1
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Clarisse D, Van Moortel L, Van Leene C, Gevaert K, De Bosscher K. Glucocorticoid receptor signaling: intricacies and therapeutic opportunities. Trends Biochem Sci 2024; 49:431-444. [PMID: 38429217 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2024.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a major nuclear receptor (NR) drug target for the treatment of inflammatory disorders and several cancers. Despite the effectiveness of GR ligands, their systemic action triggers a plethora of side effects, limiting long-term use. Here, we discuss new concepts of and insights into GR mechanisms of action to assist in the identification of routes toward enhanced therapeutic benefits. We zoom in on the communication between different GR domains and how this is influenced by different ligands. We detail findings on the interaction between GR and chromatin, and highlight how condensate formation and coregulator confinement can perturb GR transcriptional responses. Last, we discuss the potential of novel ligands and the therapeutic exploitation of crosstalk with other NRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorien Clarisse
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Laura Van Moortel
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Chloé Van Leene
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kris Gevaert
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karolien De Bosscher
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.
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2
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Prekovic S, Chalkiadakis T, Roest M, Roden D, Lutz C, Schuurman K, Opdam M, Hoekman L, Abbott N, Tesselaar T, Wajahat M, Dwyer AR, Mayayo‐Peralta I, Gomez G, Altelaar M, Beijersbergen R, Győrffy B, Young L, Linn S, Jonkers J, Tilley W, Hickey T, Vareslija D, Swarbrick A, Zwart W. Luminal breast cancer identity is determined by loss of glucocorticoid receptor activity. EMBO Mol Med 2023; 15:e17737. [PMID: 37902007 PMCID: PMC10701603 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202317737] [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: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a transcription factor that plays a crucial role in cancer biology. In this study, we utilized an in silico-designed GR activity signature to demonstrate that GR relates to the proliferative capacity of numerous primary cancer types. In breast cancer, the GR activity status determines luminal subtype identity and has implications for patient outcomes. We reveal that GR engages with estrogen receptor (ER), leading to redistribution of ER on the chromatin. Notably, GR activation leads to upregulation of the ZBTB16 gene, encoding for a transcriptional repressor, which controls growth in ER-positive breast cancer and associates with prognosis in luminal A patients. In relation to ZBTB16's repressive nature, GR activation leads to epigenetic remodeling and loss of histone acetylation at sites proximal to cancer-driving genes. Based on these findings, epigenetic inhibitors reduce viability of ER-positive breast cancer cells that display absence of GR activity. Our findings provide insights into how GR controls ER-positive breast cancer growth and may have implications for patients' prognostication and provide novel therapeutic candidates for breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Prekovic
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode InstituteThe Netherlands Cancer InstituteAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Center for Molecular MedicineUMC UtrechtUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | | | - Merel Roest
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode InstituteThe Netherlands Cancer InstituteAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Daniel Roden
- Cancer Ecosystems ProgramGarvan Institute of Medical ResearchDarlinghurstNSWAustralia
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and HealthUNSW SydneySydneyNSWAustralia
| | - Catrin Lutz
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Oncode InstituteThe Netherlands Cancer InstituteAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Karianne Schuurman
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode InstituteThe Netherlands Cancer InstituteAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Mark Opdam
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Oncode InstituteThe Netherlands Cancer InstituteAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Liesbeth Hoekman
- Mass Spectrometry/Proteomics FacilityThe Netherlands Cancer InstituteAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Nina Abbott
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode InstituteThe Netherlands Cancer InstituteAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Tanja Tesselaar
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode InstituteThe Netherlands Cancer InstituteAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Maliha Wajahat
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical SchoolUniversity of AdelaideAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - Amy R Dwyer
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical SchoolUniversity of AdelaideAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - Isabel Mayayo‐Peralta
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode InstituteThe Netherlands Cancer InstituteAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Gabriela Gomez
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular SciencesThe Royal College of Surgeons University of Medicine and Health SciencesDublinIreland
| | - Maarten Altelaar
- Mass Spectrometry/Proteomics FacilityThe Netherlands Cancer InstituteAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical SciencesUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Roderick Beijersbergen
- Division of Molecular Carcinogenesis and Robotics and Screening CentreNetherlands Cancer InstituteAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Balázs Győrffy
- TTK Cancer Biomarker Research GroupInstitute of EnzymologyBudapestHungary
- Department of Bioinformatics and 2nd Department of PediatricsSemmelweis UniversityBudapestHungary
| | - Leonie Young
- Endocrine Oncology Research Group, Department of SurgeryThe Royal College of Surgeons University of Medicine and Health SciencesDublinIreland
- Beaumont RCSI Cancer CentreBeaumont HospitalDublinIreland
| | - Sabine Linn
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Oncode InstituteThe Netherlands Cancer InstituteAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Jos Jonkers
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Oncode InstituteThe Netherlands Cancer InstituteAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Wayne Tilley
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical SchoolUniversity of AdelaideAdelaideSAAustralia
- Freemasons Centre for Male Health and WellbeingUniversity of AdelaideAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - Theresa Hickey
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical SchoolUniversity of AdelaideAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - Damir Vareslija
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular SciencesThe Royal College of Surgeons University of Medicine and Health SciencesDublinIreland
- Beaumont RCSI Cancer CentreBeaumont HospitalDublinIreland
| | - Alexander Swarbrick
- Cancer Ecosystems ProgramGarvan Institute of Medical ResearchDarlinghurstNSWAustralia
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and HealthUNSW SydneySydneyNSWAustralia
| | - Wilbert Zwart
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode InstituteThe Netherlands Cancer InstituteAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical EngineeringEindhoven University of TechnologyEindhovenThe Netherlands
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3
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Ravid Lustig L, Sampath Kumar A, Schwämmle T, Dunkel I, Noviello G, Limberg E, Weigert R, Pacini G, Buschow R, Ghauri A, Stötzel M, Wittler L, Meissner A, Schulz EG. GATA transcription factors drive initial Xist upregulation after fertilization through direct activation of long-range enhancers. Nat Cell Biol 2023; 25:1704-1715. [PMID: 37932452 PMCID: PMC10635832 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-023-01266-x] [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: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) balances gene expression between the sexes in female mammals. Shortly after fertilization, upregulation of Xist RNA from one X chromosome initiates XCI, leading to chromosome-wide gene silencing. XCI is maintained in all cell types, except the germ line and the pluripotent state where XCI is reversed. The mechanisms triggering Xist upregulation have remained elusive. Here we identify GATA transcription factors as potent activators of Xist. Through a pooled CRISPR activation screen in murine embryonic stem cells, we demonstrate that GATA1, as well as other GATA transcription factors can drive ectopic Xist expression. Moreover, we describe GATA-responsive regulatory elements in the Xist locus bound by different GATA factors. Finally, we show that GATA factors are essential for XCI induction in mouse preimplantation embryos. Deletion of GATA1/4/6 or GATA-responsive Xist enhancers in mouse zygotes effectively prevents Xist upregulation. We propose that the activity or complete absence of various GATA family members controls initial Xist upregulation, XCI maintenance in extra-embryonic lineages and XCI reversal in the epiblast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liat Ravid Lustig
- Systems Epigenetics, Otto Warburg Laboratories, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Abhishek Sampath Kumar
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Till Schwämmle
- Systems Epigenetics, Otto Warburg Laboratories, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ilona Dunkel
- Systems Epigenetics, Otto Warburg Laboratories, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gemma Noviello
- Systems Epigenetics, Otto Warburg Laboratories, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Elodie Limberg
- Systems Epigenetics, Otto Warburg Laboratories, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Raha Weigert
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Guido Pacini
- Systems Epigenetics, Otto Warburg Laboratories, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - René Buschow
- Microscopy and Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Afrah Ghauri
- Systems Epigenetics, Otto Warburg Laboratories, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maximilian Stötzel
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lars Wittler
- Transgenic Unit, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexander Meissner
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Edda G Schulz
- Systems Epigenetics, Otto Warburg Laboratories, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany.
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4
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Bhimsaria D, Rodríguez-Martínez JA, Mendez-Johnson JL, Ghoshdastidar D, Varadarajan A, Bansal M, Daniels DL, Ramanathan P, Ansari AZ. Hidden modes of DNA binding by human nuclear receptors. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4179. [PMID: 37443151 PMCID: PMC10345098 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39577-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Human nuclear receptors (NRs) are a superfamily of ligand-responsive transcription factors that have central roles in cellular function. Their malfunction is linked to numerous diseases, and the ability to modulate their activity with synthetic ligands has yielded 16% of all FDA-approved drugs. NRs regulate distinct gene networks, however they often function from genomic sites that lack known binding motifs. Here, to annotate genomic binding sites of known and unexamined NRs more accurately, we use high-throughput SELEX to comprehensively map DNA binding site preferences of all full-length human NRs, in complex with their ligands. Furthermore, to identify non-obvious binding sites buried in DNA-protein interactomes, we develop MinSeq Find, a search algorithm based on the MinTerm concept from electrical engineering and digital systems design. The resulting MinTerm sequence set (MinSeqs) reveal a constellation of binding sites that more effectively annotate NR-binding profiles in cells. MinSeqs also unmask binding sites created or disrupted by 52,106 single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with human diseases. By implicating druggable NRs as hidden drivers of multiple human diseases, our results not only reveal new biological roles of NRs, but they also provide a resource for drug-repurposing and precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devesh Bhimsaria
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, 247667, India.
| | | | | | | | - Ashwin Varadarajan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Manju Bansal
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India
| | - Danette L Daniels
- Promega Corporation, Madison, WI, 53711, USA
- Foghorn Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Parameswaran Ramanathan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
| | - Aseem Z Ansari
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA.
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5
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Weekley BH, Rice JC. The MMP-2 histone H3 N-terminal tail protease is selectively targeted to the transcription start sites of active genes. Epigenetics Chromatin 2023; 16:16. [PMID: 37161413 PMCID: PMC10170761 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-023-00491-w] [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: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Proteolysis of the histone H3 N-terminal tail (H3NT) is an evolutionarily conserved epigenomic feature of nearly all eukaryotes, generating a cleaved H3 product that is retained in ~ 5-10% of the genome. Although H3NT proteolysis within chromatin was first reported over 60 years ago, the genomic sites targeted for H3NT proteolysis and the impact of this histone modification on chromatin structure and function remain largely unknown. The goal of this study was to identify the specific regions targeted for H3NT proteolysis and investigate the consequence of H3NT "clipping" on local histone post-translational modification (PTM) dynamics. RESULTS Leveraging recent findings that matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) functions as the principal nuclear H3NT protease in the human U2OS osteosarcoma cell line, a ChIP-Seq approach was used to map MMP-2 localization genome wide. The results indicate that MMP-2 is selectively targeted to the transcription start sites (TSSs) of protein coding genes, primarily at the + 1 nucleosome. MMP-2 localization was exclusive to highly expressed genes, further supporting a functional role for H3NT proteolysis in transcriptional regulation. MMP-2 dependent H3NT proteolysis at the TSSs of these genes resulted in a > twofold reduction of activation-associated histone H3 PTMs, including H3K4me3, H3K9ac and H3K18ac. One of genes requiring MMP-2 mediated H3NT proteolysis for proficient expression was the lysosomal cathepsin B protease (CTSB), which we discovered functions as a secondary nuclear H3NT protease in U2OS cells. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed that the MMP-2 H3NT protease is selectively targeted to the TSSs of active protein coding genes in U2OS cells. The resulting H3NT proteolysis directly alters local histone H3 PTM patterns at TSSs, which likely functions to regulate transcription. MMP-2 mediated H3NT proteolysis directly activates CTSB, a secondary H3NT protease that generates additional cleaved H3 products within chromatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin H Weekley
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, 1450 Biggy Street, HNRT 6506, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Judd C Rice
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, 1450 Biggy Street, HNRT 6506, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
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6
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Höllbacher B, Strickland B, Greulich F, Uhlenhaut NH, Heinig M. Machine learning reveals STAT motifs as predictors for GR-mediated gene repression. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2023; 21:1697-1710. [PMID: 36879886 PMCID: PMC9984779 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2023.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids are potent immunosuppressive drugs, but long-term treatment leads to severe side-effects. While there is a commonly accepted model for GR-mediated gene activation, the mechanism behind repression remains elusive. Understanding the molecular action of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) mediated gene repression is the first step towards developing novel therapies. We devised an approach that combines multiple epigenetic assays with 3D chromatin data to find sequence patterns predicting gene expression change. We systematically tested> 100 models to evaluate the best way to integrate the data types and found that GR-bound regions hold most of the information needed to predict the polarity of Dex-induced transcriptional changes. We confirmed NF-κB motif family members as predictors for gene repression and identified STAT motifs as additional negative predictors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Höllbacher
- Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH), Munich 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.,Department of Computer Science, TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology, Technical University Munich, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Benjamin Strickland
- Metabolic Programming, TUM School of Life Sciences, Weihenstephan & ZIEL-Institute for Food & Health, Freising, Germany
| | - Franziska Greulich
- Metabolic Programming, TUM School of Life Sciences, Weihenstephan & ZIEL-Institute for Food & Health, Freising, Germany.,Institute for Diabetes and Endocrinology (IDE), Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH) and German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - N Henriette Uhlenhaut
- Metabolic Programming, TUM School of Life Sciences, Weihenstephan & ZIEL-Institute for Food & Health, Freising, Germany.,Institute for Diabetes and Endocrinology (IDE), Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH) and German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Heinig
- Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH), Munich 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.,Department of Computer Science, TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology, Technical University Munich, 85748 Garching, Germany
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7
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Sakellakis M, Flores LJ. Is the glucocorticoid receptor a key player in prostate cancer?: A literature review. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e29716. [PMID: 35866830 PMCID: PMC9302310 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000029716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids act through the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and exert pleiotropic effects in different cancer types. In prostate cancer cells, GR and androgen receptor (AR) share overlapping transcriptomes and cistromes. Under enzalutamide treatment, GR signaling can bypass AR activation and promote castration resistance via the expression of a subset of AR-target genes. However, GR-dependent growth under enhanced antiandrogen inhibition occurs only in a subset of primed cells. On the other hand, glucocorticoids have been used successfully in the treatment of prostate cancer for many years. In the context of AR signaling, GR competes with AR for DNA-binding and has the potential to halt the proliferation rate of prostate cancer cells. Their target genes overlap by <50% and they execute unique functions in vivo. In addition, even when AR and GR upregulate the same transcriptional target gene, the effect might not be identical in magnitude. Besides being able to drive tumor proliferation, GR is also a key player in prostate cancer cell survival. Stimulation of GR activity can undermine the effects of enhanced antiandrogen treatment, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. GR activation in prostate cancer can increase prosurvival gene expression. Identifying the full spectrum of GR activity will inform the optimal use of glucocorticosteroids in prostate cancer. It will also determine the best strategies to target the protumorigenic effects of GR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minas Sakellakis
- Department of Genitourinary Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States
- *Correspondence: Minas Sakellakis, Department of Genitourinary Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030 (e-mail: )
| | - Laura Jacqueline Flores
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States
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8
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Buurstede JC, Paul SN, De Bosscher K, Meijer OC, Kroon J. Hepatic glucocorticoid-induced transcriptional regulation is androgen-dependent after chronic but not acute glucocorticoid exposure. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22251. [PMID: 35262955 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202101313r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids exert their pleiotropic effects by activating the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), which is expressed throughout the body. GR-mediated transcription is regulated by a multitude of tissue- and cell type-specific mechanisms, including interactions with other transcription factors such as the androgen receptor (AR). We previously showed that the transcription of canonical glucocorticoid-responsive genes is dependent on active androgen signaling, but the extent of this glucocorticoid-androgen crosstalk warrants further investigation. In this study, we investigated the overall glucocorticoid-androgen crosstalk in the hepatic transcriptome. Male mice were exposed to GR agonist corticosterone and AR antagonist enzalutamide in order to determine the extent of androgen-dependency after acute and chronic exposure. We found that a substantial proportion of the hepatic transcriptome is androgen-dependent after chronic exposure, while after acute exposure the transcriptomic effects of glucocorticoids are largely androgen-independent. We propose that prolonged glucocorticoid exposure triggers a gradual upregulation of AR expression, instating a situation of androgen dependence which is likely not driven by direct AR-GR interactions. This indirect mode of glucocorticoid-androgen interaction is in accordance with the absence of enriched AR DNA-binding near AR-dependent corticosterone-regulated genes after chronic exposure. In conclusion, we demonstrate that glucocorticoid effects and their interaction with androgen signaling are dependent on the duration of exposure and believe that our findings contribute to a better understanding of hepatic glucocorticoid biology in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacobus C Buurstede
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Susana N Paul
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Karolien De Bosscher
- Translational Nuclear Receptor Research, VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, UGent Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Gent, Belgium
| | - Onno C Meijer
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Kroon
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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9
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Clarisse D, Deng L, de Bosscher K, Lother A. Approaches towards tissue-selective pharmacology of the mineralocorticoid receptor. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 179:3235-3249. [PMID: 34698367 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) are highly effective therapies for cardiovascular and renal disease. However, the widespread clinical use of currently available MRAs in cardiorenal medicine is hampered by an increased risk of hyperkalemia. The mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) is a nuclear receptor responsible for fluid and electrolyte homeostasis in epithelial tissues, whereas pathophysiological MR activation in nonepithelial tissues leads to undesirable pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic effects. Therefore, new strategies that selectively target the deleterious effects of MR but spare its physiological function are needed. In this review, we discuss recent pharmacological developments starting from novel non-steroidal MRAs that are now entering clinical use, such as finerenone or esaxerenone, to concepts arising from the current knowledge of the MR signaling pathway, aiming at receptor-coregulator interaction, epigenetics, or downstream effectors of MR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorien Clarisse
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Translational Nuclear Receptor Research, VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lisa Deng
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Karolien de Bosscher
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Translational Nuclear Receptor Research, VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Achim Lother
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Cardiology and Angiology I, University Heart Center, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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10
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Bothe M, Buschow R, Meijsing SH. Glucocorticoid signaling induces transcriptional memory and universally reversible chromatin changes. Life Sci Alliance 2021; 4:4/10/e202101080. [PMID: 34446533 PMCID: PMC8403771 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202101080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids are stress hormones that elicit various cellular responses. These responses are typically reversible; however, in some instances, a previous exposure is “remembered” and influences the response to a subsequent hormone encounter. Glucocorticoids are stress hormones that elicit cellular responses by binding to the glucocorticoid receptor, a ligand-activated transcription factor. The exposure of cells to this hormone induces wide-spread changes in the chromatin landscape and gene expression. Previous studies have suggested that some of these changes are reversible whereas others persist even when the hormone is no longer around. However, when we examined chromatin accessibility in human airway epithelial cells after hormone washout, we found that the hormone-induced changes were universally reversed after 1 d. Moreover, priming of cells by a previous exposure to hormone, in general, did not alter the transcriptional response to a subsequent encounter of the same cue except for one gene, ZBTB16, that displays transcriptional memory manifesting itself as a more robust transcriptional response upon repeated hormone stimulation. Single-cell analysis revealed that the more robust response is driven by a higher probability of primed cells to activate ZBTB16 and by a subset of cells that express the gene at levels that are higher than the induction levels observed for naïve cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Bothe
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - René Buschow
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastiaan H Meijsing
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany .,Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens, Berlin, Germany
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11
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Vettorazzi S, Nalbantoglu D, Gebhardt JCM, Tuckermann J. A guide to changing paradigms of glucocorticoid receptor function-a model system for genome regulation and physiology. FEBS J 2021; 289:5718-5743. [PMID: 34213830 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a bona fide ligand-regulated transcription factor. Cloned in the 80s, the GR has become one of the best-studied and clinically most relevant members of the nuclear receptor superfamily. Cooperative activity of GR with other transcription factors and a plethora of coregulators contribute to the tissue- and context-specific response toward the endogenous and pharmacological glucocorticoids (GCs). Furthermore, nontranscriptional activities in the cytoplasm are emerging as an additional function of GR. Over the past 40 years, the concepts of GR mechanisms of action had been constantly changing. Different methodologies in the pregenomic and genomic era of molecular biological research and recent cutting-edge technology in single-cell and single-molecule analysis are steadily evolving the views, how the GR in particular and transcriptional regulation in general act in physiological and pathological processes. In addition to the development of technologies for GR analysis, the use of model organisms provides insights how the GR in vivo executes GC action in tissue homeostasis, inflammation, and energy metabolism. The model organisms, namely the mouse, but also rats, zebrafish, and recently fruit flies carrying mutations of the GR became a major driving force to analyze the molecular function of GR in disease models. This guide provides an overview of the exciting research and paradigm shifts in the GR field from past to present with a focus on GR transcription factor networks, GR DNA-binding and single-cell analysis, and model systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Vettorazzi
- Institute of Comparative Molecular Endocrinology (CME), Ulm University, Germany
| | - Denis Nalbantoglu
- Institute of Comparative Molecular Endocrinology (CME), Ulm University, Germany
| | | | - Jan Tuckermann
- Institute of Comparative Molecular Endocrinology (CME), Ulm University, Germany
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Martynyuk AE, Ju LS, Morey TE. The potential role of stress and sex steroids in heritable effects of sevoflurane. Biol Reprod 2021; 105:735-746. [PMID: 34192761 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Most surgical procedures require general anesthesia, which is a reversible deep sedation state lacking all perception. The induction of this state is possible because of complex molecular and neuronal network actions of general anesthetics (GAs) and other pharmacological agents. Laboratory and clinical studies indicate that the effects of GAs may not be completely reversible upon anesthesia withdrawal. The long-term neurocognitive effects of GAs, especially when administered at the extremes of ages, are an increasingly recognized health concern and the subject of extensive laboratory and clinical research. Initial studies in rodents suggest that the adverse effects of GAs, whose actions involve enhancement of GABA type A receptor activity (GABAergic GAs), can also extend to future unexposed offspring. Importantly, experimental findings show that GABAergic GAs may induce heritable effects when administered from the early postnatal period to at least young adulthood, covering nearly all age groups that may have children after exposure to anesthesia. More studies are needed to understand when and how the clinical use of GAs in a large and growing population of patients can result in lower resilience to diseases in the even larger population of their unexposed offspring. This minireview is focused on the authors' published results and data in the literature supporting the notion that GABAergic GAs, in particular sevoflurane, may upregulate systemic levels of stress and sex steroids and alter expressions of genes that are essential for the functioning of these steroid systems. The authors hypothesize that stress and sex steroids are involved in the mediation of sex-specific heritable effects of sevoflurane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anatoly E Martynyuk
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA.,McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Ling-Sha Ju
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Timothy E Morey
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Ehsani M, David FO, Baniahmad A. Androgen Receptor-Dependent Mechanisms Mediating Drug Resistance in Prostate Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1534. [PMID: 33810413 PMCID: PMC8037957 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Androgen receptor (AR) is a main driver of prostate cancer (PCa) growth and progression as well as the key drug target. Appropriate PCa treatments differ depending on the stage of cancer at diagnosis. Although androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) of PCa is initially effective, eventually tumors develop resistance to the drug within 2-3 years of treatment onset leading to castration resistant PCa (CRPC). Castration resistance is usually mediated by reactivation of AR signaling. Eventually, PCa develops additional resistance towards treatment with AR antagonists that occur regularly, also mostly due to bypass mechanisms that activate AR signaling. This tumor evolution with selection upon therapy is presumably based on a high degree of tumor heterogenicity and plasticity that allows PCa cells to proliferate and develop adaptive signaling to the treatment and evolve pathways in therapy resistance, including resistance to chemotherapy. The therapy-resistant PCa phenotype is associated with more aggressiveness and increased metastatic ability. By far, drug resistance remains a major cause of PCa treatment failure and lethality. In this review, various acquired and intrinsic mechanisms that are AR‑dependent and contribute to PCa drug resistance will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Aria Baniahmad
- Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07740 Jena, Germany; (M.E.); (F.O.D.)
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