Helix 3-helix 5 interactions in steroid hormone receptor function

Steroid hormones working through their receptors regulate a wide variety of physiologic processes necessary for normal homeostasis. Recent years have witnessed great advances in our understanding of how these hormones interact with their receptors, and have brought us closer to the era of directed drug design. We previously described a novel intramolecular interaction between helix 3 and helix 5 which is responsible for a Mendelian form of human hypertension. Further studies revealed that this interaction is highly conserved throughout the steroid hormone receptor family and functions as a key regulator of steroid hormone receptor sensitivity and specificity. Here, we review the contribution of helix 3-helix 5 interaction to steroid hormone receptor activity, with an eye towards how this knowledge may aid in the creation of novel therapeutic agonists and antagonists.     

Dynamic stabilization of nuclear receptor ligand binding domains by hormone or corepressor binding

We have developed a novel assembly assay to examine structural changes in the ligand binding domain (LBD) of the thyroid hormone receptor (TR). Fragments including the first helix of the TR LBD interact only weakly with the remainder of the LBD in the absence of hormone, but this interaction is strongly enhanced by the addition of either hormone or the corepressor NCoR. Since neither the ligand nor the corepressor shows direct interaction with this helix, we propose that both exert their effects by stabilizing the overall structure of the LBD. Current models of activation of nuclear hormone receptors focus on a ligand-induced allosteric shift in the position of the C-terminal helix 12 that generates the coactivator binding site. Our results suggest that ligand binding also has more global effects that dynamically alter the structure of the receptor LBD.     

An RNA-binding domain in the thyroid hormone receptor enhances transcriptional activation

Thyroid hormone plays important roles in development, differentiation, and metabolic homeostasis by binding to nuclear thyroid hormone receptors, which regulate target gene expression by interacting with DNA response elements and coregulatory proteins. We show that thyroid hormone receptors also are single-stranded RNA binding proteins and that this binding is functionally significant. By using a series of deletion mutants, a novel RNA-binding domain was localized to a 41-amino acid segment of thyroid hormone receptor alpha1 between the second zinc finger and the ligand-binding domain. This RNA-binding domain was necessary and sufficient for thyroid hormone receptor binding to the steroid receptor RNA activator (SRA). Although SRA does not bind directly to steroid receptors, it has been identified as a steroid receptor coactivator, and was thought not to be a coactivator for thyroid hormone receptors. However, transfection studies revealed that SRA enhances thyroid hormone induction of appropriate reporter genes and that the thyroid hormone receptor RNA-binding domain is important for this enhancement. We conclude that thyroid hormone receptors bind RNA through a novel domain and that the interaction of this domain with SRA, and perhaps other RNAs, enhances thyroid hormone receptor function.     

The Activation Mechanism of Glycoprotein Hormone Receptors with Implications in the Cause and Therapy of Endocrine Diseases

Glycoprotein hormones (GPHs) are the main regulators of the pituitary-thyroid and pituitary-gonadal axes. Selective interaction between GPHs and their cognate G protein-coupled receptors ensure specificity in GPH signaling. The mechanisms of how these hormones activate glycoprotein hormone receptors (GPHRs) or how mutations and autoantibodies can alter receptor function were unclear. Based on the hypothesis that GPHRs contain an internal agonist, we systematically screened peptide libraries derived from the ectodomain for agonistic activity on the receptors. We show that a peptide (p10) derived from a conserved sequence in the C-terminal part of the extracellular N terminus can activate all GPHRs in vitro and in GPHR-expressing tissues. Inactivating mutations in this conserved region or in p10 can inhibit activation of the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor by autoantibodies. Our data suggest an activation mechanism where, upon extracellular ligand binding, this intramolecular agonist isomerizes and induces structural changes in the 7-transmembrane helix domain, triggering G protein activation. This mechanism can explain the pathophysiology of activating autoantibodies and several mutations causing endocrine dysfunctions such as Graves disease and hypo- and hyperthyroidism. Our findings highlight an evolutionarily conserved activation mechanism of GPHRs and will further promote the development of specific ligands useful to treat Graves disease and other dysfunctions of GPHRs.     

Steroid hormone receptors in human malignancy.

Steroid hormones induce responses in target tissues by a mechanism involving the specific initial interaction of hormone with cytoplasmic receptor molecules. These receptors, usually localized in target tissues have high binding affinities and limited binding specificities for biologically active steroids. Examination of human leukemic lymphoblasts has revealed these receptors in some tumor samples. Their presence is well correlated with hormone responsiveness of the tumor $\text{in vitro}$. Similar studies on human breast cancer tumor homogenates has indicated that about $\text{2}\text{3}$ of primary tumors contain estrogen receptor. The absence of receptor predicts a lack of response to hormone therapy almost invariably, while the presence of receptor increases but does not assure that the tumor will be hormone responsive. Recently $\text{in vitro}$ tissue culture systems which mimic the hormone responses observed $\text{in vivo}$ have been developed which should significantly aid in the clarification of the mechanisms whereby steroid hormones stimulate and inhibit growth in target tissues.     

Topographic recognition of cyclic hydrocarbons and related compounds by receptors for androgens, estrogens, and glucocorticoids

The structural requirements for the interaction of about 80 cyclic hydrocarbons and related compounds with the androgen receptor of rat ventral prostate, the estrogen receptor of human breast tumor MCF-7 cells, and the glucocorticoid receptor of rat liver were examined by comparing their abilities to compete with radioactive hormones for binding to the respective receptors. The results indicate that the receptor-binding affinity of a compound is dependent on its electronic configuration and geometrical similarity to a portion of a natural steroid hormone which can be recognized by local ligand-binding sites in the receptor. For the estrogen receptor, beta-phenols are more active than the corresponding alpha-phenols, whereas nonphenolic compounds are totally inactive. For androgen and glucocorticoid receptors, alpha-phenols are more active than beta-phenols. The androgen receptor can interact stereospecifically with nonoxygenated and nonalkylated cyclic hydrocarbons, such as 10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d] cycloheptene or 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene, which can, in vivo, inhibit the androgen-dependent growth of the male accessory reproductive organs. The affinities of naphthalene, anthracene, phenanthrene, biphenyl, and adamantane toward glucocorticoid and androgen receptors can be enhanced by acetylation or ethanolization of these ligands. Our results also indicate that, while the hormonal action of a steroid may be dependent on the interaction of a functional group on the hormone with a specific group on the receptor, the presence of such a group may not be required for the antagonistic activity of a compound that can physically block hormone binding to the receptor. Thus, many small molecules that were hitherto considered to be biologically inert may interact with steroid receptors specifically and affect hormonal activities in vivo.     

Novel approaches for the study of vertebrate steroid hormone receptors

Steroid hormones are essential for the normal function of most organ systems in vertebrates. Reproductive activities in females and males, such as the differentiation, growth and maintenance of the reproductive system, require signaling by sex steroid hormones. Although extensively studied in mammals and a few fish and bird species, the evolution and molecular mechanisms associated with the nuclear steroid hormone receptors are still poorly understood in amphibians and reptiles. Given our interest in environmental signaling of sex determination as well as a major interest in environmental contaminants that can mimic steroid hormone signaling, we have established an approach to study the molecular function (ligand binding and trans-activation) of steroid hormone receptors cloned from reptiles. This approach involves molecular cloning and sequencing of steroid hormone receptors, phylogenic analysis and in vitro trans-activation assays using endogenous or exogenous ligands. Comparing the in vitro trans-activation induced by different ligands with receptors cloned from different species would develop additional functional relationships (classification) among steroid hormone receptors. This approach can provide insight into understanding why each species could have different responses to exogenous ligands. Further, we have developed a novel and less invasive approach to obtaining mRNA for molecular cloning and sequencing of steroid hormone receptors in reptiles and other non-mammalian species, using blood cells as a source of genetic material. For example, white blood cells (WBCs) and red blood cells (RBCs) of the American alligator both express steroid hormone receptors and have adequate amounts of mRNA for molecular cloning. This approach would allow us to analyze components of endocrine function of steroid hormones without sacrificing animals. Especially in endangered species, this approach could provide an understanding of endocrine functions, elucidate the phylogenic relationships of various receptors in vitro, such as the steroid hormone receptors, and determine possible effects of environmental contaminants in a minimally invasive manner.     

Quantification of three steroid hormone receptors of the leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius), a lizard with temperature-dependent sex determination: their tissue distributions and the effect of environmental change on their expressions

Sex steroid hormones play a central role in the reproduction of all vertebrates. These hormones function through their specific receptors, so the expression levels of the receptors may reflect the responsibility of target organs. However, there was no effective method to quantify the expression levels of these receptors in reptilian species. In this study, we established the competitive-PCR assay systems for the quantification of the mRNA expression levels of three sex steroid hormone receptors in the leopard gecko. These assay systems were successfully able to detect the mRNA expression level of each receptor in various organs of male adult leopard geckoes. The expression levels of mRNA of these receptors were highly various depending on the organs assayed. This is the first report regarding the tissue distributions of sex steroid hormone receptor expressions in reptile. The effects of environmental conditions on these hormone receptor expressions were also examined. After the low temperature and short photoperiod treatment for 6 weeks, only the androgen receptor expression was significantly increased in the testes. The competitive-PCR assay systems established in this report should be applicable for various studies of the molecular mechanism underlying the reproductive activity of the leopard gecko.     

Autoinduction of nuclear hormone receptors during metamorphosis and its significance

Metamorphosis is a most dramatic example of hormonally regulated genetic reprogramming during postembryonic development. The initiation and sustenance of the process are under the control of ecdysteroids in invertebrates and thyroid hormone, 3,3', 5-triiodothyronine, in oviparous vertebrates. Their actions are inhibited or potentiated by other endogenous or exogenous hormones - juvenile hormone in invertebrates and prolactin and glucocorticoids in vertebrates. The nuclear receptors for ecdysteroids and thyroid hormone are the most closely related members of the steroid/retinoid/thyroid hormone receptor supergene family. In many pre-metamorphic amphibia and insects, the onset of natural metamorphosis and the administration of the exogenous hormones to the early larvae are characterized by a substantial and rapid autoinduction of the respective nuclear receptors. This review will largely deal with the phenomenon of receptor autoinduction during amphibian metamorphosis, although many of its features resemble those in insect metamorphosis.In the frog Xenopus, thyroid hormone receptor autoinduction has been shown to be brought about by the direct interaction between the receptor protein and the thyroid-responsive elements in the promoter of its own gene. Three lines of evidence point towards the involvement of receptor autoinduction in the process of initiation of amphibian metamorphosis: (1) a close association between the extent of inhibition or potentiation by prolactin and glucocorticoid, respectively, and metamorphic response in whole tadpoles and in organ and cell cultures; (2) thyroid hormone fails to upregulate the expression of its own receptor in obligatorily neotenic amphibia but does so in facultatively neotenic amphibia; and (3) dominant-negative receptors known to block hormonal response prevent the autoinduction of wild-type Xenopus receptors in vivo and in cell lines.Autoinduction is not restricted to insect and amphibian metamorphic hormones but is also a characteristic of other nuclear receptors (e.g., retinoid, sex steroids, vitamin D(3) receptors) where the ligand is involved in a postembryonic developmental function. A wider significance of such receptor autoregulation is that the process may also be important for mammalian postembryonic development.     

Mapping of sex hormone receptors and their modulators along the nephron of male and female mice

Renal functions are regulated by steroid sex hormones, but the exhaustive identification of their receptors along the nephron is still lacking. Here, we have localized all known nuclear or membrane-bound sex hormone receptors and some of their activators along the nephron of male and female mice. Almost all receptors are present in male and female kidney, some of them having very restricted localization. Only one gene tested among 11 (ARA54) exhibits a gender difference in the level of its expression. This first “renal map” of sex steroid receptor expression may serve as a pre-requisite for investigating the role of these hormones on kidney functions.