Regulation of cyclic adenosine 3',5'- monophosphate signaling and pulsatile neurosecretion by Gi-coupled plasma membrane estrogen receptors in immortalized gonadotrophin-releasing hormone neurons

Immortalized GnRH neurons (GT1-7) express receptors for estrogen [estrogen receptor-alpha and-13(ERa and ERI3)] and progesterone (progesterone receptor A) and exhibit positive immunostaining for both intracellular and plasma membrane ERs. Exposure of GT1-7 cells to picomolar estradiol concentrations for 5-60 min caused rapid, sustained,and dose-dependent inhibition of cAMP production. In contrast, treatment with nanomolar estradiol concentrations for 60 min increased cAMP production. The inhibitory and stimulatory actions of estradiol on cAMP formation were abolished by the ER antagonist, ICI 182,780. The estradiol-induced inhibition of cAMP production was prevented by treatment with pertussis toxin, consistent with coupling of the plasma membrane ER to an inhibitory G protein. Coimmunoprecipitation studies demonstrated an estradiol-regulated stimulatory interaction between ERa and G,3 that was prevented by the ER antagonist, ICI 182,780. Exposure of perifused GT1-7 cells and hypothalamic neurons to picomolar estradiol levels increased the GnRH peak interval, shortened peak duration, and increased peak amplitude. These findings indicate that occupancy of the plasma membrane-associated ERs expressed in GT1-7 neurons by physio-logical estradiol levels causes activation of a G, protein and modulates cAMP signaling and neuropeptide secretion.     

Regulation of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate signaling and pulsatile neurosecretion by Gi-coupled plasma membrane estrogen receptors in immortalized gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons

Immortalized GnRH neurons (GT1-7) express receptors for estrogen [estrogen receptor-alpha and -beta(ERalpha and ERbeta)] and progesterone (progesterone receptor A) and exhibit positive immunostaining for both intracellular and plasma membrane ERs. Exposure of GT1-7 cells to picomolar estradiol concentrations for 5-60 min caused rapid, sustained, and dose-dependent inhibition of cAMP production. In contrast, treatment with nanomolar estradiol concentrations for 60 min increased cAMP production. The inhibitory and stimulatory actions of estradiol on cAMP formation were abolished by the ER antagonist, ICI 182,780. The estradiol-induced inhibition of cAMP production was prevented by treatment with pertussis toxin, consistent with coupling of the plasma membrane ER to an inhibitory G protein. Coimmunoprecipitation studies demonstrated an estradiol-regulated stimulatory interaction between ERalpha and Galphai3 that was prevented by the ER antagonist, ICI 182,780. Exposure of perifused GT1-7 cells and hypothalamic neurons to picomolar estradiol levels increased the GnRH peak interval, shortened peak duration, and increased peak amplitude. These findings indicate that occupancy of the plasma membrane-associated ERs expressed in GT1-7 neurons by physiological estradiol levels causes activation of a Gi protein and modulates cAMP signaling and neuropeptide secretion.     

Nature of functional estrogen receptors at the plasma membrane

Although rapid signaling by estrogen at the plasma membrane is established, it is controversial as to the nature of the receptor protein. Estrogen may bind membrane proteins comparable to classical nuclear estrogen receptors (ERs), but some studies identify nonclassical receptors, such as G protein-coupled receptor (GPR)30. We took several approaches to define membrane-localized estrogen-binding proteins. In endothelial cells (ECs) from ERalpha/ERbeta combined-deleted mice, estradiol (E2) failed to specifically bind, and did not activate cAMP, ERK, or phosphatidyinositol 3-kinase or stimulate DNA synthesis. This is in contrast to wild-type ECs, indicating the lack of any functional estrogen-binding proteins in ERalpha/ERbeta combined-deleted ECs. To directly determine the identity of membrane and nuclear-localized ER, we isolated subcellular receptor pools from MCF7 cells. Putative ER proteins were trypsin digested and subjected to tandem array mass spectrometry. The output analysis identified membrane and nuclear E2-binding proteins as classical human ERalpha. We also determined whether GPR30 plays any role in E2 rapid actions. MCF7 (ER and GPR30 positive) and SKBR-3 (ER negative, GPR30 positive) cells were incubated with E2. Only MCF7 responded with significantly increased signaling. In MCF7, the response to E2 was not different in cells transfected with small interfering RNA to green fluorescent protein or GPR30. In contrast, interfering RNA to ERalpha or ER inhibition prevented rapid signaling and resulting biology in MCF7. In breast cancer and ECs, nuclear and membrane ERs are the same proteins. Furthermore, classical ERs mediate rapid signals induced by E2 in these cells.     

Effect of parathyroid hormone and forskolin on cytoskeletal protein synthesis in cultured mouse osteoblastic cells

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) has been shown to cause transient cell shape changes in bone cells. We have examined the effects of parathyroid hormone and forskolin on the organization and expression of cytoskeletal proteins in cultured mouse endosteal osteoblastic cells. Analysis of [35S]methionine-labeled cytoskeletal proteins isolated on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis showed that PTH treatment (24 h) stimulated the de novo biosynthesis of actin, vimentin and tubulins in confluent cells, whereas forskolin had a minor effect despite a huge stimulation of cAMP production. This PTH-induced stimulation was associated with cell respreading following a mild and transitory cell retraction. PTH increased the synthesis of monomeric subunits of actin and beta-tubulins in subconfluent bone cells, whereas both monomeric and polymeric levels of beta-tubulins were increased in confluent osteoblasts. Under conditions reducing cell spreading, osteoblastic cells had initially high levels of unpolymerized subunits. In these poorly spread cells, parathyroid hormone or forskolin had no effect on the de novo synthesis of cytoskeletal proteins despite a marked elevation in intracellular cAMP levels. It is concluded that PTH affects the biosynthesis of cytoskeletal proteins in osteoblastic cells and that cAMP production does not seem to be directly involved. In addition, the effect of PTH is modulated by cell spreading and by the initial pool of cytoskeletal subunits.     

Effect of parathyroid hormone and forskolin on cytoskeletal protein synthesis in cultured mouse osteoblastic cells

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) has been shown to cause transient cell shape changes in bone cells. We have examined the effects of parathyroid hormone and forskolin on the organization and expression of cytoskeletal proteins in cultured mouse endosteal osteoblastic cells. Analysis of [³⁵S]methionine-labeled cytoskeletal proteins isolated on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis showed that PTH treatment (24 h) stimulated the de novo biosynthesis of actin, vimentin and tubulins in confluent cells, whereas forskolin had a minor effect despite a huge stimulation of cAMP production. This PTH-induced stimulation was associated with cell respreading following a mild and transitory cell retraction. PTH increased the synthesis of monomeric subunits of action and β-tubulins in subconfluent bone cells, whereas both monomeric and polymeric levels of β-tubulins were increased in confluent osteoblasts. Under conditions reducing cell spreading, osteoblastic cells had initially high levels of unpolymerized subunits. In these poorly spread cells, parathyroid hormone or forskolin had no effect on the de novo synthesis of cytoskeletal proteins despite a marked elevation in intracellular cAMP levels. It is concluded that PTH affects the biosynthesis of cytoskeletal proteins in osteoblastic cells and that cAMP production does not seem to be directly involved. In addition, the effect of PTH is modulated by cell spreading and by the initial pool of cytoskeletal subunits.     

Distinct effects of calcium- and cyclic AMP-enhancing factors on cytoskeletal synthesis and assembly in mouse osteoblastic cells.

Previous studies have indicated that the effects of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on osteoblastic function involve alteration of cytoskeletal assembly. We have reported that after a transitory cell retraction, PTH induces respreading with stimulation of actin, vimentin and tubulins synthesis in mouse bone cells and that this effect is not mediated by cAMP. In order to further elucidate the role of intracellular cAMP and calcium on PTH action on bone cell shape and cytoskeleton we have compared the effects of calcium- and cAMP-enhancing factors on actin, tubulin and vimentin synthesis in relation with mouse bone cell morphology, DNA synthesis and alkaline phosphatase activity as a marker of differentiation. Confluent mouse osteoblastic cells were treated with 0.1 mM isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) for 24 h. This treatment caused an increase in the levels of cytoskeletal subunits associated with an elevation of cAMP. Under these conditions, PTH (20 nM) and forskolin (0.1 microM) produced persistent cytoplasmic retraction. PTH and forskolin treatment in presence of IBMX (24 h) induced inhibitory effects on actin and tubulin synthesis evaluated by [35S]methionine incorporation into cytoskeletal proteins identified on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Under these culture conditions PTH and forskolin also caused disassembly of microfilament and microtubules as shown by the marked reduction in Triton X soluble-actin and alpha- and beta-tubulins. In contrast, incubation of mouse bone cells with 1 microM calcium ionophore A23187 (24 h) resulted in increased monomeric and polymeric forms of actin and tubulin while not affecting intracellular cAMP. Alkaline phosphatase activity was increased in all conditions while DNA synthesis evaluated by [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA was stimulated by PTH combined with forskolin and inhibited by the calcium ionophore. These data indicate that persistent elevation of cAMP levels induced by PTH and forskolin with IBMX cause cell retraction with actin and tubulin disassembly whereas rising cell calcium induces cytoskeletal protein assembly and synthesis in mouse osteoblasts. The results point to a distinct involvement of calcium and cAMP in both cytoskeletal assembly and DNA synthesis in mouse bone cells.     

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor initiates multiple signaling pathways by exclusively coupling to G(q/11) proteins

The agonist-bound gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor engages several distinct signaling cascades, and it has recently been proposed that coupling of a single type of receptor to multiple G proteins (G(q), G(s), and G(i)) is responsible for this behavior. GnRH-dependent signaling was studied in gonadotropic alphaT3-1 cells endogenously expressing the murine receptor and in CHO-K1 (CHO#3) and COS-7 cells transfected with the human GnRH receptor cDNA. In all cell systems studied, GnRH-induced phospholipase C activation and Ca(2+) mobilization was pertussis toxin-insensitive, as was GnRH-mediated extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation. Whereas the G(i)-coupled m2 muscarinic receptor interacted with a chimeric G(s) protein (G(s)i5) containing the C-terminal five amino acids of Galpha(i2), the human GnRH receptor was unable to activate the G protein chimera. GnRH challenge of alphaT3-1, CHO#3 and of GnRH receptor-expressing COS-7 cells did not result in agonist-dependent cAMP formation. GnRH challenge of CHO#3 cells expressing a cAMP-responsive element-driven firefly luciferase did not result in increased reporter gene expression. However, coexpression of the human GnRH receptor and adenylyl cyclase I in COS-7 cells led to clearly discernible GnRH-dependent cAMP formation subsequent to GnRH-elicited rises in [Ca(2+)](i). In alphaT3-1 and CHO#3 cell membranes, addition of [alpha-(32)P]GTP azidoanilide resulted in GnRH receptor-dependent labeling of Galpha(q/11) but not of Galpha(i), Galpha(s) or Galpha(12/13) proteins. Thus, the murine and human GnRH receptors exclusively couple to G proteins of the G(q/11) family. Multiple GnRH-dependent signaling pathways are therefore initiated downstream of the receptor/G protein interface and are not indicative of a multiple G protein coupling potential of the GnRH receptor.     

Identification of unoccupied but transformed nuclear estrogen receptor in cultured mouse Leydig cell

The molecular forms of estrogen receptor (ER) in estrogen-responsive mouse Leydig cell line (B-1) have been examined in relation to their biological activity. ER was predominantly recovered in the nuclear fraction upon homogenization even after cells were precultured in the absence of E2 and Phenol Red. This unoccupied nuclear ER (ERn) whose hormone binding ability was extremely thermostable could be extracted with 0.4 M KCl. This stability enabled us to determine hydrodynamic parameters in the ligand-free condition. The Stokes radius and sedimentation constant of this ERn in high salt condition were 5.5 nm and 6.0S, respectively, resulting in its molecular weight of 140,000. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of ER labeled with [3H]tamoxifen aziridine gave a single band of 65,000 Da, indicating that this ERn had a oligomer structure similar to that of transformed nuclear ER complexed with estrogen in the putative target cells. Therefore, we further examined the possibility that this ERn in B-1 cells can activate estrogen-responsive genes without any aid from estrogen. Estrogen responsive element-thymidine kinase promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase fusion gene (ERE-tk-CAT) was transfected into B-1 cells. CAT activity was enhanced only in cells stimulated with estrogen. It may be concluded from these results that transformed ERn can be formed in the absence of estrogen but that binding to estrogen may be required in order to exert its biological activity.     

Furanodienone inhibits cell proliferation and survival by suppressing ERα signaling in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells

Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) plays an important role in the development and progression of breast cancer and thus the attenuation of ERα activities is a promising treatment strategy. Furanodienone is one of the main bioactive chemical components of Rhizoma Curcumae which is commonly used in Chinese medicine for the treatment of cancer. In this study, we investigated the effects of furanodienone on human breast cancer MCF‐7, T47D, and MDA‐MB‐231 cells. Our results showed that furanodienone could inhibit MCF‐7, T47D, and MDA‐MB‐231 cells proliferation in a dose (10–160 µM) dependent manner. ERα‐negative MDA‐MB‐231 cells were less sensitive to furanodienone than ERα‐positive MCF‐7 and T47D cells. Furanodienone could effectively block 17β‐estradiol (E2)‐stimulated MCF‐7 cell proliferation and cell cycle progression and induce apoptosis evidenced by the flow cytometric detection of sub‐G1 DNA content and the appearance of apoptotic nuclei after DAPI staining. Furanodienone specifically down‐regulated ERα protein and mRNA expression levels without altering ERβ expression. Furanodienone treatment inhibited E2‐stimulation of estrogen response element (ERE)‐driven reporter plasmid activity and ablated E2‐targeted gene (e.g., c‐Myc, Bcl‐2, and cyclin D1) expression which resulted in the inhibition of cell cycle progression and cell proliferation, and in the induction of apoptosis. Knockdown of ERα in MCF‐7 cells by ERα‐specific siRNA decreased the cell growth inhibitory effect of furanodienone. These findings suggest that effects of furanodienone on MCF‐7 cells are mediated, at least in part, by inhibiting ERα signaling. J. Cell. Biochem. 112: 217–224, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

LRP16对乳腺癌MCF-7细胞增殖的影响

用Northern印迹方法检测雌二醇 (17β E2 )对LRP16mRNA表达的时间及剂量依赖性调控作用 .构建LRP16基因启动子序列调控的萤光素酶报告子 (pS0 ) ,并与雌激素受体α和 β(ERα和ERβ)表达载体共转染COS 7和MCF 7细胞后测定萤光素酶活性 .将LRP16基因的表达载体转染MCF 7细胞 ,测定过表达LRP16对细胞的生长特性的影响 .17β E2 使MCF 7细胞中LRP16mRNA表达水平增加 ,增加幅度未显示出 17β E2 培养时间和剂量的依赖性 .pS0 与ERα表达载体共转染细胞的相对萤光素酶活性较非共转染组 (对照组 )及pS0 ERβ表载体共转染组升高 5～ 10倍 .LRP16基因过表达促进MCF 7细胞的增殖 .研究表明 ,雌激素可能通过ERα上调乳腺癌MCF 7细胞LRP16基因的表达并促进细胞增殖     

17beta-estradiol modulates prostaglandin E2 release from human amnion-derived wish cells

In human amnion-derived WISH cells [(3)H]estradiol-17beta binding sites are not detectable, but they become measurable in cells exposed to cAMP elevating agents such as forskolin or Ro 20-1724. In cells unexposed to these drugs, 17beta-estradiol stimulates prostaglandin (PG)E(2) release but exerts an evident inhibitory effect in cells exposed to Ro 20-1724. Both stimulatory and inhibitory actions are inhibited by the estrogen receptor antagonist, tamoxifen, by cell pretreatment with cycloheximide, or when the hormone is bound to BSA. Our data demonstrate for the first time that 1) 17beta-estradiol modulates PGE(2) release from WISH cells, interacting with specific intracellular receptors and probably evoking new protein synthesis, and 2) WISH cell responsiveness to 17beta-estradiol seems to be modulated by cAMP, whose levels are significantly increased by the steroid hormone in the presence of Ro 20-1724. The nucleotide is presumably responsible for the enhacement of hormone receptor availability and for the inhibition of PGE(2) release observed in the presence of Ro 20-1724.     

Construction of cell lines that express high levels of the human estrogen receptor and are killed by estrogens

To prepare large amounts of the human estrogen receptor (ER) for biochemical and biophysical studies we have employed the cloned ER sequences to construct Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line derivatives that overexpress the receptor. We have employed an efficient expression vector (SV40 enhancer, human metallothionein IIA promoter) and a new system of gene amplification based on the human metallothionein IIA gene and stepwise selection in cadmium. Cells from the initial transfected pools, before gene amplification, had as much or more ER than human MCF7 cells and responded to the subsequent stepwise cadmium selection and amplification with increases in ER levels to about 2 million receptors/cell. Cell lines isolated from these pools are stable for human ER expression and display up to 6 million receptors/cell, or about 0.4% of the total cell protein. The CHO receptor activates a transfected reporter gene in responses to estrogen, is down-regulated in response to estrogens, displays the same electrophoretic mobility as the MCF7 receptor, and is free of degradation as initially extracted. CHO cells displaying 3 million or more human ER/cell (but not cells with lower levels) flatten and stop growing within the first 24 h after exposure to physiological estrogen concentrations. After several days in estrogen the majority of the cells lyse. The antiestrogen 4-hydroxytamoxifen also causes cell death, but another antiestrogen, ICI 164,384, is without toxic effect. The basis for these phenomena are unknown, but mutants isolated for survival of estrogen treatment have lost receptor expression, thereby confirming the role of receptor in cell death.     

Differing effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on basal and FSH-stimulated progesterone production in rat granulosa-luteal cells

Previous studies have shown that the phytoestrogen, genistein, inhibits basal and forskolin-stimulated progesterone synthesis in rat granulosa-luteal cells. Genistein, however, not only binds and activates the estrogen receptor (ER), but is also a potent inhibitor of tyrosine kinase. In these studies we have compared the effects of estradiol, two other phytoestrogens, apigenin and coumarin, the pesticide, [2-(chlorphenyl)-2-(4-chlorphenyl)-1,1,1-trichlorethan] (2,4'DDT), and the industrial chemical, 4-octyl-phenol, on basal and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)-stimulated progesterone production in the same experimental system. Only a supraphysiological dose of estradiol (10(-5) M) significantly inhibited basal and forskolin-stimulated progesterone production in granulosa-luteal cells, but had no effect on FSH-stimulated production. In contrast, apigenin, DDT, and octyl-phenol stimulated basal progesterone production at doses around 10(-8) to 10(-7) M, but this effect was reversed at higher doses. Coumarin was without effect. Like basal production, the two phytoestrogens had opposing effects on FSH-stimulated progesterone production. Genistein at 10(-5) M was inhibitory, while apigenin significantly potentiated the response at 19(-7) M. In contrast, DDT had no effect on the FSH-induced response, though 10(-7) M octyl-phenol nearly doubled the response. While all these chemicals are known to interact with the estrogen receptor to a greater or lesser extent, these studies suggest that like genistein, these different endocrine-disrupting chemicals may have other actions apart from those on the estrogen receptor.     

Beta-adrenergic receptor-mediated phospholipase C activation independent of cAMP formation in turkey erythrocyte membranes.

The effect of the beta-adrenergic receptor agonist isoproterenol on guanine nucleotide-dependent phospholipase C (PLC) activity was examined in turkey erythrocyte membranes prepared from [3H]inositol-labeled turkey erythrocytes. In the presence of guanosine 5'-(gamma-thiotriphosphate) (GTP[S]) isoproterenol caused a dose-dependent stimulation of [3H]inositol phosphate ([3H]InsP) formation. The activation of PLC by GTP[S] occurred after an initial lag period of 1-2 min and was followed by a sustained rate of [3H]InsP formation which remained linear for 4-5 min. Isoproterenol decreased the lag period for GTP[S]-induced [3H]InsP formation and increased PLC activity at all time points following this lag. Consequently, isoproterenol shifted the dose-response curve for GTP[S] to the left (10-fold) and increased the maximal response. The EC50 value for isoproterenol-induced activation of PLC was 104 +/- 17 nM. Isoproterenol also potentiated GTP-dependent PLC activity but was ineffective in stimulating the enzyme in the presence of AIF4-. The PLC activation by isoproterenol was completely inhibited by propanolol and atenolol but was unaffected by prazosin or yohimbine. Although GTP[S] and isoproterenol could increase cAMP formation in this membrane preparation, the isoproterenol-induced stimulation of PLC occurred in the absence of ATP and was independent of cAMP formation. Furthermore, addition of cAMP, 8-bromo-cAMP, forskolin, or either the regulatory or catalytic subunits of cAMP-dependent protein kinase failed to stimulate [3H]InsP formation and had no effect on the responses elicited by GTP[S] and isoproterenol. Isoproterenol also stimulated [3H]InsP2 and [3H]InsP3 production in intact erythrocytes. Cholera toxin had no effect on [3H]InsP formation in the intact cells under conditions where it stimulated cAMP accumulation. In addition, the activation of PLC by GTP[S] and isoproterenol was unaffected in membranes prepared from cholera toxin-treated erythrocytes. These data demonstrate that stimulation of turkey erythrocyte beta-adrenergic receptors by isoproterenol results in a direct activation of guanine nucleotide-dependent PLC.