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Laulhé M, Kuhn E, Bouligand J, Amazit L, Perrot J, Lebigot E, Kamenickỷ P, Lombès M, Fagart J, Viengchareun S, Martinerie L. A novel mutation in the NR3C1 gene associated with reversible glucocorticoid resistance. Eur J Endocrinol 2024; 190:284-295. [PMID: 38584335 DOI: 10.1093/ejendo/lvae031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Glucocorticoid resistance is a rare endocrine disease caused by variants of the NR3C1 gene encoding the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). We identified a novel heterozygous variant (GRR569Q) in a patient with uncommon reversible glucocorticoid resistance syndrome. METHODS We performed ex vivo functional characterization of the variant in patient fibroblasts and in vitro through transient transfection in undifferentiated HEK 293T cells to assess transcriptional activity, affinity, and nuclear translocation. We studied the impact of the variant on the tertiary structure of the ligand-binding domain through 3D modeling. RESULTS The patient presented initially with an adrenal adenoma with mild autonomous cortisol secretion and undetectable adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) levels. Six months after surgery, biological investigations showed elevated cortisol and ACTH (urinary free cortisol 114 µg/24 h, ACTH 10.9 pmol/L) without clinical symptoms, evoking glucocorticoid resistance syndrome. Functional characterization of the GRR569Q showed decreased expression of target genes (in response to 100 nM cortisol: SGK1 control +97% vs patient +20%, P < .0001) and impaired nuclear translocation in patient fibroblasts compared to control. Similar observations were made in transiently transfected cells, but higher cortisol concentrations overcame glucocorticoid resistance. GRR569Q showed lower ligand affinity (Kd GRWT: 1.73 nM vs GRR569Q: 4.61 nM). Tertiary structure modeling suggested a loss of hydrogen bonds between H3 and the H1-H3 loop. CONCLUSION This is the first description of a reversible glucocorticoid resistance syndrome with effective negative feedback on corticotroph cells regarding increased plasma cortisol concentrations due to the development of mild autonomous cortisol secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaux Laulhé
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Physiologie et Physiopathologie Endocriniennes, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Emmanuelle Kuhn
- Unité Hypophyse, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP, Paris 75013, France
| | - Jérôme Bouligand
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Physiologie et Physiopathologie Endocriniennes, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- Service de Génétique Moléculaire, Pharmacogénétique et Hormonologie, Hôpital Bicêtre APHP Paris Saclay, Le Kremlin Bicêtre 94270, France
| | - Larbi Amazit
- UMS 44/Institut Biomédical du Val de Bièvre, Université Paris-Saclay, Le Kremlin Bicêtre 94276, France
| | - Julie Perrot
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Physiologie et Physiopathologie Endocriniennes, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Elise Lebigot
- Service de Biochimie, Hôpital Bicêtre APHP Paris Saclay, Le Kremlin Bicêtre 94270, France
| | - Peter Kamenickỷ
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Physiologie et Physiopathologie Endocriniennes, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- Service d'Endocrinologie et des Maladies de la Reproduction, Hôpital Bicêtre APHP Paris Saclay, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre 94270, France
| | - Marc Lombès
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Physiologie et Physiopathologie Endocriniennes, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Jérôme Fagart
- Laboratoire de Biologie Structurale de la Cellule, BIOC, Ecole Polytechnique, CNRS, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91128 Palaiseau cedex, France
| | - Say Viengchareun
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Physiologie et Physiopathologie Endocriniennes, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Laetitia Martinerie
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Physiologie et Physiopathologie Endocriniennes, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- Endocrinologie Pédiatrique, Centre de Référence Maladies Endocriniennes Rares de la Croissance et du Développement, Hôpital Universitaire Robert-Debré APHP Nord, Paris 75019, France
- Faculté de Santé, Université Paris Cité, UFR de Médecine, Paris 75006, France
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Liu S, Liu J. An Integrated Approach of Bioassays and Non-Target Screening for the Assessment of Endocrine-Disrupting Activities in Tap Water and Identification of Novel Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals. TOXICS 2024; 12:247. [PMID: 38668470 PMCID: PMC11054029 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12040247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
The safety of drinking water is a significant environmental issue of great concern for human health since numerous contaminants are often detected in drinking water and its sources. Boiling is a common household method used to produce relatively high-quality drinking water in some countries and regions. In this study, with the aid of an integrated approach of in vitro bioassays and non-target analysis based on high-resolution mass spectrometry coupled with liquid chromatography, alterations in endocrine-disrupting activities in tap water samples without and with boiling were revealed, as well as the potential endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) contributing to these alterations were identified. The organic extracts of tap water had no significant (ant)agonistic activities against an estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), glucocorticoid receptor (GR), and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) at enrichment concentrations of ≤10 times, posing no immediate or acute health risk to humans. However, the presence of agonistic activities against PR and MR and antagonistic activities against ER, PR, GR, and MR in OEs of tap water at relatively higher enrichment concentrations still raise potential health concerns. Boiling effectively reduced antagonistic activities against these steroid hormone receptors (SHRs) but increased estrogenic and glucocorticoid activities in drinking water. Four novel potential EDCs, including one UV filter (phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid, PBSA) and three natural metabolites of organisms (beta-hydroxymyristic acid, 12-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid, and isorosmanol) were identified in drinking water samples, each of which showed (ant)agonistic activities against different SHRs. Given the widespread use of UV filters in sunscreens to prevent skin cancer, the health risks posed by PBSA as an identified novel EDC are of concern. Although boiling has been thought to reduce the health risk of drinking water contamination, our findings suggest that boiling may have a more complex effect on the endocrine-disrupting activities of drinking water and, therefore, a more comprehensive assessment is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyuan Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Institute of Environmental Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jing Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Institute of Environmental Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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de Freminville JB, Amar L, Azizi M, Mallart-Riancho J. Endocrine causes of hypertension: literature review and practical approach. Hypertens Res 2023; 46:2679-2692. [PMID: 37821565 DOI: 10.1038/s41440-023-01461-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Hypertension (HTN) affects more than 30% of adults worldwide. It is the most frequent modifiable cardiovascular (CV) risk factor, and is responsible for more than 10 million death every year. Among patients with HTN, we usually distinguish secondary HTN, that is HTN due to an identified cause, and primary HTN, in which no underlying cause has been found. It is estimated that secondary hypertension represents between 5 and 15% of hypertensive patients [1]. Therefore, routine screening of patients for secondary HTN would be too costly and is not recommended. In addition to the presence of signs suggesting a specific secondary cause, screening is based on specific criteria. Identifying secondary HTN can be beneficial for patients in certain situations, because it may lead to specific treatments, and allow better control of blood pressure and sometimes even a cure. Besides, it is now known that secondary HTN are more associated with morbidity and mortality than primary HTN. The main causes of secondary HTN are endocrine and renovascular (mainly due to renal arteries abnormalities). The most frequent endocrine cause is primary aldosteronism, which diagnosis can lead to specific therapies. Pheochromocytoma and Cushing syndrome also are important causes, and can have serious complications. Other causes are less frequent and can be suspected on specific situations. In this article, we will describe the endocrine causes of HTN and discuss their treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Baptiste de Freminville
- Hypertension Unit, AP-HP, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, F-75015, Paris, France.
- Université Paris Cité,, F-75015, Paris, France.
| | - Laurence Amar
- Hypertension Unit, AP-HP, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, F-75015, Paris, France
- Université Paris Cité,, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Michel Azizi
- Hypertension Unit, AP-HP, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, F-75015, Paris, France
- Université Paris Cité,, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Julien Mallart-Riancho
- Hypertension Unit, AP-HP, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, F-75015, Paris, France
- Université Paris Cité,, F-75015, Paris, France
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Huang H, Wang W. Molecular mechanisms of glucocorticoid resistance. Eur J Clin Invest 2023; 53:e13901. [PMID: 36346177 DOI: 10.1111/eci.13901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As a powerful anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, and antiproliferative drug, glucocorticoid (GC) plays an important role in the treatment of various diseases. However, some patients may experience glucocorticoid resistance (GCR) in clinical, and its molecular mechanism have not been determined. METHODS The authors performed a review of the literature on GCR focusing on mutations in the NR3C1 gene and impaired glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signalling, using METSTR (2000 through May 2022) to identify original articles and reviews on this topic. The search terms included 'glucocorticoid resistance/insensitive', 'steroid resistance/insensitive', 'NR3C1', and 'glucocorticoid receptor'. RESULTS Primary GCR is mainly caused by NR3C1 gene mutation, and 31 NR3C1 gene mutations have been reported so far. Secondary GCR is caused by impaired GC signalling pathways, including decreased expression of GR, impaired nuclear translocation of GR, and impaired binding of GR to GC and GR to target genes. However, the current research is more on the expression level of GR, and there are relatively few studies on other mechanisms. In addition, methods for improving GC sensitivity are rarely reported. CONCLUSION The molecular mechanisms of GCR are complex and may differ in different diseases or different patients. In future studies, when exploring the mechanism of GCR, methods to improve GC sensitivity should also be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanming Huang
- The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Wenqing Wang
- The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
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Pinheiro EDS, Preato AM, Petrucci TVB, dos Santos LS, Glezer I. Phase-separation: a possible new layer for transcriptional regulation by glucocorticoid receptor. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1160238. [PMID: 37124728 PMCID: PMC10145926 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1160238] [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: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are hormones involved in circadian adaptation and stress response, and it is also noteworthy that these steroidal molecules present potent anti-inflammatory action through GC receptors (GR). Upon ligand-mediated activation, GR translocates to the nucleus, and regulates gene expression related to metabolism, acute-phase response and innate immune response. GR field of research has evolved considerably in the last decades, providing varied mechanisms that contributed to the understanding of transcriptional regulation and also impacted drug design for treating inflammatory diseases. Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) in cellular processes represents a recent topic in biology that conceptualizes membraneless organelles and microenvironments that promote, or inhibit, chemical reactions and interactions of protein or nucleic acids. The formation of these molecular condensates has been implicated in gene expression control, and recent evidence shows that GR and other steroid receptors can nucleate phase separation (PS). Here we briefly review the varied mechanisms of transcriptional control by GR, which are largely studied in the context of inflammation, and further present how PS can be involved in the control of gene expression. Lastly, we consider how the reported advances on LLPS during transcription control, specially for steroid hormone receptors, could impact the different modalities of GR action on gene expression, adding a new plausible molecular event in glucocorticoid signal transduction.
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Role of glucocorticoid receptor mutations in hypertension and adrenal gland hyperplasia. Pflugers Arch 2022; 474:829-840. [PMID: 35732960 PMCID: PMC9217122 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-022-02715-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Hypertension is one of the leading causes of premature death in humans and exhibits a complex aetiology including environmental and genetic factors. Mutations within the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) can cause glucocorticoid resistance, which is characterized by several clinical features like hypercortisolism, hypokalaemia, adrenal hyperplasia and hypertension. Altered glucocorticoid receptor signalling further affects sodium and potassium homeostasis as well as blood pressure regulation and cell proliferation and differentiation that influence organ development and function. In salt-sensitive hypertension, excessive renal salt transport and sympathetic nervous system stimulation may occur simultaneously, and, thus, both the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and the GR-signalling may be implicated or even act interdependently. This review focuses on identified GR mutations in human primary generalized glucocorticoid resistance (PGGR) patients and their related clinical phenotype with specific emphasis on adrenal gland hyperplasia and hypertension. We compare these findings to mouse and rat mutants harbouring genetically engineered mutations to further dissect the cause and/or the consequence of clinical features which are common or different.
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How to Explore an Endocrine Cause of Hypertension. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11020420. [PMID: 35054115 PMCID: PMC8780426 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11020420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypertension (HTN) is the most frequent modifiable risk factor in the world, affecting almost 30 to 40% of the adult population in the world. Among hypertensive patients, 10 to 15% have so-called “secondary” HTN, which means HTN due to an identified cause. The most frequent secondary causes of HTN are renal arteries abnormalities (renovascular HTN), kidney disease, and endocrine HTN, which are primarily due to adrenal causes. Knowing how to detect and explore endocrine causes of hypertension is particularly interesting because some causes have a cure or a specific treatment available. Moreover, the delayed diagnosis of secondary HTN is a major cause of uncontrolled blood pressure. Therefore, screening and exploration of patients at risk for secondary HTN should be a serious concern for every physician seeing patients with HTN. Regarding endocrine causes of HTN, the most frequent is primary aldosteronism (PA), which also is the most frequent cause of secondary HTN and could represent 10% of all HTN patients. Cushing syndrome and pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL) are rarer (less than 0.5% of patients). In this review, among endocrine causes of HTN, we will mainly discuss explorations for PA and PPGL.
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Nicolaides NC, Charmandari E. Primary Generalized Glucocorticoid Resistance and Hypersensitivity Syndromes: A 2021 Update. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910839. [PMID: 34639183 PMCID: PMC8509180 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids are the final products of the neuroendocrine hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and play an important role in the stress response to re-establish homeostasis when it is threatened, or perceived as threatened. These steroid hormones have pleiotropic actions through binding to their cognate receptor, the human glucocorticoid receptor, which functions as a ligand-bound transcription factor inducing or repressing the expression of a large number of target genes. To achieve homeostasis, glucocorticoid signaling should have an optimal effect on all tissues. Indeed, any inappropriate glucocorticoid effect in terms of quantity or quality has been associated with pathologic conditions, which are characterized by short-term or long-lasting detrimental effects. Two such conditions, the primary generalized glucocorticoid resistance and hypersensitivity syndromes, are discussed in this review article. Undoubtedly, the tremendous progress of structural, molecular, and cellular biology, in association with the continued progress of biotechnology, has led to a better and more in-depth understanding of these rare endocrinologic conditions, as well as more effective therapeutic management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas C. Nicolaides
- First Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, “Aghia Sophia” Children’s Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece;
- Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Function and Therapy, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus
- Correspondence:
| | - Evangelia Charmandari
- First Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, “Aghia Sophia” Children’s Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece;
- Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
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Kaziales A, Rührnößl F, Richter K. Glucocorticoid resistance conferring mutation in the C-terminus of GR alters the receptor conformational dynamics. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12515. [PMID: 34131228 PMCID: PMC8206104 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92039-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The glucocorticoid receptor is a key regulator of essential physiological processes, which under the control of the Hsp90 chaperone machinery, binds to steroid hormones and steroid-like molecules and in a rather complicated and elusive response, regulates a set of glucocorticoid responsive genes. We here examine a human glucocorticoid receptor variant, harboring a point mutation in the last C-terminal residues, L773P, that was associated to Primary Generalized Glucocorticoid Resistance, a condition originating from decreased affinity to hormone, impairing one or multiple aspects of GR action. Using in vitro and in silico methods, we assign the conformational consequences of this mutation to particular GR elements and report on the altered receptor properties regarding its binding to dexamethasone, a NCOA-2 coactivator-derived peptide, DNA, and importantly, its interaction with the chaperone machinery of Hsp90.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kaziales
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85748, Garching, Germany.
| | - Florian Rührnößl
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Klaus Richter
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85748, Garching, Germany.
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Martins CS, de Castro M. Generalized and tissue specific glucocorticoid resistance. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2021; 530:111277. [PMID: 33864884 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2021.111277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are steroid hormones that influence several physiologic functions and are among the most frequently prescribed drugs worldwide. Resistance to GCs has been observed in the context of the familial generalized GC resistance (Chrousos' syndrome) or tissue specific GC resistance in chronic inflammatory states. In this review, we have summarized the major factors that influence individual glucocorticoid sensitivity/resistance. The fine-tuning of GC action is determined in a tissue-specific fashion that includes the combination of different GC receptor promoters, translation initiation sites, splice isoforms, interacting proteins, post-translational modifications, and alternative mechanisms of signal transduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarissa Silva Martins
- Department of Internal Medicine - Ribeirao Preto Medical School - University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil; School of Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Margaret de Castro
- Department of Internal Medicine - Ribeirao Preto Medical School - University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil.
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Bianchetti L, Sinar D, Depenveiller C, Dejaegere A. Insights into mineralocorticoid receptor homodimerization from a combined molecular modeling and bioinformatics study. Proteins 2021; 89:952-965. [PMID: 33713045 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
In vertebrates, the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) is a steroid-activated nuclear receptor (NR) that plays essential roles in water-electrolyte balance and blood pressure homeostasis. It belongs to the group of oxo-steroidian NRs, together with the glucocorticoid (GR), progesterone (PR), and androgen (AR) receptors. Classically, these oxo-steroidian NRs homodimerize and bind to specific genomic sequences to activate gene expression. NRs are multi-domain proteins, and dimerization is mediated by both the DNA (DBD) and ligand binding domains (LBDs), with the latter thought to provide the largest dimerization interface. However, at the structural level, the dimerization of oxo-steroidian receptors LBDs has remained largely a matter of debate and, despite their sequence homology, there is currently no consensus on a common homodimer assembly across the four receptors, that is, GR, PR, AR, and MR. Here, we examined all available MR LBD crystals using different computational methods (protein common interface database, proteins, interfaces, structures and assemblies, protein-protein interaction prediction by structural matching, and evolutionary protein-protein interface classifier, and the molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann surface area method). A consensus is reached by all methods and singles out an interface mediated by helices H9, H10 and the C-terminal F domain as having characteristics of a biologically relevant assembly. Interestingly, a similar assembly was previously identified for GRα, MR closest homolog. Alternative architectures that were proposed for GRα were not observed for MR. These data call for further experimental investigations of oxo-steroid dimer architectures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Bianchetti
- Laboratoire de Chimie Biophysique de la Signalisation de la Transcription, Département de Biologie Structurale Intégrative, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR7104, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Illkirch, France
- Ecole Supérieure de Biotechnologie de Strasbourg, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Deniz Sinar
- Laboratoire de Chimie Biophysique de la Signalisation de la Transcription, Département de Biologie Structurale Intégrative, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR7104, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Illkirch, France
- Ecole Supérieure de Biotechnologie de Strasbourg, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Camille Depenveiller
- Laboratoire de Chimie Biophysique de la Signalisation de la Transcription, Département de Biologie Structurale Intégrative, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR7104, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Illkirch, France
- Ecole Supérieure de Biotechnologie de Strasbourg, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Annick Dejaegere
- Laboratoire de Chimie Biophysique de la Signalisation de la Transcription, Département de Biologie Structurale Intégrative, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR7104, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Illkirch, France
- Ecole Supérieure de Biotechnologie de Strasbourg, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
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Yue S, Zhang T, Shen Q, Song Q, Ji C, Chen Y, Mao M, Kong Y, Chen D, Liu J, Sun Z, Zhao M. Assessment of endocrine-disrupting effects of emerging polyhalogenated carbazoles (PHCZs): In vitro, in silico, and in vivo evidence. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 140:105729. [PMID: 32344252 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Polyhalogenated carbazoles (PHCZs) are an emerging class of persistent, bioaccumulative compounds that are structurally and chemically related to dioxins. They have been detected widely in sediment, river, and soil samples, but their environmental risks are largely unknown. Therefore, seven common PHCZs were tested for their endocrine disrupting potential in silico, in vitro, and in vivo. A dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was used to detect receptor-mediated (agonist or antagonistic) activity (concentration range: 10-9-10-5 M) against the estrogen receptor α (ERα), glucocorticoid receptor α (GRα), and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). The alterations in the steroidogenesis pathway were investigated in H295R cells. Antagonistic effects against GRα were observed with five PHCZs, along with an increase in the cortisol levels of H295R cells. The most common effect observed was that of the agonistic activity of ERα, with the molecular docking analysis further indicating that hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions may stabilize the interaction between PHCZs and the estrogen receptor binding pocket. In addition, a seven-day exposure of young female rats to three PHCZs (27-BCZ, 3-BCZ, and 36-BCZ) resulted in changes in serum E2 levels, uterine epithelium cell heights, and relative uterus weights. In conclusion, endocrine-disrupting effects, especially the estrogenic effects, were observed for the tested PHCZs. Such adverse effects of PHCZs on humans and wildlife warrant further thorough investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqing Yue
- College of Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science, Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Blood, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Qiqi Shen
- College of Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science, Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China
| | - Qin Song
- College of Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science, Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China
| | - Chenyang Ji
- College of Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science, Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China
| | - Yuanchen Chen
- College of Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science, Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China
| | - Manfei Mao
- College of Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science, Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China
| | - Yuan Kong
- College of Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science, Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China
| | - Da Chen
- School of Environment, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Jing Liu
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zhe Sun
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Meirong Zhao
- College of Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science, Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China.
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A Novel Pathogenic Variant in the N-Terminal Domain of the Glucocorticoid Receptor, Causing Glucocorticoid Resistance. Mol Diagn Ther 2020; 24:473-485. [DOI: 10.1007/s40291-020-00480-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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14
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Lin L, Wu X, Hou Y, Zheng F, Xu R. A Novel Mutation in the Glucocorticoid Receptor Gene Causing Resistant Hypertension: A Case Report. Am J Hypertens 2019; 32:1126-1128. [PMID: 31414133 DOI: 10.1093/ajh/hpz137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lin Lin
- Department of Cardiology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Xia Wu
- Department of Cardiology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yamin Hou
- Department of Cardiology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Fei Zheng
- Department of Cardiology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Department of Cardiology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Rui Xu
- Department of Cardiology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Department of Cardiology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
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15
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Liu B, Zhang TN, Knight JK, Goodwin JE. The Glucocorticoid Receptor in Cardiovascular Health and Disease. Cells 2019; 8:cells8101227. [PMID: 31601045 PMCID: PMC6829609 DOI: 10.3390/cells8101227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The glucocorticoid receptor is a member of the nuclear receptor family that controls many distinct gene networks, governing various aspects of development, metabolism, inflammation, and the stress response, as well as other key biological processes in the cardiovascular system. Recently, research in both animal models and humans has begun to unravel the profound complexity of glucocorticoid signaling and convincingly demonstrates that the glucocorticoid receptor has direct effects on the heart and vessels in vivo and in vitro. This research has contributed directly to improving therapeutic strategies in human disease. The glucocorticoid receptor is activated either by the endogenous steroid hormone cortisol or by exogenous glucocorticoids and acts within the cardiovascular system via both genomic and non-genomic pathways. Polymorphisms of the glucocorticoid receptor are also reported to influence the progress and prognosis of cardiovascular disease. In this review, we provide an update on glucocorticoid signaling and highlight the critical role of this signaling in both physiological and pathological conditions of the cardiovascular system. With increasing in-depth understanding of glucocorticoid signaling, the future is promising for the development of targeted glucocorticoid treatments and improved clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
| | - Tie-Ning Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China.
| | - Jessica K Knight
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
| | - Julie E Goodwin
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
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16
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Shen Y, Zhang J, Xie J, Liu J. In vitro assessment of corticosteroid effects of eight chiral herbicides. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART. B, PESTICIDES, FOOD CONTAMINANTS, AND AGRICULTURAL WASTES 2019; 55:91-102. [PMID: 31524045 DOI: 10.1080/03601234.2019.1665408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Information regarding the enantioselective endocrine disruption of chiral herbicides is scarce. This study assessed the disrupting effects of eight typical chiral herbicides on corticosteroids (including glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids). Enantioselectivity of eight chiral herbicides were evaluated for their agonistic/antagonistic effects on glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) with CHOK1 cell line using reporter gene assay. Their influence on the production of corticosteroids were further investigated in H295R cell line using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). None of the racemates or enantiomers of eight chiral herbicides exhibited GR or MR agonistic activity at non-cytotoxic concentrations. However, rac-propisochlor and S-imazamox antagonized cortisol-induced transactivation of GR by 21.79% and 38.73% at the concentration of 1.0 × 10-7 M and 1.0 × 10-6 M, respectively, and R-napropamide remarkably attenuated aldosterone-induced MR transactivation by 68.78% at 1.0 × 10-6 M. The secretion of cortisol was significantly restrained after treated with 1.0 × 10-6 M rac-propisochlor and rac-/R-napropamide at the concentration of 1.0 × 10-6 M by 26.49%, 30.10% and 35.27%, respectively, while this glucocorticoid was remarkably induced by 1.0 × 10-5 M rac-diclofop-methyl and its two enantiomers at the concentration of 1.0 × 10-5 M by 75.60%, 100.1% and 68.78%, respectively. Exposure to rac-propisochlor (1.0 × 10-6 M), S-diclofop-methyl (1.0 × 10-5 M) or rac-/S-/R- acetochlor (1.0 × 10-6 M) and rac-/S-/R-lactofen (1.0 × 10-6 M) inhibited the secretion of aldosterone by approximately 40%. Our findings suggested that chiral herbicides disrupted corticosteroid homeostasis in an enantioselective way. Therefore, more comprehensive screening is required to better understand the ecological and health risks of chiral pesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Shen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianyun Zhang
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jingqian Xie
- College of Marine Ecology and Environment, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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17
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Huang X, Cang X, Liu J. Molecular mechanism of Bisphenol A on androgen receptor antagonism. Toxicol In Vitro 2019; 61:104621. [PMID: 31415812 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2019.104621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA), one of the highest production volume chemicals, is a typical endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) that exhibits antiandrogenic activity. However, how BPA antagonizes androgen effects remains ambiguous. In this study, the in silico and in vitro assays were carried out to explore the molecular mechanism(s) of BPA on androgen receptor (AR) antagonism. In reporter gene assay, BPA caused a significant antagonistic effect on 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced AR transcriptional activity at concentrations of 10-9 M-10-5 M. The results of molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations indicated the availability of BPA binding to the ligand binding domain of AR. BPA treatment prevented the inhibition of receptor degradation caused by DHT binding to AR. BPA exposure also abolished DHT-dependent dissociation of AR from its co-chaperone, 90-kDa heat shock protein (Hsp90), and resulted in the blockage of DHT-induced AR nuclear translocation. This is the first report to show that BPA inhibited the DHT-induced stabilization of AR and the DHT-induced dissociation of AR-Hsp90 complex. This study provided new evidence for further understanding the precise mechanisms of antagonism of BPA on AR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Huang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiaohui Cang
- Division of Medical Genetics and Genomics, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; Institute of Genetics, Department of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Jing Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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18
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Nicolaides NC, Polyzos A, Koniari E, Lamprokostopoulou A, Papageorgiou I, Golfinopoulou E, Papathanasiou C, Sertedaki A, Thanos D, Chrousos GP, Charmandari E. Transcriptomics in tissue glucocorticoid sensitivity. Eur J Clin Invest 2019; 49:e13129. [PMID: 31091335 DOI: 10.1111/eci.13129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Revised: 03/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Synthetic glucocorticoids are widely used in the treatment of several inflammatory, autoimmune and lymphoproliferative disorders. However, considerable variation in response to therapeutic doses of glucocorticoids has been documented among individuals. The aim of our study was to identify novel glucocorticoid sensitivity-determining genes using genome-wide expression profiling in healthy subjects. METHODS One hundred one healthy subjects [mean age ± standard error of the mean (SEM); 26.52 ± 0.50 years] were given 0.25 mg dexamethasone at midnight, and serum cortisol concentrations were determined at 08:00 hours the following morning. Subjects were stratified into the 10% most glucocorticoid-sensitive and 10% most glucocorticoid-resistant according to the serum cortisol concentrations. Genomic DNA, RNA and plasma samples were obtained in the 22 subjects one month later. RESULTS Transcriptomic analysis showed variability between glucocorticoid-resistant and glucocorticoid-sensitive subjects. One hundred thirty-three genes were upregulated and 49 downregulated in the glucocorticoid-resistant compared to the glucocorticoid-sensitive group. Further analysis revealed differences between 3 glucocorticoid-resistant and 3 glucocorticoid-sensitive subjects. The majority of the 1058 upregulated genes and 1139 downregulated genes were found to participate in telomere maintenance, systemic lupus erythematosus and Alzheimer's disease. Interestingly, Synuclein A, a key molecule in Parkinson's disease, was upregulated in the subgroup of glucocorticoid-sensitive subjects. CONCLUSIONS We have identified differences in tissue sensitivity to glucocorticoids among healthy subjects at the transcriptomic level. These differences are associated with differential expression of genes related to autoimmune and neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas C Nicolaides
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.,Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery & Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Alexandros Polyzos
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Genetics and Biotechnology, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Koniari
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Agaristi Lamprokostopoulou
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery & Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ifigeneia Papageorgiou
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Golfinopoulou
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Chrysanthi Papathanasiou
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Amalia Sertedaki
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitris Thanos
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Genetics and Biotechnology, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - George P Chrousos
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.,Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery & Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelia Charmandari
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.,Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery & Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
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19
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Abstract
Primary generalized glucocorticoid resistance or Chrousos syndrome is a rare disorder, which affects all tissues expressing the human glucocorticoid receptor. It is characterized by generalized, partial tissue insensitivity to glucocorticoids caused by genetic defects in the NR3C1 gene. We and others have applied standard methods of molecular and structural biology to investigate the molecular mechanisms and conformational alterations through which the mutant glucocorticoid receptors lead to the broad spectrum of clinical manifestations of Chrousos syndrome. The ever-increasing application of novel technologies, including the next-generation sequencing, will enhance our knowledge in factors that influence the glucocorticoid signal transduction in a positive or negative fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas C Nicolaides
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.
| | - Evangelia Charmandari
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
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20
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Al Argan R, Saskin A, Yang JW, D'Agostino MD, Rivera J. Glucocorticoid resistance syndrome caused by a novel NR3C1 point mutation. Endocr J 2018; 65:1139-1146. [PMID: 30158362 DOI: 10.1507/endocrj.ej18-0135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoid resistance syndrome (GRS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by inactivating mutations of the NR3C1 gene which encodes the glucocorticoid receptor. The phenotypic spectrum is broad but typically include symptoms of adrenal insufficiency, mineralocorticoid excess and hyperandrogenism. We report a new case associated with a novel NR3C1 mutation. A 55-year-old woman with lifelong history of low body weight, hyperandrogenism and anxiety was seen at the endocrine clinic after left adrenalectomy and salpingoophorectomy for lesions suspicious of ovarian cancer and adrenal metastasis. The tumors turned out to be a 3.5 cm benign ovarian serous adenofibroma and a 3.5 cm multinodular adrenal mass. She complained of worsened fatigue and inability to recover weight lost with surgery. Pre-operative serum and urinary cortisol were elevated, but she had no stigma of Cushing's syndrome. Plasma ACTH was elevated and a 1-mcg cosyntropin stimulation test was normal. Her fatigue persisted over ensuing years and ACTH-dependent hypercortisolemia remained stable. Low dose oral dexamethasone failed to suppress endogenous cortisol. A pituitary MRI was normal but revealed incidental brain aneurysms. Bone densitometry showed profound osteoporosis. On the bases of this contradictory clinical picture, glucocorticoid resistance syndrome (GRS) was suspected. Using next generation sequencing technology, a novel heterozygous pathogenic variant in the NR3C1 gene was detected. We speculate that vascular malformations and profound osteoporosis, findings associated to cortisol excess, reflect in our patient a variable tissue sensitivity to glucocorticoids. In conclusion, in patients with clinically unexpected ACTH-dependent hypercortisolemia, primary glucocorticoid resistance (GRS) should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reem Al Argan
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Avi Saskin
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Ji Wei Yang
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Maria Daniela D'Agostino
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Juan Rivera
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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21
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Zhang J, Yang Y, Liu W, Liu J. Potential endocrine-disrupting effects of metals via interference with glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 242:12-18. [PMID: 29957541 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.06.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
As a result of human activities, the pollution of metals is becoming ubiquitous in the environment. Among various toxicological mechanisms of action, metals have been considered as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) through interference with steroid receptors. However, information regarding the potential endocrine disruption of metals on glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) is especially scarce. In this study, a total of 16 metals were assessed for their GR/MR activities using luciferase reporter gene assay. None of the tested metals exhibited GR or MR agonistic activity, but a total of 7 and 5 candidate metals showed obvious GR and MR antagonistic properties, respectively. All 7 GR antagonistic metals [ BaCl2, CoCl2, CuCl2, Pb(NO3)2, LiCl, SnCl2 and ZnCl2] inhibited glucocorticoid-responsive gene GILZ expression in J774A.1 cells. Further investigations indicated that the 5 MR antagonistic metals [ CdCl2, Pb(NO3)2, LiCl, MnCl2 and SnCl2] antagonized aldosterone-inhibited hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation. Among these metals, Pb(NO3)2, LiCl, and SnCl2 showed both anti-glucocorticoid and anti-mineralocorticoid activities. Comprehensive screening and evaluation of GR and MR antagonists and agonists among metals should be considered to better understand the ecological and health risks of metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyun Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Institute of Environmental Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Ye Yang
- Institute of Hygiene, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weiping Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Institute of Environmental Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Research Center for Air Pollution and Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jing Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Institute of Environmental Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Research Center for Air Pollution and Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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22
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Santen RJ, Jewell CM, Yue W, Heitjan DF, Raff H, Katen KS, Cidlowski JA. Glucocorticoid Receptor Mutations and Hypersensitivity to Endogenous and Exogenous Glucocorticoids. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2018; 103:3630-3639. [PMID: 30020469 PMCID: PMC6179182 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2018-00352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) consists of two alternatively spliced isoforms: GRα, which activates gene transcription, and GRβ, a dominant-negative receptor. Theoretically, inactivating variants of GRβ could result in glucocorticoid hypersensitivity. DESIGN A 46-year-old woman presented for evaluation of adrenal insufficiency prompted by low plasma cortisol levels and multiple unexplained symptoms but without clinical evidence of glucocorticoid insufficiency. To explain these findings, extensive clinical, genetic, and molecular studies were performed. METHODS Standard clinical methods assessed the patient's hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Validated molecular techniques were used for receptor sequencing, stable transfections, stimulation of candidate genes, cDNA arrays, Ingenuity Pathway Analysis, volcano analysis, and isolation and analysis of the patient's mononuclear cells. RESULTS Clinical studies excluded primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency, established consistently low basal cortisol levels, and demonstrated hypersensitivity to ultra-low-dose dexamethasone. Receptor sequencing identified two variants of GR9β (A3669G and G3134T) as well as the known Bcl1 polymorphism. Reductionist studies using stable osteosarcoma cell lines transfected with the GRβ variants demonstrated glucocorticoid hypersensitivity of transcribed genes on cDNA array analysis. The patient's monocytes responded to hydrocortisone with exaggerated stimulation of the candidate genes GILZ and FKBP5. CONCLUSION Two variants of the dominant-negative GRβ, in conjunction with a common Bcl1 intron variant, resulted in hypersensitivity to endogenous and exogenous glucocorticoids and, as a reflection of severity, low circulating cortisol levels without clinical evidence of glucocorticoid insufficiency. This prismatic case exemplifies the unique effects of variants of a dominant-negative receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Santen
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia
- Correspondence and Reprint Requests: Richard J. Santen, MD, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Virginia Health System, PO Box 801416, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908. E-mail:
| | - Christine M Jewell
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Wei Yue
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Daniel F Heitjan
- Department of Statistical Science, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas
- Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Hershel Raff
- Endocrine Research Laboratory, Aurora Research Institute/Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Kevin S Katen
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - John A Cidlowski
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
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23
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Kino T. Single Nucleotide Variations of the Human GR Gene Manifested as Pathologic Mutations or Polymorphisms. Endocrinology 2018; 159:2506-2519. [PMID: 29762667 DOI: 10.1210/en.2017-03254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2017] [Accepted: 04/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The human genome contains numerous single nucleotide variations, and the human glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene harbors ∼450 of these genetic changes. Among them, extremely rare, nonsynonymous variants, known as pathologic GR gene mutations, develop a characteristic pathologic condition, familial/sporadic generalized glucocorticoid resistance syndrome, by replacing the amino acids critical for GR protein structure and functions, whereas others, known as pathologic polymorphisms, develop mild manifestations recognized mainly at population bases by changing the GR activities slightly. Recent progress on the structural analysis to the GR protein and subsequent computer-based structural simulation revealed details of the molecular defects caused by such pathologic GR gene mutations, including their impact on the receptor interaction to ligands, nuclear receptor coactivators (NCoAs) or DNA glucocorticoid response elements (GREs). Indeed, those found in the GR ligand-binding domain significantly damage protein structure of the ligand-binding pocket and/or the activation function-2 transactivation domain and change their molecular interaction to glucocorticoids or the LxxLL signature motif of NCoAs. Two mutations found in GR DNA-binding domain also affect interaction of the mutant receptors to GRE DNA by affecting the critical amino acid for the interaction or changing local hydrophobic circumstance. In this review, I discuss recent findings on the structural simulation of the pathologic GR mutants in connection to their functional and clinical impacts, along with a brief explanation to recent research achievement on the GR polymorphisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoshige Kino
- Division of Translational Medicine, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
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24
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Abstract
Resistance to steroid hormones presents a serious problem with respect to their mass use in therapy. It may be caused genetically by mutation of genes involved in hormonal signaling, not only steroid receptors, but also other players in the signaling cascade as co-regulators and other nuclear factors, mediating the hormone-born signal. Another possibility is acquired resistance which may develop under long-term steroid treatment, of which a particular case is down regulation of the receptors. In the review recent knowledge is summarized on the mechanism of main steroid hormone action, pointing to already proven or potential sites causing steroid resistance. We have attempted to address following questions: 1) What does stay behind differences among patients as to their response to the (anti)steroid treatment? 2) Why do various tissues/cells respond differently to the same steroid hormone though they contain the same receptors? 3) Are such differences genetically dependent? The main attention was devoted to glucocorticoids as the most frequently used steroid therapeutics. Further, androgen insensitivity is discussed with a particular attention to acquired resistance to androgen deprivation therapy of prostate cancer. Finally the potential causes are outlined of breast and related cancer(s) resistance to antiestrogen therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Hampl
- Institute of Endocrinology, Prague, Czech Republic.
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Zhang J, Liu R, Niu L, Zhu S, Zhang Q, Zhao M, Liu W, Liu J. Determination of endocrine-disrupting potencies of agricultural soils in China via a battery of steroid receptor bioassays. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 234:846-854. [PMID: 29248852 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Revised: 12/03/2017] [Accepted: 12/03/2017] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Pollution of agricultural soils by pesticides, such as organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), can be a significant issue since high detection rates of these compounds were reported in our previous studies. However, more uncertain kinds, quantities and density of pollutants remained in soil samples were unidentified. In this study, the total hormonal activities of complex mixtures of both known and unknown contaminants in agricultural soils in mainland China were measured by applying highly sensitive reporter gene assays for detecting agonists/antagonists for estrogen receptor (ER), androgen receptor (AR), progesterone receptor (PR), glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). High detection rates of estrogenic activities and anti-progestogenic activities were observed among the 123 soil samples, reaching 79% and 73%, respectively. More than half of the soil samples showed obvious antagonistic effects against AR and GR. Approximately a third of tested samples exhibited androgenic, progestogenic and glucocorticoidic effects. A total of 72% and 78% soil extracts had mineralocorticoid-like and anti-mineralocorticoid activities, respectively. Significant positive correlations were observed between estrogenic activity and the concentrations of Σdichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs), Σendosulfans, Σchlordanes, heptachlor and Σdrins, respectively, but not other receptors. As a rapid and convenient pre-caution method, determination of endocrine-disrupting potencies of contaminated soils via bioassay could help to identify and define sites that required further attention for ecological risk assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyun Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Rui Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Lili Niu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Research Center for Air Pollution and Health, Institute of Environmental Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310036, China
| | - Siyu Zhu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Quan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310032, China
| | - Meirong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310032, China
| | - Weiping Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Research Center for Air Pollution and Health, Institute of Environmental Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jing Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Research Center for Air Pollution and Health, Institute of Environmental Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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Zhang J, Huang X, Liu H, Liu W, Liu J. Novel Pathways of Endocrine Disruption Through Pesticides Interference With Human Mineralocorticoid Receptors. Toxicol Sci 2017; 162:53-63. [DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfx244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jianyun Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health
| | - Xin Huang
- Research Center for Air Pollution and Health, Institute of Environmental Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Hongling Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Weiping Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health
| | - Jing Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health
- Research Center for Air Pollution and Health, Institute of Environmental Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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27
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Dendoncker K, Libert C. Glucocorticoid resistance as a major drive in sepsis pathology. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2017; 35:85-96. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2017.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Revised: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Chen P, Shen T, Wang H, Ke Z, Liang Y, Ouyang J, Jiang T. MicroRNA-185-5p restores glucocorticoid sensitivity by suppressing the mammalian target of rapamycin complex (mTORC) signaling pathway to enhance glucocorticoid receptor autoregulation. Leuk Lymphoma 2017; 58:1-11. [PMID: 28278709 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2017.1296143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Overexpression of microRNA-185-5p (miR-185-5p) in glucocorticoid (GC)-sensitive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) was identified using a microarray and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and was further confirmed in ALL cell lines. A reporter assay confirmed that the Rictor-one component of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) is a target of miR-185-5p. Decreased mTORC activity was also confirmed in GC-sensitive patients. Overexpression of miR-185-5p significantly enhanced GC sensitivity in CEM-C1 cells (GC resistance) by increasing the rate of cell apoptosis and cycle arrest, and decreasing cell survival, accompanied by a decrease in mTORC activity and an increase in GC-induced glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression. Rapamycin, an mTORC1 inhibitor, showed similar effects to miR-185-5p. These results demonstrated that miR-185-5p enhances GC sensitivity via suppression of mTORC activity by enhancing GR autoupregulation and that miR-185-5p is a potential target for the diagnosis and reversion of GC resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peisong Chen
- a Department of Laboratory Medicine , The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou , Guangdong , China
| | - Ting Shen
- a Department of Laboratory Medicine , The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou , Guangdong , China
| | - Huimin Wang
- a Department of Laboratory Medicine , The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou , Guangdong , China
| | - Zhiyong Ke
- b Department of Pediatrics , The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou , Guangdong , China
| | - Yaru Liang
- a Department of Laboratory Medicine , The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou , Guangdong , China
| | - Juan Ouyang
- a Department of Laboratory Medicine , The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou , Guangdong , China
| | - Tang Jiang
- a Department of Laboratory Medicine , The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou , Guangdong , China
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30
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Song QQ, Xie WY, Tang YJ, Zhang J, Liu J. Genetic variation in the glucocorticoid pathway involved in interindividual differences in the glucocorticoid treatment. Pharmacogenomics 2017; 18:293-316. [PMID: 28112586 DOI: 10.2217/pgs-2016-0151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are widely used for treating asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, nephrotic syndrome, acute lymphoblastic leukemia and other autoimmune diseases. However, in a subgroup of patients, failure to respond to GCs is known as GC resistance or GC insensitivity. This represents an important barrier to effective treatment and a clinical problem requiring an urgent solution. Genetic variation in the GC pathway is a significant factor in interindividual differences in GC treatment. This article reviews the pharmacogenetics of GCs in diverse diseases based on the GC pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian-Qian Song
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, P.R. China.,Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Central South University; Hunan Key Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Changsha 410078, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Wan-Ying Xie
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, P.R. China.,Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Central South University; Hunan Key Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Changsha 410078, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Yong-Jun Tang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, P.R. China.,Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Central South University; Hunan Key Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Changsha 410078, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, P.R. China.,Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Central South University; Hunan Key Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Changsha 410078, Hunan, P.R. China
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Vitellius G, Fagart J, Delemer B, Amazit L, Ramos N, Bouligand J, Le Billan F, Castinetti F, Guiochon-Mantel A, Trabado S, Lombès M. Three Novel Heterozygous Point Mutations ofNR3C1Causing Glucocorticoid Resistance. Hum Mutat 2016; 37:794-803. [DOI: 10.1002/humu.23008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Géraldine Vitellius
- INSERM UMR S 1185, Fac Med Paris Sud, Univ. Paris Sud; Université Paris-Saclay; Le Kremlin Bicêtre F-94276 France
| | - Jérôme Fagart
- INSERM UMR S 1185, Fac Med Paris Sud, Univ. Paris Sud; Université Paris-Saclay; Le Kremlin Bicêtre F-94276 France
| | - Brigitte Delemer
- Service d'Endocrinologie; Hôpital Robert Debré; CHU Reims; Reims F-51100 France
| | - Larbi Amazit
- INSERM UMR S 1185, Fac Med Paris Sud, Univ. Paris Sud; Université Paris-Saclay; Le Kremlin Bicêtre F-94276 France
- INSERM UMS-32, Institut Biomédical de Bicêtre; Univ. Paris Sud; Université Paris-Saclay; Le Kremlin Bicêtre F-94275 France
| | - Nelly Ramos
- INSERM UMR S 1185, Fac Med Paris Sud, Univ. Paris Sud; Université Paris-Saclay; Le Kremlin Bicêtre F-94276 France
| | - Jérôme Bouligand
- INSERM UMR S 1185, Fac Med Paris Sud, Univ. Paris Sud; Université Paris-Saclay; Le Kremlin Bicêtre F-94276 France
- Service de Génétique Moléculaire; Pharmacogénétique et Hormonologie; Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Sud; CHU Bicêtre F-94275 France
| | - Florian Le Billan
- INSERM UMR S 1185, Fac Med Paris Sud, Univ. Paris Sud; Université Paris-Saclay; Le Kremlin Bicêtre F-94276 France
| | - Frédéric Castinetti
- Service d'Endocrinologie; Hôpital de la Timone; CHU Marseille; Marseille F-13385 France
| | - Anne Guiochon-Mantel
- INSERM UMR S 1185, Fac Med Paris Sud, Univ. Paris Sud; Université Paris-Saclay; Le Kremlin Bicêtre F-94276 France
- Service de Génétique Moléculaire; Pharmacogénétique et Hormonologie; Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Sud; CHU Bicêtre F-94275 France
| | - Séverine Trabado
- INSERM UMR S 1185, Fac Med Paris Sud, Univ. Paris Sud; Université Paris-Saclay; Le Kremlin Bicêtre F-94276 France
- Service de Génétique Moléculaire; Pharmacogénétique et Hormonologie; Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Sud; CHU Bicêtre F-94275 France
| | - Marc Lombès
- INSERM UMR S 1185, Fac Med Paris Sud, Univ. Paris Sud; Université Paris-Saclay; Le Kremlin Bicêtre F-94276 France
- Service d'Endocrinologie et des Maladies de la Reproduction; Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Sud; CHU Bicêtre; Le Kremlin Bicêtre F-94275 France
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32
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Hurt DE, Suzuki S, Mayama T, Charmandari E, Kino T. Structural Analysis on the Pathologic Mutant Glucocorticoid Receptor Ligand-Binding Domains. Mol Endocrinol 2016; 30:173-88. [PMID: 26745667 DOI: 10.1210/me.2015-1177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene mutations may cause familial or sporadic generalized glucocorticoid resistance syndrome. Most of the missense forms distribute in the ligand-binding domain and impair its ligand-binding activity and formation of the activation function (AF)-2 that binds LXXLL motif-containing coactivators. We performed molecular dynamics simulations to ligand-binding domain of pathologic GR mutants to reveal their structural defects. Several calculated parameters including interaction energy for dexamethasone or the LXXLL peptide indicate that destruction of ligand-binding pocket (LBP) is a primary character. Their LBP defects are driven primarily by loss/reduction of the electrostatic interaction formed by R611 and T739 of the receptor to dexamethasone and a subsequent conformational mismatch, which deacylcortivazol resolves with its large phenylpyrazole moiety and efficiently stimulates transcriptional activity of the mutant receptors with LBP defect. Reduced affinity of the LXXLL peptide to AF-2 is caused mainly by disruption of the electrostatic bonds to the noncore leucine residues of this peptide that determine the peptide's specificity to GR, as well as by reduced noncovalent interaction against core leucines and subsequent exposure of the AF-2 surface to solvent. The results reveal molecular defects of pathologic mutant receptors and provide important insights to the actions of wild-type GR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darrell E Hurt
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biosciences Branch (D.E.H.), Office of Cyber Infrastructure and Computational Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852; Program in Reproductive and Adult Endocrinology (S.S., T.M., T.K.), Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892; Department of Pediatrics (S.S.), Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan; Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes (E.C.), First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens 11527, Greece; and Department of Experimental Therapeutics (T.K.), Division of Experimental Biology, Sidra Medical and Research Center, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shigeru Suzuki
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biosciences Branch (D.E.H.), Office of Cyber Infrastructure and Computational Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852; Program in Reproductive and Adult Endocrinology (S.S., T.M., T.K.), Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892; Department of Pediatrics (S.S.), Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan; Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes (E.C.), First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens 11527, Greece; and Department of Experimental Therapeutics (T.K.), Division of Experimental Biology, Sidra Medical and Research Center, Doha, Qatar
| | - Takafumi Mayama
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biosciences Branch (D.E.H.), Office of Cyber Infrastructure and Computational Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852; Program in Reproductive and Adult Endocrinology (S.S., T.M., T.K.), Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892; Department of Pediatrics (S.S.), Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan; Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes (E.C.), First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens 11527, Greece; and Department of Experimental Therapeutics (T.K.), Division of Experimental Biology, Sidra Medical and Research Center, Doha, Qatar
| | - Evangelia Charmandari
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biosciences Branch (D.E.H.), Office of Cyber Infrastructure and Computational Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852; Program in Reproductive and Adult Endocrinology (S.S., T.M., T.K.), Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892; Department of Pediatrics (S.S.), Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan; Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes (E.C.), First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens 11527, Greece; and Department of Experimental Therapeutics (T.K.), Division of Experimental Biology, Sidra Medical and Research Center, Doha, Qatar
| | - Tomoshige Kino
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biosciences Branch (D.E.H.), Office of Cyber Infrastructure and Computational Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852; Program in Reproductive and Adult Endocrinology (S.S., T.M., T.K.), Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892; Department of Pediatrics (S.S.), Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan; Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes (E.C.), First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens 11527, Greece; and Department of Experimental Therapeutics (T.K.), Division of Experimental Biology, Sidra Medical and Research Center, Doha, Qatar
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Zhang J, Zhang J, Liu R, Gan J, Liu J, Liu W. Endocrine-Disrupting Effects of Pesticides through Interference with Human Glucocorticoid Receptor. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2016; 50:435-443. [PMID: 26647222 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b03731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Many pesticides have been identified as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) due to their ability to bind sex-steroid hormone receptors. However, little attention has been paid to the ability of pesticides to interfere with other steroid hormone receptors such as glucocorticoid receptor (GR) that plays a critical role in metabolic, endocrine, immune, and nervous systems. In this study, the glucocorticoidic and antiglucocorticoidic effects of 34 pesticides on human GR were investigated using luciferase reporter gene assay. Surprisingly, none of the test chemicals showed GR agonistic activity, but 12 chemicals exhibited apparent antagonistic effects. Bifenthrin, λ-cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, resmethrin, o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDT, methoxychlor, ethiofencarb, and tolylfluanid showed remarkable GR antagonistic properties with RIC20 values lower than 10(-6) M. The disruption of glucocorticoid-responsive genes in H4IIE and J774A.1 cells was further evaluated on these 12 GR antagonists. In H4IIEcells, four organochlorine insecticides, bifenthrin, and 3-PBA decreased cortisol-induced PEPCK gene expression, while o,p'-DDT and methoxychlor inhibited cortisol-stimulated Arg and TAT gene expression. Cypermethrin and tolyfluanid attenuated cortisol-induced TAT expression. In J774A.1 cells, λ-cyhalothrin, resmethrin, 3-PBA, o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, methoxychlor- and tolylfluanid-reduced cortisol-stimulated GILZ expression. Furthermore, molecular docking simulation indicated that different interactions may stabilize the binding between molecules and GR. Our findings suggest that comprehensive screening and evaluation of GR antagonists and agonists should be considered to better understand the health and ecological risks of man-made chemicals such as pesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jay Gan
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California , Riverside, California 92521, United States
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Nicolaides NC, Skyrla E, Vlachakis D, Psarra AMG, Moutsatsou P, Sertedaki A, Kossida S, Charmandari E. Functional characterization of the hGRαT556I causing Chrousos syndrome. Eur J Clin Invest 2016; 46:42-9. [PMID: 26541474 DOI: 10.1111/eci.12563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 11/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chrousos syndrome is a rare pathologic condition characterized by generalized, partial resistance of target tissues to glucocorticoids and caused by inactivating mutations of the human glucocorticoid receptor (hGR) gene. A novel case of Chrousos syndrome has been reported in a patient with adrenal incidentaloma, who harboured a heterozygous point mutation in the hGR gene, which resulted in threonine (T) to isoleucine (I) substitution at amino acid position 556 in the ligand-binding domain of the receptor. OBJECTIVE To delineate the molecular mechanisms through which the mutant receptor hGRαT556I causes Chrousos syndrome. DESIGN AND RESULTS Compared with the wild-type receptor, the mutant receptor hGRαT556I demonstrated 50% reduction in its ability to transactivate glucocorticoid-responsive genes and in the affinity for the ligand, 30% increase in the ability to transrepress the nuclear factor-κB-target genes and a 3,4-fold delay in the cytoplasmic-to-nuclear translocation. The mutant receptor hGRαT556I did not exert a dominant negative effect upon the hGRα-mediated transcriptional activity; it preserved its ability to bind to DNA and interacted with the glucocorticoid receptor-interacting protein 1 coactivator mostly through its activation function-1 domain. Structural biology studies revealed that the T556I mutation caused disruption of the hydrogen bond formed by the T556 with the =O group of P637 backbone, which resulted in a significant relocation of the P637-bearing loop. This conformational alteration affected the local 3D arrangement of the receptor and hence the electrostatic surface of the region. CONCLUSIONS The hGRαT556I causes Chrousos syndrome by impairing multiple steps of the glucocorticoid signal transduction pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas C Nicolaides
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens Medical School, 'Aghia Sophia' Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.,Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Research Center, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eirini Skyrla
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Research Center, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics Team, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Anna-Maria G Psarra
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Paraskevi Moutsatsou
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Athens Medical School, 'Attiko' Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Amalia Sertedaki
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens Medical School, 'Aghia Sophia' Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.,Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Research Center, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Sophia Kossida
- Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics Team, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.,IMGT®, The International ImMunoGeneTics Information System®, Institute of Human Genetics, Montpellier, France
| | - Evangelia Charmandari
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens Medical School, 'Aghia Sophia' Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.,Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Research Center, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Nicolaides NC, Geer EB, Vlachakis D, Roberts ML, Psarra AMG, Moutsatsou P, Sertedaki A, Kossida S, Charmandari E. A novel mutation of the hGR gene causing Chrousos syndrome. Eur J Clin Invest 2015; 45:782-91. [PMID: 26031419 DOI: 10.1111/eci.12470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural mutations in the human glucocorticoid receptor (hGR, NR3C1) gene cause Chrousos syndrome, a rare condition characterized by generalized, partial, target-tissue insensitivity to glucocorticoids. OBJECTIVE To present a new case of Chrousos syndrome caused by a novel mutation in the hGR gene, and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms through which the natural mutant receptor affects glucocorticoid signal transduction. DESIGN AND RESULTS The index case presented with hirsutism, acne, alopecia, anxiety, fatigue and irregular menstrual cycles, but no clinical manifestations suggestive of Cushing's syndrome. Endocrinologic evaluation revealed elevated 08:00 h plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone, serum cortisol and androstenedione concentrations and increased urinary free cortisol excretion. The patient harbored a novel A > G transition at nucleotide position 2177, which resulted in histidine (H) to arginine (R) substitution at amino acid position 726 of the receptor (c.2177A > G, p.H726R). Compared with the wild-type receptor, the mutant receptor hGRαH726R demonstrated decreased ability to transactivate glucocorticoid-responsive genes and to transrepress the nuclear factor-κB signalling pathway, displayed 55% lower affinity for the ligand and a four-fold delay in nuclear translocation, and interacted with the glucocorticoid receptor-interacting protein 1 coactivator mostly through its activation function-1 domain. Finally, a 3-dimensional molecular modelling study of the H726R mutation revealed a significant structural shift in the rigidity of helix 10 of the receptor, which resulted in reduced flexibility and decreased affinity of the mutant receptor for binding to the ligand. CONCLUSIONS The natural mutant receptor hGRαH726R impairs multiple steps of glucocorticoid signal transduction, thereby decreasing tissue sensitivity to glucocorticoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas C Nicolaides
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, 'Aghia Sophia' Children's Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece.,Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Research Center, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eliza B Geer
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Bone Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai School, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics Team, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Michael L Roberts
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, 'Aghia Sophia' Children's Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece.,Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Research Center, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Anna-Maria G Psarra
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Paraskevi Moutsatsou
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, 'Attiko' Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Amalia Sertedaki
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, 'Aghia Sophia' Children's Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece.,Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Research Center, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Sophia Kossida
- Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics Team, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.,IMGT®, The International ImMunoGeneTics Information System®, Institute of Human Genetics, Montpellier, France
| | - Evangelia Charmandari
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, 'Aghia Sophia' Children's Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece.,Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Research Center, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Nicolaides NC, Charmandari E. Chrousos syndrome: from molecular pathogenesis to therapeutic management. Eur J Clin Invest 2015; 45:504-14. [PMID: 25715669 DOI: 10.1111/eci.12426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2014] [Accepted: 02/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary Generalized Glucocorticoid Resistance or Chrousos syndrome is a rare genetic condition characterized by end-organ insensitivity to glucocorticoids owing to inactivating mutations of the NR3C1 gene. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a systematic review of the published, peer-reviewed medical literature using MEDLINE (1975 through November 2014) to identify original articles and reviews on this topic. The search terms included 'primary generalized glucocorticoid resistance', 'Chrousos syndrome', 'glucocorticoid receptor gene' and 'glucocorticoid receptor mutations'. RESULTS Only a few cases of Chrousos syndrome have been described to date, ranging from asymptomatic to severe forms of mineralocorticoid and/or androgen excess. All reported cases have been associated with point mutations or deletions in the NR3C1 gene. The tremendous progress of molecular biology has enabled us to apply standard methods to investigate the molecular mechanisms of action of the mutant glucocorticoid receptors (GRs). We and others have identified and functionally characterized novel mutations causing Chrousos syndrome, while structural biology has enabled us to have a better understanding of how conformational changes of the receptor cause glucocorticoid resistance. In this review, we also present our results of the functional characterization of two recently described mutations, and we discuss the diagnostic approaches and therapeutic management of patients with Chrousos syndrome. CONCLUSIONS Although Chrousos syndrome is a rare condition, many clinical cases remain unrecognized for a long time. We recommend determination of the 24-h urinary free cortisol excretion and sequencing of the NR3C1 gene in patients with hyperandrogenism and/or hypertension of unknown origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas C Nicolaides
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens Medical School, 'Aghia Sophia' Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece; Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Research Center, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Nicolaides NC, Charmandari E, Chrousos GP, Kino T. Recent advances in the molecular mechanisms determining tissue sensitivity to glucocorticoids: novel mutations, circadian rhythm and ligand-induced repression of the human glucocorticoid receptor. BMC Endocr Disord 2014; 14:71. [PMID: 25155432 PMCID: PMC4155765 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6823-14-71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2014] [Accepted: 07/31/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids are pleiotropic hormones, which are involved in almost every cellular, molecular and physiologic network of the organism, and regulate a broad spectrum of physiologic functions essential for life. The cellular response to glucocorticoids displays profound variability both in magnitude and in specificity of action. Tissue sensitivity to glucocorticoids differs among individuals, within tissues of the same individual and within the same cell. The actions of glucocorticoids are mediated by the glucocorticoid receptor, a ubiquitously expressed intracellular, ligand-dependent transcription factor. Multiple mechanisms, such as pre-receptor ligand metabolism, receptor isoform expression, and receptor-, tissue-, and cell type-specific factors, exist to generate diversity as well as specificity in the response to glucocorticoids. Alterations in the molecular mechanisms of glucocorticoid receptor action impair glucocorticoid signal transduction and alter tissue sensitivity to glucocorticoids. This review summarizes the recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms determining tissue sensitivity to glucocorticoids with particular emphasis on novel mutations and new information on the circadian rhythm and ligand-induced repression of the glucocorticoid receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas C Nicolaides
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens Medical School, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children’s Hospital, Athens 11527, Greece
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Research Center, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens 11527, Greece
| | - Evangelia Charmandari
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens Medical School, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children’s Hospital, Athens 11527, Greece
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Research Center, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens 11527, Greece
| | - George P Chrousos
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens Medical School, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children’s Hospital, Athens 11527, Greece
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Research Center, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens 11527, Greece
- Saudi Diabetes Study Research Group, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tomoshige Kino
- Unit on Molecular Hormone Action, Program in Reproductive and Adult Endocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 2089, USA
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Vandevyver S, Dejager L, Libert C. Comprehensive overview of the structure and regulation of the glucocorticoid receptor. Endocr Rev 2014; 35:671-93. [PMID: 24937701 DOI: 10.1210/er.2014-1010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids are among the most prescribed drugs worldwide for the treatment of numerous immune and inflammatory disorders. They exert their actions by binding to the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily. There are several GR isoforms resulting from alternative RNA splicing and translation initiation of the GR transcript. Additionally, these isoforms are all subject to several transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational modifications, all of which affect the protein's stability and/or function. In this review, we summarize recent knowledge on the distinct GR isoforms and the processes that generate them. We also review the importance of all known transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational modifications, including the regulation of GR by microRNAs. Moreover, we discuss the crucial role of the putative GR-bound DNA sequence as an allosteric ligand influencing GR structure and activity. Finally, we describe how the differential composition and distinct regulation at multiple levels of different GR species could account for the wide and diverse effects of glucocorticoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Vandevyver
- Inflammation Research Center (S.V., L.D., C.L.), Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, B9052 Ghent, Belgium; and Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology (S.V., L.D., C.L.), Ghent University, B9052 Ghent, Belgium
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