Retinoid metabolism and nuclear receptor responses: New insights into coordinated regulation of the PPAR-RXR complex

Retinoids, naturally-occurring vitamin A derivatives, regulate metabolism by activating specific nuclear receptors, including the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and the retinoid X receptor (RXR). RXR, an obligate heterodimeric partner for other nuclear receptors, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), helps coordinate energy balance. Recently, many groups have identified new connections between retinoid metabolism and PPAR responses. We found that retinaldehyde (Rald), a molecule that can yield RA through the action of retinaldehyde dehydrogenases (Raldh), is present in fat in vivo and can inhibit PPAR gamma-induced adipogenesis. In vitro, Rald inhibits RXR and PPAR gamma activation. Raldh1-deficient mice have increased Rald levels in fat, higher metabolic rates and body temperatures, and are protected against diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance. Interestingly, one specific asymmetric beta-carotene cleavage product, apo-14'-carotenal, can also inhibit PPAR gamma and PPAR alpha responses. These data highlight how pathways of beta-carotene metabolism and specific retinoid metabolites may have direct distinct metabolic effects.     

In vivo activation of PPAR target genes by RXR homodimers

The ability of a retinoid X receptor (RXR) to heterodimerize with many nuclear receptors, including LXR, PPAR, NGF1B and RAR, underscores its pivotal role within the nuclear receptor superfamily. Among these heterodimers, PPAR:RXR is considered an important signalling mediator of both PPAR ligands, such as fatty acids, and 9-cis retinoic acid (9-cis RA), an RXR ligand. In contrast, the existence of an RXR/9-cis RA signalling pathway independent of PPAR or any other dimerization partner remains disputed. Using in vivo chromatin immunoprecipitation, we now show that RXR homodimers can selectively bind to functional PPREs and induce transactivation. At the molecular level, this pathway requires stabilization of the homodimer-DNA complexes through ligand-dependent interaction with the coactivator SRC1 or TIF2. This pathway operates both in the absence and in the presence of PPAR, as assessed in cells carrying inactivating mutations in PPAR genes and in wild-type cells. In addition, this signalling pathway via PPREs is fully functional and can rescue the severe hypothermia phenotype observed in fasted PPARalpha-/- mice. These observations have important pharmacological implications for the development of new rexinoid-based treatments.     

The retinoic acid receptor-related orphan nuclear receptor γ1 (RORγ1): a novel player determinant of insulin sensitivity in morbid obesity

The orphan nuclear receptors (ONRs), retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γ-1 (RORγ1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ-2 (PPARγ2), are central mediators controlling adipocyte (AD) differentiation. Through their distinct tissue distribution and specific target gene activation, ONRs control diverse aspects of fatty acid metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Adding further complexity, obesity begets resistance to insulin signals and can ultimately result in diabetes. In this study, we investigate whether there are differences in the RORγ1 and PPARγ2 expression in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) from morbid obesity (MO) individuals either insulin resistant (high-IR MO) or insulin sensitivity (low-IR MO). Our results indicate for the first time in human the RORγ1 mRNA and protein expression levels and activation with coactivator, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1-α (PGC-1α) were higher in the VAT from high-IR MO. In contrast, PPARγ2 expression and activation were higher in the VAT from low-IR MO. In this way, we have also found a positive association between RORγ1 mRNA and protein expression with many components of metabolic syndrome, with a strong dependence of insulin and HOMA(IR) index in VAT, but not in SAT. Our data suggest that RORγ1 may be added to the growing list of nuclear receptors in adipose tissue use to modulate the insulin resistance associated to the obesity. Measurement of RORγ1 and PPARγ2 in adipose tissue might be useful for evaluating the outcomes of various clinical interventions for obesity-related diabetes type II.     

Interaction of nuclear receptor ligands with the Vitamin D signaling pathway in prostate cancer

A number of hormonal ligands and/or the nuclear receptors that mediate their actions have been targeted for prostate cancer therapy. Androgens, the ligands for the androgen receptor (AR), are critical for the growth of prostate cancer. Inhibition of androgen production has been the mainstay of treatment for advanced prostate cancer for decades. Other more recently tested targets include retinoid receptors (RAR and RXR), glucocorticoid receptors (GR), estrogen receptors (ER) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR). Calcitriol, acting through the Vitamin D receptor (VDR), has many tumor suppressive activities in the prostate, including inhibition of proliferation, induction of apoptosis and/or differentiation, and reduction of cellular invasion. Because of these properties, calcitriol and its less hypercalcemic analogs are being evaluated as agents to prevent or treat prostate cancer. Androgens, retinoids, glucocorticoids, estrogens and agonists of PPAR directly or indirectly impact Vitamin D signaling pathways, and vice versa. In order to design the most effective strategies to use calcitriol to prevent or treat prostate cancer, the interactions of other nuclear receptors and their ligands with the Vitamin D signaling pathway need to be considered.     

The retinoid signaling pathway: molecular and genetic analyses

Classical studies showed that retinoids were involved in many developmental processes. Retinoid acid receptors belong to one of the most complex subfamilies of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily as both RAR and RXR receptors are encoded by a number of related genes each of which generates distinct isoforms. These isoforms are highly conserved between species and show complex stage and tissue specific patterns of expression, thus suggesting a molecular basis for the multiple effects of retinoids. However, the analysis of receptor knock-out mutations generated in mice via homologous recombination, indicates a considerable underlying redundancy in receptor function.     

Free radical biology for medicine: learning from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Reactive oxygen species, when released under controlled conditions and limited amounts, contribute to cellular proliferation, senescence, and survival by acting as signaling intermediates. In past decades there has been an epidemic diffusion of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that represents the result of the impairment of lipid metabolism, redox imbalance, and insulin resistance in the liver. To date, most studies and reviews have been focused on the molecular mechanisms by which fatty liver progresses to steatohepatitis, but the processes leading toward the development of hepatic steatosis in NAFLD are not fully understood yet. Several nuclear receptors, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) α/γ/δ, PPARγ coactivators 1α and 1β, sterol-regulatory element-binding proteins, AMP-activated protein kinase, liver-X-receptors, and farnesoid-X-receptor, play key roles in the regulation of lipid homeostasis during the pathogenesis of NAFLD. These nuclear receptors may act as redox sensors and may modulate various metabolic pathways in response to specific molecules that act as ligands. It is conceivable that a redox-dependent modulation of lipid metabolism, nuclear receptor-mediated, could cause the development of hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance. Thus, this network may represent a potential therapeutic target for the treatment and prevention of hepatic steatosis and its progression to steatohepatitis. This review summarizes the redox-dependent factors that contribute to metabolism alterations in fatty liver with a focus on the redox control of nuclear receptors in normal liver as well as in NAFLD.     

The renin-angiotensin and the kallikrein-kinin systems

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and the kallikrein-kinin system (KKS) each encompasses a large number of molecules, with several participating in both systems. The RAS generates a family of bioactive angiotensin peptides with varying biological activities. These include angiotensin-(1-8) (Ang II), angiotensin-(2-8) (Ang III), angiotensin-(3-8) (Ang IV), and angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)]. Ang II and Ang III act on type 1 (AT(1)) and type 2 (AT(2)) angiotensin receptors, whereas, Ang IV and Ang-(1-7) act on their own receptors. The KKS also generates a family of bioactive peptides with varying biological activities. These include hydroxylated and non-hydroxylated bradykinin and kallidin peptides and their carboxypeptidase metabolites des-Arg(9)-bradykinin and des-Arg(10)-kallidin. Whereas bradykinin and kallidin act mainly via the type 2 bradykinin (B(2)) receptor, des-Arg(9)-bradykinin and des-Arg(10)-kallidin act mainly via the type 1 bradykinin (B(1)) receptor. The AT(1) receptor forms heterodimers with the AT(2) and B(2) receptors and there is cross talk between the AT(1) and epidermal growth factor receptors. The B(2) receptor also interacts with angiotensin converting enzyme and nitric oxide synthase. Both angiotensin and kinin peptides are metabolised by many different peptidases that are important determinants of the activities of the RAS and KKS, and several of which participate in both systems.