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Kumar C, Roy JK. Decoding the epigenetic mechanism of mammalian sex determination. Exp Cell Res 2024; 439:114011. [PMID: 38531506 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2024.114011] [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: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Sex determination embodies a dynamic and intricate developmental process wielding significant influence over the destiny of bipotential gonads, steering them towards male or female gonads. Gonadal differentiation and the postnatal manifestation of the gonadal phenotype involve a sophisticated interplay of transcription factors such as SOX9 and FOXL2. Central to this interplay are chromatin modifiers regulating the mutual antagonism during this interplay. In this review, the key findings and knowledge gaps in DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA-mediated control throughout mammalian gonadal development are covered. Furthermore, it explores the role of the developing brain in playing a pivotal role in the initiation of gonadogenesis and the subsequent involvement of gonadal hormone/hormone receptor in fine-tuning sexual differentiation. Based on promising facts, the role of the developing brain through the hypothalamic pituitary gonadal axis is explained and suggested as a novel hypothesis. The article also discusses the potential impact of ecological factors on the human epigenome in relation to sex determination and trans-generational epigenetics in uncovering novel genes and mechanisms involved in sex determination and gonadal differentiation. We have subtly emphasized the disruptions in epigenetic regulations contributing to sexual disorders, which further allows us to raise certain questions, decipher approaches for handling these questions and setting up the direction of future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cash Kumar
- Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India
| | - Jagat Kumar Roy
- Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India.
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2
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Gutierrez-Castellanos N, Husain BFA, Dias IC, Lima SQ. Neural and behavioral plasticity across the female reproductive cycle. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2022; 33:769-785. [PMID: 36253276 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2022.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Sex is fundamental for the evolution and survival of most species. However, sex can also pose danger, because it increases the risk of predation and disease transmission, among others. Thus, in many species, cyclic fluctuations in the concentration of sex hormones coordinate sexual receptivity and attractiveness with female reproductive capacity, promoting copulation when fertilization is possible and preventing it otherwise. In recent decades, numerous studies have reported a wide variety of sex hormone-dependent plastic rearrangements across the entire brain, including areas relevant for female sexual behavior. By contrast, how sex hormone-induced plasticity alters the computations performed by such circuits, such that collectively they produce the appropriate periodic switches in female behavior, is mostly unknown. In this review, we highlight the myriad sex hormone-induced neuronal changes known so far, the full repertoire of behavioral changes across the reproductive cycle, and the few examples where the relationship between sex hormone-dependent plasticity, neural activity, and behavior has been established. We also discuss current challenges to causally link the actions of sex hormones to the modification of specific cellular pathways and behavior, focusing on rodents as a model system while drawing a comparison between rodents and humans wherever possible.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Basma F A Husain
- Champalimaud Research, Champalimaud Foundation, Avenida Brasília, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Inês C Dias
- Champalimaud Research, Champalimaud Foundation, Avenida Brasília, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Susana Q Lima
- Champalimaud Research, Champalimaud Foundation, Avenida Brasília, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal.
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3
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Biason-Lauber A, Lang-Muritano M. Estrogens: Two nuclear receptors, multiple possibilities. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2022; 554:111710. [PMID: 35787463 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2022.111710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Much is known about estrogen action in experimental animal models and in human physiology. This article reviews the mechanisms of estrogen activity in animals and humans and the role of its two receptors α and β in terms of structure and mechanisms of action in various tissues in health and in relationship with human pathologies (e.g., osteoporosis). Recently, the spectrum of clinical pictures of estrogen resistance caused by estrogen receptors gene variants has been widened by our description of a woman with β-receptor defect, which could be added to the already known descriptions of α-receptor defect in women and men and β-receptor defect in men. The essential role of the β-receptor in the development of the gonad stands out. We summarize the clinical pictures due to estrogen resistance in men and women and focus on long-term follow-up of two women, one with α- and the other with β-receptor resistance. Some open questions remain on the complex interactions between the two receptors on bone metabolism and hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis, which need further deepening and research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Biason-Lauber
- University of Fribourg, Division of Endocrinology, Chemin du Musée 5, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland.
| | - Mariarosaria Lang-Muritano
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Switzerland; Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
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4
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Cyrus K, Wang Q, Sharawi Z, Noguchi G, Kaushal M, Chang T, Rydzewski W, Yeguech W, Gibrel F, Psaltis JB, Haddad BR, Martin MB. Role of calcium in hormone-independent and -resistant breast cancer. Int J Cancer 2021; 149:1817-1827. [PMID: 34289100 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Approximately one-third of estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast tumors fail to respond to or become resistant to hormonal therapy. Although the mechanisms responsible for hormone resistance are not completely understood, resistance is associated with alterations in ERα; overexpression of proteins that interact with the receptor; and hormone-independent activation of the receptor by growth factor signal transduction pathways. Our previous studies show that in estrogen dependent breast cancer cells, activation of the epidermal growth factor signaling pathway increases intracellular calcium which binds to and activates ERα through sites in the ligand-binding domain of the receptor and that treatment with extracellular calcium increases the concentration of intracellular calcium which activates ERα and induces hormone-independent cell growth. The present study asked whether overexpression of calcium channels contributes to the hormone-independent and -resistant phenotype of breast cancer cells and whether clinically used calcium channel blockers reverse hormone independence and resistance. The results show that hormone-independent and -resistant cells overexpress calcium channels, have high concentrations of intracellular calcium, overexpress estrogen responsive genes and, as expected, grow in the absence of estradiol and that treatment with calcium channel blockers decreased the concentration of intracellular calcium, the expression of estrogen responsive genes and cell growth. More importantly, in hormone-resistant cells, treatment that combined a calcium channel blocker with an antiestrogen reversed resistance to the antiestrogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kedra Cyrus
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Qiaochu Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Zeina Sharawi
- Department of Genetics and Human Genetics, Howard University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Glyn Noguchi
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Mudit Kaushal
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Tiffany Chang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - William Rydzewski
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - William Yeguech
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Fatima Gibrel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - John B Psaltis
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Bassem R Haddad
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Mary Beth Martin
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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Major AT, Estermann MA, Smith CA. Anatomy, Endocrine Regulation, and Embryonic Development of the Rete Testis. Endocrinology 2021; 162:6154516. [PMID: 33661305 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Reproduction in males requires the transfer of spermatozoa from testis tubules via the rete system to the efferent ductules, epididymis, and vas deferens. The rete therefore forms an essential bridging system between the testis and excurrent ducts. Yet the embryonic origin and molecular regulation of rete testis development is poorly understood. This review examines the anatomy, endocrine control, and development of the mammalian rete testis, focusing on recent findings on its molecular regulation, identifying gaps in our knowledge, and identifying areas for future research. The rete testis develops in close association with Sertoli cells of the seminiferous cords, although unique molecular markers are sparce. Most recently, modern molecular approaches such as global RNA-seq have revealed the transcriptional signature of rete cell precursors, pointing to at least a partial common origin with Sertoli cells. In the mouse, genes involved in Sertoli cell development or maintenance, such as Sox9, Wt1, Sf1, and Dmrt1, are also expressed in cells of the rete system. Rete progenitor cells also express unique markers, such as Pax8, E-cadherin, and keratin 8. These must directly or indirectly regulate the physical joining of testis tubules to the efferent duct system and confer other physiological functions of the rete. The application of technologies such as single-cell RNA-seq will clarify the origin and developmental trajectory of this essential component of the male reproductive tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew T Major
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedical Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Martin A Estermann
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedical Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Craig A Smith
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedical Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
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Abe H, Yabu H. Bio-inspired Incrustation Interfacial Polymerization of Dopamine and Cross-linking with Gelatin toward Robust, Biodegradable Three-Dimensional Hydrogels. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2021; 37:6201-6207. [PMID: 33949870 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c00364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
In nature, laccase enzymatically catalyzes the reaction of phenolic compounds with oxygen to produce hardened surfaces known as cuticles on insects and plants. Inspired by this natural process, the present work investigated a robust, biodegradable hydrogel synthesized from dopamine and gelatin. This gel is obtained by the oxidation of dopamine dissolved in water, after which the resulting quinone compound automatically undergoes self-polymerization. The oxidized dopamine subsequently undergoes Schiff base and Michael addition reactions with gelatin, such that the exposed gelatin surface cross-links to generate a continuous hardened hydrogel film. Because gelatin transitions between sol and gel states with changes in temperature, two- and three-dimensional structures could be obtained from the gel state. This bio-inspired interfacial cross-linking reaction provides a simple means of forming complex morphologies and represents a promising technique for bio-applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroya Abe
- Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences (FRIS), Tohoku University, 6-3 Aramaki Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
- WPI-Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yabu
- WPI-Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials (IMRAM), Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
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McDonnell DP, Wardell SE, Chang CY, Norris JD. Next-Generation Endocrine Therapies for Breast Cancer. J Clin Oncol 2021; 39:1383-1388. [PMID: 33705209 DOI: 10.1200/jco.20.03565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Donald P McDonnell
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC
| | - Suzanne E Wardell
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC
| | - Ching-Yi Chang
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC
| | - John D Norris
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC
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Paniccia JE, Weckstein TN, Lebonville CL, Lysle DT. Female rats express heroin-induced and -conditioned suppression of peripheral nitric oxide production in response to endotoxin challenge. Brain Behav Immun 2021; 91:315-323. [PMID: 33039661 PMCID: PMC7749831 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2020.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Opioids and opioid-conditioned stimuli (CS) negatively alter host immunity, impairing the response to pathogens during opioid use and following drug cessation. Using male rats, our laboratory has determined that heroin or heroin-CS exposure preceding a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge markedly suppresses normal induction of peripheral pro-inflammatory biomarkers. Presently, it is unknown if these heroin-induced and -conditioned effects extend to the female immune response. To begin this venture, the current study tested the direct effects of heroin and heroin-CS on LPS-induced peripheral nitric oxide (NO) production in female rats. We focused investigations on peripheral NO as it is a critical pro-inflammatory molecule necessary for pathogen resistance. In Experiment 1, male and female Lewis rats were administered 0 (Saline), 1, or 3 mg/kg heroin subcutaneously (s.c). Sixty minutes later, animals were injected with LPS (1 mg/kg, s.c.). Spleen and plasma samples were collected 6 h later to examine NO production through inducible NO synthase (iNOS) expression and nitrate/nitrite concentration, respectively. In Experiment 2, female Lewis rats underwent five, 60-minute context conditioning sessions with heroin (1 mg/kg, s.c.) or saline. On test day, CS-exposed and control (home cage) animals were injected with LPS (1 mg/kg, s.c.). Tissue was collected 6 h later to examine splenic iNOS expression and plasma nitrate/nitrite concentration. Both heroin administration alone and exposure to heroin-CS suppressed LPS-induced indices of NO production in spleen and plasma. Our results are the first to indicate that, similar to males, female rats express heroin-induced and -conditioned immunomodulation to a LPS challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline E Paniccia
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Taylor N Weckstein
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Christina L Lebonville
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Donald T Lysle
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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Acharya KD, Nettles SA, Lichti CF, Warre-Cornish K, Polit LD, Srivastava DP, Denner L, Tetel MJ. Dopamine-induced interactions of female mouse hypothalamic proteins with progestin receptor-A in the absence of hormone. J Neuroendocrinol 2020; 32:e12904. [PMID: 33000549 PMCID: PMC7591852 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Neural progestin receptors (PR) function in reproduction, neural development, neuroprotection, learning, memory and the anxiety response. In the absence of progestins, PR can be activated by dopamine (DA) in the rodent hypothalamus to elicit female sexual behaviour. The present study investigated mechanisms of DA activation of PR by testing the hypothesis that proteins from DA-treated hypothalami interact with PR in the absence of progestins. Ovariectomised, oestradiol-primed mice were infused with a D1-receptor agonist, SKF38393 (SKF), into the third ventricle 30 minutes prior to death. Proteins from SKF-treated hypothalami were pulled-down with glutathione S-transferase-tagged mouse PR-A or PR-B and the interactomes were analysed by mass spectrometry. The largest functional group to interact with PR-A in a DA-dependent manner was synaptic proteins. To test the hypothesis that DA activation of PR regulates synaptic proteins, we developed oestradiol-induced PR-expressing hypothalamic-like neurones derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). Similar to progesterone (P4), SKF treatment of hiPSCs increased synapsin1/2 expression. This SKF-dependent effect was blocked by the PR antagonist RU486, suggesting that PR are necessary for this DA-induced increase. The second largest DA-dependent PR-A protein interactome comprised metabolic regulators involved in glucose metabolism, lipid synthesis and mitochondrial energy production. Interestingly, hypothalamic proteins interacted with PR-A, but not PR-B, in an SKF-dependent manner, suggesting that DA promotes the interaction of multiple hypothalamic proteins with PR-A. These in vivo and in vitro results indicate novel mechanisms by which DA can differentially activate PR isoforms in the absence of P4 and provide a better understanding of ligand-independent PR activation in reproductive, metabolic and mental health disorders in women.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Cheryl F. Lichti
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Katherine Warre-Cornish
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, The Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Lucia Dutan Polit
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, The Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Deepak P. Srivastava
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, The Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Larry Denner
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555
| | - Marc J. Tetel
- Neuroscience Department, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA 02481
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Du B, Jin N, Zhu X, Lu D, Jin C, Li Z, Han C, Zhang Y, Lai D, Liu K, Wei R. A prospective study of serum metabolomic and lipidomic changes in myopic children and adolescents. Exp Eye Res 2020; 199:108182. [PMID: 32781198 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Myopia is a prevalent eye disorder, especially among children and adolescents in eastern Asian countries. Multiple measures have already been taken to prevent and treat myopia, including atropine and dopamine. However, the serum metabolic picture of myopia has not yet been studied as a whole and remains largely unclear. In this paper, a prospective and panoramic study was carried out to find out the whole serum metabolomic and lipidomic picture of myopia. METHODS With untargeted mass spectrometry (MS), myopia among 211 children and adolescents was studied. The MS features were first grouped across the samples. Then, compound annotation was carried out based on these features. Finally, the metabolite features were mapped to pathways, whose biological functions in myopia were studied and discussed. RESULTS A total of 275 metabolite features were derived from 92 aligned MS peak groups with significant fold changes, and then mapped to 33 pathways. By a comprehensive consideration of significance, fold change, importance score and appearance in different omics, 9 pathways were selected, and their biological functions were further analyzed. Among these selected pathways, 5 pathways were related with oxidative stress, a validated phenomenon during myopia development, while 5 pathways were related with dopamine receptor D2, whose molecular function in myopia treatment is not fully understood. A total of 177 metabolite features from 45 peak groups were related with the studied pathways. CONCLUSION This prospective study shed light on the whole picture of metabolomic mechanism underlying myopia and provided guidance to further elucidation of compounds and pathways in this whole picture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bei Du
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Nan Jin
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiurui Zhu
- Tianjin Yunjian Medical Technology Co., Ltd., Tianjin, China; Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, School of Medicine, Stanford University, CA, USA
| | - Daqian Lu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Chengcheng Jin
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhen Li
- Tianjin Yunjian Medical Technology Co., Ltd., Tianjin, China; School of Electrical Engineering, Southeast University, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Chunle Han
- Tianjin Yunjian Medical Technology Co., Ltd., Tianjin, China
| | - Yani Zhang
- Tianjin Yunjian Medical Technology Co., Ltd., Tianjin, China
| | - Donghai Lai
- Tianjin Yunjian Medical Technology Co., Ltd., Tianjin, China
| | - Kang Liu
- Tianjin Yunjian Medical Technology Co., Ltd., Tianjin, China.
| | - Ruihua Wei
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China.
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11
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Cabej NR. A neural mechanism of nuclear receptor expression and regionalization. Dev Dyn 2020; 249:1172-1181. [PMID: 32406963 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Revised: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Spatially restricted expression of genes by global circulating inducers (hormones, secreted proteins, growth factors, neuromodulators, etc.) was a prerequisite for the evolution of animals. Far from a random occurrence, it is a systematically occurring, certain event, implying that specific information is invested for it to happen. In this minireview, we show for the first time that the expression and regionalization takes place at the level of receptors via a neural mechanism and make an attempt to reconstruct the causal chain from neural signaling to expression of nuclear receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelson R Cabej
- Department of Biology, University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
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12
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Gegenhuber B, Tollkuhn J. Signatures of sex: Sex differences in gene expression in the vertebrate brain. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2020; 9:e348. [PMID: 31106965 PMCID: PMC6864223 DOI: 10.1002/wdev.348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Women and men differ in disease prevalence, symptoms, and progression rates for many psychiatric and neurological disorders. As more preclinical studies include both sexes in experimental design, an increasing number of sex differences in physiology and behavior have been reported. In the brain, sex-typical behaviors are thought to result from sex-specific patterns of neural activity in response to the same sensory stimulus or context. These differential firing patterns likely arise as a consequence of underlying anatomic or molecular sex differences. Accordingly, gene expression in the brains of females and males has been extensively investigated, with the goal of identifying biological pathways that specify or modulate sex differences in brain function. However, there is surprisingly little consensus on sex-biased genes across studies and only a handful of robust candidates have been pursued in the follow-up experiments. Furthermore, it is not known how or when sex-biased gene expression originates, as few studies have been performed in the developing brain. Here we integrate molecular genetic and neural circuit perspectives to provide a conceptual framework of how sex differences in gene expression can arise in the brain. We detail mechanisms of gene regulation by steroid hormones, highlight landmark studies in rodents and humans, identify emerging themes, and offer recommendations for future research. This article is categorized under: Nervous System Development > Vertebrates: General Principles Gene Expression and Transcriptional Hierarchies > Regulatory Mechanisms Gene Expression and Transcriptional Hierarchies > Sex Determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Gegenhuber
- Watson School of Biological Sciences, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York
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Wu J, Dai F, Li C, Zou Y. Gender Differences in Cardiac Hypertrophy. J Cardiovasc Transl Res 2019; 13:73-84. [PMID: 31418109 DOI: 10.1007/s12265-019-09907-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac hypertrophy is an adaptive response to abnormal physiological and pathological stimuli, which can be classified into concentric and eccentric hypertrophy, induced by pressure overload or volume overload, respectively. In both physiological and pathological scenarios, females generally show a more favorable form of hypertrophy compared with their male counterparts. However once established, cardiac hypertrophy is a stronger risk factor for heart failure in females. Pre-menopausal women are better protected against cardiac hypertrophy compared with men, but this protection is abolished following menopause and is partially restored after estrogen replacement therapy. Estrogen exerts its protection by counteracting pro-hypertrophy signaling pathways, whereas androgen mostly plays an opposite role in cardiac hypertrophy. We here summarize the progress in the understanding of sexual dimorphisms in cardiac hypertrophy and highlight recent breakthroughs in the regulatory role of sex hormones and their intricate molecular networks, in order to shed light on gender-oriented therapeutic efficacy for pathological hypertrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Wu
- Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, 180 Feng Lin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Fangjie Dai
- Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, 180 Feng Lin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Chang Li
- Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, 180 Feng Lin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yunzeng Zou
- Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, 180 Feng Lin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Monczor F, Chatzopoulou A, Zappia CD, Houtman R, Meijer OC, Fitzsimons CP. A Model of Glucocorticoid Receptor Interaction With Coregulators Predicts Transcriptional Regulation of Target Genes. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:214. [PMID: 30930776 PMCID: PMC6425864 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory factors that control gene transcription in multicellular organisms are assembled in multicomponent complexes by combinatorial interactions. In this context, nuclear receptors provide well-characterized and physiologically relevant systems to study ligand-induced transcription resulting from the integration of cellular and genomic information in a cell- and gene-specific manner. Here, we developed a mathematical model describing the interactions between the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and other components of a multifactorial regulatory complex controlling the transcription of GR-target genes, such as coregulator peptides. We support the validity of the model in relation to gene-specific GR transactivation with gene transcription data from A549 cells and in vitro real time quantification of coregulator-GR interactions. The model accurately describes and helps to interpret ligand-specific and gene-specific transcriptional regulation by the GR. The comprehensive character of the model allows future insight into the function and relative contribution of the molecular species proposed in ligand- and gene-specific transcriptional regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Monczor
- Laboratorio de Farmacología de Receptores, Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Antonia Chatzopoulou
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Carlos Daniel Zappia
- Laboratorio de Farmacología de Receptores, Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - René Houtman
- PamGene International B.V., 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands
| | - Onno C Meijer
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Carlos P Fitzsimons
- Neuroscience Collaboration, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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15
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Micevych PE, Sinchak K. Extranuclear signaling by ovarian steroids in the regulation of sexual receptivity. Horm Behav 2018; 104:4-14. [PMID: 29753716 PMCID: PMC6240501 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2018.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Paul E Micevych
- Dept of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of the UCLA Brain Research Institute, United States
| | - Kevin Sinchak
- Dept of Biological Sciences, California State University, Long Beach, United States.
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16
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Berto M, Jean V, Zwart W, Picard D. ERα activity depends on interaction and target site corecruitment with phosphorylated CREB1. Life Sci Alliance 2018; 1:e201800055. [PMID: 30456355 PMCID: PMC6238530 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.201800055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Revised: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The two transcription factors estrogen receptor α (ERα) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-responsive element binding protein 1 (CREB1) mediate different signals, bind different response elements, and control different transcriptional programs. And yet, results obtained with transfected reporter genes suggested that their activities may intersect. We demonstrate here that CREB1 stimulates and is necessary for ERα activity on a transfected reporter gene and several endogenous targets both in response to its cognate ligand estrogen and to ligand-independent activation by cAMP. The stimulatory activity of CREB1 requires its DNA binding and activation by phosphorylation, and affects the chromatin recruitment of ERα. CREB1 and ERα are biochemically associated and share hundreds to thousands of chromatin binding sites upon stimulation by estrogen and cAMP, respectively. These shared regulatory activities may underlie the anti-apoptotic effects of estrogen and cAMP signaling in ERα-positive breast cancer cells. Moreover, high levels of CREB1 are associated with good prognosis in ERα-positive breast cancer patients, which may be because of its ability to promote ERα functions, thereby maintaining it as a successful therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Berto
- Département de Biologie Cellulaire and Institute of Genetics and Genomics of Geneva, Université de Genève, Genève, Switzerland
| | - Valerie Jean
- Département de Biologie Cellulaire and Institute of Genetics and Genomics of Geneva, Université de Genève, Genève, Switzerland
| | - Wilbert Zwart
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode Institute, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Didier Picard
- Département de Biologie Cellulaire and Institute of Genetics and Genomics of Geneva, Université de Genève, Genève, Switzerland
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17
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Nie X, Xie R, Tuo B. Effects of Estrogen on the Gastrointestinal Tract. Dig Dis Sci 2018; 63:583-596. [PMID: 29387989 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-018-4939-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen is a kind of steroid compound that has extensive biologic activities. The effect of estrogen is pleiotropic, affecting multiple systems in the body. There is accumulating evidence that estrogen has important effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Longer exposure to estrogen may decrease the risk of gastric cancer. Use of the anti-estrogen drug tamoxifen might increase the risk of gastric adenocarcinoma. Estrogen receptor β may serve as a target for colorectal cancer prevention. In addition, estrogen has been reported to be closely related to the mucosal barrier, gastrointestinal function and intestinal inflammation. However, the role of estrogen in the gastrointestinal tract has not been systematically summarized. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the role of estrogen in the gastrointestinal tract and evaluate it from various aspects, including estrogen receptors, the mucosal barrier, intestinal inflammation and gastrointestinal tract tumors, which may provide the basis for the development of therapeutic strategies to manage gastrointestinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xubiao Nie
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital, Zunyi Medical College, 149 Dalian Road, Zunyi, 563003, China
| | - Rui Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital, Zunyi Medical College, 149 Dalian Road, Zunyi, 563003, China
| | - Biguang Tuo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital, Zunyi Medical College, 149 Dalian Road, Zunyi, 563003, China.
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18
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Sato H, Asami Y, Shiro R, Yasuda M, Imai S, Sakai R, Oida K, Kawaharamura K, Taguchi N, Suzuki T, Hirose M. Resolution of dopamine agonist-resistant hyperprolactinemia by hysterectomy: a case report. Gynecol Endocrinol 2018; 34:199-201. [PMID: 28925774 DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2017.1379501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Prolactin-producing uterine leiomyomas are very rare. Although hyperprolactinemia rapidly improves after removal of such leiomyomas, no preoperative diagnostic test has been established for prolactin-producing uterine leiomyomas. A 45-year-old Japanese woman, gravida 3 para 3, was referred to our hospital for further examination of hyperprolactinemia resistant to a dopamine agonist. A pituitary prolactinoma was undetectable by brain magnetic resonance imaging. A bromocriptine loading test revealed an increased serum prolactin concentration after loading. Examination for the detection of an ectopic prolactinoma revealed a 9.0 cm diameter uterine leiomyoma that had measured 6.6 cm in diameter about six months before the first visit to our hospital. The hyperprolactinemia rapidly improved after hysterectomy. A prolactin-producing uterine leiomyoma should be considered as a possible cause of hyperprolactinemia resistant to dopamine agonists. Responsiveness to dopamine agonists; deterioration of hyperprolactinemia may be diagnostic for prolactin-producing uterine leiomyomas, although further research is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Sato
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Hyogo Prefectural Amagasaki General Medical Center , Amagasaki , Japan
| | - Yuna Asami
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Hyogo Prefectural Amagasaki General Medical Center , Amagasaki , Japan
| | - Reona Shiro
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Hyogo Prefectural Amagasaki General Medical Center , Amagasaki , Japan
| | - Miki Yasuda
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Hyogo Prefectural Amagasaki General Medical Center , Amagasaki , Japan
| | - Saeko Imai
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Hyogo Prefectural Amagasaki General Medical Center , Amagasaki , Japan
| | - Rie Sakai
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Hyogo Prefectural Amagasaki General Medical Center , Amagasaki , Japan
| | - Kenji Oida
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Hyogo Prefectural Amagasaki General Medical Center , Amagasaki , Japan
| | - Kanako Kawaharamura
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Hyogo Prefectural Amagasaki General Medical Center , Amagasaki , Japan
| | - Nao Taguchi
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Hyogo Prefectural Amagasaki General Medical Center , Amagasaki , Japan
| | - Takako Suzuki
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Hyogo Prefectural Amagasaki General Medical Center , Amagasaki , Japan
| | - Masaya Hirose
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Hyogo Prefectural Amagasaki General Medical Center , Amagasaki , Japan
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19
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Balthazart J, Choleris E, Remage-Healey L. Steroids and the brain: 50years of research, conceptual shifts and the ascent of non-classical and membrane-initiated actions. Horm Behav 2018; 99:1-8. [PMID: 29305886 PMCID: PMC5880709 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2018.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Revised: 12/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
This brief commentary reviews key steps in the history of steroid endocrinology that have resulted in important conceptual shifts. Our understanding of the "Fast Effects of Steroids" now reflect substantial progress, including the major concept that steroids act rapidly on a variety of physiological and behavioral responses, via mechanisms that are too fast to be fully accounted for by classical receptor-dependent regulation of gene transcription. Several so-called 'non-classical' mechanisms have been identified and include binding to membrane receptors and regulating non genomic signaling cascades. We survey the discovery of steroids, the initial characterization of their intracellular receptors, key progress in the understanding of the genomic effects of steroids and then the progressive discovery of the rapid non-classical and membrane-initiated actions of steroids. Foundational discoveries about brain steroid synthesis in neural processes and terminals has converged with emerging evidence for the rapid actions of steroids on brain and behavior. Had the rapid effects of steroids in the central nervous system been discovered first, these molecules would likely now be considered as a class of neurotransmitter.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elena Choleris
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Luke Remage-Healey
- Center for Neuroendocrine Studies, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
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20
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Gujski M, Pinkas J, Wierzbińska-Stępniak A, Owoc A, Bojar I. Does genetic testing for ERα gene polymorphisms provide new possibilities of treatment for cognitive function disorders in postmenopausal women? Arch Med Sci 2017; 13:1224-1232. [PMID: 28883865 PMCID: PMC5575213 DOI: 10.5114/aoms.2016.62451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 07/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
It is commonly considered that cognitive abilities decrease with age, especially with respect to processing and psychomotor speed. It is an interesting issue whether, apart from the ageing process, the undergoing of menopause itself deteriorates cognitive functions, compared to women at reproductive age. Hopes for improvement of cognitive functions were pinned on the use of menopausal hormone therapy. However, the results of studies concerning the effect of hormone replacement therapy on cognition proved to be contradictory. It seems that the essence of the problem is more complicated than only estrogen deficiency. It is suggested that estrogen receptor α (ERα) polymorphism may be responsible for the differences in the effect of estrogens on cognitive processes. The article presents current knowledge concerning the effect of estrogens on the central nervous system, especially the role of ERα polymorphism, with respect to foreseeing benefits from the use of exogenous estrogens for cognitive functions. At the present stage of research, ERα appears to be poorly specific; nevertheless, it may be an important instrument for the classification of peri- and post-menopausal patients in the group where therapy with the use of estrogens may bring about benefits in terms of prevention and treatment of cognitive disorders. It also seems necessary to conduct prophylactic, screening examination of cognitive functions in post-menopausal women, in order to identify those at risk of the development of dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariusz Gujski
- Department of Prevention of Environmental Hazards and Allergology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jarosław Pinkas
- School of Public Health, Center of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Alfred Owoc
- Center for Public Health and Health Promotion, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Iwona Bojar
- Department for Woman Health, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
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21
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Cooke PS, Nanjappa MK, Ko C, Prins GS, Hess RA. Estrogens in Male Physiology. Physiol Rev 2017; 97:995-1043. [PMID: 28539434 PMCID: PMC6151497 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00018.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 263] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2016] [Revised: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Estrogens have historically been associated with female reproduction, but work over the last two decades established that estrogens and their main nuclear receptors (ESR1 and ESR2) and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) also regulate male reproductive and nonreproductive organs. 17β-Estradiol (E2) is measureable in blood of men and males of other species, but in rete testis fluids, E2 reaches concentrations normally found only in females and in some species nanomolar concentrations of estrone sulfate are found in semen. Aromatase, which converts androgens to estrogens, is expressed in Leydig cells, seminiferous epithelium, and other male organs. Early studies showed E2 binding in numerous male tissues, and ESR1 and ESR2 each show unique distributions and actions in males. Exogenous estrogen treatment produced male reproductive pathologies in laboratory animals and men, especially during development, and studies with transgenic mice with compromised estrogen signaling demonstrated an E2 role in normal male physiology. Efferent ductules and epididymal functions are dependent on estrogen signaling through ESR1, whose loss impaired ion transport and water reabsorption, resulting in abnormal sperm. Loss of ESR1 or aromatase also produces effects on nonreproductive targets such as brain, adipose, skeletal muscle, bone, cardiovascular, and immune tissues. Expression of GPER is extensive in male tracts, suggesting a possible role for E2 signaling through this receptor in male reproduction. Recent evidence also indicates that membrane ESR1 has critical roles in male reproduction. Thus estrogens are important physiological regulators in males, and future studies may reveal additional roles for estrogen signaling in various target tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul S Cooke
- Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois; Department of Urology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Manjunatha K Nanjappa
- Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois; Department of Urology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - CheMyong Ko
- Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois; Department of Urology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Gail S Prins
- Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois; Department of Urology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Rex A Hess
- Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois; Department of Urology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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22
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Conneely OM, Lydon JP, De Mayo F, O'Malley BW. Reproductive Functions of the Progesterone Receptor. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1177/1071557600007001s09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Orla M. Conneely
- Department of Cell Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Debakey Bldg., M-513A, Houston, TX 77030
| | | | | | - Bert W. O'Malley
- Department of Cell Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
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23
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Castoria G, Auricchio F, Migliaccio A. Extranuclear partners of androgen receptor: at the crossroads of proliferation, migration, and neuritogenesis. FASEB J 2016; 31:1289-1300. [PMID: 28031322 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201601047r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
In this review, we focus on the role played by the protein partners of ligand-activated extranuclear androgen receptor (AR) in the final effects of hormone action, such as proliferation, migration, and neuritogenesis. The choice of AR partner, at least in part, depends on cell type. Androgen-activated receptor directly associates with cytoplasmic Src tyrosine kinase in epithelial cells, whereas in mesenchymal and neuronal cells, it prevalently interacts with filamin A. In the former, proliferation represents the final hormonal outcome, whereas in the latter, either migration or neuritogenesis, respectively, occurs. Furthermore, AR partner filamin A is replaced with Src when mesenchymal cells are stimulated with very low androgen concentrations. Consequently, the migratory effect is replaced by mitogenesis. Use of peptides that prevent receptor/partner assembly abolishes the effects that are dependent on their association and offers new therapeutic approaches to AR-related diseases. Perturbation of migration is often associated with metastatic spreading in cancer. In turn, cell cycle aberration causes tumors to grow faster, whereas toxic signaling triggers neurodegenerative events in the CNS. Here, we provide examples of new tools that interfere in rapid androgen effects, including migration, proliferation, and neuronal differentiation, together with their potential therapeutic applications in AR-dependent diseases-mainly prostate cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.-Castoria, G., Auricchio, F., Migliaccio, A. Extranuclear partners of androgen receptor: at the crossroads of proliferation, migration, and neuritogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Castoria
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and General Pathology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Auricchio
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and General Pathology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples, Italy
| | - Antimo Migliaccio
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and General Pathology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples, Italy
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24
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Lee DH, Asare BK, Rajnarayanan RV. Discovery at the interface: Toward novel anti-proliferative agents targeting human estrogen receptor/S100 interactions. Cell Cycle 2016; 15:2806-18. [PMID: 27580430 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2016.1220460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Estrogen Receptor Alpha (ER) is expressed in about 70% of breast cancer and mediates various cellular signaling events including cell cycle. The antiestrogen tamoxifen is currently administered to patients in order to induce regression of the tumor growth of estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer. However, upon continued administration, patients develop resistance to tamoxifen. In addition, calcium binding proteins (EF-hand proteins) such as, Calmodulin and S100, are significantly overexpressed in breast cancer cells, can activate transcription of target genes by directly binding to ER in lieu of estrogen. Calmodulin antagonists (w7 and melatonin) have been shown to significantly inhibit ER mediated activities including cell proliferation and transcriptional activity. Furthermore, S100P is shown to mediate tamoxifen resistance and cell migration capacity in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Molecules targeting specific ER-EF hand protein interfaces could potentially provide an alternative therapeutic strategy to combat these scenarios. Using theoretical 3D models of ER-S100 protein we identified ER conformation-sensing regions of the interacting EF hand proteins and evaluated their ability to bind to ER in silico and to inhibit breast cancer cell proliferation and viability in vitro. The recognition motif of the binding interface was sensitive to small changes in partner orientation as evidenced by significant anti cell proliferative activity of the short peptide derived from S100P residues 74-78, when compared with a longer peptide with altered orientation of the recognition motif derived from S100P 74-81. Structural clues and pharmacophores from peptide-ER interactions can be used to design novel anti-cancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- David H Lee
- a Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology , Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, SUNY , Buffalo , NY , USA
| | - Bethany K Asare
- a Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology , Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, SUNY , Buffalo , NY , USA
| | - Rajendram V Rajnarayanan
- a Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology , Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, SUNY , Buffalo , NY , USA
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25
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Abstract
Inflammatory activation of microglia is a hallmark of several disorders of the central nervous system. In addition to protecting the brain against inflammatory insults, microglia are neuroprotective and play a significant role in maintaining neuronal connectivity, but the prolongation of an inflammatory status may limit the beneficial functions of these immune cells. The finding that estrogen receptors are present in monocyte-derived cells and that estrogens prevent and control the inflammatory response raise the question of the role that this sex steroid plays in the manifestation and progression of pathologies that have a clear sex difference in prevalence, such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. The present review aims to provide a critical review of the current literature on the actions of estrogen in microglia and on the involvement of estrogen receptors in the manifestation of selected neurological disorders. This current understanding highlights a research area that should be expanded to identify appropriate replacement therapies to slow the progression of such diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Villa
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases and Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Vegeto
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases and Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Poletti
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases and Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Adriana Maggi
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases and Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
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26
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Feola A, Ricci S, Kouidhi S, Rizzo A, Penon A, Formisano P, Giordano A, Di Carlo A, Di Domenico M. Multifaceted Breast Cancer: The Molecular Connection With Obesity. J Cell Physiol 2016; 232:69-77. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.25475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Feola
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology; Second University of Naples; Naples Italy
- IRCCS Malzoni Clinic; Avellino Italy
| | - Serena Ricci
- Department of Translational Medical Science; University of Naples “Federico II”; Naples Italy
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies; University of Rome “La Sapienza”; Rome Italy
| | - Soumaya Kouidhi
- Université de la Manouba, ISBST, BVBGR-LR11ES31; Biotechpole Sidi Thabet, 2020; Ariana Tunisia
| | - Antonietta Rizzo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology; Second University of Naples; Naples Italy
| | - Antonella Penon
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience; University of Siena; Siena Italy
| | - Pietro Formisano
- Department of Translational Medical Science; University of Naples “Federico II”; Naples Italy
| | - Antonio Giordano
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience; University of Siena; Siena Italy
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology; Temple University; Philadelphia Pennsylvania
| | - Angelina Di Carlo
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies; University of Rome “La Sapienza”; Rome Italy
| | - Marina Di Domenico
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology; Second University of Naples; Naples Italy
- IRCCS Malzoni Clinic; Avellino Italy
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology; Temple University; Philadelphia Pennsylvania
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27
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Schiller CE, Johnson SL, Abate AC, Schmidt PJ, Rubinow DR. Reproductive Steroid Regulation of Mood and Behavior. Compr Physiol 2016; 6:1135-60. [PMID: 27347888 PMCID: PMC6309888 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c150014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In this article, we examine evidence supporting the role of reproductive steroids in the regulation of mood and behavior in women and the nature of that role. In the first half of the article, we review evidence for the following: (i) the reproductive system is designed to regulate behavior; (ii) from the subcellular to cellular to circuit to behavior, reproductive steroids are powerful neuroregulators; (iii) affective disorders are disorders of behavioral state; and (iv) reproductive steroids affect virtually every system implicated in the pathophysiology of depression. In the second half of the article, we discuss the diagnosis of the three reproductive endocrine-related mood disorders (premenstrual dysphoric disorder, postpartum depression, and perimenopausal depression) and present evidence supporting the relevance of reproductive steroids to these conditions. Existing evidence suggests that changes in reproductive steroid levels during specific reproductive states (i.e., the premenstrual phase of the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, parturition, and the menopause transition) trigger affective dysregulation in susceptible women, thus suggesting the etiopathogenic relevance of these hormonal changes in reproductive mood disorders. Understanding the source of individual susceptibility is critical to both preventing the onset of illness and developing novel, individualized treatments for reproductive-related affective dysregulation. © 2016 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 6:1135-1160, 2016e.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crystal Edler Schiller
- Psychiatry Department, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sarah L. Johnson
- Psychiatry Department, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Anna C. Abate
- Psychiatry Department, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Peter J. Schmidt
- Section on Behavioral Endocrinology, National Institute of Mental Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - David R. Rubinow
- Psychiatry Department, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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28
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Baeza-Raja B, Sachs BD, Li P, Christian F, Vagena E, Davalos D, Le Moan N, Ryu JK, Sikorski SL, Chan JP, Scadeng M, Taylor SS, Houslay MD, Baillie GS, Saltiel AR, Olefsky JM, Akassoglou K. p75 Neurotrophin Receptor Regulates Energy Balance in Obesity. Cell Rep 2015; 14:255-68. [PMID: 26748707 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2015.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2014] [Revised: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 12/02/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity and metabolic syndrome reflect the dysregulation of molecular pathways that control energy homeostasis. Here, we show that the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75(NTR)) controls energy expenditure in obese mice on a high-fat diet (HFD). Despite no changes in food intake, p75(NTR)-null mice were protected from HFD-induced obesity and remained lean as a result of increased energy expenditure without developing insulin resistance or liver steatosis. p75(NTR) directly interacts with the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A (PKA) and regulates cAMP signaling in adipocytes, leading to decreased lipolysis and thermogenesis. Adipocyte-specific depletion of p75(NTR) or transplantation of p75(NTR)-null white adipose tissue (WAT) into wild-type mice fed a HFD protected against weight gain and insulin resistance. Our results reveal that signaling from p75(NTR) to cAMP/PKA regulates energy balance and suggest that non-CNS neurotrophin receptor signaling could be a target for treating obesity and the metabolic syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernat Baeza-Raja
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Benjamin D Sachs
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Pingping Li
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Frank Christian
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Eirini Vagena
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Dimitrios Davalos
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Natacha Le Moan
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Jae Kyu Ryu
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Shoana L Sikorski
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Justin P Chan
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Miriam Scadeng
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Susan S Taylor
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Miles D Houslay
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London SE1 9NH, UK
| | - George S Baillie
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Alan R Saltiel
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Jerrold M Olefsky
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Katerina Akassoglou
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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Stellato C, Porreca I, Cuomo D, Tarallo R, Nassa G, Ambrosino C. The “busy life” of unliganded estrogen receptors. Proteomics 2015; 16:288-300. [DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201500261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Revised: 09/14/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Stellato
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics; Department of Medicine and Surgery; University of Salerno; Baronissi Salerno Italy
| | | | - Danila Cuomo
- Department of Science and Technology; University of Sannio; Benevento Italy
- Biogem scarl; Ariano Irpino (AV); Italy
| | - Roberta Tarallo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics; Department of Medicine and Surgery; University of Salerno; Baronissi Salerno Italy
| | - Giovanni Nassa
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics; Department of Medicine and Surgery; University of Salerno; Baronissi Salerno Italy
| | - Concetta Ambrosino
- Department of Science and Technology; University of Sannio; Benevento Italy
- Biogem scarl; Ariano Irpino (AV); Italy
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Yahr P. Two aromatase inhibitors inhibit the ability of a third to promote mating in male rats. Horm Behav 2015; 75:41-4. [PMID: 26232614 PMCID: PMC4648640 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2015] [Revised: 07/10/2015] [Accepted: 07/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Aromatase, the enzyme that aromatizes androstenedione (A) to estrone and testosterone (T) to estradiol (E), affects androgen control of male sex behavior in many vertebrates. In male monkeys, rats and quail, E mimics the ability of T to promote mating, and aromatase inhibitors block mating induced by T but not E. Aromatase inhibitors include androgens with different A-rings than T and A, e.g., 1,4,6-androstatriene-3,17-dione (ATD), azoles, e.g., fadrozole, and androgens α-halogenated at carbon 6, e.g., 6α-bromoA, 6α-fluoroA and 6α-fluoroT. 6α-FluoroT is the only 6α-halogenated androgen studied in regard to mating. It promotes mating in male rats and quail and was studied, before it was known to inhibit aromatase, because it cannot be aromatized yet has the same A-ring as T. 6α-FluoroT might promote mating by binding estrogen receptors (ER) directly, i.e., unassisted, or by metabolism to an androgen that binds ER. Since neither process would require aromatase, this study tested both hypotheses by determining how mating induced in castrated male rats by 6α-fluoroT is affected by ATD and fadrozole. Both aromatase inhibitors inhibited the effects of 6α-fluoroT on mating. Thus, 6α-fluoroT does not promote mating by direct ER binding or metabolism to another androgen. Since aromatase underlies a process in which 6α-fluoroT, unlike most nonaromatizable androgens, mimics T effects on male sex behavior, the process must involve a feature that 6α-fluoroT shares with T but not other nonaromatizable androgens. A-ring structure is a candidate. A hypothesis is also offered for how aromatase may participate without aromatizing the androgen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Yahr
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4550, United States.
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31
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Tozzi A, de Iure A, Tantucci M, Durante V, Quiroga-Varela A, Giampà C, Di Mauro M, Mazzocchetti P, Costa C, Di Filippo M, Grassi S, Pettorossi VE, Calabresi P. Endogenous 17β-estradiol is required for activity-dependent long-term potentiation in the striatum: interaction with the dopaminergic system. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 9:192. [PMID: 26074768 PMCID: PMC4445326 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2015] [Accepted: 04/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
17β-estradiol (E2), a neurosteroid synthesized by P450-aromatase (ARO), modulates various brain functions. We characterized the role of the locally synthesized E2 on striatal long-term synaptic plasticity and explored possible interactions between E2 receptors (ERs) and dopamine (DA) receptors in the dorsal striatum of adult male rats. Inhibition of E2 synthesis or antagonism of ERs prevented the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) in both medium spiny neurons (MSNs) and cholinergic interneurons (ChIs). Activation of a D1-like DA receptor/cAMP/PKA-dependent pathway restored LTP. In MSNs exogenous E2 reversed the effect of ARO inhibition. Also antagonism of M1 muscarinic receptors prevented the D1-like receptor-mediated restoration of LTP confirming a role for ChIs in controlling the E2-mediated LTP of MSNs. A novel striatal interaction, occurring between ERs and D1-like receptors in both MSNs and ChIs, might be critical to regulate basal ganglia physiology and to compensate synaptic alterations in Parkinson’s disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Tozzi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Perugia Perugia, Italy ; Fondazione Santa Lucia, IRCCS Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio de Iure
- Clinica Neurologica, Dipartimento di Medicina, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Ospedale Santa Maria della Misericordia Perugia, Italy
| | - Michela Tantucci
- Clinica Neurologica, Dipartimento di Medicina, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Ospedale Santa Maria della Misericordia Perugia, Italy
| | - Valentina Durante
- Clinica Neurologica, Dipartimento di Medicina, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Ospedale Santa Maria della Misericordia Perugia, Italy
| | - Ana Quiroga-Varela
- Clinica Neurologica, Dipartimento di Medicina, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Ospedale Santa Maria della Misericordia Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Michela Di Mauro
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Perugia Perugia, Italy
| | - Petra Mazzocchetti
- Clinica Neurologica, Dipartimento di Medicina, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Ospedale Santa Maria della Misericordia Perugia, Italy
| | - Cinzia Costa
- Clinica Neurologica, Dipartimento di Medicina, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Ospedale Santa Maria della Misericordia Perugia, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Di Filippo
- Clinica Neurologica, Dipartimento di Medicina, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Ospedale Santa Maria della Misericordia Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvarosa Grassi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Perugia Perugia, Italy
| | - Vito Enrico Pettorossi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Perugia Perugia, Italy
| | - Paolo Calabresi
- Fondazione Santa Lucia, IRCCS Rome, Italy ; Clinica Neurologica, Dipartimento di Medicina, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Ospedale Santa Maria della Misericordia Perugia, Italy
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Bennesch MA, Picard D. Minireview: Tipping the balance: ligand-independent activation of steroid receptors. Mol Endocrinol 2015; 29:349-63. [PMID: 25625619 DOI: 10.1210/me.2014-1315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Steroid receptors are prototypical ligand-dependent transcription factors and a textbook example for allosteric regulation. According to this canonical model, binding of cognate steroid is an absolute requirement for transcriptional activation. Remarkably, the simple one ligand-one receptor model could not be farther from the truth. Steroid receptors, notably the sex steroid receptors, can receive multiple inputs. Activation of steroid receptors by other signals, working through their own signaling pathways, in the absence of the cognate steroids, represents the most extreme form of signaling cross talk. Compared with cognate steroids, ligand-independent activation pathways produce similar but not identical outputs. Here we review the phenomena and discuss what is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms and the biological significance. We hypothesize that steroid receptors may have evolved to be trigger happy. In addition to their cognate steroids, many posttranslational modifications and interactors, modulated by other signals, may be able to tip the balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela A Bennesch
- Département de Biologie Cellulaire, Université de Genève, Sciences III, CH-1211 Genève 4, Switzerland
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33
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Holder MK, Veichweg SS, Mong JA. Methamphetamine-enhanced female sexual motivation is dependent on dopamine and progesterone signaling in the medial amygdala. Horm Behav 2015; 67:1-11. [PMID: 25448531 PMCID: PMC4291296 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2014] [Revised: 09/11/2014] [Accepted: 10/31/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) is a psychomotor stimulant strongly associated with increases in sexual drive and impulsive sexual behaviors that often lead to unsafe sexual practices. In women METH users, such practices have been associated with increases in unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. Despite this significant heath concern, the neural mechanisms underlying this drug-sex association are not known. We previously established a rodent model of METH-facilitated female sexual behavior in which estradiol and progesterone interact with METH to increase motivational components of female behavior and neuronal activation in the posterodorsal medial amygdala (MePD) (Holder et al., 2010; Holder and Mong, 2010). The current study more directly examines the mechanisms underlying the drug-sex interaction. Here, we hypothesize that METH-induced increases in MePD dopamine signaling bridge the METH-hormone interaction. In support of this hypothesis, we found that excitotoxic lesions targeted to the MePD attenuated the METH-induced increases in proceptive behavior. Furthermore, infusion of a D1 agonist into the MePD increased proceptive behavior, while infusion of a D1 antagonist blocked the ability of METH to increase proceptive behaviors. Additionally, we found that METH-treatment increased progesterone receptor (PR) immunoreactivity in the MePD, suggesting an interaction between dopamine and progesterone signaling. Indeed, infusions of the PR antagonist, RU486, prevented METH-induced increases in sexual behavior. Thus, taken together, the current findings suggest that dopamine in the MePD modulates enhanced sexual motivation via an amplification of progesterone signaling and contributes to a better understanding of the neurobiology of drug-enhanced sexual behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary K Holder
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| | - Shaun S Veichweg
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Jessica A Mong
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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34
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Dasgupta S, O'Malley BW. Transcriptional coregulators: emerging roles of SRC family of coactivators in disease pathology. J Mol Endocrinol 2014; 53:R47-59. [PMID: 25024406 PMCID: PMC4152414 DOI: 10.1530/jme-14-0080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Transcriptional coactivators have evolved as an important new class of functional proteins that participate with virtually all transcription factors and nuclear receptors (NRs) to intricately regulate gene expression in response to a wide variety of environmental cues. Recent findings have highlighted that coactivators are important for almost all biological functions, and consequently, genetic defects can lead to severe pathologies. Drug discovery efforts targeting coactivators may prove valuable for treatment of a variety of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhamoy Dasgupta
- Department of Molecular and Cellular BiologyBaylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Bert W O'Malley
- Department of Molecular and Cellular BiologyBaylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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35
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Al-Zaubai N, Johnstone CN, Leong MM, Li J, Rizzacasa M, Stewart AG. Resolvin D2 supports MCF-7 cell proliferation via activation of estrogen receptor. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2014; 351:172-80. [PMID: 25077525 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.114.214403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammation has been implicated in tumor initiation, angiogenesis, and metastasis, and linked to the development of more aggressive, therapy-resistant estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer. Resolvin D2 (RvD2) is a potent anti-inflammatory lipid mediator. As RvD2 may be synthesized within breast tumors by both tumor cells and the surrounding stroma cells and is present in plasma at bioactive concentrations, we sought to characterize the impact of RvD2 on cell processes underlying breast tumor growth and spread. Trypan-blue exclusion, transfection with estrogen response element (ERE) reporter, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, competitive radioligand binding assays, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence were the techniques used. Unexpectedly, whereas RvD2 (10-1000 nM) supported the proliferation of the ER-positive breast tumor (MCF-7) cells, it did not affect the ER-negative MDA-MB-231 cell number. The proliferative effect of RvD2 in MCF-7 cells was attenuated by the ER antagonist ICI 182,780 (7α-[9-[(4,4,5,5,5-pentafluoropentyl)sulfinyl]nonyl]estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,17β-diol). Furthermore, RvD2 increased ERE transcriptional activity in a number of ER-positive breast and ovarian tumor cell lines. This activation was also inhibited by ICI 182,780. RvD2 altered the expression of a subset of estrogen-responsive genes. Although binding experiments showed that RvD2 did not directly compete with [(3)H]17β-estradiol for ER binding, prior exposure of MCF-7 cells to RvD2 resulted in a significant reduction in the apparent cytosolic ER density. Confocal immunocytochemistry and Western blotting studies showed that RvD2 promoted nuclear localization of ERα. These observations indicate that RvD2 displays significant but indirect estrogenic properties and has the potential to play a role in estrogen-dependent breast cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuha Al-Zaubai
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (N.A.-Z., A.G.S.), Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (C.N.J.), School of Chemistry, the Bio21 Institute (M.M.L., J.L., M.R.), Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology (C.N.J.), and Department of Pathology (C.N.J.), University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Cameron N Johnstone
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (N.A.-Z., A.G.S.), Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (C.N.J.), School of Chemistry, the Bio21 Institute (M.M.L., J.L., M.R.), Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology (C.N.J.), and Department of Pathology (C.N.J.), University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - May May Leong
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (N.A.-Z., A.G.S.), Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (C.N.J.), School of Chemistry, the Bio21 Institute (M.M.L., J.L., M.R.), Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology (C.N.J.), and Department of Pathology (C.N.J.), University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - John Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (N.A.-Z., A.G.S.), Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (C.N.J.), School of Chemistry, the Bio21 Institute (M.M.L., J.L., M.R.), Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology (C.N.J.), and Department of Pathology (C.N.J.), University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark Rizzacasa
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (N.A.-Z., A.G.S.), Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (C.N.J.), School of Chemistry, the Bio21 Institute (M.M.L., J.L., M.R.), Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology (C.N.J.), and Department of Pathology (C.N.J.), University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alastair G Stewart
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (N.A.-Z., A.G.S.), Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (C.N.J.), School of Chemistry, the Bio21 Institute (M.M.L., J.L., M.R.), Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology (C.N.J.), and Department of Pathology (C.N.J.), University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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36
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Qiao Q, Liu W, Wu K, Song T, Hu J, Huang X, Wen J, Chen L, Zhang X. Female zebrafish (Danio rerio) are more vulnerable than males to microcystin-LR exposure, without exhibiting estrogenic effects. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2013; 142-143:272-282. [PMID: 24076620 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2013.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2013] [Revised: 07/04/2013] [Accepted: 07/07/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Microcystins (MCs) released during cyanobacterial blooms exert varied toxicity on fish. Up to now, the reproductive toxicity of MCs on fish has rarely been reported. The present study investigated the reproductive toxicity of microcystin-LR (MC-LR) on male and female zebrafish (Danio rerio) by subchronic immersion in 1, 5, 20 μg/L for 30 d. After MC-LR exposure, the hatchability and the 17 beta-estradiol (E2) concentration in gonads significantly decreased in the 20 μg/L group. In the 5 and 20 μg/L groups, the whole body vitellogenin (VTG) levels significantly increased in females, while considerably decreased in males. The VTG1 transcriptional level significantly reduced in the liver of both female and male treated fish. Marked histological lesions were observed in the livers, ovaries and testes in MC-LR treated fish. Apoptotic rate in the ovaries significantly increased. Significant down-regulation of Bcl-2 transcriptional level was found in the gonads of all MC-LR treated fish, while marked up-regulation of Bax transcription level was determined in the 20 μg/L female treatment group, but a significant down-regulation in males. Although the transcriptional level of caspase-3 dropped in ovaries of the 5 and 20 μg/L treatment groups, the significant increase of caspase-3 activation levels in the ovaries and testes were detected. The present findings indicate that MC-LR exposure exerts diverse reproductive toxicity in zebrafish with females exhibiting more sensitivity than males. The present study also confirmed for the first time that MC-LR does not cause any estrogenic effects in adult zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Qiao
- Fisheries College of Huazhong Agricultural University, Freshwater Aquaculture Collaborative Innovation Center of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, People's Republic of China
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37
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Cunha S, Gano L, Morais GR, Thiemann T, Oliveira MC. Progesterone receptor targeting with radiolabelled steroids: an approach in predicting breast cancer response to therapy. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2013; 137:223-41. [PMID: 23669457 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2013.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [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: 12/04/2012] [Revised: 04/24/2013] [Accepted: 04/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Steroid receptors have demonstrated to be potentially useful biological targets for the diagnosis and therapy follow-up of hormonally responsive cancers. The over-expression of these proteins in human cancer cells as well as their binding characteristics provides a favourable mechanism for the localization of malignant tumours. The need for newer and more selective probes to non-invasively assess steroid receptor expression in hormone-responsive tumours has encouraged the synthesis and the biological evaluation of several steroidal derivatives labelled with positron and gamma emitters. The physiological effects of the steroid hormone progesterone are mediated by the progesterone receptor (PR). Since PR expression is stimulated by the oestrogen receptor (ER), PR status has been considered as a biomarker of ER activity and its value for predicting and monitoring therapeutic efficacy of hormonal therapy has been studied. Imaging of PR-expressing breast cancer patients under hormonal therapy may be advantageous, since the response to therapy can be more accurately predicted after quantification of both ER and PR status. Thus, ligands for PR targeting, although much less explored than ER ligands, have gained some importance lately as potential PET and SPECT tumour imaging agents. In this review, we present a brief survey of explored approaches for progesterone targeting using radiolabelled progestins as potential clinical probes to predict responsiveness to breast cancer therapy. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Synthesis and biological testing of steroid derivatives as inhibitors".
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Cunha
- Unidade de Ciências Químicas e Radiofarmacêuticas, IST/ITN, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade Técnica de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, 2686-953 Sacavém, Portugal
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38
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Yang CF, Chiang MC, Gray DC, Prabhakaran M, Alvarado M, Juntti SA, Unger EK, Wells JA, Shah NM. Sexually dimorphic neurons in the ventromedial hypothalamus govern mating in both sexes and aggression in males. Cell 2013; 153:896-909. [PMID: 23663785 PMCID: PMC3767768 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2013.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 465] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2012] [Revised: 02/11/2013] [Accepted: 04/05/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Sexual dimorphisms in the brain underlie behavioral sex differences, but the function of individual sexually dimorphic neuronal populations is poorly understood. Neuronal sexual dimorphisms typically represent quantitative differences in cell number, gene expression, or other features, and it is unknown whether these dimorphisms control sex-typical behavior exclusively in one sex or in both sexes. The progesterone receptor (PR) controls female sexual behavior, and we find many sex differences in number, distribution, or projections of PR-expressing neurons in the adult mouse brain. Using a genetic strategy we developed, we have ablated one such dimorphic PR-expressing neuronal population located in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH). Ablation of these neurons in females greatly diminishes sexual receptivity. Strikingly, the corresponding ablation in males reduces mating and aggression. Our findings reveal the functions of a molecularly defined, sexually dimorphic neuronal population in the brain. Moreover, we show that sexually dimorphic neurons can control distinct sex-typical behaviors in both sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy F Yang
- Program in Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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39
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Cui J, Shen Y, Li R. Estrogen synthesis and signaling pathways during aging: from periphery to brain. Trends Mol Med 2013; 19:197-209. [PMID: 23348042 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2012.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 449] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2012] [Revised: 12/18/2012] [Accepted: 12/27/2012] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Estrogens are the primary female sex hormones and play important roles in both reproductive and non-reproductive systems. Estrogens can be synthesized in non-reproductive tissues such as liver, heart, muscle, bone and brain, and tissue-specific estrogen synthesis is consistent with a diversity of estrogen actions. In this article we review tissue and cell-specific estrogen synthesis and estrogen receptor signaling in three parts: (i) synthesis and metabolism, (ii) the distribution of estrogen receptors and signaling, and (iii) estrogen functions and related disorders, including cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Parkinson disease (PD). This comprehensive review provides new insights into estrogens by giving a better understanding of the tissue-specific estrogen effects and their roles in various diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Cui
- Center for Hormone Advanced Science and Education (CHASE), Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, FL 34243, USA
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40
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Differential effects of dopamine antagonists infused to the medial preoptic area on the sexual behavior of female rats primed with estrogen and progesterone. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2012; 102:532-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2012.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2012] [Revised: 05/25/2012] [Accepted: 06/21/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Tanos T, Rojo L, Echeverria P, Brisken C. ER and PR signaling nodes during mammary gland development. Breast Cancer Res 2012; 14:210. [PMID: 22809143 PMCID: PMC3680919 DOI: 10.1186/bcr3166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The ovarian hormones estrogen and progesterone orchestrate postnatal mammary gland development and are implicated in breast cancer. Most of our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) signaling stems from in vitro studies with hormone receptor-positive cell lines. They have shown that ER and PR regulate gene transcription either by binding to DNA response elements directly or via other transcription factors and recruiting co-regulators. In addition they cross-talk with other signaling pathways through nongenomic mechanisms. Mouse genetics combined with tissue recombination techniques have provided insights about the action of these two hormones in vivo. It has emerged that hormones act on a subset of mammary epithelial cells and relegate biological functions to paracrine factors. With regards to hormonal signaling in breast carcinomas, global gene expression analyses have led to the identification of gene expression signatures that are characteristic of ERα-positive tumors that have stipulated functional studies of hitherto poorly understood transcription factors. Here, we highlight what has been learned about ER and PR signaling nodes in these different systems and attempt to lay out in which way the insights may converge.
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42
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Bratton MR, Antoon JW, Duong BN, Frigo DE, Tilghman S, Collins-Burow BM, Elliott S, Tang Y, Melnik LI, Lai L, Alam J, Beckman BS, Hill SM, Rowan BG, McLachlan JA, Burow ME. Gαo potentiates estrogen receptor α activity via the ERK signaling pathway. J Endocrinol 2012; 214:45-54. [PMID: 22562654 PMCID: PMC3614348 DOI: 10.1530/joe-12-0097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The estrogen receptor α (ERα) is a transcription factor that mediates the biological effects of 17β-estradiol (E(2)). ERα transcriptional activity is also regulated by cytoplasmic signaling cascades. Here, several Gα protein subunits were tested for their ability to regulate ERα activity. Reporter assays revealed that overexpression of a constitutively active Gα(o) protein subunit potentiated ERα activity in the absence and presence of E(2). Transient transfection of the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 showed that Gα(o) augments the transcription of several ERα-regulated genes. Western blots of HEK293T cells transfected with ER±Gα(o) revealed that Gα(o) stimulated phosphorylation of ERK 1/2 and subsequently increased the phosphorylation of ERα on serine 118. In summary, our results show that Gα(o), through activation of the MAPK pathway, plays a role in the regulation of ERα activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melyssa R Bratton
- Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Tulane University, 1430 Tulane Avenue, SL-78, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA
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43
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Benedusi V, Meda C, Della Torre S, Monteleone G, Vegeto E, Maggi A. A lack of ovarian function increases neuroinflammation in aged mice. Endocrinology 2012; 153:2777-88. [PMID: 22492304 PMCID: PMC3359599 DOI: 10.1210/en.2011-1925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Although several lines of evidence have indicated that menopause is associated with increased susceptibility to neurological disorders, the mechanisms involved in this phenomenon remain to be elucidated. Because neuroinflammation is a common feature of a number of brain diseases, we hypothesized that the cessation of ovarian functions and the consequent decrease in estrogen receptor (ER)-mediated antiinflammatory activity may represent a trigger for postmenopausal brain dysfunctions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of aging and surgical menopause on the activity of ER in neuroinflammation. The present study shows that ER genes are expressed in the hippocampus, but ER transcriptional activity decreases significantly beginning at 12 months of age in intact and ovariectomized mice. With ovariectomy, we observe an age-dependent accumulation of mRNA encoding inflammatory mediators (e.g. TNFα, IL1β, and macrophage inflammatory protein-2) and changes in the morphology of astroglia and microglia. In addition, we show that aging itself is coupled with an exaggerated response to acute inflammatory stimuli with a major accumulation of TNFα, IL1β, macrophage inflammatory protein-2, and macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 mRNA in response to lipopolysaccharide administration. The response to acute inflammatory stimuli appears to be differentially modulated by the duration of hormone deprivation in 12-month-old mice. Taken together, the present results show that aging is associated with decreased ER activity, despite continuous ER synthesis, and that age-dependent neuroinflammation is strongly influenced by hormone deprivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Benedusi
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases and Department of Pharmacological Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
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44
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McLachlan JA, Tilghman SL, Burow ME, Bratton MR. Environmental signaling and reproduction: a comparative biological and chemical perspective. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2012; 354:60-2. [PMID: 22178089 PMCID: PMC3641892 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2011.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2011] [Accepted: 11/28/2011] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Reproduction is a critical element of life. Self-propagation in all living organisms ranging from bacteria to humans involves numerous common strategies. Underlying all reproductive strategies is the essential need for signaling molecules to initiate and maintain the process. In this paper we use comparative biological and chemical approaches to explore the origins and distribution of estrogen signaling as a pathway common to many life forms. In the process we illuminate the mechanisms whereby environmental agents alter reproduction and development. These mechanisms involve altered signaling pathways within cells and shifts in the targets of the signaling pathways to include regulators of gene transcription normally associated with other pathways. We also stress the role of signal cross talk in mediating hormone action.
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Affiliation(s)
- John A. McLachlan
- Environmental Signaling Laboratory, Tulane University, 1430 Tulane Ave., New Orleans, LA 70122, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University School of Science and Engineering, USA
| | - Syreeta L. Tilghman
- Environmental Signaling Laboratory, Tulane University, 1430 Tulane Ave., New Orleans, LA 70122, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, USA
- Division of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Matthew E. Burow
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Melyssa R. Bratton
- Environmental Signaling Laboratory, Tulane University, 1430 Tulane Ave., New Orleans, LA 70122, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, USA
- Corresponding author at: Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University,
School of Medicine, USA. Tel.: +1 504 988 6623. (M.R. Bratton)
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45
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Hall JM, Korach KS. Endocrine disrupting chemicals promote the growth of ovarian cancer cells via the ER-CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling axis. Mol Carcinog 2012; 52:715-25. [PMID: 22549810 DOI: 10.1002/mc.21913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2011] [Revised: 03/05/2012] [Accepted: 03/19/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The majority of ovarian cancers over-express the estrogen receptor (ERα) and grow in response to estrogens. We previously demonstrated that ER induction of the chemokine CXCL12 (stromal cell-derived factor-1) is required for estradiol (E2)-stimulated proliferation of human ovarian carcinoma cells. In the current study, we report that known "endocrine disrupting chemicals" (EDCs) display mitogenic activities in ovarian cancer cells via their ability to activate the ER and upregulate CXCL12 expression. Notably, the EDCs genistein, bisphenol A and HPTE stimulated both cell proliferation and induction of CXCL12 mRNA and protein in a manner comparable to estradiol. The effects were completely attenuated by the ER antagonist ICI 182,780, revealing that observed activities of these agents were receptor-mediated. In cell proliferation assays, the mitogenic effects of estradiol and EDCs were obviated by siRNAs targeting CXCL12 and restored upon addition of exogenous CXCL12. Furthermore, an inhibitor to the CXCL12 receptor CXCR4 completely attenuated growth-stimulatory effects of E2 and EDCs. These studies highlight a potential role of EDCs possessing estrogenic activities in the etiology of ovarian cancer. Moreover, they suggest that the ER-CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling axis may represent a promising target for development of therapeutics for ER+ ovarian cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie M Hall
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC 27506, USA
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46
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Le Romancer M, Poulard C, Cohen P, Sentis S, Renoir JM, Corbo L. Cracking the estrogen receptor's posttranslational code in breast tumors. Endocr Rev 2011; 32:597-622. [PMID: 21680538 DOI: 10.1210/er.2010-0016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 211] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen signaling pathways, because of their central role in regulating the growth and survival of breast tumor cells, have been identified as suitable and efficient targets for cancer therapies. Agents blocking estrogen activity are already widely used clinically, and many new molecules have entered clinical trials, but intrinsic or acquired resistance to treatment limits their efficacy. The basic molecular studies underlying estrogen signaling have defined the critical role of estrogen receptors (ER) in many aspects of breast tumorigenesis. However, important knowledge gaps remain about the role of posttranslational modifications (PTM) of ER in initiation and progression of breast carcinogenesis. Whereas major attention has been focused on the phosphorylation of ER, many other PTM (such as acetylation, ubiquitination, sumoylation, methylation, and palmitoylation) have been identified as events modifying ER expression and stability, subcellular localization, and sensitivity to hormonal response. This article will provide an overview of the current and emerging knowledge on ER PTM, with a particular focus on their deregulation in breast cancer. We also discuss their clinical relevance and the functional relationship between PTM. A thorough understanding of the complete picture of these modifications in ER carcinogenesis might not only open new avenues for identifying new markers for prognosis or prediction of response to endocrine therapy but also could promote the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muriel Le Romancer
- Université de Lyon, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Centre Léon Bérard, Bâtiment Cheney D, 28 rue Laennec, 69373 Lyon Cedex 08, France.
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47
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Fedotova J, Ordyan N. Involvement of D1receptors in depression-like behavior of ovariectomized rats. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 98:165-76. [DOI: 10.1556/aphysiol.98.2011.2.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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48
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Maggi A. Liganded and unliganded activation of estrogen receptor and hormone replacement therapies. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2011; 1812:1054-60. [PMID: 21605666 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2011.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2011] [Revised: 04/29/2011] [Accepted: 05/01/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Over the past two decades, our understanding of estrogen receptor physiology in mammals widened considerably as we acquired a deeper appreciation of the roles of estrogen receptor alpha and beta (ERα and ERβ) in reproduction as well as in bone and metabolic homeostasis, depression, vascular disorders, neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. In addition, our insights on ER transcriptional functions in cells increased considerably with the demonstration that ER activity is not strictly dependent on ligand availability. Indeed, unliganded ERs may be transcriptionally active and post-translational modifications play a major role in this context. The finding that several intracellular transduction molecules may regulate ER transcriptional programs indicates that ERs may act as a hub where several molecular pathways converge: this allows to maintain ER transcriptional activity in tune with all cell functions. Likely, the biological relevant role of ER was favored by evolution as a mean of integration between reproductive and metabolic functions. We here review the post-translational modifications modulating ER transcriptional activity in the presence or in the absence of estrogens and underline their potential role for ER tissue-specific activities. In our opinion, a better comprehension of the variety of molecular events that control ER activity in reproductive and non-reproductive organs is the foundation for the design of safer and more efficacious hormone-based therapies, particularly for menopause. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Translating Nuclear receptors from health to disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Maggi
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases and Department of Pharmacological Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
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Divekar SD, Storchan GB, Sperle K, Veselik DJ, Johnson E, Dakshanamurthy S, Lajiminmuhip YN, Nakles RE, Huang L, Martin MB. The role of calcium in the activation of estrogen receptor-alpha. Cancer Res 2011; 71:1658-68. [PMID: 21212417 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-10-1899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Environmental estrogen mimics, including metalloestrogens that can activate estrogen receptor-alpha (ERα), may contribute to breast cancer risk. However, the underlying mechanisms through which these molecular mimics activate the ERα are generally poorly understood. With concern to this important question, we investigated whether intracellular calcium may mediate the cross-talk between signaling pathways that activate ERα and the ligand-binding domain of ERα. MCF-7 cells treated with EGF, ATP, extracellular calcium, or caffeine to increase intracellular calcium triggered a rapid recruitment of ERα to estrogen-responsive promoters and stimulated expression of estrogen-responsive genes including pS2, complement C3, and progesterone receptor. Induction was blocked by an antiestrogen but also by the chelation of intracellular calcium. Treatment with extracellular calcium also increased the growth of MCF-7 cells through an ER-dependent mechanism. We found that EGF and extracellular calcium activated the C-terminus of ERα and the activation was blocked by the antiestrogen. Mechanistic investigations identified four potential sites on the solvent-accessible surface of the ERα ligand-binding domain as important for calcium activation of the receptor. Taken together, our results suggest that calcium mediates the cross-talk between ERα-activating signaling pathways and the ligand-binding domain of ERα providing a potential explanation for the ability of certain environmental metalloestrogens to activate the receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shailaja D Divekar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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50
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Abstract
Estrogen's presence in the male reproductive system has been known for over 60 years, but its potential function in the epididymis remains an important area of investigation. Estrogen is synthesized by germ cells, producing a relatively high concentration in rete testis fluid. There are two estrogen receptors (ESR), the presence of which in the head of the epididymis is well documented and consistent between species; however, in other regions of the epididymis, their expression appears to be isotype, species, and cell specific. ESR1 is expressed constitutively in the epididymis; however, its presence is downregulated by high doses of estrogen, making the design of experiments complicated, as the phenotype of the Cyp19a1(-/-) mouse does not resemble that of the Esr1(-/-) mouse. Ligand-independent and DNA-binding Esr1 mutant models further demonstrate the complexity and importance of both signaling pathways in maintenance of efferent ductules and epididymis. Data now reveal the presence of not only classical nuclear receptors, but also cytoplasmic ESR and rapid responding membrane receptors; however, their importance in the epididymis remains undetermined. ESR1 regulates ion transport and water reabsorption in the efferent ducts and epididymis, and its regulation of other associated genes is continually being uncovered. In the male, some genes, such as Aqp9 and Slc9a3, contain both androgen and estrogen response elements and are dually regulated by these hormones. While estrogen pathways are a necessity for fertility in the male, future studies are needed to understand the interplay between androgens and estrogens in epididymal tissues, particularly in cell types that contain both receptors and their cofactors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avenel Joseph
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802, USA
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