c-erbA protooncogenes mediate thyroid hormone-dependent and independent regulation of the rat growth hormone and prolactin genes

Effects of triclocarban, triclosan, and methyl triclosan on thyroid hormone action and stress in frog and mammalian culture systems

Triclosan (TCS) and triclocarban (TCC) are widely used broad spectrum bactericides that are common pollutants of waterways and soils. Methyl triclosan (mTCS) is the predominant bacterial TCS metabolite. Previous studies have shown that TCS disrupts thyroid hormone (TH) action; however, the effects of mTCS or TCC are not known. The present study uses the cultured frog tadpole tail fin biopsy (C-fin) assay and the TH-responsive rat pituitary GH3 cell line to assess the effects of these three chemicals (1-1000 nM) on TH signaling and cellular stress within 48 h. mRNA abundance of TH receptor β, Rana larval keratin type I (TH-response), heat shock protein 30, and catalase (stress-response) was measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in the C-fin assay. The TH-responsive gene transcripts encoding growth hormone, deiodinase I, and prolactin were measured in GH3 cells with the heat shock protein 70 transcript acting as a cellular stress indicator. We found alteration of stress indicators at a wide range of concentrations of TCS, mTCS, and TCC in both test systems. mTCS and TCC affected TH-responsive gene transcripts at the highest concentration in mammalian cells, whereas a modest effect included lower concentrations in the C-fin assay. In contrast, TCS did not affect TH-responsive transcripts. These results identify nontarget biological effects of these bacteriocides on amphibian and mammalian cells and suggest the TH-disrupting effects observed for TCS could be mediated through its metabolite.

Regulation of 5'-promoter activity of the rat growth hormone and growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor genes in the MtT/S and MtT/E cells

The MtT/E and MtT/S cells have been established from a mammotrophic pituitary tumor, and postulated to be progenitor and premature growth hormone (GH) cells, respectively. The difference in the regulation of GH and GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) receptor gene transcription in relation to the developmental stage of GH cells were examined in these two cell lines. In MtT/S cells, triiodothyronine (T3), all-trans retinoic acid (RA) and 9-cis retinoic acid (9cRA) stimulated GH promoter activity but dexamethasone (DEX) did not. On the other hand, DEX stimulated GHRH-receptor promoter alone. T3, RA and 9cRA showed little effect alone but each of them augmented the effect of DEX when used together with DEX. In MtT/E cells, DEX, RA and 9cRA showed similar effect as observed in MtT/S cells on both GH and GHRH-receptor promoter activity. However, T3 neither stimulated GH promoter activity nor augmented the DEX-induced GHRH-receptor gene transcription in MtT/E cells. RT-PCR analyses revealed that both cell types expressed TRalpha1, TRbeta1 and TRalpha2, but expression of TRbeta2, a pituitary specific isoform of TR, was only detected in MtT/S cells. However, the deficiency of TRbeta2 for its own sake does not appear to be a reason why T3 action was not observed in MtT/E cells, because co-transfection of expression plasmids for TRbeta2 and RXRalpha failed in conferring on the cells an ability to respond to T3 by increased GH or GHRH-receptor promoter activity. These results suggest that the acquisition of mechanisms responsible for the regulation of GH or GHRH-receptor transcription by T3 may be involved in the process of functional development of GH cells.

A permissive retinoid X receptor/thyroid hormone receptor heterodimer allows stimulation of prolactin gene transcription by thyroid hormone and 9-cis-retinoic acid

Heterodimers of the retinoid X receptor (RXR) with the thyroid hormone receptor (TR) are considered to be nonpermissive. It is believed that within these complexes RXR acts as a "silent partner." We demonstrate here that a permissive heterodimer mediates stimulation of prolactin expression by the thyroid hormone T3 and by 9-cis retinoic acid (9-cis-RA). A response element located in the prolactin distal enhancer mediates transactivation by both ligands in pituitary cells, and RXR recruits coactivators when bound to this element as a heterodimer with TR. Furthermore, transcription by the RXR agonist can be obtained in CV-1 cells only after overexpression of coactivators, and overexpression of corepressors inhibits the response in pituitary cells. Thus, cell type-specific differences in coregulator recruitment can determine the cellular response to both ligands. Coactivator recruitment by 9-cis-RA requires the ligand-dependent transactivation domains (AF-2) of both heterodimeric partners. Interestingly, the presence of the RXR ligand can overcome the deleterious effect of the AF-2 mutation E401Q on association with coactivators and transactivation. These results demonstrate an unexpected role for RXR in TR signaling and show that in particular cellular environments this receptor can act as a "nonsilent" partner of TR, allowing stimulation by RXR agonists.

Triiodothyronine-mediated myosin heavy chain gene transcription in the heart

We developed an RT-PCR assay to study both the time course and the mechanism for the triiodothyronine (T(3))-induced transcription of the alpha- and beta-myosin heavy chain (MHC) genes in vivo on the basis of the quantity of specific heterogeneous nuclear RNA (hnRNA). The temporal relationship of changes in transcriptional activity to the amount of alpha-MHC mRNA and the coordinated regulation of transcription of more than one gene in response to T(3) are demonstrated here for the first time. Quantitation of alpha-MHC hnRNA demonstrated that T(3) induced alpha-MHC transcription in hypothyroid rats within 30 min of a single injection of T(3) (0.5 microg/100 g body wt). Maximal transcription rates (135% +/- 15.8 of euthyroid values) occurred 6 h after injection and subsequently declined in parallel with serum T(3) levels. The transcription of beta-MHC was reduced to 86% of peak hypothyroid levels 6 h after a single T(3) injection and reached a nadir of 59% of hypothyroid levels at 36 h. Analysis of the time course of T(3)-mediated induction of alpha-MHC hnRNA and repression of beta-MHC hnRNA indicates that separate molecular mechanisms are involved in the coordinated regulation of these genes.

Effects of Charcot-Marie-Tooth-linked mutations of the neurofilament light subunit on intermediate filament formation

Neurofilaments (NFs) are the major intermediate filaments (IFs) of mature neurons. They play important roles in the structure and function of axons. Recently, two mutations in the neurofilament light (NFL) subunit have been identified in families affected by Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) neuropathy type 2. We have characterized the effects of these NFL mutations on the formation of IF networks using a transient transfection system. Both mutations disrupted the self-assembly of human NFL. The Q333P mutant in the rod domain of NFL also disrupted the formation of rat and human NFL/NFM heteropolymers. The phenotypes produced by the P8R mutation in the head domain of NFL were less severe. The P8R mutant NFL co-polymerized with NFM to form bundled filaments and, less often, aggregates. Our results suggest that alterations in the formation of a normal IF network in neurons elicited by these NFL mutations may contribute to the development of Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy.

Thyroid hormone-regulated cardiac gene expression and cardiovascular disease

The effects of hypothyroidism on the cardiovascular system have been the subject of much research over the last several decades. The hypothyroid cardiac phenotype includes impaired contractile function, decreased cardiac output, and alterations in myocyte gene expression. In the setting of cardiac disease, as in other acute illnesses, alterations in thyroid hormone metabolism occur that result in decreased serum triiodothyronine (T(3)) levels. This is referred to as low T(3) syndrome. Similarities between the heart failure phenotype and the hypothyroid cardiac phenotype are numerous including changes in the expression of thyroid hormone regulated myocyte specific genes. The heart responds in a very sensitive manner to reduced circulating levels of T(3) with decreased expression of positively regulated genes and increased expression of negatively regulated genes. In the present paper we review data on thyroid hormone mediated cardiac specific gene transcriptional regulation. T(3) replacement therapy for hypothyroidism restores normal expression of these T(3) regulated genes and recent experiments suggest that the diseased human heart in congestive failure would benefit from similar T(3) replacement therapy.

Physiological and molecular basis of thyroid hormone action

Thyroid hormones (THs) play critical roles in the differentiation, growth, metabolism, and physiological function of virtually all tissues. TH binds to receptors that are ligand-regulatable transcription factors belonging to the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily. Tremendous progress has been made recently in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlie TH action. In this review, we present the major advances in our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of TH action and their implications for TH action in specific tissues, resistance to thyroid hormone syndrome, and genetically engineered mouse models.

A new family of nuclear receptor coregulators that integrate nuclear receptor signaling through CREB-binding protein

We describe the cloning and characterization of a new family of nuclear receptor coregulators (NRCs) which modulate the function of nuclear hormone receptors in a ligand-dependent manner. NRCs are expressed as alternatively spliced isoforms which may exhibit different intrinsic activities and receptor specificities. The NRCs are organized into several modular structures and contain a single functional LXXLL motif which associates with members of the steroid hormone and thyroid hormone/retinoid receptor subfamilies with high affinity. Human NRC (hNRC) harbors a potent N-terminal activation domain (AD1), which is as active as the herpesvirus VP16 activation domain, and a second activation domain (AD2) which overlaps with the receptor-interacting LXXLL region. The C-terminal region of hNRC appears to function as an inhibitory domain which influences the overall transcriptional activity of the protein. Our results suggest that NRC binds to liganded receptors as a dimer and this association leads to a structural change in NRC resulting in activation. hNRC binds CREB-binding protein (CBP) with high affinity in vivo, suggesting that hNRC may be an important functional component of a CBP complex involved in mediating the transcriptional effects of nuclear hormone receptors.

Analysis of the roles of the head domains of type IV rat neuronal intermediate filament proteins in filament assembly using domain-swapped chimeric proteins

Type IV neuronal intermediate filament proteins consist of alpha-internexin, which can self-assemble into filaments and the neurofilament triplet proteins, which are obligate heteropolymers, at least in rodents. These IF proteins therefore provide good systems for elucidating the mechanism of intermediate filament assembly. To analyze the roles of the head domains of these proteins in contributing to their differential assembly properties, we generated chimeric proteins by swapping the head domains between rat alpha-internexin and either rat NF-L or NF-M and examined their assembly properties in transfected cells that lack their own cytoplasmic intermediate filament network. Lalphaalpha and Malphaalpha, the chimeric proteins generated by replacing the head domain of alpha-internexin with those of NF-L and NF-M, respectively, were unable to self-assemble into filaments. In contrast, alphaLL, a chimeric NF-L protein generated by replacing the head domain of NF-L with that of alpha-internexin, was able to self-assemble into filaments, whereas MLL, a chimeric NF-L protein containing the NF-M head domain, was unable to do so. These results demonstrate that the alpha-internexin head domain is essential for alpha-internexin's ability to self-assemble. While coassembly of Lalphaalpha with NF-M and coassembly of Malphaalpha with NF-L resulted in formation of filaments, coassembly of Lalphaalpha with NF-L and coassembly of Malphaalpha with NF-M yielded punctate patterns. These coassembly results show that heteropolymeric filament formation requires that one partner has the NF-L head domain and the other partner has the NF-M head domain. Thus, the head domains of rat NF-L and NF-M play important roles in determining the obligate heteropolymeric nature of filament formation. The data obtained from these self-assembly and coassembly studies provide some new insights into the mechanism of intermediate filament assembly.

Stimulation of the myelin basic protein gene expression by 9-cis-retinoic acid and thyroid hormone: activation in the context of its native promoter

Thyroid hormone plays an important role in brain development, in part by regulating myelination. Previous studies have shown that the myelin basic protein (MBP) promoter is activated by thyroid hormone (T3) via a T3-response element (T3RE) at position -186. Surprisingly, although MBP levels are initially decreased in hypothyroid neonates, they approach later control levels, in most brain regions, despite persistent hypothyroidism. We have studied the T3-independent transcriptional regulation of this gene, using transient transfection assays. We found that, in the absence of T3, the RXR ligand, 9-cis-retinoic acid (9cRA) was able to stimulate transcription of the MBP promoter in a dose-dependent manner. This activation was unaffected by the mutation or deletion of the T3RE and required DNA sequences located between positions -162/+60. Accordingly, this MBP promoter fragment bound RXR in vitro. The 9cRA-dependent activation of the MBP promoter required the presence of both, the DNA binding and the ligand-dependent transactivation domain (AF-2) in RXR. Furthermore, as T3, 9cRA was able to stimulate MBP expression in the CG-4 cell line after differentiation to oligodendrocytes and increased the number of cells expressing the MBP protein in primary rat optic nerve glial cell cultures.

Regulation of the mdm2 oncogene by thyroid hormone receptor

The mdm2 gene is positively regulated by p53 through a p53-responsive DNA element in the first intron of the mdm2 gene. mdm2 binds p53, thereby abrogating the ability of p53 to activate the mdm2 gene, and thus forming an autoregulatory loop of mdm2 gene regulation. Although the mdm2 gene is thought to act as an oncogene by blocking the activity of p53, recent studies indicate that mdm2 can act independently of p53 and block the G1 cell cycle arrest mediated by members of the retinoblastoma gene family and can activate E2F1/DP1 and the cyclin A gene promoter. In addition, factors other than p53 have recently been shown to regulate the mdm2 gene. In this article, we report that thyroid hormone (T3) receptors (T3Rs), but not the closely related members of the nuclear thyroid hormone/retinoid receptor gene family (retinoic acid receptor, vitamin D receptor, peroxisome proliferation activation receptor, or retinoid X receptor), regulate mdm2 through the same intron sequences that are modulated by p53. Chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor I, an orphan nuclear receptor which normally acts as a transcriptional repressor, also activates mdm2 through the same intron region of the mdm2 gene. Two T3R-responsive DNA elements were identified and further mapped to sequences within each of the p53 binding sites of the mdm2 intron. A 10-amino-acid sequence in the N-terminal region of T3Ralpha that is important for transactivation and interaction with TFIIB was also found to be important for activation of the mdm2 gene response element. T3 was found to stimulate the endogenous mdm2 gene in GH4C1 cells. These cells are known to express T3Rs, and T3 is known to stimulate replication of these cells via an effect in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Our findings, which indicate that T3Rs can regulate the mdm2 gene independently of p53, provide an explanation for certain known effects of T3 and T3Rs on cell proliferation. In addition, these findings provide further evidence for p53-independent regulation of mdm2 which could lead to the development of tumors from cells that express low levels of p53 or that express p53 mutants defective in binding to and activating the mdm2 gene.

A direct protein-protein interaction is involved in the cooperation between thyroid hormone and retinoic acid receptors and the transcription factor GHF-1

The nuclear receptors for thyroid hormone (TRs) and retinoic acid (RARs and RXRs) cooperate with the pituitary-specific transcription factor GHF-1 to activate the rat growth hormone (GH) gene. The GH promoter contains a hormone response element (HRE), which binds TR/RXR and RAR/RXR heterodimers, located close to two binding sites for GHF-1. GHF-1 inhibits binding of TR/RXR and RAR/RXR heterodimers to an isolated HRE. Similarly, the receptors inhibit binding of GHF-1 to its cognate site. These results suggest the existence of direct protein to protein interactions between the receptors and the pituitary transcription factor. This was confirmed by in vitro binding studies with GST fusion proteins, which demonstrated a strong association of GHF-1 with RXR and a weaker interaction with RAR and TR. GHF-1 and the receptor heterodimers form a ternary complex with a fragment of the rat GH promoter, which contains binding sites for both, and GHF-1 increases receptor binding to the promoter when present in limiting conditions. These results suggest that the synergistic activation of the rat GH gene involves protein-DNA interactions as well as a physical association between the nuclear receptors and the pituitary-specific transcription factor GHF-1.

Requirement of corepressor binding of thyroid hormone receptor mutants for dominant negative inhibition

Resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH) is mainly caused by dominant negative inhibition of wild type thyroid hormone receptor (TR) function due to mutations in the ligand binding domain of the TR beta. Because no RTH mutant was identified in the hinge region of the TR, the contribution of this region for dominant negative inhibition was explored. In transient transfection assays, the dominant negative activity of a RTH-type mutant (P453X) was abolished by an introduction of a mutation into the hinge region (P214R). Although this hinge mutation did not alter homo- or heterodimerization with retinoid X receptor (RXR), its association with nuclear receptor corepressor (N-CoR) was impaired. These results indicate that association of corepressor with the RTH mutants through the hinge region is crucial for their dominant negative activity.

The thyroid hormone receptor variant alpha2 is a weak antagonist because it is deficient in interactions with nuclear receptor corepressors

The thyroid hormone receptor splice variant, alpha2, is unable to bind thyroid hormone (T3) and has been proposed to function as an endogenous inhibitor of T3 action. In this report, we examined further the DNA sequence requirements for alpha2 binding to thyroid hormone response elements (TREs) in an attempt to identify response elements that mediate potent inhibition by alpha2. Heterodimers of alpha2 and retinoid X receptor were found to bind to a subset of TREs (DR4, direct repeats spaced by 4 bp) in which selected flanking and spacer sequences enhanced interactions with the AGGTCA core binding sequence. Despite the optimization of the TRE-binding sites, alpha2 remained a weak dominant negative inhibitor of TRE-driven transcription. A promoter interference assay was also developed for testing inhibition by alpha2. In these studies, alpha2 blocked gene transcription, but it required cotransfected retinoid X receptor, and it was not as potent as unliganded thyroid hormone receptors. These results led to the hypothesis that alpha2 might be deficient in interactions with nuclear receptor corepressors. Consistent with this view, alpha2 did not silence basal transcription in its native form or when linked to Gal4. Alpha2 also failed to interact with corepressors (NCoR and SMRT) in both gel shift assays and mammalian two-hybrid assays. We conclude that alpha2 is a weak antagonist of thyroid hormone action because it binds weakly to a limited repertoire of response elements, and it does not interact with corepressors. Thus, alpha2 may be able to compete with thyroid hormone receptors for binding to a limited group of target sites, but it is not able to actively inhibit transcription.

Roles of head and tail domains in alpha-internexin's self-assembly and coassembly with the neurofilament triplet proteins

The roles of the head and tail domains of alpha-internexin, a type IV neuronal intermediate filament protein, in its self-assembly and coassemblies with neurofilament triplet proteins, were examined by transient transfections with deletion mutants in a non-neuronal cell line lacking an endogenous cytoplasmic intermediate filament network. The results from the self-assembly studies showed that the head domain was essential for alpha-internexin's ability to self-assemble into a filament network and the tail domain was important for establishing a proper filament network. The data from the coassembly studies demonstrated that alpha-internexin interacted differentially with the neurofilament triplet protein subunits. Wild-type NF-L or NF-M, but not NF-H, was able to complement and form a normal filament network with the tailless alpha-internexin mutant, the alpha-internexin head-deletion mutant, or the alpha-internexin mutant missing the entire tail and some amino-terminal portion of the head domain. In contrast, neither the tailless NF-L mutant nor the NF-L head-deletion mutant was able to form a normal filament network with any of these alpha-internexin deletion mutants. However, coassembly of the tailless NF-M mutant with the alpha-internexin head-deletion mutant and coassembly of the NF-M head-deletion mutant with the tailless alpha-internexin mutant resulted in the formation of a normal filament network. Thus, the coassembly between alpha-internexin and NF-M exhibits some unique characteristics previously not observed with other intermediate filament proteins: only one intact tail and one intact head are required for the formation of a normal filament network, and they can be present within the same partner or separately in two partners.

Nuclear corepressors enhance the dominant negative activity of mutant receptors that cause resistance to thyroid hormone

The syndrome of resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH) is caused by multiple distinct mutations in the ligand-binding domain of the thyroid hormone receptor-beta (TRbeta). Although the mutant receptors are transcriptionally inactive, they inhibit normal receptor function in a dominant negative manner to cause hormone resistance. Recently, a group of transcriptional cofactors, referred to as corepressors (CoRs), was shown to induce ligand-independent silencing of genes that contain positive T3 response elements. CoRs also play a role in the ligand-independent basal activation of genes that are negatively regulated in response to T3. We hypothesized that CoR might play a role in the dominant negative inhibition by TRbeta mutants that cause RTH. In gel mobility shift assays, RTH mutants retained interactions with CoRs even in the presence of T3, whereas the ligand dissociated CoR from wild-type TRbeta. Using Gal4-TR chimeric receptors and a VP16-CoR fusion protein in an interaction assay, a strong positive correlation was found between mutant receptor interactions with CoR and transcriptional silencing activity. A mutation (P214R) that impairs CoR interactions with TR was introduced into the RTH mutants to assess the role of CoR in dominant negative activity. In transient transfection assays, introduction of the P214R CoR mutation decreased RTH mutant silencing of positively regulated genes and basal activation of negatively regulated genes. The dominant negative activity of several different RTH mutants, studied by cotransfection with wild-type receptor, was greatly diminished by the CoR mutation, and this effect was seen with both positively and negatively regulated genes. These results suggest that CoR interactions play a critical role in the dominant negative effect of RTH mutants and support the idea that these proteins are involved in the regulation of genes that are positively as well as negatively regulated by T3.

The transcription factor GHF-1, but not the splice variant GHF-2, cooperates with thyroid hormone and retinoic acid receptors to stimulate rat growth hormone gene expression

The rat growth hormone (GH) promoter was significantly activated in non-pituitary cells by the expression of unliganded trioodothyronine (T3) and retinoic acid (RA) receptors. Furthermore, a strong ligand-dependent activation was found in the presence of the pituitary-specific transcription factor GHF-1. When compared with GHF-1, the splice variant GHF-2 showed a decreased ability to bind the cognate site in the GH promoter. As a consequence, expression of GHF-2 had little stimulatory effect on the GH promoter and did not show cooperation with T3 or RA receptors even in the presence of ligands. Furthermore, over-expression of GHF-2 inhibited the response to T3 and RA in pituitary cells. These results show that alternative splicing of the GHF-1 gene gives rise to two isoforms that differ in their transactivating properties and in their ability to synergize with the nuclear thyroid hormone and retinoic acid receptors on GH gene expression.

Constitutive activation of gene expression by thyroid hormone receptor results from reversal of p53-mediated repression

Thyroid hormone receptor (T3R) is a member of the steroid hormone receptor gene family of nuclear hormone receptors. In most cells T3R activates gene expression only in the presence of its ligand, L-triiodothyronine (T3). However, in certain cell types (e.g., GH4C1 cells) expression of T3R leads to hormone-independent constitutive activation. This activation by unliganded T3R occurs with a variety of gene promoters and appears to be independent of the binding of T3R to specific thyroid hormone response elements (TREs). Previous studies indicate that this constitutive activation results from the titration of an inhibitor of transcription. Since the tumor suppresser p53 is capable of repressing a wide variety of gene promoters, we considered the possibility that the inhibitor is p53. Evidence to support this comes from studies indicating that expression of p53 blocks T3R-mediated constitutive activation in GH4C1 cells. In contrast with hormone-independent activation by T3R, p53 had little or no effect on T3-dependent stimulation which requires TREs. In addition, p53 mutants which oligomerize with wild-type p53 and interfere with its function also increase promoter activity. This enhancement is of similar magnitude to but is not additive with the stimulation mediated by unliganded T3R, suggesting that they target the same factor. Since p53 mutants are known to target wild-type p53 in the cell, this suggests that T3R also interacts with p53 in vivo and that endogenous levels of p53 act to suppress promoter activity. Evidence supporting both functional and physical interactions of T3R and p53 in the cell is presented. The DNA binding domain (DBD) of T3R is important in mediating constitutive activation, and the receptor DBD appears to functionally interact with the N terminus of p53 in the cell. In vitro binding studies indicate that the T3R DBD is important for interaction of T3R with p53 and that this interaction is reduced by T3. These findings are consistent with the in vivo studies indicating that p53 blocks constitutive activation but not ligand-dependent stimulation. These studies provide insight into mechanisms by which unliganded nuclear hormone receptors can modulate gene expression and may provide an explanation for the mechanism of action of the v-erbA oncoprotein, a retroviral homolog of chicken T3R alpha.

Thyroid hormone-induced plasticity in the adult rat brain

It is well known that thyroid hormone plays a crucial role in the development and maturation of the nervous system. However, little is known about the role of thyroid hormone in the adult brain. In this short review we have dwelt on this point, with regard to the role of thyroid hormone on neuropeptide gene expression regulation in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and in extrahypothalamic brain areas, on neurotrophin and neurotrophin receptor expression in the hippocampus and basal forebrain in basal conditions, and after neurotoxic challenges. Effects of hypothyroidism are discussed in view of a possible role of thyroid status in brain aging quality.

Interactions of estrogen- and thyroid hormone receptors on a progesterone receptor estrogen response element (ERE) sequence: a comparison with the vitellogenin A2 consensus ERE

The identification of hormone response elements in the promoter regions of hormonally regulated genes has revealed a striking similarity between the half-site of the estrogen-response element (ERE) and a consensus sequence constituting the thyroid hormone-response element. Because of the potential for thyroid hormone (T3) to affect estrogen (E)- and progesterone-dependent female reproductive behavior via EREs, we have begun to investigate the activity of an ERE identified in the progesterone receptor (PR) proximal promoter and its interactions with the estrogen receptor (ER) and thyroid hormone receptors (TR). In addition, we have compared ER and TR interactions on the PR ERE construct with that of the vitellogenin A2 (vit A2) consensus ERE. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that TR binds to the PR ERE as well as to the consensus ERE sequence in vitro. Further, these two EREs were differentially regulated by T3 in the presence of TR. T3 in the presence of TR alpha increased transcription from a PR ERE construct approximately 5-fold and had no inhibitory effect on E induction. Similarly, T3 also activated a beta-galactosidase reporter construct containing PR promoter sequences spanning -1400 to +700. In addition, the TR isoforms beta1 and beta2 also stimulated transcription from the PR ERE construct by 5- to 6-fold. A TR alpha mutant lacking the ability to bind AGGTCA sequences in vitro failed to activate transcription from the PR ERE construct, demonstrating dependence on DNA binding. In contrast to its actions on the PR ERE construct, TR alpha did not activate transcription from the vit A2 consensus ERE but rather attenuated E-mediated transcriptional activation. Attenuation from the vit A2 consensus ERE is not necessarily dependent on DNA binding as the TR alpha DNA binding mutant was still able to inhibit E-dependent transactivation. In contrast to TR alpha, the isoforms TRbeta1 and TRbeta2 failed to inhibit E-induced activation from the vit A2 consensus ERE. These results demonstrate that the PR ERE construct differs from the vit A2 consensus ERE in its ability to respond to TRs and that divergent pathways exist for activation and inhibition by TR. Since ERs, PRs, and TRs are all present in hypothalamic neurons, these findings may be significant for endocrine integration, which is important for reproductive behavior.

Thyroid hormone inhibits the human prolactin gene promoter by interfering with activating protein-1 and estrogen stimulations

Transcription of the human PRL (hPRL) gene in the pituitary is subject to tissue-specific and multihormonal regulation involving two main regulatory regions, a proximal promoter and a distal enhancer. In this report we show that thyroid hormone inhibits the expression of the hPRL gene in rat pituitary cells. Transient expression experiments show that thyroid hormone regulation involves a strong inhibitory element, located in the proximal (-164/-35) promoter, which is modulated by a more distal stimulatory response control region. Gel retardation experiments reveal that the thyroid hormone receptor does not bind to the proximal negative element. We show the existence of an activating protein-1 (AP-1) response element located at positions -61 to -54 of the proximal promoter, conferring AP-1 stimulation to the hPRL promoter. This AP-1 induction is abolished when hormone-bound thyroid hormone receptor is present, indicating that there is an interference between the thyroid hormone receptor and AP-1 regulatory pathways. Furthermore, using the complete hPRL upstream region, we show that estrogen induction is abolished by simultaneous thyroid hormone treatment.

Nuclear receptor corepressors activate rather than suppress basal transcription of genes that are negatively regulated by thyroid hormone

A group of transcriptional cofactors referred to as corepressors (CoRs) were recently shown to play a central role in basal silencing of genes that contain positive triiodothyronine (T3) response elements. In a reciprocal manner, negatively regulated genes are stimulated by unliganded thyroid hormone receptor (TR) and repressed upon the addition of T3. We used a TR beta mutant, called P214R, which fails to interact with CoRs, to examine whether CoRs also play a role in the control of genes that are negatively regulated in response to T3. In studies of three negatively regulated genes (the pituitary thyroid-stimulating hormone alpha-subunit [TSH alpha], TSH beta, and hypothalamic thyrotropin-releasing hormone [TRH] genes), stimulation of basal promoter activity by unliganded TR beta was impaired by introducing the P214R CoR mutation. Coexpression of each of the CoRs SMRT (silencing mediator for retinoid receptors and TRs) and NCoR (nuclear receptor CoR) enhanced basal stimulation of the negatively regulated promoters in a TR-dependent manner, but this effect was not seen with the P214R TR mutant. The mechanism of CoR effects on negatively regulated promoters was explored further with a series of GAL4-TR chimeric receptors and mutants that allowed TR effects to be assessed independently of receptor interactions with DNA. These experiments revealed that, like the negative regulation of genes by wild-type TR, basal activation occurred with GAL4-TR, but not with the GAL4-P214R mutant, and was reversed by the addition of T3. These results suggest that TR interactions with negatively regulated genes may be driven through protein-protein interactions. We conclude that a subset of negatively regulated genes are controlled by a novel mechanism that involves TR-mediated recruitment and basal activation by SMRT and NCoR. Addition of T3 reverses basal activation, perhaps by dissociation of CoRs.

Thyroid hormone activates transcription from the promoter regions of some human nuclear-encoded genes of the oxidative phosphorylation system

Thyroid hormone (T3) modulates the mRNA levels for cytochrome c and the adenine nucleotide translocator-2 (ANT2) in adult rat liver. Here we show that T3 activates expression of a reporter gene driven from the human cytochrome c1 and ANT2 promoters transfected into human choriocarcinoma JEG3 cells. By contrast, the human F1-ATPase beta-subunit promoter responded marginally, thus providing a pattern of differential expression similar to that earlier observed in rats in vivo. T3-activation is dependent on co-expression of the thyroid hormone receptor (TR alpha1). Co-expression of both the TR and RXR receptors had no additional effect. Transient transfection of deletion constructs showed that T3 activation is retained by the proximal regions of the cytochrome c1 and ANT2 promoters, and, in the case of cytochrome c1, is lost upon removal of a fragment containing the transcription initiator ((nucleotides) (nt) + 1 to + 100). The promoter regions supporting T3-activation of the reporter genes appear to lack strong DNA binding sites for TR and retinoid X receptor (RXR).

Histone acetylation influences thyroid hormone and retinoic acid-mediated gene expression

Thyroid hormone (T3) and retinoic acid (RA) receptors regulate transcription of the rat growth hormone (GH) gene through binding to a common hormone response element (HRE) in the promoter. We have investigated the effect of histone acetylation on hormone-dependent expression of the rat GH gene. We examined the effect of butyrate, which induces histone hyperacetylation, and trichostatin A (TSA), a highly specific inhibitor of histone deacetylases. GH-mRNA levels were significantly increased in pituitary GH4C1 cells incubated with T3 and RA, and this response was further stimulated in the presence of 1 mM butyrate. The effect of butyrate was mimicked by TSA. Butyrate and TSA also enhanced the activity of recombinant constructs containing the GH promoter directing chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) reporter gene expression. CAT activity increased by 4- to 8-fold after incubation with 1 nM T3 and 1 microM RA, and this response was stimulated 2- to 4-fold further in the presence of 0.25 mM butyrate. This concentration of butyrate did not influence basal expression of CAT. TSA produced a dose-dependent increase of CAT activity in the absence of ligands, and between 5 and 200 nM potentiated the effect of T3 and RA. These compounds also increased the hormonal response of constructs in which the HRE was linked to heterologous [mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) and thymidine kinase (TK)] promoters. With butyrate >1 mM, basal activity of the GH promoter increased by more than 10-fold and the effect of T3 and RA was no longer observed. Overexpression of T3 receptors was able to counteract the stimulation of basal CAT levels caused by butyrate. Thus, in the absence of ligand, the T3 receptor acts as a constitutive repressor of gene expression. Upon binding of the hormone, the T3 receptor is converted into an activator. Our findings suggest that histone acetylation, which alters chromatin structure, may play an important role in hormone-mediated transcriptional regulation.

Acquired estrogen independence and antiestrogen resistance in breast cancer: estrogen receptor driven phenotypes?

Endocrine-responsive breast tumors appear to follow a predictable pattern of progression from estrogen dependence to estrogen independence, ultimately leading to a phenotype characterized by crossresistance among all endocrine therapies. Cells acquiring a multihormone-resistant phenotype, however, frequently retain expression of the cellular receptors for estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PgR). The proliferation of some of these tumors may be driven by a ligand-independent activation of the remaining steroid hormone receptors. Several intracellular secondary messenger systems can potentially activate ER through altering its pattern of phosphorylation in the absence of estrogens. Emerging evidence suggests that, for many estrogen-regulated genes, both the promoter and cellular contexts are critical factors in regulating their transcription by ER. The cellular context may be important because of the presence/absence of several coregulators of ER function, and this context may be unstable in tumor and some normal cell populations. Thus, the pattern of genes regulated by the transcriptional activities of the ER also may change with time, facilitating the emergence of divergent endocrine-responsive phenotypes. It is this pattern of regulation that may be important for conferring each specific phenotype. The repression or induction of the functionally relevant genes responsible for conferring each of the phenotypic changes represents an estrogen-regulated gene network. These networks will contain genes that are regulated, both directly and indirectly, by the activation of ER. Several growth-regulatory gene networks may exist concurrently, providing a cell with several interrelated pathways for controlling its proliferation. The identity of those estrogen-regulated genes that are responsible, for regulating proliferation remains unknown.

In vivo genomic footprinting of thyroid hormone-responsive genes in pituitary tumor cell lines

We studied the effects of thyroid hormone (T3) on nuclear protein-DNA interactions by using dimethyl sulfate (DMS) and DNase I ligation-mediated PCR footprinting. We examined an endogenous gene the growth hormone (GH) gene, and a stably transfected plasmid containing the chicken lysozyme silencer (F2) T3 response element (TRE) gene, F2-TRE-TK-CAT, both in pituitary tumor (GC) cells. The 235-1 cell line, which expresses prolactin (PRL) and Pit-1, but not the T3 receptor (TR) or GH, was used as a control. DMS and DNase I footprinting identified protected G residues in the Pit-1, Sp1, and Zn-15 binding sites of the GH gene in GC, but not in 235-1, cells. There was no specific protection of the tripartite GH TRE at -180 bp against either DMS or DNase I in the absence or presence of T3 in either cell line. However, T3 increased protection of the Pit-1 and Sp1 binding sites against DMS in GC cells. In GC cells stably transfected with a plasmid containing F2-TRE-TK-CAT or TRalpha, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase expression was T3 inducible and DMS footprinting revealed both F2 TRE TR-binding half sites in a pattern suggesting the binding of TR homodimers before and during T3 exposure. We conclude that the GH gene is accessible to specific nuclear proteins in GC, but not in 235-1, cells and that T3 enhances this interaction, although there is no evidence of TR binding to the low-affinity rat GH TRE. The presence of TR binding to the high-affinity F2 TRE before and during T3 exposure suggests that reversible interaction of T3 with DNA-bound TRs, rather than transient T3-TR contact with TREs, determines the level of T3-stimulated transcriptional activation.

Phosphorylation of the high molecular weight neurofilament protein (NF-H) by Cdk5 and p35

The high molecular weight neurofilament protein (NF-H) is highly phosphorylated in the axon. The phosphorylation sites have been identified as KSP (Lys-Ser-Pro) repeats in the tail domain of NF-H. These KSP sequences are present more than 50 times in the NF-H tail, and most of these sites are normally phosphorylated in vivo. These KSP sites can be further divided into two separate consensus sequences, KSPXK and KSPXY (where Y is not K). The extensive phosphorylation of NF-H has been proposed to play a critical role in the determination of axonal diameter. Recent studies have shown that Cdk5, a kinase related to the cell cycle-dependent kinase Cdc2, is expressed in the brain and associates with the cytoskeleton. In vitro phosphorylation studies have shown that Cdk5 in conjunction with its activator, p35, is able to phosphorylate histone H1, dephosphorylated NF-H, as well as a synthetic peptide with the repetitive KSP motif. We have cloned the cDNAs for rat Cdk5 and p35 by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and cDNA library screening and studied the phosphorylation of NF-H both in vivo and in vitro. By transient transfection assays, we have shown that NF-H can only be extensively phosphorylated in the presence of both Cdk5 and p35. This phosphorylation can be inhibited by a Cdk5-dominant negative mutant, an observation which further supports that Cdk5 is a kinase that is able to phosphorylate NF-H. By immunoprecipitating Cdk5 and p35 from the transfected cells, we have been able to show that the KSPXK repeats are the preferred phosphorylation sites for Cdk5, while the KSPXY repeats are not directly phosphorylated by Cdk5 and p35.

Influence of thyroid hormones on the human ATP synthase beta-subunit gene promoter

The action of thyroid hormones on the expression of the mitochondrial ATP synthase beta-subunit gene (ATPsyn beta) is controversial. We detected a binding site for the thyroid hormone receptor between -366 and -380 in the human ATPsyn beta gene by DNase I footprint analysis and band-shift assays. However, expression vectors in which the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) reporter gene is driven by the 5' upstream region of ATPsyn beta gene were unresponsive to T3 when transiently transfected to HepG2 or GH4C1 cells. CAT constructs driven by the rat phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) or the growth hormone (GH) promoters were stimulated several fold by T3 in parallel experiments. It is proposed that the biological effects of thyroid hormones on the ATPsyn beta expression occur through indirect mechanisms.

Vitamin D interferes with transactivation of the growth hormone gene by thyroid hormone and retinoic acid

The thyroid hormone, retinoic acid (RA), and vitamin D regulate gene expression by binding to similar receptors which act as ligand-inducible transcription factors. Incubation of pituitary GH4C1 cells with nanomolar concentrations of vitamin D markedly reduces the response of the rat growth hormone mRNA to thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3) and RA. The stimulation of growth hormone gene expression by both ligands is mediated by a common hormone response element (TREGH) present in the 5'-flanking region of the gene, and the inhibition caused by vitamin D is due to transcriptional interference of the vitamin D receptor on this DNA element. No inhibition of the basal promoter activity by the vitamin was observed. The response to T3 and RA of a heterologous promoter containing this element, the palindromic T3- and RA-responsive sequence TREPAL, or a direct repeat of the same motif is also inhibited by vitamin D. In contrast, vitamin D strongly induces the activity of constructs containing a vitamin D response element, and neither T3 nor RA reduces vitamin D-mediated transactivation. Transfection with an expression vector for the retinoid X receptor alpha (RXR alpha) increases transactivation by T3 and RA but does not abolish the inhibition caused by the vitamin. Gel retardation experiments show that the vitamin D receptor (VDR) as a heterodimer with RXR weakly binds to the T3- and RA-responsive elements. Additionally, VDR displaces binding of T3 and RA receptors in a dose-dependent manner. Our data suggest the formation of TR-VDR and RAR-VDR heterodimers with RXR. The fact that the same response element mediates opposite effects of at least four different nuclear receptors provides a greater complexity and flexibility of the transcriptional responses to their ligands.

Structural and functional analysis of the human phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene promoter

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) catalyses the rate limiting step in hepatic and renal gluconeogenesis. Glucagon (acting via cyclic AMP (cAMP)) and glucocorticoids stimulate PEPCK gene transcription, whereas insulin has the opposite effect. Since these are the major regulatory hormones controlling glucose homeostasis, and because increased hepatic glucose production is one of the characteristics of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), investigators have speculated that the regulation of PEPCK gene expression may be defective in patients with NIDDM. To begin to investigate this possibility we have isolated and sequenced the human PEPCK gene promoter. In addition, we have constructed and analyzed a human PEPCK promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) fusion gene in an effort to correlate differences between the rat and human promoter sequences and the hormonal regulation of transcription.

Dominant negative and DNA-binding properties of mutant thyroid hormone receptors that are defective in homodimerization but not heterodimerization

Thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) bind to thyroid hormone response elements (TREs) as monomers, homodimers, and heterodimers. Mutations that cause resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH) have proven useful for identifying important functional domains in the receptor. Previous studies have shown that RTH mutants must retain the ability to form heterodimers with RXR to exert dominant negative inhibition of wild-type receptor function. In this report, we examined in detail the dimerization properties, function, and dominant negative activity of RTH mutations at R316H and R338W--two mutations that have a propensity to cause the pituitary form of RTH. These mutants show selective loss of homodimerization, with preservation of heterodimerization with RXR alpha. The selective loss of homodimerization was independent of the orientation of the half sites in the TRE. The R316H mutant was transcriptionally inactive in transient expression assays, consistent with its markedly reduced T3 binding. In contrast, R338W was activated at nanomolar concentrations of T3, precluding quantitative analyses of its dominant negative properties. In cotransfection assays with wild-type TR beta, the R316H mutant functioned in a dominant negative manner to block positively (TRE-pal; DR4) and negatively (TSH alpha) regulated reporter genes, although its inhibitory potential was reduced compared with other RTH mutants. Introduction of the R316H mutation into a receptor containing a potent RTH mutant (G345R) reduced its dominant negative activity to the level of the R316H mutant alone. These results suggest that mutations that alter homodimerization have reduced dominant negative activity for some target genes, a feature that may account, in part, for phenotypic variability in RTH.

Ligand-dependent and -independent transactivation by thyroid hormone receptor beta 2 is determined by the structure of the hormone response element

Chicken thyroid hormone receptor beta 2 (cTR beta 2) is likely to serve specific functions in gene regulation since it possesses a unique N-terminal domain and is expressed in very few tissues. We demonstrate here that TR beta 2 exhibits distinct transactivation properties which are dependent on the availability of ligand and on the structure of the hormone response element. First, a strong ligand-independent transactivation was observed with hormone response elements composed of direct repeats and everted repeats. Second, TR beta 2 was induced by triiodothyronine to transactivate more efficiently than TR beta 0 on palindromic and everted-repeat types of hormone response elements. However, coexpression of the retinoid X receptor reduced the strong transactivation by TR beta 2 but not by TR beta 0 via palindromic response elements, suggesting that TR beta 2 can transactivate as a homodimer. Finally, the N terminus of TR beta 2 contains two distinct transactivation regions rich in tyrosines, which are essential for transactivation. Our results thus show that the activity of the novel transactivating region of TR beta 2 is dependent on the organization of the half-sites in the response element.

A 10-amino-acid sequence in the N-terminal A/B domain of thyroid hormone receptor alpha is essential for transcriptional activation and interaction with the general transcription factor TFIIB

The effects of the thyroid hormone (3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine [T3]) on gene transcription are mediated by nuclear T3 receptors (T3Rs). alpha- and beta-isoform T3Rs (T3R alpha and -beta) are expressed from different genes and are members of a superfamily of ligand-dependent transcription factors that also includes the receptors for steroid hormones, vitamin D, and retinoids. Although T3 activates transcription by mediating a conformational change in the C-terminal approximately 220-amino-acid ligand-binding domain (LBD), the fundamental mechanisms of T3R-mediated transcriptional activation remain to be determined. We found that deletion of the 50-amino-acid N-terminal A/B domain of chicken T3R alpha (cT3R alpha) decreases T3-dependent stimulation of genes regulated by native thyroid hormone response elements about 10- to 20-fold. The requirement of the A/B region for transcriptional activation was mapped to amino acids 21 to 30, which contain a cluster of five basic amino acids. The A/B region of cT3R alpha is not required for T3 binding or for DNA binding of the receptor as a heterodimer with retinoid X receptor. In vitro binding studies indicate that the N-terminal region of cT3R alpha interacts efficiently with TFIIB and that this interaction requires amino acids 21 to 30 of the A/B region. In contrast, the LBD interacts poorly with TFIIB. The region of TFIIB primarily involved in the binding of cT3R alpha includes an amphipathic alpha helix contained within residues 178 to 201. Analysis using a fusion protein containing the DNA-binding domain of GAL4 and the entire A/B region of cT3R alpha suggests that this region does not contain an intrinsic activation domain. These and other studies indicate that cT3R alpha mediates at least some of its effects through TFIIB in vivo and that the N-terminal region of DNA-bound cT3R alpha acts to recruit and/or stabilize the binding of TFIIB to the transcription complex. T3 stimulation could then result from ligand-mediated changes in the LBD which may lead to the interaction of other factors with cT3R alpha, TFIIB, and/or other components involved in the initiation of transcription.

Interactions of thyroid hormone receptor with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) long terminal repeat and the HIV-1 Tat transactivator

Thyroid hormone (T3) receptor (T3R) regulates the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) long terminal repeat (LTR) by binding to and activating thyroid hormone response elements (TREs) embedded within the viral NF-kappa B and Sp1 motifs. The TREs within the NF-kappa B sites are necessary for activation by T3 in the absence of Tat, while those in the Sp1 motifs function as TREs only when Tat is expressed, suggesting that Tat and T3R interact in the cell. Transactivation of the HIV-1 LTR by T3R alpha and several receptor mutants revealed that the 50-amino-acid N-terminal A/B region of T3R alpha, known to interact with the basal transcription factor TFIIB, is critical for activation of both Tat-dependent and Tat-independent responsive sequences of the LTR. A single amino acid change in the highly conserved tau 1 region in the ligand-binding domain of T3R alpha eliminates Tat-independent but not Tat-dependent activation of the HIV-1 LTR by T3. Ro 5-3335 [7-chloro-5-(2-pyrryl)-3H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(H)-one], which inhibits Tat-mediated transactivation of HIV-1, also inhibits the functional interaction between Tat and T3R alpha. Binding studies with glutathione-S-transferase fusion proteins and Western (immunoblot) analysis indicate that T3R alpha interacts with Tat through amino acids within the DNA-binding domain of T3R alpha. Mutational analysis revealed that amino acid residues in the basic and C-terminal regions of Tat are required for the binding of Tat to T3R alpha, while the N terminus of Tat is not required. These studies provide functional and physical evidence that stimulation of the HIV-1 LTR by T3 involves an interaction between T3R alpha and Tat. Our results also suggest a model in which multiple domains of T3R alpha interact with Tat and other factors to form transcriptionally important complexes.

The D2 receptor: blocked transcription in GH3 cells and cellular pathways employed by D2A to regulate prolactin promoter activity

Although the GH3 line of somatolactotropic rat pituitary cells has proven useful for many regulation studies, the absence of functional D2 receptors on these cells long prevented their use in studies of dopaminergic action. However, it is now possible to employ GH3 cells expressing recombinant D2 receptors for such investigations. We have investigated both the level at which expression of functional D2 receptors in GH3 cells is blocked, and the cellular pathways employed by the major pituitary D2 receptor isoform, D2A, to inhibit prolactin (PRL) gene transcription. In run-off transcription assays with nuclei from either parental GH3 cells or a GH3 cell line stably expressing a D2A expression vector, Pit-1 gene transcription was detectable in either cell line, but only the latter cell line yielded detectable D2 receptor transcription, implying that the block in D2 receptor expression by GH3 cells is transcriptional. Further investigations employed GH3 cells transiently co-transfected with a D2A expression vector plus a rat PRL promoter construct (-1957)PRL-CAT. Pertussis toxin blocked repression by quinpirole, a D2 agonist, of PRL-CAT activity, demonstrating that this action is mediated by a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein. The observations that neither of two agents expected to raise intracellular Ca2+, Bay K8644 or thyrotropin-releasing hormone, prevented quinpirole repression of PRL-CAT activity, and that the repressive effects on this construct of quinpirole and the Ca2+ channel antagonist were independent, suggested that regulation of intracellular Ca2+ levels does not play a major role in D2A-mediated repression of the PRL promoter.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A novel regulatory pathway of brown fat thermogenesis. Retinoic acid is a transcriptional activator of the mitochondrial uncoupling protein gene

The mitochondrial uncoupling protein (UCP) is responsible for the thermogenic function of brown fat, and it is a molecular marker of the brown adipocyte cell type. Retinoic acid (RA) increased UCP mRNA levels severalfold in brown adipocytes differentiated in culture. This induction was independent of adrenergic pathways or protein synthesis. RA stimulated ucp gene expression regardless of the stage of brown adipocyte differentiation. In transient transfection experiments RA induced the expression of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase vectors driven by 4.5 kilobases of the 5'-noncoding region of the rat ucp gene, and co-transfection of expression vectors for RA receptors enhanced the action of RA. Retinoic acid receptor alpha was more effective than retinoid X receptor in promoting RA action, whereas a mixture of the two was the most effective. The RA-responsive region in the ucp gene was located at -2469/-2318 and contains three motifs (between -2357 and -2330) of the consensus half-sites characteristic of retinoic acid response elements. This 27-base pair sequence specifically binds purified retinoic acid receptor alpha as well as related proteins from brown fat nuclei. In conclusion, a novel potential regulatory pathway of brown fat development and thermogenic function has been recognized by identifying RA as a transcriptional activator of the ucp gene.

The ligand-binding domains of the thyroid hormone/retinoid receptor gene subfamily function in vivo to mediate heterodimerization, gene silencing, and transactivation

The ligand-binding domains (LBDs) of the thyroid/retinoid receptor gene subfamily contain a series of heptad motifs important for dimeric interactions. This subfamily includes thyroid hormone receptors (T3Rs), all-trans retinoic acid (RA) receptors (RARs), 9-cis RA receptors (RARs and retinoid X receptors [RXRs]), the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor (VDR), and the receptors that modulate the peroxisomal beta-oxidation pathway (PPARs). These receptors bind to their DNA response elements in vitro as heterodimers with the RXRs. Unliganded receptors in vivo, in particular the T3Rs, can mediate gene silencing and ligand converts these receptors into a transcriptionally active form. The in vivo interactions of these receptors with RXR were studied by using a GAL4-RXR chimera containing the yeast GAL4 DNA-binding domain and the LBD of RXR beta. GAL4-RXR activates transcription from GAL4 response elements in the presence of 9-cis RA. Unliganded T3R, which does not bind or activate GAL4 elements, represses the activation of GAL4-RXR by 9-cis RA in HeLa cells. However, addition of T3 alone leads to transcriptional activation. These findings suggest that T3R can repress or activate transcription while tethered to the LBD of GAL4-RXR and that heterodimerization can occur in vivo without stabilization by hormone response elements. Similar ligand-dependent activation was observed in HeLa cells expressing RAR, VDR, or PPAR and in GH4C1 cells from endogenous receptors. Replacement of the last 17 amino acids of the LBD of RXRbeta with the 90-amino-acid transactivating domain of the herpes simplex virus VP16 protein leads to a GAL4 constitutive activator that is repressed by wild-type T3R but not by a ninth heptad mutant that does not form heterodimers. This finding suggests that the ninth heptad or T3R is important for gene silencing and that the LBD of RXR does not exhibit silencing activity. This conclusion was verified with GAL4-LBD chimeras and with wild-type receptors in assays using appropriate response elements. These studies indicate that the LBD has diverse functional roles in gene regulation.

Functional evidence for ligand-dependent dissociation of thyroid hormone and retinoic acid receptors from an inhibitory cellular factor

The ligand-binding domains of thyroid hormone (L-triiodothyronine [T3]) receptors (T3Rs), all-trans retinoic acid (RA) receptors (RARs), and 9-cis RA receptors (RARs and RXRs) contain a series of heptad motifs thought to be important for dimeric interactions. Using a chimera containing amino acids 120 to 392 of chicken T3R alpha (cT3R alpha) positioned between the DNA-binding domain of the yeast GAL4 protein and the potent 90-amino-acid transactivating domain of the herpes simplex virus VP16 protein (GAL4-T3R-VP16), we provide functional evidence that binding of ligand releases T3Rs and RARs from an inhibitory cellular factor. GAL4-T3R-VP16 does not bind T3 and does not activate transcription from a GAL4 reporter when expressed alone but is able to activate transcription when coexpressed with unliganded T3R or RAR. This activation is reversed by T3 or RA, suggesting that these receptors compete with GAL4-T3R-VP16 for a cellular inhibitor and that ligand reverses this effect by dissociating T3R or RAR from the inhibitor. A chimera containing the entire ligand-binding domain of cT3R alpha (amino acids 120 to 408) linked to VP16 [GAL4-T3R(408)-VP16] is activated by unliganded receptor as well as by T3. In contrast, GAL4-T3R containing the amino acid 120 to 408 ligand-binding region without the VP16 domain is activated only by T3. The highly conserved ninth heptad, which is involved in heterodimerization, appears to participate in the receptor-inhibitor interaction, suggesting that the inhibitor is a related member of the receptor gene family. In striking contrast to T3R and RAR, RXR activates GAL4-T3R-VP16 only with its ligand, 9-cis RA, but unliganded RXR does not appear to be the inhibitor suggested by these studies. Further evidence that an orphan receptor may be the inhibitor comes from our finding that COUP-TF inhibits activation of GAL4-T3R-VP16 by unliganded T3R and the activation of GAL4-T3R by T3. These and other results suggest that an inhibitory factor suppresses transactivation by the T3Rs and RARs while these receptors are bound to DNA and that ligands act, in part, by inactivating or promoting dissociation of a receptor-inhibitor complex.

Functional evidence for ligand-dependent dissociation of thyroid hormone and retinoic acid receptors from an inhibitory cellular factor

The ligand-binding domains of thyroid hormone (L-triiodothyronine [T3]) receptors (T3Rs), all-trans retinoic acid (RA) receptors (RARs), and 9-cis RA receptors (RARs and RXRs) contain a series of heptad motifs thought to be important for dimeric interactions. Using a chimera containing amino acids 120 to 392 of chicken T3R alpha (cT3R alpha) positioned between the DNA-binding domain of the yeast GAL4 protein and the potent 90-amino-acid transactivating domain of the herpes simplex virus VP16 protein (GAL4-T3R-VP16), we provide functional evidence that binding of ligand releases T3Rs and RARs from an inhibitory cellular factor. GAL4-T3R-VP16 does not bind T3 and does not activate transcription from a GAL4 reporter when expressed alone but is able to activate transcription when coexpressed with unliganded T3R or RAR. This activation is reversed by T3 or RA, suggesting that these receptors compete with GAL4-T3R-VP16 for a cellular inhibitor and that ligand reverses this effect by dissociating T3R or RAR from the inhibitor. A chimera containing the entire ligand-binding domain of cT3R alpha (amino acids 120 to 408) linked to VP16 [GAL4-T3R(408)-VP16] is activated by unliganded receptor as well as by T3. In contrast, GAL4-T3R containing the amino acid 120 to 408 ligand-binding region without the VP16 domain is activated only by T3. The highly conserved ninth heptad, which is involved in heterodimerization, appears to participate in the receptor-inhibitor interaction, suggesting that the inhibitor is a related member of the receptor gene family. In striking contrast to T3R and RAR, RXR activates GAL4-T3R-VP16 only with its ligand, 9-cis RA, but unliganded RXR does not appear to be the inhibitor suggested by these studies. Further evidence that an orphan receptor may be the inhibitor comes from our finding that COUP-TF inhibits activation of GAL4-T3R-VP16 by unliganded T3R and the activation of GAL4-T3R by T3. These and other results suggest that an inhibitory factor suppresses transactivation by the T3Rs and RARs while these receptors are bound to DNA and that ligands act, in part, by inactivating or promoting dissociation of a receptor-inhibitor complex.

Sense and antisense modification of glial alpha B-crystallin production results in alterations of stress fiber formation and thermoresistance

The phenotypic effects of selectively altering the levels of alpha B-crystallin in cultured glial cells were analyzed using sense and antisense approaches. Rat C6 glioma cells and human U-373MG glioma cells were transfected with a rat alpha B-crystallin sense cDNA or an antisense cDNA regulated by a Rous sarcoma virus promoter to alter cellular levels of alpha B-crystallin. The antisense strategy resulted in decreased alpha B-crystallin levels, as revealed by Western blot and immunocytochemical analyses. The reduced alpha B-crystallin expression was accompanied by alterations in cellular phenotype: (a) a reduction of cell size and/or a slender cell morphology; (b) a disorganized microfilament network; and (c) a reduction of cell adhesiveness. Like HSP27, the presence of additional alpha B-crystallin protein confers a thermoresistant phenotype to stable transfectants. Thus, alpha B-crystallin in glioma cells plays a role in their thermal resistance and may contribute to the stability of cytoskeletal organization.

Proteolipid protein interactions in transfectants: implications for myelin assembly

The proteolipid proteins (PLP and DM20) are major constituents of CNS myelin, but how they are delivered to and organized within the oligodendrocyte plasma membrane is incompletely understood. We have expressed both PLP and DM20 singly or together in a host cell line, HeLa. In either DM20 or PLP transfectants, at early time points (24 hours), the expressed proteins are found within intracellular compartments. In DM20 transfectants, the protein is delivered to the plasma membrane by 48 hours. In HeLa cells, PLP remains intracellular when expressed in the absence of DM20; only when it is coexpressed with DM20 is it transported to the plasma membrane. In cotransfectants, PLP can also be localized to organelles involved in both the protein biosynthetic and the endocytic pathways. Since, in HeLa cells at least, the delivery of PLP to the plasma membrane is facilitated by the coexpression of DM20, we suggest that the two proteins interact intracellularly to form a complex. In some PLP/DM20 cotransfectants, the proteolipids are concentrated in regions of cell-cell contact. The regional accumulation of these proteins at cell-cell interfaces is highly reminiscent of the behavior in transfected cells of another myelin protein, P0, and certain cadherin polypeptides, both of which have readily demonstrable membrane adhesive properties. Our data suggests that at certain stoichiometric ratios, proteolipids can become stabilized at cell surfaces to form adhesive bonds.

A novel cis element mediating ligand-independent activation by c-ErbA: implications for hormonal regulation

A novel type of hormone-responsive element (HRE) is described. Unlike classical HREs, this element, RSV-T3RE (found in Rous sarcoma virus-long terminal repeat), mediates strong activation by the c-ErbA alpha thyroid hormone (T3) receptor in the absence of T3, and addition of T3 reverses this response. Whereas both c-ErbA alpha and v-ErbA are potent ligand-independent activators through the RSV-T3RE, c-ErbA beta is not. The RSV-T3RE is recognized and activated by either c-ErbA alpha homodimers or c-ErbA alpha/retinoid X receptor (RXR) heterodimers. Ligand-independent activation by c-ErbA alpha depends on a unique N-terminal activation domain, while the C-terminal activation domain is not absolutely required. Ligand-dependent activation, on the other hand, requires the C-terminal but not the N-terminal activation domain. Upon binding to the RSV-T3RE, c-ErbA alpha assumes a different conformation than when bound to a classical T3RE. c-ErbA alpha is therefore capable of selective deployment of activation domains, dictated both by the HRE with which it interacts and by T3 binding.