequential disulfide bond formation. Common to the two approaches are the persistent challenges presented by the hydrophobic nature of the individual A-chain and B-chain and the need for selective disulfide formation under mildly oxidative conditions. The extension and elaboration of these synthetic approaches have been ongoing within the broader insulin superfamily. These structurally similar peptides include the insulin-like growth factors and also the related peptides such as relaxin that signal through G-protein-coupled receptors. After a half-century of advances in insulin chemistry, we have reached a point where synthesis is no longer limiting structural and biological investigation within this family of peptide hormones. The future will increasingly focus on the refinement of structure to meet medicinal purposes that have long been pursued, such as the development of a glucose-sensitive insulin. Copyright © 2016 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fa Liu
- Calibrium LLC, 11711 N. Meridian Street, Carmel, IN, 46032, USA
| | - Alexander N Zaykov
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 E. Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Jay J Levy
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 E. Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Richard D DiMarchi
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 E. Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - John P Mayer
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 E. Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
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25
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Halls ML, Bathgate RAD, Sutton SW, Dschietzig TB, Summers RJ. International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. XCV. Recent advances in the understanding of the pharmacology and biological roles of relaxin family peptide receptors 1-4, the receptors for relaxin family peptides. Pharmacol Rev 2015; 67:389-440. [PMID: 25761609 DOI: 10.1124/pr.114.009472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Relaxin, insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3), relaxin-3, and INSL5 are the cognate ligands for the relaxin family peptide (RXFP) receptors 1-4, respectively. RXFP1 activates pleiotropic signaling pathways including the signalosome protein complex that facilitates high-sensitivity signaling; coupling to Gα(s), Gα(i), and Gα(o) proteins; interaction with glucocorticoid receptors; and the formation of hetero-oligomers with distinctive pharmacological properties. In addition to relaxin-related ligands, RXFP1 is activated by Clq-tumor necrosis factor-related protein 8 and by small-molecular-weight agonists, such as ML290 [2-isopropoxy-N-(2-(3-(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)phenylcarbamoyl)phenyl)benzamide], that act allosterically. RXFP2 activates only the Gα(s)- and Gα(o)-coupled pathways. Relaxin-3 is primarily a neuropeptide, and its cognate receptor RXFP3 is a target for the treatment of depression, anxiety, and autism. A variety of peptide agonists, antagonists, biased agonists, and an allosteric modulator target RXFP3. Both RXFP3 and the related RXFP4 couple to Gα(i)/Gα(o) proteins. INSL5 has the properties of an incretin; it is secreted from the gut and is orexigenic. The expression of RXFP4 in gut, adipose tissue, and β-islets together with compromised glucose tolerance in INSL5 or RXFP4 knockout mice suggests a metabolic role. This review focuses on the many advances in our understanding of RXFP receptors in the last 5 years, their signal transduction mechanisms, the development of novel compounds that target RXFP1-4, the challenges facing the field, and current prospects for new therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle L Halls
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (M.L.H., R.J.S.); Neuropeptides Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (R.A.D.B.); Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California (S.W.S.); Immundiagnostik AG, Bensheim, Germany (T.B.D.); and Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte, Medical Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology, Berlin, Germany (T.B.D.)
| | - Ross A D Bathgate
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (M.L.H., R.J.S.); Neuropeptides Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (R.A.D.B.); Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California (S.W.S.); Immundiagnostik AG, Bensheim, Germany (T.B.D.); and Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte, Medical Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology, Berlin, Germany (T.B.D.)
| | - Steve W Sutton
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (M.L.H., R.J.S.); Neuropeptides Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (R.A.D.B.); Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California (S.W.S.); Immundiagnostik AG, Bensheim, Germany (T.B.D.); and Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte, Medical Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology, Berlin, Germany (T.B.D.)
| | - Thomas B Dschietzig
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (M.L.H., R.J.S.); Neuropeptides Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (R.A.D.B.); Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California (S.W.S.); Immundiagnostik AG, Bensheim, Germany (T.B.D.); and Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte, Medical Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology, Berlin, Germany (T.B.D.)
| | - Roger J Summers
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (M.L.H., R.J.S.); Neuropeptides Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (R.A.D.B.); Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California (S.W.S.); Immundiagnostik AG, Bensheim, Germany (T.B.D.); and Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte, Medical Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology, Berlin, Germany (T.B.D.)
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26
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Chang WH, Li SS, Wu MH, Pan HA, Lee CC. Phthalates might interfere with testicular function by reducing testosterone and insulin-like factor 3 levels. Hum Reprod 2015; 30:2658-70. [PMID: 26385792 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dev225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2014] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Do phthalates create a male reproductive hormone imbalance by down-regulating the secretion of testosterone and insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3)? SUMMARY ANSWER Our study suggests that exposure to phthalates is related to a reduction in the secretion of testosterone and INSL3 in adult males. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY There is evidence that exposure to phthalates, an abundant group of industrial plasticizers, negatively affects testosterone biosynthesis, but little is known about the mechanism in men. The hypothesis that exposure to phthalates reduces the levels of testosterone and INSL3, a marker of Leydig cell function, is underexplored. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This case-control study of 176 men ran from 2010 to 2012. Infertile men were recruited through infertility clinics in Taiwan, fertile men were recruited from childbirth preparation classes and all were categorized based on the World Health Organization definition of infertility and by the diagnoses of obstetricians. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Urinary concentrations of 11 phthalate metabolites were measured, along with serum levels of FSH, LH, total testosterone (TT), estradiol, sex hormone-binding globulin and Inhibin B. Androgen status indices including free testosterone (fT) and the free androgen index (FAI) were calculated. The circulating INSL3 level was evaluated using a radioimmunoassay. Non-parametric analyses, trend tests and linear regression models were used. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Urinary mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP), mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) and mono-2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl phthalate were significantly higher in infertile than in fertile men. Serum Inhibin B, the Inhibin B : FSH ratio, the TT : LH ratio and INSL3 were significantly lower in infertile men. In multiple regression models controlled for potential confounders, there is an inverse association between urinary levels of mono-methyl phthalate (MMP), mono-iso-butyl phthalate (MiBP), MEHP, MEHP% and serum TT (P = 0.001, 0.007, 0.042 and 0.012, respectively). The inverse associations were also found between urinary levels of MiBP, monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), MEHP, MEHP% and serum fT (P = 0.028, 0.017, 0.045 and 0.027, respectively); between urinary levels of MMP, MEHP, MEHP% and the TT : LH ratio (P = 0.004, 0.029 and 0.039, respectively); between urinary levels of MMP, MiBP, MnBP, MBzP, MEHP and the FAI (P = 0.002, 0.008, 0.037, 0.028, 0.042 and 0.016, respectively). Urinary MBzP and MEHP% were negatively associated with a decrease in serum INSL3 (P = 0.049 and <0.001). We also observed a strong inverse relationship between MEHP% quartiles and serum TT, fT, the TT : LH ratio and INSL3 (Ptrend = 0.003, 0.080, 0.002 and 0.012, respectively). Serum INSL3, TT, fT and the TT : LH ratio were lower for men in the highest MEHP% quartile than in the reference group (P = 0.007, 0.002, 0.090 and 0.001, respectively). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION A potential limitation is using a single urine and blood sample to predict urinary phthalate metabolites and reproductive hormone status over long periods. However, there is evidence that a single measure provides a reliable result in population studies. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Non-occupational exposure to phthalates, including di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, might lead to adverse effects on testicular/Leydig cell function and be of concern owing to the ubiquitous multisource exposure to phthalates among the general population. Although our findings are in agreement with recent experimental data, more studies are required to draw firm conclusions on the relation of INSL3 to phthalate exposure or testicular/Leydig cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Hsiang Chang
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 138 Sheng-Li Road, Tainan 70403, Taiwan
| | - Sih-Syuan Li
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 138 Sheng-Li Road, Tainan 70403, Taiwan
| | - Meng-Hsing Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital of National Cheng Kung University, 138 Sheng-Li Road, Tainan 70403, Taiwan
| | - Hsien-An Pan
- An-An Women and Children Clinic, 286 Kaiyuan Road, Tainan 70403, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Chang Lee
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 138 Sheng-Li Road, Tainan 70403, Taiwan Research Center of Environmental Trace Toxic Substance, National Cheng Kung University, 138 Sheng-Li Road, Tainan 70403, Taiwan
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27
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Petrie EJ, Lagaida S, Sethi A, Bathgate RAD, Gooley PR. In a Class of Their Own - RXFP1 and RXFP2 are Unique Members of the LGR Family. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2015; 6:137. [PMID: 26441827 PMCID: PMC4561518 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2015.00137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 08/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptors (LGRs) family consists of three groups: types A, B, and C and all contain a large extracellular domain (ECD) made up of the structural motif - the leucine-rich repeat (LRR). In the LGRs, the ECD binds the hormone or ligand, usually through the LRRs, that ultimately results in activation and signaling. Structures are available for the ECD of type A and B LGRs, but not the type C LGRs. This review discusses the structural features of LRR proteins, and describes the known structures of the type A and B LGRs and predictions that can be made for the type C LGRs. The mechanism of activation of the LGRs is discussed with a focus on the role of the low-density lipoprotein class A (LDLa) module, a unique feature of the type C LGRs. While the LDLa module is essential for activation of the type C LGRs, the molecular mechanism for this process is unknown. Experimental data for the potential interactions of the type C LGR ligands with the LRR domain, the transmembrane domain, and the LDLa module are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma J. Petrie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Samantha Lagaida
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Ashish Sethi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Ross A. D. Bathgate
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Paul R. Gooley
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- *Correspondence: Paul R. Gooley, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, 30 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia,
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O'Hara L, McInnes K, Simitsidellis I, Morgan S, Atanassova N, Slowikowska-Hilczer J, Kula K, Szarras-Czapnik M, Milne L, Mitchell RT, Smith LB. Autocrine androgen action is essential for Leydig cell maturation and function, and protects against late-onset Leydig cell apoptosis in both mice and men. FASEB J 2014; 29:894-910. [PMID: 25404712 PMCID: PMC4422361 DOI: 10.1096/fj.14-255729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Leydig cell number and function decline as men age, and low testosterone is associated with all “Western” cardio-metabolic disorders. However, whether perturbed androgen action within the adult Leydig cell lineage predisposes individuals to this late-onset degeneration remains unknown. To address this, we generated a novel mouse model in which androgen receptor (AR) is ablated from ∼75% of adult Leydig stem cell/cell progenitors, from fetal life onward (Leydig cell AR knockout mice), permitting interrogation of the specific roles of autocrine Leydig cell AR signaling through comparison to adjacent AR-retaining Leydig cells, testes from littermate controls, and to human testes, including from patients with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS). This revealed that autocrine AR signaling is dispensable for the attainment of final Leydig cell number but is essential for Leydig cell maturation and regulation of steroidogenic enzymes in adulthood. Furthermore, these studies reveal that autocrine AR signaling in Leydig cells protects against late-onset degeneration of the seminiferous epithelium in mice and inhibits Leydig cell apoptosis in both adult mice and patients with CAIS, possibly via opposing aberrant estrogen signaling. We conclude that autocrine androgen action within Leydig cells is essential for the lifelong support of spermatogenesis and the development and lifelong health of Leydig cells.—O’Hara, L., McInnes, K., Simitsidellis, I., Morgan, S., Atanassova, N., Slowikowska-Hilczer, J., Kula, K., Szarras-Czapnik, M., Milne, L., Mitchell, R. T., Smith, L. B. Autocrine androgen action is essential for Leydig cell maturation and function, and protects against late-onset Leydig cell apoptosis in both mice and men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura O'Hara
- *MRC Centre for Reproductive Health and BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Institute of Experimental Morphology and Anthropology with Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria; Department of Andrology and Reproductive Endocrinology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland; and Clinic of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Kerry McInnes
- *MRC Centre for Reproductive Health and BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Institute of Experimental Morphology and Anthropology with Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria; Department of Andrology and Reproductive Endocrinology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland; and Clinic of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ioannis Simitsidellis
- *MRC Centre for Reproductive Health and BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Institute of Experimental Morphology and Anthropology with Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria; Department of Andrology and Reproductive Endocrinology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland; and Clinic of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Stephanie Morgan
- *MRC Centre for Reproductive Health and BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Institute of Experimental Morphology and Anthropology with Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria; Department of Andrology and Reproductive Endocrinology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland; and Clinic of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Nina Atanassova
- *MRC Centre for Reproductive Health and BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Institute of Experimental Morphology and Anthropology with Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria; Department of Andrology and Reproductive Endocrinology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland; and Clinic of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jolanta Slowikowska-Hilczer
- *MRC Centre for Reproductive Health and BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Institute of Experimental Morphology and Anthropology with Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria; Department of Andrology and Reproductive Endocrinology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland; and Clinic of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Kula
- *MRC Centre for Reproductive Health and BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Institute of Experimental Morphology and Anthropology with Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria; Department of Andrology and Reproductive Endocrinology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland; and Clinic of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maria Szarras-Czapnik
- *MRC Centre for Reproductive Health and BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Institute of Experimental Morphology and Anthropology with Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria; Department of Andrology and Reproductive Endocrinology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland; and Clinic of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Laura Milne
- *MRC Centre for Reproductive Health and BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Institute of Experimental Morphology and Anthropology with Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria; Department of Andrology and Reproductive Endocrinology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland; and Clinic of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Rod T Mitchell
- *MRC Centre for Reproductive Health and BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Institute of Experimental Morphology and Anthropology with Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria; Department of Andrology and Reproductive Endocrinology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland; and Clinic of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Lee B Smith
- *MRC Centre for Reproductive Health and BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Institute of Experimental Morphology and Anthropology with Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria; Department of Andrology and Reproductive Endocrinology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland; and Clinic of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
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Mendoza-Villarroel RE, Di-Luoffo M, Camiré E, Giner XC, Brousseau C, Tremblay JJ. The INSL3 gene is a direct target for the orphan nuclear receptor, COUP-TFII, in Leydig cells. J Mol Endocrinol 2014; 53:43-55. [PMID: 24780841 DOI: 10.1530/jme-13-0290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Insulin-like 3 (INSL3), a hormone produced by Leydig cells, regulates testicular descent during foetal life and bone metabolism in adults. Despite its importance, little is known about the molecular mechanisms controlling INSL3 expression. Reduced Insl3 mRNA levels were reported in the testis of mice deficient for chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor II (COUP-TFII), an orphan nuclear receptor known to play critical roles in cell differentiation and lineage determination in several tissues. Although COUP-TFII-deficient mice had Leydig cell dysfunction and impaired fertility, it remained unknown whether Insl3 expression was directly regulated by COUP-TFII. In this study, we observed a significant decrease in Insl3 mRNA levels in MA-10 Leydig cells depleted of COUP-TFII. Furthermore, a -1087 bp mouse Insl3 promoter was activated fourfold by COUP-TFII in MA-10 Leydig cells. Using 5' progressive deletions, the COUP-TFII-responsive element was located between -186 and -79 bp, a region containing previously uncharacterised direct repeat 0-like (DR0-like) and DR3 elements. The recruitment and direct binding of COUP-TFII to the DR0-like element were confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation and DNA precipitation assay respectively. Mutation of the DR0-like element, which prevented COUP-TFII binding, significantly decreased COUP-TFII-mediated activation of the -1087 bp Insl3 reporter in CV-1 fibroblast cells but not in MA-10 Leydig cells. Finally, we found that COUP-TFII cooperates with the nuclear receptor steroidogenic factor 1 (SF1) to further enhance Insl3 promoter activity. Our results identify Insl3 as a target for COUP-TFII in Leydig cells and revealed that COUP-TFII acts through protein-protein interactions with other DNA-bound transcription factors, including SF1, to activate Insl3 transcription in these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raifish E Mendoza-Villarroel
- ReproductionMother and Child Health, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, CHUL Room T3-67, 2705 Laurier Boulevard, Québec, City, Québec, Canada G1V 4G2Department of ObstetricsGynecology, and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Centre for Research in Biology of Reproduction, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada G1V 0A6
| | - Mickaël Di-Luoffo
- ReproductionMother and Child Health, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, CHUL Room T3-67, 2705 Laurier Boulevard, Québec, City, Québec, Canada G1V 4G2Department of ObstetricsGynecology, and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Centre for Research in Biology of Reproduction, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada G1V 0A6
| | - Etienne Camiré
- ReproductionMother and Child Health, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, CHUL Room T3-67, 2705 Laurier Boulevard, Québec, City, Québec, Canada G1V 4G2Department of ObstetricsGynecology, and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Centre for Research in Biology of Reproduction, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada G1V 0A6
| | - Xavier C Giner
- ReproductionMother and Child Health, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, CHUL Room T3-67, 2705 Laurier Boulevard, Québec, City, Québec, Canada G1V 4G2Department of ObstetricsGynecology, and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Centre for Research in Biology of Reproduction, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada G1V 0A6
| | - Catherine Brousseau
- ReproductionMother and Child Health, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, CHUL Room T3-67, 2705 Laurier Boulevard, Québec, City, Québec, Canada G1V 4G2Department of ObstetricsGynecology, and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Centre for Research in Biology of Reproduction, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada G1V 0A6
| | - Jacques J Tremblay
- ReproductionMother and Child Health, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, CHUL Room T3-67, 2705 Laurier Boulevard, Québec, City, Québec, Canada G1V 4G2Department of ObstetricsGynecology, and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Centre for Research in Biology of Reproduction, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada G1V 0A6ReproductionMother and Child Health, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, CHUL Room T3-67, 2705 Laurier Boulevard, Québec, City, Québec, Canada G1V 4G2Department of ObstetricsGynecology, and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Centre for Research in Biology of Reproduction, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada G1V 0A6
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Kong RCK, Bathgate RAD, Bruell S, Wade JD, Gooley PR, Petrie EJ. Mapping Key Regions of the RXFP2 Low-Density Lipoprotein Class-A Module That Are Involved in Signal Activation. Biochemistry 2014; 53:4537-48. [DOI: 10.1021/bi500797d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Roy C. K. Kong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Bio21 Molecular
Science and Biotechnology Institute, ‡Florey Institute of Neuroscience
and Mental Health, and §School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Ross A. D. Bathgate
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Bio21 Molecular
Science and Biotechnology Institute, ‡Florey Institute of Neuroscience
and Mental Health, and §School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Shoni Bruell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Bio21 Molecular
Science and Biotechnology Institute, ‡Florey Institute of Neuroscience
and Mental Health, and §School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - John D. Wade
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Bio21 Molecular
Science and Biotechnology Institute, ‡Florey Institute of Neuroscience
and Mental Health, and §School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Paul R. Gooley
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Bio21 Molecular
Science and Biotechnology Institute, ‡Florey Institute of Neuroscience
and Mental Health, and §School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Emma J. Petrie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Bio21 Molecular
Science and Biotechnology Institute, ‡Florey Institute of Neuroscience
and Mental Health, and §School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
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Zhang H, Lu Y, Luo B, Yan S, Guo X, Dai J. Proteomic analysis of mouse testis reveals perfluorooctanoic acid-induced reproductive dysfunction via direct disturbance of testicular steroidogenic machinery. J Proteome Res 2014; 13:3370-85. [PMID: 24940614 DOI: 10.1021/pr500228d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant suspected of being an endocrine disruptor; however, mechanisms of male reproductive disorders induced by PFOA are poorly understood. In this study, male mice were exposed to 0, 0.31, 1.25, 5, and 20 mg PFOA/kg/day by oral gavage for 28 days. PFOA significantly damaged the seminiferous tubules and reduced testosterone and progesterone levels in the testis in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, PFOA exposure reduced sperm quality. We identified 93 differentially expressed proteins between the control and the 5 mg/kg/d PFOA treated mice using a quantitative proteomic approach. Among them, insulin like-factor 3 (INSL3) and cytochrome P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (CYP11A1) as Leydig-cell-specific markers were significantly decreased. We examined in detail the expression patterns of CYP11A1 and associated genes involved in steroidogenesis in the mouse testis. PFOA inhibited the mRNA and protein levels of CYP11A1 and the mRNA levels of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, in vitro study showed the reduction in progesterone levels was accompanied by decreased expression of CYP11A1 in cAMP-stimulated mLTC-1 cells. Our findings indicate that PFOA exposure can impair male reproductive function, possibly by disturbing testosterone levels, and CPY11A1 may be a major steroidogenic enzyme targeted by PFOA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxia Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing, 100101, P.R. China
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Bay K, Anand-Ivell R. Human Testicular Insulin-Like Factor 3 and Endocrine Disrupters. VITAMINS & HORMONES 2014; 94:327-48. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-800095-3.00012-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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33
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Ivell R, Heng K, Anand-Ivell R. Insulin-Like Factor 3 and the HPG Axis in the Male. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2014; 5:6. [PMID: 24478759 PMCID: PMC3902607 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2014.00006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2013] [Accepted: 01/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis comprises pulsatile GnRH from the hypothalamus impacting on the anterior pituitary to induce expression and release of both LH and FSH into the circulation. These in turn stimulate receptors on testicular Leydig and Sertoli cells, respectively, to promote steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis. Both Leydig and Sertoli cells exhibit negative feedback to the pituitary and/or hypothalamus via their products testosterone and inhibin B, respectively, thereby allowing tight regulation of the HPG axis. In particular, LH exerts both acute control on Leydig cells by influencing steroidogenic enzyme activity, as well as chronic control by impacting on Leydig cell differentiation and gene expression. Insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) represents an additional and different endpoint of the HPG axis. This Leydig cell hormone interacts with specific receptors, called RXFP2, on Leydig cells themselves to modulate steroidogenesis, and on male germ cells, probably to synergize with androgen-dependent Sertoli cell products to support spermatogenesis. Unlike testosterone, INSL3 is not acutely regulated by the HPG axis, but is a constitutive product of Leydig cells, which reflects their number and/or differentiation status and their ability therefore to produce various factors including steroids, together this is referred to as Leydig cell functional capacity. Because INSL3 is not subject to the acute episodic fluctuations inherent in the HPG axis itself, it serves as an excellent marker for Leydig cell differentiation and functional capacity, as in puberty, or in monitoring the treatment of hypogonadal patients, and at the same time buffering the HPG output.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Ivell
- School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide , Adelaide, SA , Australia ; Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology , Dummerstorf , Germany
| | - Kee Heng
- School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide , Adelaide, SA , Australia
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Mamoulakis C, Georgiou I, Dimitriadis F, Tsounapi P, Giannakis I, Chatzikyriakidou A, Antypas S, Sofras F, Takenaka A, Sofikitis N. Genetic analysis of the human Insulin-like 3 gene: absence of mutations in a Greek paediatric cohort with testicular maldescent. Andrologia 2013; 46:986-96. [DOI: 10.1111/and.12184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- C. Mamoulakis
- Department of Urology; Medical School; University of Crete; Heraklion Crete Greece
| | - I. Georgiou
- Genetics and IVF Unit; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Medical School; University of Ioannina; Ioannina Greece
| | - F. Dimitriadis
- B' Department of Urology; Medical School; Aristotle University; Thessaloniki Greece
| | - P. Tsounapi
- Department of Urology; Medical School; Tottori University; Yonago Japan
| | - I. Giannakis
- Department of Urology; Medical School; University of Ioannina; Ioannina Greece
| | - A. Chatzikyriakidou
- Genetics and IVF Unit; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Medical School; University of Ioannina; Ioannina Greece
| | - S. Antypas
- First Pediatric Surgery Clinic; Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital; Athens Greece
| | - F. Sofras
- Department of Urology; Medical School; University of Crete; Heraklion Crete Greece
| | - A. Takenaka
- Department of Urology; Medical School; Tottori University; Yonago Japan
| | - N. Sofikitis
- Department of Urology; Medical School; University of Ioannina; Ioannina Greece
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Total chemical synthesis of a heterodimeric interchain bis-lactam-linked Peptide: application to an analogue of human insulin-like Peptide 3. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PEPTIDES 2013; 2013:504260. [PMID: 24288548 PMCID: PMC3830869 DOI: 10.1155/2013/504260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2013] [Revised: 08/31/2013] [Accepted: 09/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Nonreducible cystine isosteres represent important peptide design elements in that they can maintain a near-native tertiary conformation of the peptide while simultaneously extending the in vitro and in vivo half-life of the biomolecule. Examples of these cystine mimics include dicarba, diselenide, thioether, triazole, and lactam bridges. Each has unique physicochemical properties that impact upon the resulting peptide conformation. Each also requires specific conditions for its formation via chemical peptide synthesis protocols. While the preparation of peptides containing two lactam bonds within a peptide is technically possible and reported by others, to date there has been no report of the chemical synthesis of a heterodimeric peptide linked by two lactam bonds. To examine the feasibility of such an assembly, judicious use of a complementary combination of amine and acid protecting groups together with nonfragment-based, total stepwise solid phase peptide synthesis led to the successful preparation of an analogue of the model peptide, insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3), in which both of the interchain disulfide bonds were replaced with a lactam bond. An analogue containing a single disulfide-substituted interchain lactam bond was also prepared. Both INSL3 analogues retained significant cognate RXFP2 receptor binding affinity.
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36
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Bathgate RAD, Halls ML, van der Westhuizen ET, Callander GE, Kocan M, Summers RJ. Relaxin family peptides and their receptors. Physiol Rev 2013; 93:405-80. [PMID: 23303914 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00001.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 376] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
There are seven relaxin family peptides that are all structurally related to insulin. Relaxin has many roles in female and male reproduction, as a neuropeptide in the central nervous system, as a vasodilator and cardiac stimulant in the cardiovascular system, and as an antifibrotic agent. Insulin-like peptide-3 (INSL3) has clearly defined specialist roles in male and female reproduction, relaxin-3 is primarily a neuropeptide involved in stress and metabolic control, and INSL5 is widely distributed particularly in the gastrointestinal tract. Although they are structurally related to insulin, the relaxin family peptides produce their physiological effects by activating a group of four G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), relaxin family peptide receptors 1-4 (RXFP1-4). Relaxin and INSL3 are the cognate ligands for RXFP1 and RXFP2, respectively, that are leucine-rich repeat containing GPCRs. RXFP1 activates a wide spectrum of signaling pathways to generate second messengers that include cAMP and nitric oxide, whereas RXFP2 activates a subset of these pathways. Relaxin-3 and INSL5 are the cognate ligands for RXFP3 and RXFP4 that are closely related to small peptide receptors that when activated inhibit cAMP production and activate MAP kinases. Although there are still many unanswered questions regarding the mode of action of relaxin family peptides, it is clear that they have important physiological roles that could be exploited for therapeutic benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A D Bathgate
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
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Ahmad N, Wang W, Nair R, Kapila S. Relaxin induces matrix-metalloproteinases-9 and -13 via RXFP1: induction of MMP-9 involves the PI3K, ERK, Akt and PKC-ζ pathways. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2012; 363:46-61. [PMID: 22835547 PMCID: PMC3447121 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2012.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2012] [Accepted: 07/11/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
We determined the precise role of relaxin family peptide (RXFP) receptors-1 and -2 in the regulation of MMP-9 and -13 by relaxin, and delineated the signaling cascade that contributes to relaxin's modulation of MMP-9 in fibrocartilaginous cells. Relaxin treatment of cells in which RXFP1 was silenced resulted in diminished induction of MMP-9 and -13 by relaxin, whereas overexpression of RXFP1 potentiated the relaxin-induced expression of these proteinases. Suppression or overexpression of RXFP2 resulted in no changes in the relaxin-induced MMP-9 and -13. Studies using chemical inhibitors and siRNAs to signaling molecules showed that PI3K, Akt, ERK and PKC-ζ and the transcription factors Elk-1, c-fos and, to a lesser extent, NF-κB are involved in relaxin's induction of MMP-9. Our findings provide the first characterization of signaling cascade involved in the regulation of any MMP by relaxin and offer mechanistic insights on how relaxin likely mediates extracellular matrix turnover.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisar Ahmad
- The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1078, USA
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Xue K, Liu JY, Murphy BD, Tsang BK. Orphan nuclear receptor NR4A1 is a negative regulator of DHT-induced rat preantral follicular growth. Mol Endocrinol 2012; 26:2004-15. [PMID: 23028064 DOI: 10.1210/me.2012-1200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member1 (NR4A1), an orphan nuclear receptor, is involved in the transcriptional regulation of thecal cell androgen biosynthesis and paracrine factor insulin-like 3 (INSL3) expression. Androgens are known to play an important regulatory role in ovarian follicle growth. Using a chronically androgenized rat model, a preantral follicle culture model and virus-mediated gene delivery, we examined the role and regulation of NR4A1 in the androgenic control of preantral follicular growth. In the present study, Ki67 staining was increased in preantral follicles on ovarian sections from 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-treated rats. Preantral follicles from DHT-treated rats cultured for 4 d exhibited increased growth and up-regulation of mRNA abundance of G(1)/S-specific cyclin-D2 (Ccnd2) and FSH receptor (Fshr). Similarly, DHT (1 μm) increased preantral follicular growth and Ccnd2 and Fshr mRNA abundance in vitro. The NR4A1 expression was high in theca cells and was down-regulated by DHT in vivo and in vitro. Forced expression of NR4A1 augmented preantral follicular growth, androstenedione production, and Insl3 expression in vitro. Inhibiting the action of androgen (with androgen receptor antagonist flutamide) or INSL3 (with INSL3 receptor antagonist INSL3 B-chain) reduced NR4A1-induced preantral follicular growth. Furthermore, NR4A1 overexpression enhanced DHT-induced preantral follicular growth, a response attenuated by inhibiting INSL3. In conclusion, DHT promotes preantral follicular growth and attenuates thecal NR4A1 expression in vivo and in vitro. Our findings are consistent with the notion that NR4A1 serves as an important point of negative feedback to minimize the excessive preantral follicle growth in hyperandrogenism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Xue
- State Key Laboratory in Reproductive Medicine, Centre for Clinical Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
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Scott DJ, Rosengren KJ, Bathgate RAD. The different ligand-binding modes of relaxin family peptide receptors RXFP1 and RXFP2. Mol Endocrinol 2012; 26:1896-906. [PMID: 22973049 DOI: 10.1210/me.2012-1188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Relaxin and insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) are peptide hormones with a number of important physiological roles in reproduction, regulation of extracellular matrix turnover, and cardiovascular function. Relaxin and INSL3 mediate their actions through the closely related G-protein coupled receptors, relaxin family peptide receptors 1 and 2 (RXFP1 and RXFP2), respectively. These receptors have large extracellular domains (ECD) that contain high-affinity ligand-binding sites within their 10 leucine-rich repeat (LRR)-containing modules. Although relaxin can bind and activate both RXFP1 and RXFP2, INSL3 can only bind and activate RXFP2. To investigate whether this difference is related to the nature of the high-affinity ECD binding site or to differences in secondary binding sites involving the receptor transmembrane (TM) domain, we created a suite of constructs with RXFP1/2 chimeric ECD attached to single TM helices. We show that by changing as little as one LRR, representing four amino acid substitutions, we were able to engineer a high-affinity INSL3-binding site into the ECD of RXFP1. Molecular modeling of the INSL3-RXFP2 interaction based on extensive experimental data highlights the differences in the binding mechanisms of relaxin and INSL3 to the ECD of their cognate receptors. Interestingly, when the engineered RXFP1/2 ECD were introduced into full-length RXFP1 constructs, INSL3 exhibited only low affinity and efficacy on these receptors. These results highlight critical differences both in the ECD binding and in the coordination of the ECD-binding site with the TM domain, and provide new mechanistic insights into the binding and activation events of RXFP1 and RXFP2 by their native hormone ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Scott
- Florey Neuroscience Institutes and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
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Hossain MA, Wade JD, Bathgate RAD. Chimeric relaxin peptides highlight the role of the A-chain in the function of H2 relaxin. Peptides 2012; 35:102-6. [PMID: 22414484 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2012.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2012] [Revised: 02/23/2012] [Accepted: 02/24/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Human gene-2 (H2) relaxin is a member of the insulin-relaxin peptide superfamily. Because of the potential clinical applications of H2 relaxin, there is a need for novel analogs that have improved biological activity and receptor specificity. In this respect, we have chemically assembled chimeric peptides consisting of the B-chain of H2 relaxin in combination with A-chains from other insulin/relaxin family members. The peptides were prepared using solid phase peptide synthesis together with regioselective disulfide bond formation and characterized by RP-HPLC, MALDI-TOF MS and amino acid analysis. Their in vitro activity was assessed in RXFP1 or RXFP2 expressing cells. Replacement of the H2 relaxin A-chain resulted in parallel losses of binding affinity and activity on RXFP1. Not surprisingly H1A-H2B demonstrated the highest activity as the H1 A-chain shares high homology with H2 relaxin whereas INSLA-H2B, which shows low homology, had very poor activity. Importantly A-chain replacements had a dramatic effect on RXFP2 activity similar to previous results demonstrating different modes of activation of A-chain variants on RXFP1 and RXFP2. H3A-H2B is particularly interesting as it displays moderate activity at RXFP1 but poor activity at RXFP2 indicating that it may be a template for specific RXFP1 agonist development. Our study confirms that the activity of H2 relaxin at both RXFP1 and RXFP2 relies on interactions with both the B- and A-chains, and also provide new biochemical insights into the mechanism of relaxin action that the A-chain needs to be in native or near-native form for strong RXFP1 or RXFP2 agonist activity.
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Bay K, Andersson AM. Human testicular insulin-like factor 3: in relation to development, reproductive hormones and andrological disorders. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 34:97-109. [PMID: 20550598 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.2010.01074.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Knockout of the gene encoding insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3) results in cryptorchidism in mice due to disruption of the transabdominal phase of testicular descent. This finding was essential for understanding the complete course of testis descensus, and wound up years of speculations regarding the endocrine regulation of this process. INSL3 is, along with testosterone, a major secretory product of testicular Leydig cells. In addition to its crucial function in testicular descent, INSL3 is suggested to play a paracrine role in germ cell survival and an endocrine role in bone metabolism. INSL3 is produced in human prenatal and neonatal, and in adult Leydig cells to various extents, and is in a developmental context regulated like testosterone, with production during second trimester, an early postnatal peak and increasing secretion during puberty, resulting in high adult serum levels. INSL3 production is entirely dependent on the state of Leydig cell differentiation, and is stimulated by the long-term trophic effects mediated by luteinizing hormone (LH). Once differentiated, Leydig cells apparently express INSL3 in a constitutive manner, and the hormone is thereby insensitive to the acute, steroidogenic effects of LH, which for example is an important factor in the regulation of testosterone. Clinically, serum INSL3 levels can turn out to be a usable tool to monitor basal Leydig cell function in patients with various disorders affecting Leydig cell function. According to animal studies, foetal INSL3 production is, directly or indirectly, sensitive to oestrogenic or anti-androgenic compounds. This provides important insight into the mechanism by which maternal exposure to endocrine disrupters can result in cryptorchidism in the next generation. Conclusively, INSL3 is an interesting testicular hormone with potential clinical value as a marker for Leydig cell function. It should be considered on a par with testosterone in the evaluation of testicular function and the consequences of Leydig cell dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Bay
- University Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) is the subject of a fast expanding literature reflecting increasing clinical application, particularly as a diagnostic parameter. This review summarizes the recent INSL3 literature published within the last 12-18 months. RECENT FINDINGS Significant inroads have been made to understand how INSL3 is working in testicular descent. It also has other functions in the adult, for example in bone metabolism, extending its role as a largely gender-specific hormone. Advances in molecular pharmacology have increased our understanding of INSL3 interaction with its specific receptor, RXFP2, and delivered new high-affinity antagonists. INSL3 is increasingly being used to assess Leydig cell functional capacity within the testis, independently of factors affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, being a robust parameter by comparison with testosterone. Particularly in the aging male, metabolic syndrome, and the effects of adiposity on testis function, INSL3 is a valuable adjunct to the standard clinical repertoire. SUMMARY The Leydig cell hormone INSL3 is responsible for the first phase of testicular descent during pregnancy and may have multiple roles as a gender-specific circulating hormone in the adult reflecting Leydig cell functional capacity. In women, INSL3 is a paracrine factor within the ovary and probably placenta, in which it may have a fetal gender-specific role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Ivell
- School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide, Australia.
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43
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Ivell R, Kotula-Balak M, Glynn D, Heng K, Anand-Ivell R. Relaxin family peptides in the male reproductive system--a critical appraisal. Mol Hum Reprod 2010; 17:71-84. [DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaq086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
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Zhang S, Hughes RA, Bathgate RAD, Shabanpoor F, Hossain MA, Lin F, van Lierop B, Robinson AJ, Wade JD. Role of the intra-A-chain disulfide bond of insulin-like peptide 3 in binding and activation of its receptor, RXFP2. Peptides 2010; 31:1730-6. [PMID: 20570702 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2010.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2010] [Revised: 05/29/2010] [Accepted: 05/29/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
INSL3 is a member of the insulin-IGF-relaxin superfamily and plays a key role in male fetal development and in adult germ cell maturation. It is the cognate ligand for RXFP2, a leucine-rich repeat containing G-protein coupled receptor. To date, and in contrast to our current knowledge of the key structural features that are required for the binding of INSL3 to RXFP2, comparatively little is known about the key residues that are required to elicit receptor activation and downstream cell signaling. Early evidence suggests that these are contained principally within the A-chain. To further explore this hypothesis, we have undertaken an examination of the functional role of the intra-A-chain disulfide bond. Using solid-phase peptide synthesis together with regioselective disulfide bond formation, two analogs of human INSL3 were prepared in which the intra-chain disulfide bond was replaced, one in which the corresponding Cys residues were substituted with the isosteric Ser and the other in which the Cys were removed altogether. Both of these peptides retained nearly full RXFP2 receptor binding but were devoid of cAMP activity (receptor activation), indicating that the intra-A-chain disulfide bond makes a significant contribution to the ability of INSL3 to act as an RXFP2 agonist. Replacement of the disulfide bond with a metabolically stable dicarba bond yielded two isomers of INSL3 that each exhibited bioactivity similar to native INSL3. This study highlights the critical structural role played by the intra-A-chain disulfide bond of INSL3 in mediating agonist actions through the RXFP2 receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suode Zhang
- Howard Florey Institute, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
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45
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Kong RCK, Shilling PJ, Lobb DK, Gooley PR, Bathgate RAD. Membrane receptors: structure and function of the relaxin family peptide receptors. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2010; 320:1-15. [PMID: 20138959 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2010.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2009] [Revised: 12/14/2009] [Accepted: 02/02/2010] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The receptors for members of the relaxin peptide family have only recently been discovered and are G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Relaxin and insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) interact with the leucine-rich-repeat-containing GPCRs (LGRs) LGR7 and LGR8, respectively. These receptors show closest similarity to the glycoprotein hormone receptors and contain large ectodomains with 10 leucine-rich repeats (LRRs) but are unique members of the LGR family (class C) as they have an LDL class A (LDLa) module at their N-terminus. In contrast, relaxin-3 and INSL5 interact with another class of type I GPCRs which lack a large ectodomain, the peptide receptors GPCR135 and GPCR142, respectively. These receptors are now classified as relaxin family peptide (RXFP) receptors, RXFP1 (LGR7), RXFP2 (LGR8), RXFP3 (GPCR135) and RXFP4 (GPCR142). This review outlines the identification of the peptides and receptors, their expression profiles and physiological roles and the functional interactions of the peptides with their unique receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy C K Kong
- Florey Neuroscience Institutes, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
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46
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Relaxin family peptide. Br J Pharmacol 2009. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2009.00501_57.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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Anand-Ivell R, Heng K, Hafen B, Setchell B, Ivell R. Dynamics of INSL3 Peptide Expression in the Rodent Testis1. Biol Reprod 2009; 81:480-7. [DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.109.077552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
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Feng S, Ferlin A, Truong A, Bathgate R, Wade JD, Corbett S, Han S, Tannour-Louet M, Lamb DJ, Foresta C, Agoulnik AI. INSL3/RXFP2 signaling in testicular descent. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2009; 1160:197-204. [PMID: 19416188 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.03841.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Mutations of the insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) hormone or its receptor, RXFP2, cause intraabdominal cryptorchidism in male mice. Specific RXFP2 expression in mouse gubernacula was detected at embryonic day 14.5 and markedly increased after birth in the developing cremaster muscle, as well as in the epididymis and testicular Leydig and germ cells. INSL3 treatment stimulated cell proliferation of embryonic gubernacular and Leydig cells, implicating active INSL3-mediated signaling. The transcription factor SOX9, a known male sex determination factor, upregulated the activity of the RXFP2 promoter. INSL3 is sufficient to direct the first transabdominal phase of testicular descent in the absence of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis signaling or Hoxa10, although these factors are important for inguinoscrotal testicular descent. Similarly, conditional ablation of the androgen receptor gene in gubernacular cells resulted in disruption of inguinoscrotal descent. We performed mutation screening of INSL3 and RXFP2 in human patients with cryptorchidism and control subjects from different populations in Europe and the USA. Several missense mutations were described in both the INSL3 and RXFP2 genes. A novel V39G INSL3 mutation in a patient with cryptorchidism was identified; however, the functional analysis of the mutant peptide did not reveal compromised function. In more than 2000 patients and controls analyzed to date, the T222P RXFP2 mutation is the only one strongly associated with the mutant phenotype. The T222P mutant receptor, when transfected into 293T cells, had severely decreased cell membrane expression, providing the basis for the functional deficiency of this mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Feng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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Svendsen AM, Vrecl M, Knudsen L, Heding A, Wade JD, Bathgate RAD, De Meyts P, Nøhr J. Dimerization and Negative Cooperativity in the Relaxin Family Peptide Receptors. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2009; 1160:54-9. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.03835.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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