Neuronal cell nuclear factor--a nuclear receptor possibly involved in the control of neurogenesis and neuronal differentiation

The expanding roles of Nr6a1 in development and evolution

The Nuclear Receptor (NR) family of transcriptional regulators possess the ability to sense signalling molecules and directly couple that to a transcriptional response. While this large class of proteins are united by sequence and structural homology, individual NR functional output varies greatly depending on their expression, ligand selectivity and DNA binding sequence specificity. Many NRs have remained somewhat enigmatic, with the absence of a defined ligand categorising them as orphan nuclear receptors. One example is Nuclear Receptor subfamily 6 group A member 1 (Nr6a1), an orphan nuclear receptor that has no close evolutionary homologs and thus is alone in subfamily 6. Nonetheless, Nr6a1 has emerged as an important player in the regulation of key pluripotency and developmental genes, as functionally critical for mid-gestational developmental progression and as a possible molecular target for driving evolutionary change in animal body plan. Here, we review the current knowledge on this enigmatic nuclear receptor and how it impacts development and evolution.

The orphan nuclear receptors at their 25-year reunion

The nuclear receptor superfamily includes many receptors, identified based on their similarity to steroid hormone receptors but without a known ligand. The study of how these receptors are diversely regulated to interact with genomic regions to control a plethora of biological processes has provided critical insight into development, physiology, and the molecular pathology of disease. Here we provide a compendium of these so-called orphan receptors and focus on what has been learned about their modes of action, physiological functions, and therapeutic promise.

Revisiting the role of GCNF in embryonic development

GCNF (NR6A1) is essential for embryonic development. GCNF belongs to the nuclear receptor (NR) gene family, it is distantly related to other NRs and is the only member of subfamily 6. As the ligand for GCNF has not been identified, GCNF is designated an orphan nuclear receptor. GCNF has been found to be a transcriptional repressor, through specific binding to DR0 response elements, which is found in the Oct4 proximal promoter for example. GCNF is expressed widely in early mouse embryos, and later in the developing nervous system. GCNF knockout mouse embryos die around E10.5. GCNF is required for the restriction of Oct4 expression to primordial germ cells after gastrulation. GCNF is expressed in ES/EC cells and during their differentiation, and has been reported to be required for pluripotency gene repression during retinoic acid (RA)-induced mES cell differentiation. GCNF can interact with DNA methylation proteins, and is suggested to recruit DNA methylation complexes to repress and silence Oct4 expression. Nuclear receptor regulation in embryonic development is a complex process, as different nuclear receptors have overlapping and distinct functions. In-depth exploration of GCNF function and mechanism of action will help to comprehensively understand the nuclear receptor regulation in embryonic development.

Expression screening of cancer/testis genes in prostate cancer identifies NR6A1 as a novel marker of disease progression and aggressiveness

BACKGROUND

Cancer/Testis (CT) genes are expressed in male gonads, repressed in most healthy somatic tissues and de-repressed in various somatic malignancies including prostate cancers (PCa). Because of their specific expression signature and their associations with tumor aggressiveness and poor outcomes, CT genes are considered to be useful biomarkers and they are also targets for the development of new anti-cancer immunotherapies. The aim of this study was to identify novel CT genes associated with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (HSPC), and castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

METHODS

To identify novel CT genes we screened genes for which transcripts were detected by RNA profiling specifically in normal testis and in either HSPC or CRPC as compared to normal prostate and 44 other healthy tissues using GeneChips. The expression and clinicopathological significance of a promising candidate--NR6A1--was examined in HSPC, CRPC, and metastatic site samples using tissue microarrays.

RESULTS

We report the identification of 98 genes detected in CRPC, HSPC and testicular samples but not in the normal controls. Among them, cellular levels of NR6A1 were found to be higher in HSPC compared to normal prostate and further increased in metastatic lesions and CRPC. Furthermore, increased NR6A1 immunoreactivity was significantly associated with a high Gleason score, advanced pT stage and cancer cell proliferation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that cellular levels of NR6A1 are correlated with disease progression in PCa. We suggest that this essential orphan nuclear receptor is a potential therapeutic target as well as a biomarker of PCa aggressiveness.

Extra-germ cell expression of mouse nuclear receptor subfamily 6, group A, member 1 (NR6A1)

Nuclear receptor subfamily 6, group A, member 1 (NR6A1) is an orphan member of the nuclear receptor superfamily and is required for normal mouse embryonic development. In adult mice, NR6A1 is predominantly expressed in spermatogenic cells and growing oocytes of the gonads and has a role in female reproduction by modulating the transcription of the oocyte-specific genes bone morphogenetic protein 15 (Bmp15) and growth differentiation factor 9 (Gdf9). In our goal to further understand the functional role of NR6A1 during postnatal development, we generated a Nr6a1:beta-galactosidase (LacZ) knockin reporter (Nr6a1(LacZ/+)) mouse line in which the Nr6a1:LacZ fusion gene was expressed and then characterized Nr6a1 expression in these reporter mice by performing LacZ staining. Our RT-PCR analyses showed that Nr6a1 was expressed in a variety of somatic tissues (e.g., oviduct and lung) other than gonads of normal adult mice. In adult Nr6a1(LacZ/+) mice, robust LacZ staining was observed in the gametes of gonads. Strong positive LacZ staining was also observed in the sperm of the epididymis, epithelial cells of the oviduct, and bronchioles within the lung. In adult Nr6a1(LacZ/+) mice, positive LacZ staining was observed in other somatic tissues, including hippocampus, cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and thalamus of brain; pars intermedia and pars anterior of pituitary; parathyroid; and islet of pancreas. NR6A1 expression in sperm within the epididymis, epithelial cells in the oviduct, and bronchioles of the lung was further confirmed by immunohistochemical studies. Nr6a1 is expressed not only in the germ cells of mouse gonads but also in a variety of somatic tissues, including epididymis, oviduct, brain, and pituitary. The extra-germ cell expression of NR6A1 makes it a less attractive contraceptive.

International Union of Pharmacology. LXVI. Orphan nuclear receptors

Half of the members of the nuclear receptors superfamily are so-called "orphan" receptors because the identity of their ligand, if any, is unknown. Because of their important biological roles, the study of orphan receptors has attracted much attention recently and has resulted in rapid advances that have helped in the discovery of novel signaling pathways. In this review we present the main features of orphan receptors, discuss the structure of their ligand-binding domains and their biological functions. The paradoxical existence of a pharmacology of orphan receptors, a rapidly growing and innovative field, is highlighted.

Loss of orphan nuclear receptor GCNF function disrupts forebrain development and the establishment of the isthmic organizer

The isthmic organizer, which is located at the midbrain-hindbrain boundary, is important for midbrain development. The mechanism by which the development of the organizer is initiated and maintained is not well understood. Inactivation of the gene encoding the orphan nuclear receptor, GCNF, diminishes the expression of secreted signaling molecules, Fgf8 and Wnt1, the paired box genes Pax2/5, En1/2, and homeodomain transcription factor Gbx2; all of which are essential for isthmic organizer function. In addition, full neuronal differentiation is not observed in the midbrain region of GCNF-/- embryos. Increased cell death may contribute to the loss of midbrain structure in GCNF-/- embryos. These results indicate that GCNF is required for establishment of the isthmic organizer, thereby regulating the midbrain development.

Transcriptional regulation of early oogenesis: in search of masters

Transcription factors in the germline play important roles in ovary formation and folliculogenesis, and control both oocyte development and somatic cell function. Factor in the germline (Figla) and newborn ovary homeobox gene (Nobox) represent a growing number of oocyte-specific transcription factors that regulate genes unique to oocytes. Studies on oocyte-specific transcription factors are important in understanding the genetic pathways essential for oogenesis, pluripotency, and embryonic development. Likely, these genes regulate reproductive life span and represent candidate genes for reproductive disorders, such as premature ovarian failure, and infertility. Therefore, oocyte-specific transcription factors, and oocyte-specific genes regulated by such factors, are attractive tissue-specific pharmacological targets to regulate human fertility.

The expression level of the orphan nuclear receptor GCNF (germ cell nuclear factor) is critical for neuronal differentiation

The germ cell nuclear factor (GCNF) is essential for normal embryonic development and gametogenesis. To test the prediction that GCNF is additionally required for neuronal differentiation, we used the mouse embryonal carcinoma cell line PCC7-Mz1, which represents an advantageous model to study neuronal cells from the stage of fate choice until the acquirement of functional competence. We generated stable transfectants that express gcnf sense or antisense RNA under the control of a tetracycline-regulated promoter. After retinoic acid-induced withdrawal from the cell cycle, sense clones developed a neuron network with changed properties, and the time course of neuron maturation was shortened. Consistent with these data, differentiation of neuronal precursor cells was impaired in antisense cultures. This involved a delay in 1) the down-regulation of nestin, a marker for undifferentiated neuroepithelial cells and stem cells of the central nervous system, and 2) up-regulation of the somatodendritic protein microtubule-associated protein 2 and the synaptic vesicle protein synaptophysin. Neuronal cells in the antisense cultures acquired functional competence, although with a significant delay. Our data propose that the level of GCNF is critical for differentiation and maturation of neuronal precursor cells.

Gene Silencing by Nuclear Orphan Receptors

Nuclear orphan receptors represent a large and diverse subgroup in the nuclear receptor superfamily. Although putative ligands for these orphan members remain to be identified, some of these receptors possess intrinsic activating, inhibitory, or dual regulatory functions in development, differentiation, homeostasis, and reproduction. In particular, gene-silencing events elicited by chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factors (COUP-TFs); dosage-sensitive sex reversal-adrenal hypoplasia congenita critical region on the X chromosome, gene 1 (DAX-1); germ cell nuclear factor (GCNF); short heterodimer partner (SHP); and testicular receptors 2 and 4 (TR2 and TR4) are among the best characterized. These orphan receptors are critical in controlling basal activities or hormonal responsiveness of numerous target genes. They employ multiple and distinct mechanisms to mediate target gene repression. Complex cross-talk exists between these orphan receptors at their cognate DNA binding elements and an array of steroid?nonsteroid hormone receptors, other transcriptional activators, coactivators and corepressors, histone modification enzyme complexes, and components of basal transcriptional components. Therefore, perturbation induced by these orphan receptors at multiple levels, including DNA binding activities, receptor homo- or heterodimerization, recruitment of cofactor proteins, communication with general transcriptional machinery, and changes at histone acetylation status and chromatin structures, may contribute to silencing of target gene expression in a specific promoter or cell-type context. Moreover, the findings derived from gene-targeting studies have demonstrated the significance of these orphan receptors' function in physiologic settings. Thus, COUP-TFs, DAX-1, GCNF, SHP, and TR2 and 4 are known to be required for multiple physiologic and biologic functions, including neurogenesis and development of the heart and vascular system steroidogenesis and sex determination, gametogenesis and embryonic development, and cholesterol?lipid homeostasis.

The function of Xenopus germ cell nuclear factor (xGCNF) in morphogenetic movements during neurulation

The germ cell nuclear factor (GCNF, NR6A1) is a nuclear orphan receptor first described in the mouse testis and subsequently identified as an essential transcription factor in vertebrate embryogenesis. Here, we analyze the phenotype of Xenopus embryos after depletion of embryonic GCNF (xEmGCNF) protein using a specific morpholino antisense oligonucleotide. Morphological defects after xEmGCNF knockdown became obvious from neurulation onward. Among the abnormalities observed, defective formation of the neural tube and a short and curved main body axis were the most remarkable traits. Histological analysis, lineage tracing of injected blastomeres, and Keller sandwich explants revealed that xEmGCNF function is required for different patterns of cell intercalation during neurulation and consequently for the sequence of morphogenetic movements leading to formation of the neural tube. Further characterization of the phenotype at the molecular level showed an abnormal distribution of the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin and a reduction in the expression level of the integrin subunits alpha5 and alpha6, the limiting components of the laminin and fibronectin receptors, respectively. We propose integrin-mediated cell-matrix interaction as a process that requires xEmGCNF function and provides, in concert with cadherins-mediated cell-cell interactions, a molecular basis for morphogenetic cell movements during neurulation.

Analysis of germ cell nuclear factor transcripts and protein expression during spermatogenesis

Germ cell nuclear factor (GCNF), an orphan receptor in the nuclear receptor superfamily, is expressed predominantly in developing germ cells in the adult mouse. Two Gcnf transcripts (7.4 and 2.1 kilobase [kb]) encoded by a single copy gene are expressed in the testis of several mammalian species. To identify features that regulate Gcnf expression, we characterized the structure and sequence of the mouse gene and its two transcripts and determined the expression profile of the GCNF protein during spermatogenesis. Genomic fragments spanning part of the 5'-untranslated region (UTR), the coding sequence, and the complete 3'-UTR (approximately 80 kb) were isolated and sequenced. The 3'-UTRs of the two transcripts are quite distinct. The 7.4 kb transcript, which appears earlier in spermatogenesis, has a very long 3'-UTR of 4451 nucleotides. In contrast, the 2.1 kb transcript, which is expressed predominantly during the haploid phase of spermatogenesis, has a 3'-UTR that is only 202 nucleotides in length. Additional analyses indicate that both transcripts share the same coding region and are associated with polysomes. A single GCNF protein band was detected in testis extracts by Western blotting with a specific antiserum. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that GCNF is localized in the nuclei of pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids. GCNF is first detectable in early pachytene spermatocytes (stage II) and is continuously expressed until spermatids begin to elongate in stage IX. Although GCNF is generally distributed throughout the nucleus, it is particularly prominent in heterochromatic regions at some stages and in condensed chromosomes undergoing the meiotic divisions. This expression profile suggests that GCNF plays a role in transcriptional regulation during meiosis and the early haploid phase of spermatogenesis.

The germ cell nuclear factor is required for retinoic acid signaling during Xenopus development

The germ cell nuclear factor (GCNF, NR6A1) is a nuclear orphan receptor that functions as a transcriptional repressor and is transiently expressed in mammalian carcinoma cells during retinoic acid (RA) induced neuronal differentiation. During Xenopus laevis development, the spatiotemporal expression pattern of embryonic GCNF (xEmGCNF) suggests a role in anteroposterior specification of the neuroectoderm. Here, we show that RA treatment of Xenopus embryos enhances xEmGCNF expression. Moreover, we present evidence for the relevance of this finding in the context of primary neurogenesis and hindbrain development. During early development of the central nervous system, RA signals promote posterior transformation of the neuroectoderm and increase the number of cells undergoing primary neurogenesis. Our loss-of-function analyses using a xEmGCNF-specific morpholino antisense oligonucleotide indicate that xEmGCNF is required for the effect of RA on primary neurogenesis. This may be caused by transcriptional regulation of the gene encoding the RA-degrading enzyme CYP26, since this gene is derepressed after depletion of xEmGCNF and an antimorph of xEmGCNF directly activates transcription of CYP26, also in absence of protein synthesis. The effect of xEmGCNF knockdown on hindbrain patterning is similar to conditions of reduced RA signaling, which may be caused by a reduction of RAR gamma expression specifically in the presumptive hindbrain.

Expression of the orphan nuclear receptor, germ cell nuclear factor, in mouse gonads and preimplantation embryos

Germ cell nuclear factor (GCNF, NR6A1) is an orphan member of the nuclear receptor superfamily and functions as a repressor of gene transcription. GCNF mRNA is expressed in postgastrulation mouse embryos and is required for normal mouse embryonic development. In adult mice, GCNF transcripts are predominantly expressed in spermatogenic cells and growing oocytes of the gonads. To extend this observation to the protein level, we generated and characterized a specific antibody against GCNF. Using this antibody we found that GCNF protein was exclusively present in postmeiotic spermatogenic cells of the testis in 21- and 56-day-old mice. In the ovary, GCNF protein was present in the cytoplasm of oocytes from primary to preovulatory follicles. GCNF protein was also present in unfertilized oocytes and preimplantation embryos. The presence of GCNF protein in adult mouse gonads indicates that GCNF may play a role during gametogenesis. Our results also show that GCNF in early embryos is a maternal protein and could be involved in the regulation of zygotic gene expression and preimplantation embryonic development.

The 3'-UTR of the mRNA coding for the major protein kinase C substrate MARCKS contains a novel CU-rich element interacting with the mRNA stabilizing factors HuD and HuR

The expression of the major protein kinase C substrate MARCKS (myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate) is controlled by the stability of its mRNA. While the MARCKS mRNA is long living in quiescent fibroblasts (t1/2 = 14 h), its half-life time is drastically reduced (t1/2 = 2 h) in cells treated with phorbol esters to activate protein kinase C (PKC) or treated with growth factors. In a first step to study the underlying mechanism we identified both a cis-element on the MARCKS mRNA and the corresponding trans-acting factors. Fusing the complete 3'-UTR or specific regions of the 3'-UTR of the MARCKS gene to a luciferase reporter gene caused a drastic decrease in luciferase expression to as low as 5-10% of controls. This down-regulation was a result of destabilization of the chimeric transcript as shown by RNA run-off and Northern blot-assays. By RNase/EMSA and UV-cross-linking experiments, we identified a stretch of 52 nucleotides [(CUUU)11(U)8] in the 3'-UTR of the MARCKS mRNA specifically recognized by two RNA-binding proteins, HuD and HuR. These trans-acting factors are members of the ELAV gene family and bind the MARCKS CU-rich sequence with high affinity. Overexpression of HuD and HuR in murine fibroblasts caused a striking stabilization of the endogenous MARCKS mRNA even under conditions when the MARCKS mRNA is normally actively degraded, i.e. after treating cells with phorbol ester. These data imply, that the identified CU-rich cis-element of the MARCKS 3'-UTR is involved in conferring instability to mRNAs and that members of the ELAV gene family oppose this effect. Based on its structural and functional properties, the (CUUU)11(U)8 sequence described here can be grouped into class III of AU-rich elements.

The embryonic function of germ cell nuclear factor is dependent on the DNA binding domain

Germ cell nuclear factor (GCNF), an orphan nuclear receptor, is essential for mouse embryogenesis. GCNF specifically binds to a DR0 response element via its DNA binding domain (DBD) in vitro and functions as a repressor of gene transcription. To further study the role of GCNF during embryogenesis, we have employed a Cre/loxP strategy and generated a line of GCNF mutant mice (GCNF(lox/lox)) in which the 243-base pair DBD-encoding exon has been deleted in the germline. However, the ligand binding domain (LBD) of GCNF is still expressed at the mRNA and protein levels in the GCNF(lox/lox) mice. GCNF(lox/lox) mice die at 9.5-10.5 days postcoitum. The tailbuds of these mutant embryos protrude outside the yolk sac. Expression of Oct-4 in the somatic cells of GCNF(lox/lox) embryos at 8.25 days postcoitum was not silenced as in the GCNF(+/+) embryos. Therefore, GCNF(lox/lox) mice phenocopy the GCNF(-/-) mice. Our results indicate that the DBD is essential for the function of GCNF during early mouse embryogenesis, and that the LBD does not mediate any function independent of the DBD at this stage of embryonic development. Our results also suggest that GCNF is indeed a transcriptional factor that represses gene transcription mediated via its DBD.

Role and distribution of retinoic acid during CNS development

Retinoic acid (RA), the biologically active derivative of vitamin A, induces a variety of embryonal carcinoma and neuroblastoma cell lines to differentiate into neurons. The molecular events underlying this process are reviewed with a view to determining whether these data can lead to a better understanding of the normal process of neuronal differentiation during development. Several transcription factors, intracellular signaling molecules, cytoplasmic proteins, and extracellular molecules are shown to be necessary and sufficient for RA-induced differentiation. The evidence that RA is an endogenous component of the developing central nervous system (CNS) is then reviewed, data which include high-pressure liquid chromotography (HPLC) measurements, reporter systems and the distribution of the enzymes that synthesize RA. The latter is particularly relevant to whether RA signals in a paracrine fashion on adjacent tissues or whether it acts in an autocrine manner on cells that synthesize it. It seems that a paracrine system may operate to begin early patterning events within the developing CNS from adjacent somites and later within the CNS itself to induce subsets of neurons. The distribution of retinoid-binding proteins, retinoid receptors, and RA-synthesizing enzymes is described as well as the effects of knockouts of these genes. Finally, the effects of a deficiency and an excess of RA on the developing CNS are described from the point of view of patterning the CNS, where it seems that the hindbrain is the most susceptible part of the CNS to altered levels of RA or RA receptors and also from the point of view of neuronal differentiation where, as in the case of embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells, RA promotes neuronal differentiation. The crucial roles played by certain genes, particularly the Hox genes in RA-induced patterning processes, are also emphasized.

Differentiation-associated apoptosis of neural stem cells is effected by Bcl-2 overexpression: impact on cell lineage determination

Apoptosis is an integral part of neural development. To elucidate the importance of programmed cell death on cell lineage determination we utilized murine PCC7-Mzl cells, a model system for neural differentiation. Treatment of pluripotent PCC7-Mzl stem cells with 0.1 microM all-trans retinoic acid (RA) causes a cease of proliferation and an initiation of differentiation into neurons, glial cells and fibroblasts. Simultaneously, a fraction of the cell culture (ca. 25%) dies within 24 h by apoptosis. We transfected PCC7-Mzl cells with the human bcl-2 cDNA and generated PCC7-Mz-Bcl-2 cell lines expressing two- to tenfold higher levels of Bcl-2 than parental cells. Overexpression of Bcl-2 resulted in hypophosphorylation of the retinoblastoma (Rb) protein and consequently prolonged the doubling time of the culture from 18 h to 23 h. RA-induced apoptosis was drastically reduced to 3 to 15% depending on the level of Bcl-2 expression. RA-induced caspase activation, cytochrome c release from the mitochondria to the cytosol and DNA fragmentation was completely blocked. Furthermore, treating Bcl-2 cultures with ceramide (10 microM), a second messenger mediating the RA-initiated death signal in parental cells, no longer caused DNA laddering. Bcl-2 overexpression did not interfere with the potential of PCC7-Mz cells to develop into neurons, glial cells and fibroblasts. However, the relative distribution of cell types in the culture was shifted such that the fraction of neurons was reduced to half (from 60 to 30%) with a concomitant increase in the number of glial and fibroblastoid cells. Furthermore, Bcl-2-overexpressing neurons, but not neurons of parental or mock-transfected PCC7-Mzl cultures, were able to grow as single cells.

Loss of orphan receptor germ cell nuclear factor function results in ectopic development of the tail bud and a novel posterior truncation

The dynamic embryonic expression of germ cell nuclear factor (GCNF), an orphan nuclear receptor, suggests that it may play an important role during early development. To determine the physiological role of GCNF, we have generated a targeted mutation of the GCNF gene in mice. Germ line mutation of the GCNF gene proves that the orphan nuclear receptor is essential for embryonic survival and normal development. GCNF(-/-) embryos cannot survive beyond 10.5 days postcoitum (dpc), probably due to cardiovascular failure. Prior to death, GCNF(-/-) embryos suffer significant defects in posterior development. Unlike GCNF(+/+) embryos, GCNF(-/-) embryos do not turn and remain in a lordotic position, the majority of the neural tube remains open, and the hindgut fails to close. GCNF(-/-) embryos also suffer serious defects in trunk development, specifically in somitogenesis, which terminates by 8.75 dpc. The maximum number of somites in GCNF(-/-) embryos is 13 instead of 25 as in the GCNF(+/+) embryos. Interestingly, the tailbud of GCNF(-/-) embryos develops ectopically outside the yolk sac. Indeed, alterations in expression of multiple marker genes were identified in the posterior of GCNF(-/-) embryos, including the primitive streak, the node, and the presomitic mesoderm. These results suggest that GCNF is required for maintenance of somitogenesis and posterior development and is essential for embryonic survival. These results suggest that GCNF regulates a novel and critical developmental pathway involved in normal anteroposterior development.

Genomic structure of the gene for mouse germ-cell nuclear factor (GCNF). II. Comparison with the genomic structure of the human GCNF gene

BACKGROUND

Germ-cell nuclear factor (GCNF, NR6AI) is an orphan nuclear receptor. Its expression pattern suggests it functions during embryogenesis, in the placenta and in germ-cell development. Mouse GCNF cDNA codes for a protein of 495 amino acids, whereas the four reported human cDNA variants code for proteins of 454 to 480 amino acids. Apart from this size difference, there is sequence conservation of up to 98.7%. To elucidate the genomic structure that gives rise to the different human GCNF mRNAs, the sequence information of the human GCNF locus is compared to the previously reported structure of the mouse locus.

RESULTS

The genomic structures of the mouse and human GCNF genes are highly conserved. The comparison reveals that the shorter human protein results from skipping the 45 base-pair third exon. Three different human isoforms - GCNF-1, GCNF-2a and GCNF-2b - are generated by differential usage of alternative splice acceptor sites of the fourth and the seventh exon.

CONCLUSION

By homology with the mouse gene, 11 GCNF coding exons can be defined on human chromosome 9. All human GCNF cDNAs identified so far are, however, derived from mRNAs generated by splicing the fourth to the second exon. Although the genomic sequence is highly conserved, the analysis suggests that alternative splicing generates a higher complexity of human GCNF isoforms compared with the situation in the mouse.

Characterization of the repressor function of the nuclear orphan receptor retinoid receptor-related testis-associated receptor/germ cell nuclear factor

Retinoid receptor-related testis-associated receptor (RTR)/germ cell nuclear factor is a nuclear orphan receptor that plays an important role in the control of gene expression during early embryonic development and gametogenesis. It has been shown to repress transcriptional activation. In this study, we further characterize this repressor function. We demonstrate that RTR can suppress the transcriptional activation induced by the estrogen receptor related-receptor alpha1 through its response element. The latter is at least in part due to competition for binding to the same response element. In addition, RTR inhibits basal transcriptional activation, indicating that it functions as an active repressor. Mammalian two-hybrid analyses showed that RTR interacts with the co-repressor nuclear co-repressor (N-CoR) but is unable to interact with the co-repressor SMRT or RIP140. Pull-down analyses with glutathione S-transferase-RTR fusion protein demonstrated that RTR physically interacts with N-CoR in vitro, suggesting a potential role for N-CoR in the transcriptional repression by RTR. To identify the regions in RTR essential for the binding of RTR to N-CoR, the effect of various deletion and point mutations on this interaction was examined. This analysis revealed that this interaction requires the hinge domain, helix 3 as well as the helix 12 region of RTR. The residues Ser(246)-Tyr(247) in the hinge domain, Lys(318) in helix 3, and Lys(489)-Thr(490) in helix 12 are identified as being critical in this interaction. Our results demonstrate that RTR can function as an active transcriptional repressor and that this repression can be mediated through interactions with the co-repressor N-CoR. We show that this interaction exhibits several characteristics unique to RTR. Through its repressor function, RTR can suppress the induction of transcriptional activation by other nuclear receptors. These repressor activities may provide important mechanisms by which RTR regulates gene expression during development and gametogenesis.

Genomic structure of the gene for mouse germ cell nuclear factor (GCNF)

BACKGROUND

The germ cell nuclear factor (GCNF, also known as retinoid acid receptor-related testis-associated receptor, neuronal cell nuclear receptor or NR6A1) is an orphan receptor in the nuclear receptor superfamily found in mammals, amphibians and fish. The mouse Gcnf gene is expressed in the placenta and the developing nervous system and germ cells, and responds to retinoic acid.

RESULTS

We have defined the intron-exon structure of the mouse Gcnf gene and found that it contains 11 exons. Exons 1-4 encode the 75 amino acid amino-terminal domain and exon 4 also encodes the core DNA-binding domain. The carboxy-terminal extension is encoded by exon 5, exons 6 and 7 encode the hinge region, and exons 7-11 encode the putative ligand-binding domain. Unusually, the two zinc-finger motifs in the DNA-binding domain are encoded by separate exons.

CONCLUSIONS

The protein-coding region of GCNF is contained in 11 exons. The genomic structure of this nuclear receptor gene will be useful for further studies.

DNA binding, protein interaction and differential expression of the human germ cell nuclear factor

The mouse germ cell nuclear factor (mGCNF) is an orphan nuclear receptor implicated in diverse biological processes, including gametogenesis, embryonic development and embryonal carcinoma cell differentiation. We have examined the binding and regulation of the human orthologue, hGCNF, expressed in the teratocarcinoma-derived cell line NTera-2/clone D1 (NT2/D1). Binding of GCNF to the direct repeat of the sequence -AGGTCA- (DR-0) is conserved in mammalia. The formation of interspecies dimers of the in vitro synthesized proteins suggests that cellular GCNF binding is mediated by homodimers. Both the mouse and the human protein bind in concert with cellular factors to DNA. Treatment of NT2/D1 cells with all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) is accompanied first by an up-regulation followed later by a down-regulation of hGCNF and its mRNA. Temporary up-regulation in NT2/D1 cells after treatment with atRA suggests that hGCNF is important for human neural determination and differentiation.

The protein kinase C (PKC) substrate GAP-43 is already expressed in neural precursor cells, colocalizes with PKCeta and binds calmodulin

Expression of the growth-associated protein of 43-kDa (GAP-43), which is described as a postmitotic, neuron-specific major protein kinase C (PKC) substrate, was investigated in the murine embryonic carcinoma cell line PCC7-Mz1 which develops into a brain-tissue-like pattern of neuronal, fibroblast-like and astroglial cells upon stimulation with all-trans retinoic acid (RA). GAP-43 expression was very low in stem cells, but increased on mRNA and protein level within the 12 h after differentiation was initiated. While the P1 promoter of the GAP-43 gene gave rise to a 1.6-kb mRNA and was already active at a very low level in PCC7-Mz1 stem cells, transcription of the P2 promoter, which resulted in a 1.4-kb mRNA, was completely blocked in stem cells but increased rapidly after RA treatment. Within the first 2 days of neural differentiation, GAP-43 was localized with the cytoplasmic membrane and the Golgi complex of proliferating neural precursor cells. Then, GAP-43 was translocated to the growth cones and neurites, and from day 6, when neurons began to acquire polarity, the protein was found in the axons. GAP-43 was never detected in the non-neuronal PCC7-Mz1 derivatives, i.e. in fibroblasts or glial cells. In the foetal rat brain (prenatal day F11), GAP-43 was expressed in the optic stalk, the lense plakode and in the postmitotic neurons of the marginal zone of the hindbrain. Moreover, in a layer between the ventricular and marginal zone of the hindbrain (F13) and forebrain (F15), GAP-43 was already expressed in mitotic neural precursor cells. In PCC7-Mz1 cultures, 2 days after addition of RA, GAP-43 became phosphorylated upon activation of PKC, and colocalized specifically with the novel PKC isoform eta. Phosphorylation of GAP-43 caused a disruption of its complex with calmodulin. These data demonstrate that GAP-43 is already a functional PKC substrate in prolific neuronal precursor cells, and may participate in neuronal cell lineage determination.

Anteroposterior patterning and organogenesis of Xenopus laevis require a correct dose of germ cell nuclear factor (xGCNF)

The germ cell nuclear factor of Xenopus laevis (xGCNF; NR6A1) is a nuclear orphan receptor that is predominantly expressed during neurula and late tailbud stages. As a strategy to analyze the role of xGCNF in embryogenesis, we have induced a gain of function by overexpression of full-length (fl) GCNF and a functional inhibition by a dominant-negative (dn) GCNF. Early events of embryogenesis including gastrulation and neurulation were not affected and the expression of several early mesodermal markers was normal. Yet specific defects were observed upon organogenesis. Ectopic posterior overexpression of the full-length xGCNF caused posterior defects and disturbed somite formation. In contrast, expression of dnGCNF interfered with differentiation of the neural tube and affected the differentiation of anterior structures, including the cement gland and the eyes. Embryos affected by dnGCNF were rescued by coexpression of flGCNF. After expression of dnGCNF, mRNA encoding the the retinoic acid receptor xRAR gamma 2 was selectively suppressed anteriorly. From the distinct phenotypes obtained, we conclude that GCNF has an essential function in anteroposterior differentiation during organogenesis.

The murine nuclear orphan receptor GCNF is expressed in the XY body of primary spermatocytes

We have studied the expression of the nuclear orphan receptor GCNF (germ cell nuclear factor) on the mRNA and protein level in pubertal and adult mouse testes. We show by Northern and Western blot analyses and by in situ hybridization that GCNF is expressed in spermatocytes and round spermatids of adult mouse testis suggesting that GCNF may be a transcriptional regulator of spermatogenesis. Since the GCNF protein is accumulated in the XY body of late pachytene spermatocytes, it may be involved in transcriptional inactivation of sex chromosomes.