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Mori Sequeiros Garcia MM, Paz C, Castillo AF, Benzo Y, Belluno MA, Balcázar Martínez A, Maloberti PM, Cornejo Maciel F, Poderoso C. New insights into signal transduction pathways in adrenal steroidogenesis: role of mitochondrial fusion, lipid mediators, and MAPK phosphatases. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1175677. [PMID: 37223023 PMCID: PMC10200866 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1175677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Hormone-receptor signal transduction has been extensively studied in adrenal gland. Zona glomerulosa and fasciculata cells are responsible for glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid synthesis by adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and angiotensin II (Ang II) stimulation, respectively. Since the rate-limiting step in steroidogenesis occurs in the mitochondria, these organelles are key players in the process. The maintenance of functional mitochondria depends on mitochondrial dynamics, which involves at least two opposite events, i.e., mitochondrial fusion and fission. This review presents state-of-the-art data on the role of mitochondrial fusion proteins, such as mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) and optic atrophy 1 (OPA1), in Ang II-stimulated steroidogenesis in adrenocortical cells. Both proteins are upregulated by Ang II, and Mfn2 is strictly necessary for adrenal steroid synthesis. The signaling cascades of steroidogenic hormones involve an increase in several lipidic metabolites such as arachidonic acid (AA). In turn, AA metabolization renders several eicosanoids released to the extracellular medium able to bind membrane receptors. This report discusses OXER1, an oxoeicosanoid receptor which has recently arisen as a novel participant in adrenocortical hormone-stimulated steroidogenesis through its activation by AA-derived 5-oxo-ETE. This work also intends to broaden knowledge of phospho/dephosphorylation relevance in adrenocortical cells, particularly MAP kinase phosphatases (MKPs) role in steroidogenesis. At least three MKPs participate in steroid production and processes such as the cellular cycle, either directly or by means of MAP kinase regulation. To sum up, this review discusses the emerging role of mitochondrial fusion proteins, OXER1 and MKPs in the regulation of steroid synthesis in adrenal cortex cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Mercedes Mori Sequeiros Garcia
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cristina Paz
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana Fernanda Castillo
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Yanina Benzo
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Matías A. Belluno
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ariana Balcázar Martínez
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paula Mariana Maloberti
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fabiana Cornejo Maciel
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Poderoso
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Salicylate Sodium Suppresses Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 Production by Directly Inhibiting Phosphodiesterase 3B in TNF-α-Stimulated Adipocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010320. [PMID: 36613764 PMCID: PMC9820166 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
As a worldwide health issue, obesity is associated with the infiltration of monocytes/macrophages into the adipose tissue causing unresolved inflammation. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) exerts a crucial effect on obesity-related monocytes/macrophages infiltration. Clinically, aspirin and salsalate are beneficial for the treatment of metabolic diseases in which adipose tissue inflammation plays an essential role. Herein, we investigated the effect and precise mechanism of their active metabolite salicylate on TNF-α-elevated MCP-1 in adipocytes. The results indicated that salicylate sodium (SAS) could lower the level of MCP-1 in TNF-α-stimulated adipocytes, which resulted from a previously unrecognized target phosphodiesterase (PDE), 3B (PDE3B), rather than its known targets IKKβ and AMPK. The SAS directly bound to the PDE3B to inactivate it, thus elevating the intracellular cAMP level and activating PKA. Subsequently, the expression of MKP-1 was increased, which led to the decrease in p-EKR and p-p38. Both PDE3B silencing and the pharmacological inhibition of cAMP/PKA compromised the suppressive effect of SAS on MCP-1. In addition to PDE3B, the PDE3A and PDE4B activity was also inhibited by SAS. Our findings identify a previously unrecognized pathway through which SAS is capable of attenuating the inflammation of adipocytes.
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Liu J, Yin Y, Ni J, Zhang P, Li WM, Liu Z. Dual Specific Phosphatase 7 Exacerbates Dilated Cardiomyopathy, Heart Failure, and Cardiac Death by Inactivating the ERK1/2 Signaling Pathway. J Cardiovasc Transl Res 2022; 15:1219-1238. [PMID: 35596107 DOI: 10.1007/s12265-022-10268-3] [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: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Heart failure is one of the most common but complicated end-stage syndromes in clinical practice. Dilated cardiomyopathy is a myocardial structural abnormality that is associated with heart failure. Dual-specificity phosphatases (DUSPs) are a group of protein phosphatases that regulate signaling pathways in numerous diseases; however, their physiological and pathological impact on cardiovascular disease remains unknown. In the present study, we generated two transgenic mouse models, a DUSP7 knockout and a cardiac-specific DUSP7 overexpressor. Mice overexpressing DUSP7 showed an exacerbated disease phenotype, including severe dilated cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and cardiac death. We further demonstrated that high levels of DUSP7 inhibited ERK1/2 phosphorylation and influenced downstream c-MYC, c-FOS, and c-JUN gene expression but did not affect upstream activators. Taken together, our study reveals a novel molecular mechanism for DUSP7 and provides a new therapeutic target and clinical path to alleviate dilated cardiomyopathy and improve cardiac function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yihen Yin
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Heart, Lung, and Blood Center, Pan-Vascular Research Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Ni
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Peiyu Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei-Ming Li
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
- Heart, Lung, and Blood Center, Pan-Vascular Research Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Zheng Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
- Heart, Lung, and Blood Center, Pan-Vascular Research Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
- Cryo-electron Microscopy Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Guangdong Province, Shenzhen, China.
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Huang L, Xiao K, Zhang J, Zhang P, He W, Tang Y, Yang W, Huang X, Liu R, Liang X, Liu X, Fu Q, Lu Y, Zhang M. Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals potential testosterone function-related regulatory genes/pathways of Leydig cells in immature and mature buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) testes. Gene 2021; 802:145870. [PMID: 34363886 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2021.145870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Leydig cells (LCs) are testosterone-generating endocrine cells that are located outside the seminiferous tubules in the testis, and testosterone is fundamental for retaining spermatogenesis and male fertility. In buffalo, adult Leydig cells (ALCs) are developed by immature Leydig cells (ILCs) in the postnatal testes. However, the genes/pathways associated to the regulation of testosterone secretion function during the development of postnatal LCs remains comprehensively unidentified. The present study comparatively analyzed the transcriptome profiles of ILC and ALC in buffalo with significant differences in testosterone secretion. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) analysis identified 972 and 1,091 annotated genes that were significantly up- and down-regulated in buffalo ALC. Functional enrichment analysis showed that cAMP signaling being the most significantly enriched pathway, and testosterone synthesis and lipid transport-related genes/pathways were upregulated in ALC. Furthermore, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) shows that cAMP signaling and steroid hormone biosynthesis were activated in ALC, demonstrating that cAMP signaling may serve as a positive regulatory pathway in the maintenance of testosterone function during postnatal development of LCs. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks analysis highlighted that ADCY8, ADCY2, POMC, CHRM2, SST, PTGER3, SSTR2, SSTR1, NPY1R, and HTR1D as hub genes in the cAMP signaling pathway. In conclusion, this study identified key genes and pathways associated in the regulation of testosterone secretion function during the ILC-ALC transition in buffalo based on bioinformatics analysis, and these key genes might be deeply involved in cAMP generation to influencing testosterone levels in LCs. The results suggest that ALCs might increase testosterone levels by enhancing cAMP production than ILCs. Our data will enhance the understanding of developmental mechanism studies related to testosterone function and provide preliminary evidence for molecular mechanisms of LCs regulating spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangfeng Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Animal Reproduction Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, China
| | - Kai Xiao
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Animal Reproduction Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, China
| | - Junjun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Animal Reproduction Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, China
| | - Pengfei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Animal Reproduction Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, China
| | - Wengtan He
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Animal Reproduction Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, China
| | - Yuyan Tang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Animal Reproduction Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, China
| | - Weihan Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Animal Reproduction Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, China
| | - Xingchen Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Animal Reproduction Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, China
| | - Runfeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Animal Reproduction Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, China
| | - Xianwei Liang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Buffalo Genetics, Reproduction and Breeding, Nanning 530001, China
| | - Xingting Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Animal Reproduction Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, China.
| | - Qiang Fu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Animal Reproduction Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, China.
| | - Yangqing Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Animal Reproduction Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, China.
| | - Ming Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Animal Reproduction Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, China.
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Guo H, Luo X, Sun L, Li J, Cui S. Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1B acts as a novel molecule to mediate testosterone synthesis and secretion in mouse Leydig cells by luteinizing hormone (LH) signaling pathway. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2021; 57:742-752. [PMID: 34355300 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-021-00545-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1B (Cdkn1b, p27) plays important regulatory roles in many cellular processes. p27 is highly expressed in the mouse testis, but its roles and underlying mechanisms for testosterone synthesis and secretion remain not well understood. In the current study, we found that p27 located in Leydig cells and Sertoli cells of adult mouse testis. To explore the function of p27 in Leydig cells, p27 inhibitor and activator were injected into the adult mice, primary Leydig cells and TM3 cells. Our in vivo and in vitro results showed that change in the expression of p27 significantly alters the testosterone in both globe serum and culture medium. Meanwhile, the steroidogenesis-related gene expression was significantly regulated too. Moreover, our in vitro study showed that luteinizing hormone (LH) significantly increased p27 mRNA levels. Furthermore, our results proved that altering the mRNA expression of p27 leads to the synchronized changes of Lhcgr, Star, Cyp11a1, Hsd3b6, Cyp11a1, and Hsd17b3. Alterations of p27 also result in synchronously changes of RAF1 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. These findings indicate that p27 plays vital roles in LH-induced testosterone production, providing a novel mechanism that p27 acts as an upstream molecule to elevate ERK1/2 phosphorylation to promote the expression of StAR and other cholesterol-metabolizing enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongzhou Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnolpgy, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 10021, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuan Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnolpgy, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 10021, People's Republic of China
| | - Longjie Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnolpgy, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 10021, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianhua Li
- Department of Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, The Seventh Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Sheng Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnolpgy, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 10021, People's Republic of China.
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, The Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, People's Republic of China.
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Li S, Li Y, Deng B, Yan J, Wang Y. Identification of the Differentially Expressed Genes Involved in the Synergistic Neurotoxicity of an HIV Protease Inhibitor and Methamphetamine. Curr HIV Res 2020; 17:290-303. [PMID: 31550215 DOI: 10.2174/1570162x17666190924200354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The abuse of psychostimulants such as methamphetamine (METH) is common in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients taking METH and antiretroviral drugs could suffer severe neurologic damage and cognitive impairment. OBJECTIVE To reveal the underlying neuropathologic mechanisms of an HIV protease inhibitor (PI) combined with METH, growth-inhibition tests of dopaminergic cells and RNA sequencing were performed. METHODS A combination of METH and PI caused more growth inhibition of dopaminergic cells than METH alone or a PI alone. Furthermore, we identified differentially expressed gene (DEG) patterns in the METH vs. untreated cells (1161 genes), PI vs. untreated cells (16 genes), METH-PI vs. PI (3959 genes), and METH-PI vs. METH groups (14 genes). RESULTS The DEGs in the METH-PI co-treatment group were verified in the brains of a mouse model using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and were involved mostly in the regulatory functions of cell proliferation and inflammation. CONCLUSION Such identification of key regulatory genes could facilitate the study of their neuroprotective potential in the users of METH and PIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangsang Li
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Science, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yanfei Li
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Science, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Bingpeng Deng
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Science, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jie Yan
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Science, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Science, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Angiotensin II-upregulated MAP kinase phosphatase-3 modulates FOXO1 and p21 in adrenocortical H295R cells. Heliyon 2020; 6:e03519. [PMID: 32181392 PMCID: PMC7066232 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
MAPK phosphatases (MKP) downregulate the activity of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), such as ERK1/2, and modulate the processes regulated by these kinases. ERK1/2 participate in a wide range of processes including tissue-specific hormone-stimulated steroidogenesis. H295R cells are a suitable model for the study of human adrenal cortex functions, particularly steroid synthesis, and respond to angiotensin II (Ang II) triggering ERK1/2 phosphorylation in a transient fashion. MKP-3 dephosphorylates ERK1/2 and, as recently reported, forkhead box protein 1 (FOXO1). Here, we analyzed MKP-3 expression in H295R cells and its putative regulation by Ang II. Results showed the expression of MKP-3 full length (L) and a short splice variant (S), and the upregulation of both isoforms by Ang II. L and S messenger and protein levels increased 30 min after Ang II stimulation and declined over the next 3 h, a temporal frame compatible with ERK1/2 dephosphorylation. In addition, FOXO1 activation is known to include its dephosphorylation and nuclear translocation. Therefore, we analyzed the effect of Ang II on FOXO1 modulation. Ang II induced FOXO1 transient phosphorylation and translocation and also the induction of p21, a FOXO1-dependent gene, whereas MKP-3 knock-down reduced both FOXO1 translocation and p21 induction. These data suggest that, through MKP-3, Ang II counteracts its own effects on ERK1/2 activity and also triggers the activation of FOXO-1 and the induction of cell cycle inhibitor p21. Taken together, the current findings reveal the participation of MKP-3 not only in turn–off but also in turn-on signals which control important cellular processes.
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Helfenberger KE, Castillo AF, Mele PG, Fiore A, Herrera L, Finocchietto P, Podestá EJ, Poderoso C. Angiotensin II stimulation promotes mitochondrial fusion as a novel mechanism involved in protein kinase compartmentalization and cholesterol transport in human adrenocortical cells. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2019; 192:105413. [PMID: 31202858 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2019.105413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
In steroid-producing cells, cholesterol transport from the outer to the inner mitochondrial membrane is the first and rate-limiting step for the synthesis of all steroid hormones. Cholesterol can be transported into mitochondria by specific mitochondrial protein carriers like the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR). StAR is phosphorylated by mitochondrial ERK in a cAMP-dependent transduction pathway to achieve maximal steroid production. Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles that undergo replication, mitophagy and morphology changes, all processes allowed by mitochondrial fusion and fission, known as mitochondrial dynamics. Mitofusin (Mfn) 1 and 2 are GTPases involved in the regulation of fusion, while dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) is the major regulator of mitochondrial fission. Despite the role of mitochondrial dynamics in neurological and endocrine disorders, little is known about fusion/fission in steroidogenic tissues. In this context, the present work aimed to study the role of angiotensin II (Ang II) in protein subcellular compartmentalization, mitochondrial dynamics and the involvement of this process in the regulation of aldosterone synthesis. We demonstrate here that Ang II stimulation promoted the recruitment and activation of PKCε, ERK and its upstream kinase MEK to the mitochondria, all of them essential for steroid synthesis. Moreover, Ang II prompted a shift from punctate to tubular/elongated (fusion) mitochondrial shape, in line with the observation of hormone-dependent upregulation of Mfn2 levels. Concomitantly, mitochondrial Drp1 was diminished, driving mitochondria toward fusion. Moreover, Mfn2 expression is required for StAR, ERK and MEK mitochondrial localization and ultimately for aldosterone synthesis. Collectively, this study provides fresh insights into the importance of hormonal regulation in mitochondrial dynamics as a novel mechanism involved in aldosterone production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katia E Helfenberger
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Paraguay 2155 5th floor, C1121ABG, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina; CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana F Castillo
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Paraguay 2155 5th floor, C1121ABG, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina; CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pablo G Mele
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Paraguay 2155 5th floor, C1121ABG, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina; CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana Fiore
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Paraguay 2155 5th floor, C1121ABG, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina; CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucía Herrera
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Paraguay 2155 5th floor, C1121ABG, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina; CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paola Finocchietto
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Hospital de Clínicas "José de San Martín", Laboratorio del Metabolismo del Oxígeno, Av. Córdoba 2351, C1121ABJ, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina; CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo (INIGEM), Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ernesto J Podestá
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Paraguay 2155 5th floor, C1121ABG, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina; CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Poderoso
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Paraguay 2155 5th floor, C1121ABG, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina; CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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9
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Amini P, Wilson R, Wang J, Tan H, Yi L, Koeblitz WK, Stanfield Z, Romani AMP, Malemud CJ, Mesiano S. Progesterone and cAMP synergize to inhibit responsiveness of myometrial cells to pro-inflammatory/pro-labor stimuli. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2019; 479:1-11. [PMID: 30118888 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2018.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Progesterone (P4) acting through the P4 receptor (PR) isoforms, PR-A and PR-B, promotes uterine quiescence for most of pregnancy, in part, by inhibiting the response of myometrial cells to pro-labor inflammatory stimuli. This anti-inflammatory effect is inhibited by phosphorylation of PR-A at serine-344 and -345 (pSer344/345-PRA). Activation of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway also promotes uterine quiescence and myometrial relaxation. This study examined the cross-talk between P4/PR and cAMP signaling to exert anti-inflammatory actions and control pSer344/345-PRA generation in myometrial cells. In the hTERT-HMA/B immortalized human myometrial cell line P4 inhibited responsiveness to interleukin (IL)-1β and forskolin (increases cAMP) and 8-Br-cAMP increased this effect in a concentration-dependent and synergistic manner that was mediated by activation of protein kinase A (PKA). Forskolin also inhibited the generation of pSer344/345-PRA and expression of key contraction-associated genes. Generation of pSer344/345-PRA was catalyzed by stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK). Forskolin inhibited pSer344/345-PRA generation, in part, by increasing the expression of dual specificity protein phosphatase 1 (DUSP1), a phosphatase that inactivates mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) including SAPK/JNK. P4/PR and forskolin increased DUSP1 expression. The data suggest that P4/PR promotes uterine quiescence via cross-talk and synergy with cAMP/PKA signaling in myometrial cells that involves DUSP1-mediated inhibition of SAPK/JNK activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peyvand Amini
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Rachel Wilson
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Junye Wang
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Huiqing Tan
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Lijuan Yi
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - William K Koeblitz
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Zachary Stanfield
- Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Andrea M P Romani
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Charles J Malemud
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Sam Mesiano
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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Koussémou M, Lorenz K, Klotz KN. The A2B adenosine receptor in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells diminishes ERK1/2 phosphorylation by activation of MAPK-phosphatase-1. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0202914. [PMID: 30157211 PMCID: PMC6114864 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
It was previously shown that the estrogen-receptor negative breast cancer cell line MBA-MD-231 expresses high levels of A2B adenosine receptors as the sole adenosine receptor subtype. These receptors couple to both, stimulation of adenylyl cyclase and a Ca2+ signal. In order to establish a potential role of A2B adenosine receptors in tumor growth and development MAPK signaling was investigated in these breast cancer cells. Although it is known that A2B adenosine receptors may stimulate MAPK it was found that in MBA-MD-231 cells ERK1/2 phosphorylation is reduced upon agonist-stimulation of A2B adenosine receptors. This reduction is also triggered by forskolin, but abolished by the PKA inhibitor H89, suggesting an important role for the cAMP-PKA pathway. Likewise, a role for intracellular Ca2+ was established as the Ca2+ chelator 1,2-bis-(o-aminophenoxy)-ethane-N,N,N’,N’-tetraacetic acid, tetraacetoxymethyl ester (BAPTA-AM) abolished the reduction of ERK1/2 phosphorylation triggered by A2B stimulation. It was shown that various pathways downstream from A2B adenosine receptors resulted in a stimulation of MAPK phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) which dephosphorylates phospho ERK1/2, and thus plays a critical role in the regulation of the phosphorylation state of ERK1/2. The reduction of ERK1/2 phosphorylation mediated by A2B adenosine receptors might provide an interesting approach for adjuvant treatment leading to reduced growth of certain tumors expressing the A2B subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marthe Koussémou
- Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Kristina Lorenz
- Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften–ISAS–e.V., Bunsen-Dortmund, Germany, and West German Heart and Vascular Center Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Karl-Norbert Klotz
- Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- * E-mail:
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11
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Pan Y, Liu Y, Wang L, Xue F, Hu Y, Hu R, Xu C. MKP-1 attenuates LPS-induced blood-testis barrier dysfunction and inflammatory response through p38 and IκBα pathways. Oncotarget 2018; 7:84907-84923. [PMID: 27783995 PMCID: PMC5356708 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Sertoli cells create a local tolerogenic microenvironment to maintain testicular immune privilege especially through the formation of a blood-testis barrier (BTB). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the immune modulation function and BTB dynamics of Sertoli cells remained elusive. MAP phosphatase (MKP)-1 acts as a crucial negative regulator of the inflammatory response. Nevertheless, the role of MKP-1 in regulating Sertoli cells has not been elucidated. In this study, we have for the first time uncovered distinct cellular localization of MKP-1 in the cells at different stages of mouse testis, and the level of MKP-1 expression was significantly up-regulated by LPS-induced acute testis inflammation. In addition, MKP-1 staining was strongly detected in nuclei and peri-nuclear regions of cytoplasm in the Sertoli cells, and it was presented at Sertoli cell tight junctions (TJs) at stages VII-VIII after LPS treatment. Moreover, we demonstrated that MKP-1 was capable of attenuating LPS-induced decrease of occludin by interaction with p38 MAP kinase and IκBα molecules. Taken together, our data highlight that MKP-1 was an important endogenous suppressor of innate immune responses involved in the regulation of BTB barrier dynamic. This study thus might offer novel targets for treating inflammatory diseases in the testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqing Pan
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yue Liu
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Feng Xue
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.,Laboratory of Dermatology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yanqin Hu
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Ran Hu
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Chen Xu
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
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12
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Pan Y, Xu C, Pan ZK. MKP-1 negative regulates Staphylococcus aureus induced inflammatory responses in Raw264.7 cells: roles of PKA-MKP-1 pathway and enhanced by rolipram. Sci Rep 2017; 7:12366. [PMID: 28959039 PMCID: PMC5620070 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-10187-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
MAP phosphatases (MKP)-1 acts as an important regulator of innate immune response through a mechanism of control and attention both MAPK and NF-κB molecules during bacterial infection. However, the regulatory role of MKP-1 in the interplay between MAPK and NFκB pathway molecules is still not fully understood. In present study, we showed a direct interactions of p38, ERK or IκBα with MKP-1, and demonstrated that MKP-1 was a pivotal feedback control for both MAP kinases and NF-κB pathway in response to S. aureus. In addition, we found that rolipram had anti-inflammatory activity and repressed IκBα activation induced by S. aureus via PKA-MKP-1 pathway. Our report also demonstrated that PKA-cα can directly bind to IκBα upon S. aureus stimulation, which influenced the downstream signaling of PKA pathway, including altered the expression of MKP-1. These results presented a novel mechanism of PKA and IκB pathway, which may be targeted for treating S. aureus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqing Pan
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Chen Xu
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Zhixing K Pan
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA.
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13
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Anti-Inflammatory Effects of β2-Receptor Agonists Salbutamol and Terbutaline Are Mediated by MKP-1. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0148144. [PMID: 26849227 PMCID: PMC4743993 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase 1 (MKP-1) expression is induced by inflammatory factors, and it is an endogenous suppressor of inflammatory response. MKP-1 expression is increased by PDE4 inhibitor rolipram suggesting that it is regulated by cAMP-enhancing compounds. Therefore, we investigated the effect of β2-receptor agonists on MKP-1 expression and inflammatory response. We found that β2-receptor agonists salbutamol and terbutaline, as well as 8-Br-cAMP, increased MKP-1 expression. Salbutamol and terbutaline also inhibited p38 MAPK phosphorylation and TNF production in J774 mouse macrophages. Interestingly, salbutamol suppressed carrageenan-induced paw inflammation in wild-type mice, but the effect was attenuated in MKP-1(-/-) mice. In conclusion, these data show that β2-receptor agonists increase MKP-1 expression, which seems to mediate, at least partly, the observed anti-inflammatory effects of β2-receptor agonists.
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Paz C, Cornejo Maciel F, Gorostizaga A, Castillo AF, Mori Sequeiros García MM, Maloberti PM, Orlando UD, Mele PG, Poderoso C, Podesta EJ. Role of Protein Phosphorylation and Tyrosine Phosphatases in the Adrenal Regulation of Steroid Synthesis and Mitochondrial Function. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2016; 7:60. [PMID: 27375556 PMCID: PMC4899475 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2016.00060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In adrenocortical cells, adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) promotes the activation of several protein kinases. The action of these kinases is linked to steroid production, mainly through steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), whose expression and activity are dependent on protein phosphorylation events at genomic and non-genomic levels. Hormone-dependent mitochondrial dynamics and cell proliferation are functions also associated with protein kinases. On the other hand, protein tyrosine dephosphorylation is an additional component of the ACTH signaling pathway, which involves the "classical" protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), such as Src homology domain (SH) 2-containing PTP (SHP2c), and members of the MAP kinase phosphatase (MKP) family, such as MKP-1. PTPs are rapidly activated by posttranslational mechanisms and participate in hormone-stimulated steroid production. In this process, the SHP2 tyrosine phosphatase plays a crucial role in a mechanism that includes an acyl-CoA synthetase-4 (Acsl4), arachidonic acid (AA) release and StAR induction. In contrast, MKPs in steroidogenic cells have a role in the turn-off of the hormonal signal in ERK-dependent processes such as steroid synthesis and, perhaps, cell proliferation. This review analyzes the participation of these tyrosine phosphates in the ACTH signaling pathway and the action of kinases and phosphatases in the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics and steroid production. In addition, the participation of kinases and phosphatases in the signal cascade triggered by different stimuli in other steroidogenic tissues is also compared to adrenocortical cell/ACTH and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Paz
- Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fabiana Cornejo Maciel
- Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandra Gorostizaga
- Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana F. Castillo
- Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M. Mercedes Mori Sequeiros García
- Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paula M. Maloberti
- Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ulises D. Orlando
- Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pablo G. Mele
- Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Poderoso
- Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ernesto J. Podesta
- Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- *Correspondence: Ernesto J. Podesta, ,
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15
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Tremblay JJ. Molecular regulation of steroidogenesis in endocrine Leydig cells. Steroids 2015; 103:3-10. [PMID: 26254606 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2015.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2015] [Revised: 07/19/2015] [Accepted: 08/04/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Steroid hormones regulate essential physiological processes and inadequate levels are associated with various pathological conditions. Consequently, the process of steroid hormone biosynthesis is finely regulated. In the testis, the main steroidogenic cells are the Leydig cells. There are two distinct populations of Leydig cells that arise during development: fetal and adult Leydig cells. Fetal Leydig cells are responsible for masculinizing the male urogenital tract and inducing testis descent. These cells atrophy shortly after birth and do not contribute to the adult Leydig cell population. Adult Leydig cells derive from undifferentiated precursors present after birth and become fully steroidogenic at puberty. The differentiation of both Leydig cell populations is controlled by locally produced paracrine factors and by endocrine hormones. In fully differentially and steroidogenically active Leydig cells, androgen production and hormone-responsiveness involve various signaling pathways and downstream transcription factors. This review article focuses on recent developments regarding the origin and function of Leydig cells, the regulation of their differentiation by signaling molecules, hormones, and structural changes, the signaling pathways, kinases, and transcription factors involved in their differentiation and in mediating LH-responsiveness, as well as the fine-tuning mechanisms that ensure adequate production steroid hormones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacques J Tremblay
- Reproduction, Mother and Child Health, Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec, Québec City, Québec G1V 4G2, Canada; Centre for Research in Biology of Reproduction, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada.
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16
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Mori Sequeiros Garcia M, Gorostizaga A, Brion L, González-Calvar SI, Paz C. cAMP-activated Nr4a1 expression requires ERK activity and is modulated by MAPK phosphatase-1 in MA-10 Leydig cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2015; 408:45-52. [PMID: 25657047 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2015.01.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Revised: 01/06/2015] [Accepted: 01/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
In Leydig cells, LH and cAMP promote ERK1/2 activation and MAPK phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) induction. MKP-1 up-regulation, which involves post-translational modifications such as ERK1/2-mediated phosphorylation, reduces ERK1/2 phosphorylation as well as Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory (StAR) protein expression and steroidogenesis. As LH- and cAMP-promoted StAR transcription requires the induction of Nur77, product of Nr4a1 gene, we analyzed the roles of ERK1/2 and MKP-1 in 8Br-cAMP-mediated Nr4a1 expression in MA-10 Leydig cells. Pharmacological blockade of ERK1/2 activation partially reduced the 8Br-cAMP-mediated increase in both Nr4a1 messenger levels and promoter activity. MKP-1 knock-down increased 8Br-cAMP-induced promoter activity, while its over-expression produced the opposite effect. It is concluded that Nr4a1 induction is dependent on ERK1/2 and that MKP-1 negatively regulates this induction. Experiments based on the over-expression of MKP-1 mutated forms revealed that MKP-1 half life is determined by post-translational modifications in ERK-consensus sites, a regulation that modulates the effect of MKP-1 on Nr4a1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Mori Sequeiros Garcia
- Institute for Biomedical Research (INBIOMED), Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Paraguay 2155, (C1121ABG), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandra Gorostizaga
- Institute for Biomedical Research (INBIOMED), Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Paraguay 2155, (C1121ABG), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura Brion
- Membrane Signaling Networks, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, CMM, Karolinska University Hospital-Solna, Solnavägen 1, 171 77 Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Silvia I González-Calvar
- Institute of Biology and Experimental Medicine, National Council for Scientific and Technical Research, Vuelta de Obligado 2490 (C1428DN), Buenos Aires, Argentina; School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Paraguay 2155 (C1121ABG), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cristina Paz
- Institute for Biomedical Research (INBIOMED), Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Paraguay 2155, (C1121ABG), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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17
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Castillo AF, Orlando U, Helfenberger KE, Poderoso C, Podesta EJ. The role of mitochondrial fusion and StAR phosphorylation in the regulation of StAR activity and steroidogenesis. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2015; 408:73-9. [PMID: 25540920 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2014.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Revised: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 12/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein regulates the rate-limiting step in steroidogenesis, i.e. the delivery of cholesterol from the outer (OMM) to the inner (IMM) mitochondrial membrane. StAR is a 37-kDa protein with an N-terminal mitochondrial targeting sequence that is cleaved off during mitochondrial import to yield 30-kDa intramitochondrial StAR. StAR acts exclusively on the OMM and its activity is proportional to how long it remains on the OMM. However, the precise fashion and the molecular mechanism in which StAR remains on the OMM have not been elucidated yet. In this work we will discuss the role of mitochondrial fusion and StAR phosphorylation by the extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) as part of the mechanism that regulates StAR retention on the OMM and activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana F Castillo
- Biomedical Research Institute, INBIOMED, Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine University of Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (CABA), C1121ABG, Argentina
| | - Ulises Orlando
- Biomedical Research Institute, INBIOMED, Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine University of Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (CABA), C1121ABG, Argentina
| | - Katia E Helfenberger
- Biomedical Research Institute, INBIOMED, Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine University of Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (CABA), C1121ABG, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Poderoso
- Biomedical Research Institute, INBIOMED, Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine University of Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (CABA), C1121ABG, Argentina
| | - Ernesto J Podesta
- Biomedical Research Institute, INBIOMED, Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine University of Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (CABA), C1121ABG, Argentina.
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18
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Landry D, Paré A, Jean S, Martin LJ. Adiponectin influences progesterone production from MA-10 Leydig cells in a dose-dependent manner. Endocrine 2015; 48:957-67. [PMID: 25338202 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-014-0456-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2014] [Accepted: 10/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Obesity in men is associated with lower testosterone levels, related to reduced sperm concentration and the development of various diseases with aging. Hormones produced by the adipose tissue may have influences on both metabolism and reproductive function. Among them, the production and secretion of adiponectin is inversely correlated to total body fat. Adiponectin receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) have been found to be expressed in testicular Leydig cells (producing testosterone). Since StAR and Cyp11a1 are essential for testosterone synthesis and adiponectin has been shown to regulate StAR mRNA in swine granulosa cells, we hypothesized that adiponectin might also regulate these genes in Leydig cells. Our objective was to determine whether adiponectin regulates StAR and Cyp11a1 genes in Leydig cells and to better define its mechanisms of action. Methods used in the current study are qPCR for the mRNA levels, transfections for promoter activities, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the progesterone concentration. We have found that adiponectin cooperates with cAMP-dependent stimulation to activate StAR and Cyp11a1 mRNA expressions in a dose-dependent manner in MA-10 Leydig cells as demonstrated by transfection of a luciferase reporter plasmid. These results led to a significant increase in progesterone production from MA-10 cells. Thus, our data suggest that high doses of adiponectin typical of normal body weight may promote testosterone production from Leydig cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Landry
- Biology Department, Université de Moncton, 18, avenue Antonine Maillet, Moncton, NB, E1A 3E9, Canada
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Korhonen R, Hömmö T, Keränen T, Laavola M, Hämäläinen M, Vuolteenaho K, Lehtimäki L, Kankaanranta H, Moilanen E. Attenuation of TNF production and experimentally induced inflammation by PDE4 inhibitor rolipram is mediated by MAPK phosphatase-1. Br J Pharmacol 2014; 169:1525-36. [PMID: 23849041 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2012] [Revised: 03/10/2013] [Accepted: 03/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 3',5'-Cyclic nucleotide PDE4 is expressed in several inflammatory and immune cells, and PDE4 catalyses the hydrolysis of cAMP to 5'AMP, down-regulating cAMP signalling in cells. MAPK phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) is an endogenous p38 MAPK signalling suppressor and limits inflammatory gene expression and inflammation. In the present study, we investigated the effect of a PDE4 inhibitor rolipram on MKP-1 expression and whether MKP-1 is involved in the anti-inflammatory effects of rolipram. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The effect of rolipram on TNF production was investigated in J774 mouse macrophage cell line and in primary mouse peritoneal macrophages (PM) from wild-type (WT) and MKP-1(-/-) mice. We also investigated the effect of rolipram on carrageenan-induced paw inflammation in WT and MKP-1(-/-) mice. KEY RESULTS MKP-1 expression was enhanced by rolipram, by a non-selective PDE inhibitor IBMX and by a cAMP analogue 8-Br-cAMP in J774 cells and in PM. Enhanced MKP-1 mRNA expression by rolipram was reversed by a PKA inhibitor. Rolipram, IBMX and 8-Br-cAMP also inhibited TNF production in activated macrophages. Accordingly, rolipram inhibited TNF production in PMs from WT mice but, interestingly, not in PMs from MKP-1(-/-) mice. Furthermore, rolipram attenuated carrageenan-induced paw inflammation in WT but not in MKP-1(-/-) mice. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS PDE4 inhibitor rolipram was found to enhance the expression of MKP-1, and MKP-1 mediated, at least partly, the anti-inflammatory effects of PDE4 inhibition. The results suggest that compounds that enhance MKP-1 expression and/or MKP-1 activity hold potential as novel anti-inflammatory drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riku Korhonen
- The Immunopharmacology Research Group, University of Tampere School of Medicine and Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.
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Sokanovic SJ, Janjic MM, Stojkov NJ, Baburski AZ, Bjelic MM, Andric SA, Kostic TS. Age related changes of cAMP and MAPK signaling in Leydig cells of Wistar rats. Exp Gerontol 2014; 58:19-29. [PMID: 25019473 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2014.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2014] [Revised: 07/09/2014] [Accepted: 07/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Here, we chronologically analyzed age-associated changes of cAMP- and MAPK-signaling in Leydig cells (LCs) in relation with decreased testosterone (T) production. In Wistar rats, decreased serum T observed in 12 to 24-month-old rats was not related to decreased serum LH concentration but to reduced luteinizing hormone receptor (Lhr/LHR) and time-coordinated reduction of steroidogenic gene expression (decreased Cyp11a1, Cyp17a1 in 12-month-old rats followed by decreased Star/StAR, Hsd3b/HSD3B, Hsd17b4, and increased Cyp19a1 later in life). The predecessors of age-related changes noted in LCs from 6 to 12-month-old rats were increased level of soluble adenylate cyclase (Adcy/AC) 10, increased JNK phosphorylation but suppressed P38 MAPK. At approximately the same time changed mRNA abundance for transcription factors important for steroidogenesis was detected (increased Nur77 and decreased Sf1, Dax1). Aging caused biphasic expression pattern of ERK1/2 and Nur77: increased in 12-month but decreased in LCs from 24-month-old rats. Further, decreased basal cAMP level observed from 12 to 24th month coincidence with increased expression of cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase (Pde)4a, Pde4b and regulatory subunit of protein kinase A (Prkar/PKAR). Exposing of senescent LCs to permeable cAMP-analog improved transcription of Sf1, Nur77, Star, Cyp11a1,Cyp17a1, but without effect on aging pattern of Dax1, Pde4a/b, Prkar2a, Lhr and MAPK genes. Collectively, results indicated that age-related LC dysfunction is accompanied with changes in MAPK and cAMP signaling and coordinated reduction in the expression of many of the genes that participate in T synthesis. The predecessors of aged-related changes are increased ratio of pJNK/JNK, AC10 and decreased P38 level in LCs from 6-month-old rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J Sokanovic
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - M M Janjic
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - N J Stojkov
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - A Z Baburski
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - M M Bjelic
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - S A Andric
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - T S Kostic
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia.
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Duarte A, Castillo AF, Podestá EJ, Poderoso C. Mitochondrial fusion and ERK activity regulate steroidogenic acute regulatory protein localization in mitochondria. PLoS One 2014; 9:e100387. [PMID: 24945345 PMCID: PMC4063759 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0100387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2014] [Accepted: 05/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The rate-limiting step in the biosynthesis of steroid hormones, known as the transfer of cholesterol from the outer to the inner mitochondrial membrane, is facilitated by StAR, the Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory protein. We have described that mitochondrial ERK1/2 phosphorylates StAR and that mitochondrial fusion, through the up-regulation of a fusion protein Mitofusin 2, is essential during steroidogenesis. Here, we demonstrate that mitochondrial StAR together with mitochondrial active ERK and PKA are necessary for maximal steroid production. Phosphorylation of StAR by ERK is required for the maintenance of this protein in mitochondria, observed by means of over-expression of a StAR variant lacking the ERK phosphorylation residue. Mitochondrial fusion regulates StAR levels in mitochondria after hormone stimulation. In this study, Mitofusin 2 knockdown and mitochondrial fusion inhibition in MA-10 Leydig cells diminished StAR mRNA levels and concomitantly mitochondrial StAR protein. Together our results unveil the requirement of mitochondrial fusion in the regulation of the localization and mRNA abundance of StAR. We here establish the relevance of mitochondrial phosphorylation events in the correct localization of this key protein to exert its action in specialized cells. These discoveries highlight the importance of mitochondrial fusion and ERK phosphorylation in cholesterol transport by means of directing StAR to the outer mitochondrial membrane to achieve a large number of steroid molecules per unit of StAR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Duarte
- Institute of Biomedical Investigations (INBIOMED, UBA-CONICET), Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana Fernanda Castillo
- Institute of Biomedical Investigations (INBIOMED, UBA-CONICET), Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ernesto J. Podestá
- Institute of Biomedical Investigations (INBIOMED, UBA-CONICET), Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Poderoso
- Institute of Biomedical Investigations (INBIOMED, UBA-CONICET), Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail:
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22
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Ríos P, Nunes-Xavier CE, Tabernero L, Köhn M, Pulido R. Dual-specificity phosphatases as molecular targets for inhibition in human disease. Antioxid Redox Signal 2014; 20:2251-73. [PMID: 24206177 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2013.5709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE The dual-specificity phosphatases (DUSPs) constitute a heterogeneous group of cysteine-based protein tyrosine phosphatases, whose members exert a pivotal role in cell physiology by dephosphorylation of phosphoserine, phosphothreonine, and phosphotyrosine residues from proteins, as well as other non-proteinaceous substrates. RECENT ADVANCES A picture is emerging in which a selected group of DUSP enzymes display overexpression or hyperactivity that is associated with human disease, especially human cancer, making feasible targeted therapy approaches based on their inhibition. A panoply of molecular and functional studies on DUSPs have been performed in the previous years, and drug-discovery efforts are ongoing to develop specific and efficient DUSP enzyme inhibitors. This review summarizes the current status on inhibitory compounds targeting DUSPs that belong to the MAP kinase phosphatases-, small-sized atypical-, and phosphatases of regenerating liver subfamilies, whose inhibition could be beneficial for the prevention or mitigation of human disease. CRITICAL ISSUES Achieving specificity, potency, and bioavailability are the major challenges in the discovery of DUSP inhibitors for the clinics. Clinical validation of compounds or alternative inhibitory strategies of DUSP inhibition has yet to come. FUTURE DIRECTIONS Further work is required to understand the dual role of many DUSPs in human cancer, their function-structure properties, and to identify their physiologic substrates. This will help in the implementation of therapies based on DUSPs inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Ríos
- 1 Genome Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory , Heidelberg, Germany
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Martin LJ. Implications of adiponectin in linking metabolism to testicular function. Endocrine 2014; 46:16-28. [PMID: 24287788 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-013-0102-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2013] [Accepted: 10/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Obesity is a major health problem, contributing to the development of various diseases with aging. In humans, obesity has been associated with reduced testosterone production and subfertility. Adipose tissue is an important source of hormones having influences on both metabolism and reproduction. Among them, the production and secretion of adiponectin is inversely correlated to the severity of obesity. The purpose of this review of literature is to present the current state of knowledge on adiponectin research to determine whether this hormone affects reproduction in men. Surprisingly, evidences show negative influences of adiponectin on GnRH secretion from the hypothalamus, LH and FSH secretion from the pituitary and testosterone at the testicular level. Thus far, the involvement of adiponectin in the influence of metabolism on reproduction in men is limited. However, adiponectin and its receptors are expressed by different cell types of the male gonad, including Leydig cells, spermatozoa, and epididymis. In addition, actions of adiponectin at the testicular level have been shown to promote spermatogenesis and sperm maturation. Therefore, autocrine/paracrine actions of adiponectin in the testis may contribute to support male reproductive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luc J Martin
- Biology Department, Université de Moncton, 18, Avenue Antonine Maillet, Moncton, NB, E1A 3E9, Canada,
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24
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Lai MS, Cheng YS, Chen PR, Tsai SJ, Huang BM. Fibroblast growth factor 9 activates akt and MAPK pathways to stimulate steroidogenesis in mouse leydig cells. PLoS One 2014; 9:e90243. [PMID: 24603862 PMCID: PMC3946167 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0090243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2013] [Accepted: 01/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) is a multifunctional polypeptide belonging to the FGF family and has functions related to bone formation, lens-fiber differentiation, nerve development, gap-junction formation and sex determination. In a previous study, we demonstrated that FGF9 stimulates the production of testosterone in mouse Leydig cells. In the present study, we used both primary mouse Leydig cells and MA-10 mouse Leydig tumor cells to further investigate the molecular mechanism of FGF9-stimulated steroidogenesis. Results showed that FGF9 significantly activated steroidogenesis in both mouse primary and tumor Leydig cells (p<0.05). Furthermore, FGF9 significantly induced the expression of phospho-Akt at 0.5 and 24 hr, phospho-JNK at 0.25, 0.5, and 24 hr, phospho-p38 at 0.5 hr, and phospho-ERK1/2 from 0.25 to 24 hr in primary Leydig cells (p<0.05). Also, FGF9 significantly up-regulated the expression of phospho-Akt at 3 hr, phospho-JNK at 0.25 hr, and phospho-ERK1/2 at 1 and 3 hr in MA-10 cells (p<0.05). Using specific inhibitors of Akt, JNK, p38, and ERK1/2, we further demonstrated that the inhibitors of Akt and ERK1/2 significantly suppressed the stimulatory effect of FGF9 on steroidogenesis in mouse Leydig cells. In conclusion, FGF9 specifically activated the Akt and ERK1/2 in normal mouse Leydig cells and the Akt, JNK and ERK1/2 in MA-10 mouse Leydig tumor cells to stimulate steroidogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Shao Lai
- Institute of Basic Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Yu-Sheng Cheng
- Department of Urology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital Douliou Branch, Yunlin, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Pei-Rong Chen
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Shaw-Jenq Tsai
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Bu-Miin Huang
- Institute of Basic Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China
- * E-mail:
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25
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Korhonen R, Moilanen E. Mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase 1 as an inflammatory factor and drug target. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2013; 114:24-36. [PMID: 24112275 DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.12141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2013] [Accepted: 09/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are signaling proteins that are activated through phosphorylation, and they regulate many physiological and pathophysiological processes in cells. Mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase 1 (MKP-1) is an inducible nuclear phosphatase that dephosphorylates MAPKs, and thus, it is a negative feedback regulator of MAPK activity. MKP-1 has been found as a key endogenous suppressor of innate immune responses, as well as a regulator of the onset and course of adaptive immune responses. Altered MKP-1 signaling is implicated in chronic inflammatory diseases in man. Interestingly, MKP-1 expression and protein function have been found to be regulated by certain anti-inflammatory drugs, namely by glucocorticoids, antirheumatic gold compounds and PDE4 inhibitors, and MKP-1 has been shown to mediate many of their anti-inflammatory effects. In this Mini Review, we summarize the effect of MKP-1 in the regulation of innate and adaptive immune responses and its role as a potential anti-inflammatory drug target and review recent findings concerning the role of MKP-1 in certain anti-inflammatory drug effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riku Korhonen
- The Immunopharmacology Research Group, University of Tampere School of Medicine and Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland; Department of Clinical Pharmacology &Toxicology, University of Tampere School of Medicine, Tampere, Finland
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26
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Gorostizaga A, Mori Sequeiros García MM, Acquier A, Gomez NV, Maloberti PM, Mendez CF, Paz C. Modulation of albumin-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress in renal proximal tubule cells by upregulation of mapk phosphatase-1. Chem Biol Interact 2013; 206:47-54. [PMID: 23994741 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2013.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2013] [Revised: 07/18/2013] [Accepted: 08/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
High amounts of albumin in urine cause tubulointerstitial damage that leads to a rapid deterioration of the renal function. Albumin exerts its injurious effects on renal cells through a process named endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress due to the accumulation of unfolded proteins in the ER lumen. In addition, albumin promotes phosphorylation and consequent activation of MAPKs such as ERK1/2. Since ERK1/2 activation promoted by albumin is a transient event, the aims of the present work were to identify the phosphatase involved in their dephosphorylation in albumin-exposed cells and to analyze the putative regulation of this phosphatase by albumin. We also sought to determine the role played by the phospho/dephosphorylation of ERK1/2 in the cellular response to albumin-induced ER stress. MAP kinase phosphatase-1, MKP-1, is a nuclear enzyme involved in rapid MAPK dephosphorylation. Here we present evidence supporting the notion that this phosphatase is responsible for ERK1/2 dephosphorylation after albumin exposure in OK cells. Moreover, we demonstrate that exposure of OK cells to albumin transiently increases MKP-1 protein levels. The increase was evident after 15 min of exposure, peaked at 1 h (6-fold) and declined thereafter. In cells overexpressing flag-MKP-1, albumin caused the accumulation of this chimera, promoting MKP-1 stabilization by a posttranslational mechanism. Albumin also promoted a transient increase in MKP-1 mRNA levels (3-fold at 1 h) through the activation of gene transcription. In addition, we also show that albumin increased mRNA levels of GRP78, a key marker of ER stress, through an ERK-dependent pathway. In line with this finding, our studies demonstrate that flag-MKP-1 overexpression blunted albumin-induced GRP78 upregulation. Thus, our work demonstrates that albumin overload not only triggers MAPK activation but also tightly upregulates MKP-1 expression, which might modulate ER stress response to albumin overload.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Gorostizaga
- Laboratory of Phosphatases in Signal Transduction, Institute for Biomedical Research (INBIOMED), Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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27
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Reactive oxygen species mediate dopamine-induced signaling in renal proximal tubule cells. FEBS Lett 2013; 587:3254-60. [PMID: 23994527 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2013.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2013] [Revised: 07/14/2013] [Accepted: 08/19/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Intrarenally-produced dopamine (DA) induces a large increase in urinary sodium excretion mainly due to the inhibition of tubular sodium reabsorption. We aimed to study the participation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in DA signaling pathway in proximal tubule cells. Our results show that DA increased ROS production in OK cells and indicate the mitochondria as the main source of ROS. DA also increased ERK1/2, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and transcription factor κB (NF-κB) activity. These findings suggest that DA generates mitochondria-derived ROS that activate ERK1/2 and subsequently NF-κB and SOD activity at concentrations that exert a physiological regulation of renal function.
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Mori Sequeiros García M, Gómez NV, Gorostizaga A, Acquier A, González-Calvar SI, Mendez CF, Paz C. MAP kinase phosphatase-3 (MKP-3) is transcriptionally and post-translationally up-regulated by hCG and modulates cAMP-induced p21 expression in MA-10 Leydig cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2013; 371:174-81. [PMID: 23261984 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2012.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2012] [Revised: 12/10/2012] [Accepted: 12/10/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Luteinizing hormone (LH) activates ERK1/2, MAP kinases (MAPKs) necessary for its action on steroidogenesis and cell proliferation, and also induces MAPK phosphatase-1 (MKP-1), which rapidly dephosphorylates nuclear ERK1/2. MKP-3 is a cytoplasmic ERK-phosphatase up-regulated by proliferative stimuli. MKP-3 also dephosphorylates transcription factor FOXO1, promoting its transport to the nucleus. Here we analyzed MKP-3 expression in MA-10 Leydig cells and demonstrated that LH receptor (LHR) activation with human gonadotropin hormone (hCG) and an analog of its second messenger, 8Br-cAMP, up-regulates MKP-3 by transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms. It is known that FOXO1 drives the expression of the cell cycle inhibitor p21. Since the activation of this transcription factor by MKP-3 has been reported, we assessed the effect of shRNA against MKP-3 on p21mRNA levels. 8Br-cAMP increased these levels (2-fold at 2h) and MKP-3 down-regulation reduced this effect. Our work demonstrates that LH/hCG tightly up-regulates MKP-3 which in turn, dephosphorylates ERK1/2 and drives p21 expression. These events could contribute to counteract hormonal action on cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Mori Sequeiros García
- Institute for Biomedical Research (INBIOMED), Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Paraguay 2155, (C1121ABG) Buenos Aires, Argentina
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29
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Matzkin ME, Yamashita S, Ascoli M. The ERK1/2 pathway regulates testosterone synthesis by coordinately regulating the expression of steroidogenic genes in Leydig cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2013; 370:130-7. [PMID: 23480967 PMCID: PMC3631444 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2013.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2012] [Revised: 02/04/2013] [Accepted: 02/22/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Adult mice with a Leydig cell specific deletion of MAPK kinase (MEK) 1 and 2 (Mek1(f)(/)(f);Mek2(-/-);Cre(+)) mice display Leydig cell hypoplasia and hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. We used radioimmunoassays and quantitative PCR to evaluate the function and expression of the Leydig cell genes involved in the conversion of cholesterol to testosterone (Star, Cyp11a1, Hsd3b6, Cyp17a1 and Hsd17b3), androgen metabolism (Srda1 and Dhrs9), and four transcription factors (Creb1, Nr5a1, Nr4a1 and Nr0b1) that regulate the expression of steroidogenic genes. We show that Star, Hsd3b6, Cyp17a1 and Hsd17b3 are downregulated in Ledyig cells of adult Mek1(f)(/)(f);Mek2(-/-);Cre(+) mice whereas Srda1 and Dhrs9 are upregulated and Creb1, Nr5a1, Nr4a1 and Nr0b1 are unchanged or upregulated. Functionally, all the downregulated genes but none of the upregulated genes contribute to the decrease in testosterone synthesis in Leydig cells of adult Mek1(f)(/)(f);Mek2(-/-);Cre(+) mice because they produce low testosterone and dihydrotestosterone when stimulated with hCG or when incubated with testosterone precursors such as progesterone or androstenedione.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Eugenia Matzkin
- Department of Pharmacology, Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
- Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Soichi Yamashita
- Department of Pharmacology, Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Mario Ascoli
- Department of Pharmacology, Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
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30
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Gómez NV, Gorostizaga AB, Mori Sequeiros García MM, Brion L, Acquier A, González-Calvar SI, Méndez CF, Podestá EJ, Paz C. MAPK phosphatase-2 (MKP-2) is induced by hCG and plays a role in the regulation of CYP11A1 expression in MA-10 Leydig cells. Endocrinology 2013; 154:1488-500. [PMID: 23471219 DOI: 10.1210/en.2012-2032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
MAPKs such as ERK1/2 are dephosphorylated, and consequently inactivated, by dual specificity phosphatases (MKPs). In Leydig cells, LH triggers ERK1/2 phosphorylation through the action of protein kinase A. We demonstrate that, in MA-10 Leydig cells, LH receptor activation by human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) up-regulates MKP-2, a phosphatase that dephosphorylates ERK1/2, among other MAPKs. After 2 hours, hCG and 8-bromo-cAMP (8Br-cAMP) significantly increased MKP-2 mRNA levels (3-fold), which declined to basal levels after 6 hours. MKP-2 protein accumulation exhibited a similar kinetic profile. In cells transiently expressing flag-MKP-2 protein, hCG/8Br-cAMP stimulation promoted the accumulation of the chimera (2.5-fold after 3 h of stimulation). Pharmacologic and biochemical approaches showed that the accumulation of flag-MKP-2 involves a posttranslational modification that increases MKP-2 half-life. MKP-2 down-regulation by a short hairpin RNA (MKP-2 shRNA) raised the levels of phosphorylated ERK1/2 reached by 8Br-cAMP stimulation. This effect was evident after 180 min of stimulation, which suggests that MKP-2 down-regulates the late phase of cAMP-induced ERK1/2 activity. Also, MKP-2 down-regulation by MKP-2 shRNA increased the stimulatory effect of 8Br-cAMP on both promoter activity and messenger levels of CYP11A1, which encodes for the steroidogenic enzyme P450scc and is induced by LH/hCG through protein kinase A and ERK1/2 activities. Our findings demonstrate, for the first time, that LH/hCG tightly regulates MKP-2 expression, which modulates the induction of CYP11A1 by 8Br-cAMP. MKP-2 up-regulation might control ERK1/2 activity in a specific temporal frame to modulate the expression of a finite repertory of ERK-dependent genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia V Gómez
- Laboratory of Phosphatases in Signal Transduction, Institute for Biomedical Research (INBIOMED), Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Paraguay 2155, (C1121ABG) Buenos Aires, Argentina
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31
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Herraiz C, Journé F, Ghanem G, Jiménez-Cervantes C, García-Borrón JC. Functional status and relationships of melanocortin 1 receptor signaling to the cAMP and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 pathways in human melanoma cells. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2012; 44:2244-52. [PMID: 23000456 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2012.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2012] [Revised: 08/15/2012] [Accepted: 09/12/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), a major determinant of skin phototype frequently mutated in melanoma, is a Gs protein-coupled receptor that regulates pigment production in melanocytes. MC1R stimulation activates cAMP synthesis and the extracellular signal-regulated (ERK) ERK1 and ERK2. In human melanocytes, ERK activation by MC1R relies on cAMP-independent transactivation of the c-KIT receptor. Thus MC1R functional coupling to the cAMP and ERK pathways may involve different structural requirements giving raise to biased effects of skin cancer-associated mutations. We evaluated the impact of MC1R mutations on ERK activation, cAMP production and agonist binding. We found that MC1R mutations impair cAMP production much more often than ERK activation, suggesting less stringent requirements for functional coupling to the ERK pathway. We examined the crosstalk of the cAMP and ERK pathways in HBL human melanoma cells (wild-type for MC1R, NRAS and BRAF). ERK activation by constitutively active upstream effectors or pharmacological inhibition had little effect on MC1R-stimulated cAMP synthesis. High cAMP levels were compatible with normal ERK activation but, surprisingly, the adenylyl cyclase activator forskolin abolished ERK activation by MC1R, most likely by a cAMP-independent mechanism. These results indicate little crosstalk of the cAMP and ERK pathways in HBL melanoma cells. Finally, we studied cAMP accumulation in a panel of 22 human melanoma cell lines stimulated with MC1R agonists or forskolin. cAMP synthesis was often inhibited, even in cells wild-type for MC1R and NRAS. Therefore, the cAMP pathway is more frequently impaired in melanoma than could be predicted by the MC1R or NRAS genotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Herraiz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
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32
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Veldhuis JD, Liu PY, Takahashi PY, Keenan DM. Dynamic testosterone responses to near-physiological LH pulses are determined by the time pattern of prior intravenous LH infusion. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2012; 303:E720-8. [PMID: 22811471 PMCID: PMC3468430 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00200.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The long-lived glycoprotein hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), downregulates testosterone (T) biosynthesis in vitro and in vivo in animals and humans. The degree to which short-lived pulses of pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) do so, particularly at physiological concentrations, is not known. We test the hypothesis that continuous LH infusion compared with bolus injections of LH every 1 h or every 2 h overnight downregulates T secretory responses to a subsequent fixed template of three consecutive intravenous pulses of a physiological amount of recombinant human (rh) LH (triple stimulus). Nineteen healthy men ages 18-49 yr each underwent four separate randomly ordered overnight gonadotropin-releasing hormone-receptor antagonist treatments with superimposed intravenous infusions of saline or rhLH (1-h pulses, 2-h pulses, or continuously). Each 12-h infusion protocol was followed by the triple rhLH-pulse stimulus the next morning. During the triple stimulus, basal (nonpulsatile) as well as total (basal plus pulsatile) T secretion was higher after overnight 2- and 1-h rhLH pulses than after continuous rhLH or saline delivery. Approximate entropy, a probabilistic measure of feedforward-induced irregularity of T concentration time series, was higher after 1-h rhLH pulses than after continuous rhLH. Analytical estimation of pulsatile rhLH-T dose-response measures revealed higher T secretory sensitivity and greater rhLH potency (lower EC₅₀) after exposure to 1-h than 2-h rhLH pulses. Collectively, these data indicate that in vivo dynamics of LH-stimulated T secretion under standardized conditions in men depend on the prior time mode of LH delivery in the bloodstream.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes D Veldhuis
- Endocrine Research Unit, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Center for Translational Science Activities, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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33
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Osborne JK, Zaganjor E, Cobb MH. Signal control through Raf: in sickness and in health. Cell Res 2011; 22:14-22. [PMID: 22143568 DOI: 10.1038/cr.2011.193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) cascade is the prototype mammalian mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade that regulates a number of processes, including proliferation, differentiation, survival, migration, stress responses and apoptosis. How this seemingly linear cascade is modulated to achieve a specific cellular function has been a main focus of the field. In this review, we describe new as well as old findings in the regulation of the ERK1/2 pathway in normal and disease states via MAP3Ks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihan K Osborne
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas 75390-9041, USA
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34
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Naville D, Rebourcet D, Chauvin MA, Vega N, Jalabert A, Vigier M, Loizon E, Bégeot M, Le Magueresse-Battistoni B. Direct and indirect impact of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on adult mouse Leydig cells: An in vitro study. Toxicol Lett 2011; 207:251-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2011.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2011] [Revised: 09/20/2011] [Accepted: 09/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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