Differential regulation of SF-1-cofactor interactions

Disentangling biological signaling networks by dynamic coupling of signaling lipids to modifying enzymes

An unresolved problem in biological signal transduction is how particular branches of highly interconnected signaling networks can be decoupled, allowing activation of specific circuits within complex signaling architectures. Although signaling dynamics and spatiotemporal mechanisms serve critical roles, it remains unclear if these are the only ways cells achieve specificity within networks. The transcription factor Steroidogenic Factor-1 (SF-1) is an excellent model to address this question, as it forms dynamic complexes with several chemically distinct lipid species (phosphatidylinositols, phosphatidylcholines and sphingolipids). This property is important since lipids bound to SF-1 are modified by lipid signaling enzymes (IPMK & PTEN), regulating SF-1 biological activity in gene expression. Thus, a particular SF-1/lipid complex can interface with a lipid signaling enzyme only if SF-1 has been loaded with a chemically compatible lipid substrate. This mechanism permits dynamic downstream responsiveness to constant upstream input, disentangling specific pathways from the full network. The potential of this paradigm to apply generally to nuclear lipid signaling is discussed, with particular attention given to the nuclear receptor superfamily of transcription factors and their phospholipid ligands.

The AP-1 family member FOS blocks transcriptional activity of the nuclear receptor steroidogenic factor 1

Steroid production in the adrenal zona glomerulosa is under the control of angiotensin II (Ang II), which, upon binding to its receptor, activates protein kinase C (PKC) within these cells. PKC is a potent inhibitor of the steroidogenic enzyme CYP17. We have demonstrated that, in the ovary, PKC activates expression of FOS, a member of the AP-1 family, and increased expression of this gene is linked to CYP17 downregulation. However, the pathway and the molecular mechanism responsible for the inhibitory effect of PKC on CYP17 expression are not defined. Herein, we demonstrated that Ang II inhibited CYP17 through PKC and ERK1/2-activated FOS and that blocking FOS expression decreased PKC-mediated inhibition. Although CYP17 transcription was activated by the nuclear receptor SF-1, expression of FOS resulted in a decrease in SF-1-mediated gene transcription. FOS physically interacted with the hinge region of SF-1 and modulated its transactivity, thus preventing binding of cofactors such as SRC1 and CBP, which were necessary to fully activate CYP17 transcription. Collectively, these results indicate a new regulatory mechanism for SF-1 transcriptional activity that might influence adrenal zone-specific expression of CYP17, a mechanism that can potentially be applied to other steroidogenic tissues.

Transcriptional Suppression by Transient Recruitment of ARIP4 to Sumoylated nuclear receptor Ad4BP/SF-1

The small ubiquitin-like modifier SUMO conjugates transcription factors and suppresses their respective activation of target genes. Although various SUMO-modified transcription factors have been isolated, mechanisms whereby sumoylated-substrates modulate transcription remain unknown. Here, we purified ARIP4 (AR interacting protein 4, a Rad54 family member and a SNF2 chromatin remodeling factor), which interacts with sumoylated Ad4BP/SF-1 through two SUMO-interacting motifs and one Ad4BP/SF-1-binding region. Remarkably, ARIP4 also interacts selectively with other sumoylated nuclear receptors including LRH-1, AR, and GR. Interestingly, the ATPase activity of ARIP4 was stimulated in the presence of sumoylated Ad4BP/SF-1 and the Ad4BP/SF-1-binding site containing double-stranded DNA. ChIP assays and siRNA studies strongly suggested that ARIP4 temporally suppresses Ad4BP/SF-1-mediated transcription through its transient recruitment to target genes. These findings suggest that ARIP4 may be a cofactor that modulates SUMO-mediated fine-tuning of transcriptional suppression.

The molecular regulation of Chinook salmon gonadotropin beta-subunit gene transcription

Expression of the gonadotropin beta-subunit genes is tightly regulated both cell-specifically and by the regulatory hormones to achieve the appropriate gonadotropic hormone levels required for reproductive development and function. Although the cDNA sequences of these genes are highly conserved across species, their promoter sequences are not and few functional studies have been carried out to understand the molecular mechanisms through which their expression is regulated. We and others have carried out several studies on the LHbeta gene promoter of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tschawytscha), and also isolated the FSHbeta gene from the same species. We present here a review of these studies and also novel data pertaining to both genes, in an attempt to collate the current understanding of the molecular regulation of the gonadotropin beta-subunit genes in these fish.

Differentiation-specific action of orphan nuclear receptor NR5A1 (SF-1): transcriptional regulation in luteinizing bovine theca cells

BACKGROUND

The orphan nuclear receptor NR5A1 (steroidogenic factor-1, SF-1) is a master regulator of tissue-specific gene expression in reproductive and steroidogenic tissues. Two activating functions, AF-1 and AF-2, have been described to function in a cooperative manner to recruit transcriptional coactivators to the promoter regions of NR5A1-controlled genes.

METHODS

The role of the NR5A1 activating functions AF-1 and AF-2 was studied in primary bovine theca cells. Bovine theca cells were infected with recombinant adenovirus vectors over-expressing wild-type NR5A1 or NR5A1 mutants, in which one of the activating functions of this orphan nuclear receptor had been impaired. Under different culture conditions, theca cell-specific transcript levels were measured by reverse transcription and real-time PCR.

RESULTS

Under culture conditions optimized for cell growth, transcriptional up-regulation of CYP11A1 (P450 side chain-cleavage enzyme) and INSL3 (Insulin-like factor 3, Relaxin-like factor (RLF)) was found to be dependent on the presence of NR5A1 carrying an intact AF-2. Under conditions inducing luteal differentiation of theca cells, CYP11A1 and STAR (Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein) were up-regulated by the action of luteinizing hormone (LH), whereas the differentiation-specific up-regulation of INSL3 was suppressed by LH in luteinizing theca cells. Inhibition of insulin- or IGF1- (insulin-like growth factor I) dependent signal transduction by the RAF1 kinase inhibitor GW5074 and the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitor PD98059 resulted in the finding that RAF1 kinase inhibition was able to counteract the LH-dependent regulation of NR5A1-controlled genes, whereas inhibition of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) pathway did not have any significant effect.

CONCLUSION

The regulation of the three NR5A1-controlled genes CYPA11, STAR, and INSL3 in luteinizing theca cells apparently is not dependent on NR5A1 activating functions AF-1 or AF-2. Activation of AF-1 here even appears to have an impairing effect on NR5A1 transcriptional activity, implying that up-regulation of NR5A1-controlled genes uses a different pathway. Our results might be explained by the possible existence of an interconnection between the RAF1 kinase and the cyclic AMP-protein kinase A pathway. Such a non-classical regulatory pathway might play an important role in the control of gene expression in reproductive and steroidogenic tissues.

Transcription of gonadotropin beta subunit genes involves cross-talk between the transcription factors and co-regulators that mediate actions of the regulatory hormones

The gonadotropins LH and FSH have distinct temporal patterns of expression as a result of differential regulation by hormones such as GnRH, steroids and activin. This specific regulation is due to diverse sets of transcription factors that are recruited to the promoters of these genes, and recruit specific co-activator complexes which function to stabilize interactions with the general transcription factors and RNA polymerase II, and also to induce covalent modifications of the histone tails at these gene loci. As these molecular mechanisms are elucidated, the nature of nuclear cross-talk between the various hormonally induced pathways is becoming evident, revealing both negative and positive effects of interacting transcription factors and co-regulators. This paper will review current knowledge on the transcriptional regulation of gonadotropin beta subunit gene expression in the chromatin setting, and will present new data pertaining to nuclear cross-talk between the various endocrine-induced pathways regulating gonadotropin gene transcription.

Di(n-butyl) phthalate impairs cholesterol transport and steroidogenesis in the fetal rat testis through a rapid and reversible mechanism

In utero exposure to di(n-butyl) phthalate (DBP) leads to a variety of male reproductive abnormalities similar to those caused by androgen receptor antagonists. DBP demonstrates no affinity for the androgen receptor, but rather leads to diminished testosterone production by the fetal testis. The purpose of this study was to determine the onset and reversibility of DBP effects on the fetal testis and to determine at a functional level the points in the cholesterol transport and steroidogenesis pathways affected by DBP. Starting at gestational day (gd) 12, pregnant rats were gavaged daily with 500 mg/kg DBP or corn oil control. Significant decreases in testosterone production and mRNA expression of scavenger receptor B1, P450(SCC), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, and cytochrome p450c17 were observed as early as gd 17. Testosterone, mRNA, and protein levels remained low 24 h after withdrawal of DBP treatment but increased 48 h after cessation of DBP exposure. In another experiment, pregnant dams were treated with DBP until gd 19, with the start of DBP treatment moved 1 d later into gestation for each treatment group, with the final group dosed only on gd 19. Significant decreases in testosterone, mRNA expression, and protein expression were evident as early as 3 h after treatment with DBP, with full repression apparent 24 h after treatment. Using a testis explant system, we determined that DBP treatment led to diminished transport of cholesterol across the mitochondrial membrane as well as diminished function at each point in the testosterone biosynthesis pathway except 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. The transcriptional repression caused by DBP does not appear to be mediated via interference with steroidogenic factor-1 as determined by reporter assays. We conclude that high-dose DBP exposure leads to rapid and reversible diminution of the expression of several proteins required for cholesterol transport and steroidogenesis in the fetal testis, resulting in decreased testosterone synthesis and consequent male reproductive maldevelopment.