Expression and localization of estrogen receptor alpha in the C2C12 murine skeletal muscle cell line

The classical model of 17beta-estradiol action has been traditionally described to be mediated by the estrogen receptor (ER) localized exclusively in the nucleus. However, there is increasing functional evidence for extra nuclear localization of ER. We present biochemical, immunological and molecular data supporting mitochondrial-microsomal localization of ER alpha in the C2C12 skeletal muscle cell line. We first established [(3)H]17beta estradiol binding characteristics in whole cells in culture. Specific and saturable [(3)H]17beta estradiol binding sites of high affinity were then detected in mitochondrial fractions (K(d) = 0.43 nM; B(max) = 572 fmol/mg protein). Immunocytological studies revealed that estrogen receptors mainly localize at the mitochondrial and perinuclear level. These results were also confirmed using fluorescent 17beta estradiol-BSA conjugates. The immunoreactivity did not translocate into the nucleus by 17beta-estradiol treatment. Western and Ligand blot approaches corroborated the non-classical localization. Expression and subcellular distribution of ER alpha proteins were confirmed in C2C12 cells transfected with ER alpha siRNA and by RT-PCR employing specific primers. The non-classical distribution of native pools of ER alpha in skeletal muscle cells suggests an alternative mode of ER localization/function.     

Cytofluorometric analysis for estrogen receptors using fluorescent estrogen probes

Estrogen receptor (ER) analysis of breast cancer tissue has been shown to be very useful in predicting which patients will respond to hormone therapy and have a better prognosis. The ER assay is, however, tedious and time consuming. Measurement of ER by flow cytometry would be rapid and based on either an average fluorescence-E2 probe intensity per cell or the percentage of the ER+ cells per cell suspension. Analysis of E2 modified structures for relative binding affinity to the ER determined by competition studies and for fluorescence uptake into cell suspensions determined by flow cytometry was performed. Lack of high affinity to the ER and purity of the compound were major problems for the fluorescein-labeled estrogen probes. Base hydrolysis of the ester linkage in fluorescein-E2 compounds demonstrated by HPLC very little estradiol derivative in the parent compounds compared to total components present. A second type of fluoresceinated estrogen which has a peptide bond between the steroid and the chromophore was also tested. It was less contaminated but was unable to get into the cell and showed no binding activity to the ER. A pure plant fluorescent estrogen, coumestrol, has Ka of 6 X 10(8) M-1 for the ER and is a single component as determined by HPLC. Specific fluorescent uptake of coumestrol was performed on ER+ and ER- viable cell suspensions. When these coumestrol-cell suspensions were excited at 350-360 nm and the blue emission was measured using flow cytometry, the result was a fluorescence uptake that was not highly displaceable by excess nonfluorescence E2 probes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

High affinity 17alpha-substituted estradiol derivatives: synthesis and evaluation of estrogen receptor agonist activity

We synthesized four derivatives of 17beta-estradiol (E2) with an azide substitution on a 17alpha-side chain of varying length, namely 17alpha-(azidopropargyl)-3,17beta-estradiol (5), its 17beta-azido derivative (diazide 7), 17alpha-(5-azido-pent-1-ynyl)-3,17beta-estradiol (6) and 17alpha-(azidopentyn-2-yl)-3,17beta-estradiol (10). While most of the derivatives had low (7) or marginal (6 and 10) relative binding affinity (RBA) for both types of estrogen receptor (ERalpha and ERbeta), the RBAalpha and RBAbeta of 5 were practically identical to those of E2. The estrogenic activity of the derivatives was assessed using estrogen-responsive breast (MCF-7) and endometrial cancer (Ishikawa) cells. While 5 was a potent and effective inducer of alkaline phosphatase in Ishikawa cells and 7 was less potent but as effective as 5, 6 was marginally active and 10 was totally inactive in this respect. In the presence of 0.1 nM E2, however, 6 exhibited some ER antagonist activity at the highest concentration tested (1 microM). Similar results were obtained as regards the potency and efficacy of stimulation of MCF-7 cell proliferation and induction of luciferase gene expression in MCF-7:D5L cells, a clone stably transfected with an estrogen-responsive form of the gene. These data suggest that, while 5, 6, 7 and 10 interact with either type of ER in isolation, only 5 and 7 exhibit substantial ER agonist activity in the different estrogen-target cells examined, which could provide for photoaffinity labelling of the receptor in the cell as well as in isolation.     

Effects of estradiol and estradiol sulfamate on the uterus of ovariectomized or ovariectomized and hypophysectomized rats

Estradiol sulfamate (J995), estradiol-17beta with a substituted sulfamate group in position 3, has much higher systemic estrogenic activity after oral administration than 17beta-estradiol (E2) due to reduced hepatic metabolism of the drug. The lower dose necessary for achievement of adequate systemic estrogenic effects results in a substantial reduction of otherwise commonly observed hepatic side-effects. This makes J995 a strong candidate as an estrogen suitable for oral administration. The present study was performed to examine and compare the effects of J995 and E2 on the uterus after oral or subcutaneous administration to ovariectomized or ovariectomized+hypophysectomized female rats, in particular on the levels of the estrogen receptor (ER) (alpha+beta), ERalpha mRNA and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) mRNA. The ER levels were determined using a ligand binding assay and the mRNA levels using solution hybridization. The doses of J995 or E2 were chosen to achieve comparable uterotrophic activity. The rats were treated with hormones for 7 days and the treatment was initiated 14 days after surgery. We conclude that there are no major differences in the uterine response to treatment with J995 or E2 with respect to the effects on ER and ERalpha mRNA levels. The IGF-I mRNA level though, is more affected by J995 than by E2 after 7 days of treatment, indicating a prolonged effect of J995.     

Altered phenotypic characteristics of T47d human breast cancer cells after prolonged growth in estrogen-deficient medium.

T47D human breast cancer cells were cultured in estrogen-deficient media for up to 32 months and the resulting cell line (L(hE(-))) exhibited unique phenotypic and genotypic characteristics. Compared to low passage (L) cells, the L(hE(-)) cells exhibited a significantly higher rate of proliferation, unique morphological features, advanced ploidy status and 5- to 10-fold higher levels of the estrogen receptor (ER) as determined by ligand binding and Western blot analysis. Sequence analysis of the DNA binding domain of the ER revealed a C-->A transversion which resulted in a H513N amino acid change. Treatment of L cells with 10 n m 17beta-estradiol (E2) resulted in a greater than two-fold increase in cell proliferation which was inhibited by tamoxifen, 4'-hydroxytamoxifen, ICI 164,384 and ICI 182,780. In contrast, 10 n m E2 caused a 70% decrease in growth of L(hE(-)) cells and this antimitogenic activity was blocked by ICI 164,384 and ICI 182,780 but not by tamoxifen or 4'-hydroxytamoxifen. L(hE(-)) cells were E2-responsive in transient transfection studies using a plasmid containing an estrogen-responsive element derived from the vitellogenin A2 gene promoter. These data show that the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of L(hE(-)) T47D cells resemble those described for ER-negative cell lines stably transfected with the ER.     

四环素-绿色荧光蛋白融合蛋白的构建及其活性测定

将来源于水母的绿色荧光蛋白基因 (gfp)和来源于E .coli转座子Tn10的四环素阻遏蛋白基因 (tetR)共同构建到E .coli表达载体pET_30a +上 ,获得TetRC_端与GFPN_端融合蛋白。对经诱导表达并纯化后的融合蛋白 (TR∷GFP)进行荧光发射光谱分析表明 ,该融合蛋白保留了GFP的荧光特性 ,即在 395nm激发下 ,可在 5 10nm附近有特征发射峰。在加入四环素后 ,融合蛋白在 395nm激发下 ,在400nm～700nm范围内的发射光谱发生明显变化 ,荧光强度普遍增加 ,且以 510nm处最大发射峰增幅最大 ,由原来 1132增至 2214 ,而四环素对相同浓度的GFP与TetR荧光影响不大 ,结果表明该融合蛋白 ,能感受外界四环素 ,并产生一定的荧光变化。     

Evidence of an estrogen receptor form devoid of estrogen binding ability in MCF-7 cells

In MCF-7 breast cancer cells, hydroxytamoxifen (OH-Tam) up-regulates the estrogen receptor (ER) in a form unable to bind [(3)H]estradiol (E(2)). We show here that this property is not restricted to this antiestrogen. [(3)H]E(2) binding assays (whole cell assays, DCC assays on cell extracts) and enzyme immunoassays (Abbott) performed in parallel, establish the permanent presence of such unusual ERs in the absence of any exposure of the cells to a ligand. E(2) and the pure antiestrogen RU 58 668, which down-regulate ER, also decrease [(3)H]E(2) binding. In control cells, these ERs represent about the half of the whole receptor population; they also display a tendency to stabilize within the cell nucleus. Loss of E(2) binding ability appears irreversible, since we failed to label receptor accumulated under OH-Tam with [(3)H]E(2) or [(3)H]tamoxifen aziridine (TAZ). Cycloheximide (CHX), which blocks E(2)-induced down regulation of ER, failed to stabilize [(3)H]E(2) binding (whole cell assay) after an [(3)H]E(2) pulse (1 h), confirming that regulation of E(2) binding and peptide level are related to different regulatory mechanisms. Loss of binding ability could not be ascribed to any ER cleavage as demonstrated by Western blotting with a panel of ER antibodies raised against its various domains (67 kDa ER solely detected). We propose that loss of E(2) binding ability is related to the aging process of the receptor, i.e. it is progressively converted to a form devoted to degradation after it has accomplished its physiological role. Ligands may favor (E(2), RU 58 668) or impede (OH-Tam) this elimination process.     

The non-equivalence of binding sites of coenzyme quinone and rotenone in mitochondrial NADH-CoQ reductase

The fluorescent probe erythrosine 5′-iodoacetamide (ER) binds to mitochondrial NADH-CoQ reductase (Complex-I) accompanied by an enhancement of the fluorescence intensity. The binding of the CoQ analogue, 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-6-decyl-1,4-benzoquinone (DB), decreased the fluorescence intensity of the ER:Complex-I system. The ‘site 1’ inhibitor rotenone did not decrease the fluorescence intensity showing the non-identical nature of the binding sites of DB and rotenone. Also, the reduced form of DB did not decrease the fluorescence intensity. The decrease of the fluorescence intensity by DB was shown to be due to the removal of bound ER by DB. The rapid kinetics of ER binding was studied by temperature-jump relaxation. While DB caused complete elimination of the relaxation process in the ER:Complex-I system, rotenone caused only a decrease in the relaxation rate, suggesting conformational change. The relaxation rate showed a pH dependence with a maximum around pH 7.5.     

Enzyme inhibitor screening using a homogeneous proximity-based immunoassay for estradiol

The authors have previously reported a homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence proximity immunoassay for estradiol. The assay was based on luminescence resonance energy transfer between a long lifetime fluorescent europium(III) chelate-dyed nanoparticle donor and a short lifetime, near-infrared fluorescent acceptor. The energy transfer prolonged the lifetime of the sensitized acceptor emission, and the fluorescence of the acceptor was measured using a time-resolved detection. The developed immunoassay was employed to screen inhibitors for enzyme 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1. The enzyme overexpressed in MCF-7 cells catalyzed a reversible conversion of estroneto17beta-estradiol. The inhibition efficiency of the tested molecule was obtained by comparing the final concentration of converted estradiol after 60 min of conversion reaction in a sample and in a conversion control not containing an inhibitor. The Zbeta factor calculated using the E2 concentrations of the homogeneous assay was 0.64, demonstrating a relatively good performance of the assay. The results from the homogeneous assay were comparable with the results obtained using radioactively labeled estrone as a substrate and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation of estrone and converted estradiol after the enzyme reaction. Thus, this homogeneous assay can simplify the primary screening of potential new drug molecules by replacing a tedious radiometric HPLC method.     

Interaction of tetrahydrocrysene ketone with estrogen receptors alpha and beta indicates conformational differences in the receptor subtypes

Estrogen receptors (ER) alpha and beta bind estradiol (E2) and other estrogenic ligands with different affinities. To measure the rate of E2 association with ERa and ERbeta, we employed tetrahydrocrysene ketone (THCK), a fluorescent ligand that is an agonist with ERalpha and an antagonist with ERbeta. We report that THCK binds E2-liganded and unliganded ERalpha and ERbeta, indicating a THCK binding site(s) other than the E2 binding pocket. THCK fluorescence was greater for ligand-occupied ERbeta than ERalpha, suggesting differences in the microenvironment of the THCK binding site(s). THCK fluorescence was also significantly greater for E2-, 4-hydroxytamoxifen-, and tamoxifen aziridine-liganded versus unliganded ER, allowing calculations of E2 association rate constants (ka) of 7.60 +/- 0.75 and 5.12 +/- 0.30 x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1) for E2-ERalpha and E2-ERbeta, respectively. THCK did not affect ERalpha binding to estrogen response element (ERE) DNA, but decreased ERbeta-ERE binding. We conclude that THCK binding site(s) on ERalpha versus ERbeta are different and important for ER function.     

Development and validation of a fluorescence HPLC-based screening assay for inhibition of human estrogen sulfotransferase

Human estrogen sulfotransferase (SULT1E1) is involved in the regulation of 17beta-estradiol responsiveness and is believed to protect peripheral tissues from excessive estrogenic effects. Several assays already have been developed to investigate the inhibitory effect of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) on SULT1E1. However, most of these assays make use of the radiolabeled cofactor [(35)S]3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate (PAPS) or radiolabeled substrate [(3)H]estradiol. In this article, we describe the development and validation of an assay for the inhibition of human SULT1E1 that is rapid and simple and that uses the nonradioactive and noncarcinogenic 1-hydroxypyrene. A gradient HPLC separation of 15 min using a C18-RP column was developed to detect 1-hydroxypyrene and its metabolite pyrene 1-sulfate fluorescently. Time- and protein-dependent formation of pyrene 1-sulfate was investigated, and enzyme kinetics was determined (K(m)=6.4+/-0.8 nM and V(max)=158+/-19 pmol/min/microg SULT1E1). At higher 1-hydroxypyrene concentrations, the assay displayed non-Michaelis-Menten kinetics involving substrate inhibition. IC(50) values have been determined for eight known SULT1E1 inhibitors or competing substrates (17beta-estradiol, 17alpha-estradiol, genistein, 17alpha-ethynylestradiol, estrone, diethylstilbestrol, estriol, and hexestrol) and two previously unknown SULT1E1 inhibitors (zearalenone and dienestrol). The method was demonstrated to be easy, feasible, and highly reproducible for SULT1E1 screening assay inhibition studies.     

A 76-residue polypeptide of colicin E9 confers receptor specificity and inhibits the growth of vitamin B12-dependent Escherichia coli 113/3 cells

The mechanism by which E colicins recognize and then bind to BtuB receptors in the outer membrane of Escherichia coli cells is a poorly understood first step in the process that results in cell killing. Using N- and C-terminal deletions of the N-terminal 448 residues of colicin E9, we demonstrated that the smallest polypeptide encoded by one of these constructs that retained receptor-binding activity consisted of residues 343-418. The results of the in vivo receptor-binding assay were supported by an alternative competition assay that we developed using a fusion protein consisting of residues 1-497 of colicin E9 fused to the green fluorescent protein as a fluorescent probe of binding to BtuB in E. coli cells. Using this improved assay, we demonstrated competitive inhibition of the binding of the fluorescent fusion protein by the minimal receptor-binding domain of colicin E9 and by vitamin B12. Mutations located in the minimum R domain that abolished or reduced the biological activity of colicin E9 similarly affected the competitive binding of the mutant colicin protein to BtuB. The sequence of the 76-residue R domain in colicin E9 is identical to that found in colicin E3, an RNase type E colicin. Comparative sequence analysis of colicin E3 and cloacin DF13, which is also an RNase-type colicin but uses the IutA receptor to bind to E. coli cells, revealed significant sequence homology throughout the two proteins, with the exception of a region of 92 residues that included the minimum R domain. We constructed two chimeras between cloacin DF13 and colicin E9 in which (i) the DNase domain of colicin E9 was fused onto the T+R domains of cloacin DF13; and (ii) the R domain and DNase domain of colicin E9 were fused onto the T domain of cloacin DF13. The killing activities of these two chimeric colicins against indicator strains expressing BtuB or IutA receptors support the conclusion that the 76 residues of colicin E9 confer receptor specificity. The minimum receptor-binding domain polypeptide inhibited the growth of the vitamin B12-dependent E. coli 113/3 mutant cells, demonstrating that vitamin B12 and colicin E9 binding is mutually exclusive.     

Direct binding and activation of protein kinase C isoforms by aldosterone and 17beta-estradiol

Protein kinase C (PKC) is a signal transduction protein that has been proposed to mediate rapid responses to steroid hormones. Previously, we have shown aldosterone directly activates PKCalpha whereas 17beta-estradiol activates PKCalpha and PKCdelta; however, neither the binding to PKCs nor the mechanism of action has been established. To determine the domains of PKCalpha and PKCdelta involved in binding of aldosterone and 17beta-estradiol, glutathione S-transferase fusion recombinant PKCalpha and PKCdelta mutants were used to perform in vitro binding assays with [(3)H]aldosterone and [(3)H]17beta-estradiol. 17beta-Estradiol bound both PKCalpha and PKCdelta but failed to bind PKC mutants lacking a C2 domain. Similarly, aldosterone bound only PKCalpha and mutants containing C2 domains. Thus, the C2 domain is critical for binding of these hormones. Binding affinities for aldosterone and 17beta-estradiol were between 0.5-1.0 nM. Aldosterone and 17beta-estradiol competed for binding to PKCalpha, suggesting they share the same binding site. Phorbol 12,13-dybutyrate did not compete with hormone binding; furthermore, they have an additive effect on PKC activity. EC(50) for activation of PKCalpha and PKCdelta by aldosterone and 17beta-estradiol was approximately 0.5 nM. Immunoblot analysis using a phospho-PKC antibody revealed that upon binding, PKCalpha and PKCdelta undergo autophosphorylation with an EC(50) in the 0.5-1.0 nm range. 17beta-Estradiol activated PKCalpha and PKCdelta in estrogen receptor-positive and -negative breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and HCC-38, respectively), suggesting estrogen receptor expression is not required for 17beta-estradiol-induced PKC activation. The present results provide first evidence for direct binding and activation of PKCalpha and PKCdelta by steroid hormones and the molecular mechanisms involved.     

Analysis of estrogen receptor alpha-Sp1 interactions in breast cancer cells by fluorescence resonance energy transfer

Estrogen-dependent regulation of several genes associated with cell cycle progression, proliferation, and nucleotide metabolism in breast cancer cells is associated with interactions of estrogen receptor (ER)alpha/Sp1 with GC-rich promoter elements. This study investigates ligand-dependent interactions of ERalpha and Sp1 in MCF-7 breast cancer cells using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Chimeric ERalpha and Sp1 proteins fused to cyan fluorescent protein or yellow fluorescent protein were transfected into MCF-7 cells, and a FRET signal was induced after treatment with 17beta-estradiol, 4'-hydroxytamoxifen, or ICI 182,780. Induction of FRET by these ERalpha agonists/antagonists was paralleled by their activation of gene expression in cells transfected with a construct (pSp1(3)) containing three tandem Sp1 binding sites linked to a luciferase reporter gene. In contrast, interactions between ERalpha and Sp1DeltaDBD [a DNA binding domain (DBD) deletion mutant of Sp1] are not observed, and this is consistent with the critical role of the C-terminal DBD of Sp1 for interaction with ERalpha. Results of the FRET assay are consistent with in vitro studies on ERalpha/Sp1 interactions and transactivation, and confirm that ERalpha and Sp1 interact in living breast cancer cells.     

Conditionally activated E7 proteins of high-risk and low-risk human papillomaviruses induce S phase in postmitotic, differentiated human keratinocytes

The productive program of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) in epithelia is tightly linked to squamous differentiation. The E7 proteins of high-risk HPV genotypes efficiently inactivate the pRB family of proteins that control the cell cycle, triggering S phase in suprabasal keratinocytes. This ability has until now not been demonstrated for the low-risk HPV-6 or HPV-11 E7 proteins. An inducible system in which HPV-16 E7 is fused to the ligand binding domain of the human estrogen receptor (ER) was described by Smith-McCune et al. (K. Smith-McCune, D. Kalman, C. Robbins, S. Shivakumar, L. Yuschenkoff, and J. M. Bishop, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 96:6999-7004, 1999). In the absence of hormone, E7ER is cytoplasmic, and upon addition of 17beta-estradiol, it translocates to the nucleus. Using organotypic epithelial raft cultures developed from primary human keratinocytes, we show that 16E7ER promotes either S-phase reentry or p21cip1 accumulation in differentiated keratinocytes in a stochastic manner as early as 6 h postinduction with 17beta-estradiol. A vector expressing the ER moiety alone had no effect. These observations prove unequivocally that the E7 protein drives S-phase reentry in postmitotic, differentiated keratinocytes rather than preventing S-phase exit while the cells ascend through the epithelium. HPV-11 E7ER and, much less efficiently, HPV-6 E7ER also promoted S-phase reentry by differentiated cells upon exposure to 17beta-estradiol. S-phase induction required the consensus pRB binding motif. We propose that the elevated nuclear levels of the low-risk HPV E7 protein afforded by the inducible system account for the positive results. These observations are entirely consistent with the fact that low-risk HPV genotypes replicate in the differentiated strata in patient specimens, as do the high-risk HPVs.