Activation of luteinizing hormone beta gene by gonadotropin-releasing hormone requires the synergy of early growth response-1 and steroidogenic factor-1.

We have previously shown that early growth response (Egr) 1-deficient mice exhibit female infertility, reflecting a luteinizing hormone (LH) beta deficiency. Egr-1 activates the LHbeta gene in vitro through synergy with steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1), a protein required for gonadotrope function. To test if this synergy is essential for gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation of LHbeta, we examined the activity of the LHbeta promoter in the gonadotrope cell line LbetaT2. GnRH markedly stimulated the LHbeta promoter (15-fold). Mutation of either Egr-1 or SF-1 elements within the LHbeta promoter attenuated this stimulation, whereas mutation of both promoter elements abrogated GnRH induction of the LHbeta promoter. Furthermore, GnRH stimulated Egr-1 but not SF-1 expression in LbetaT2 cells. Importantly, overexpression of Egr-1 alone was sufficient to enhance LHbeta expression. Although other Egr proteins are expressed in LbetaT2 cells and are capable of interacting with SF-1, GnRH stimulation of Egr-1 was the most robust. We also found that the nuclear receptor DAX-1, a repressor of SF-1 activity, reduced Egr-1-SF-1 synergy and diminished GnRH stimulation of the LHbeta promoter. We conclude that the synergy between Egr-1 and SF-1 is essential for GnRH stimulation of the LHbeta gene and plays a central role in the dynamic regulation of LHbeta expression.     

促黄体素β基因表达中的转导通路及转录因子

促性腺激素释放激素 (GnRH)为下丘脑促垂体激素 ,其脉冲式地释放调节垂体促卵泡素(FSH)和促黄体素 (LH)的合成与释放 ,进而调节动物的生殖活动。LH是由α亚基和 β亚基组成的异二聚体糖蛋白激素 ,其中 β亚基决定激素的特异性。LHβ基因的表达是由GnRH诱发的 ,此过程主要依靠PKC和Ca2 两类信号通路 ,并调节LHβ基因的表达。目前已经发现 ,多种转录因子 ,如早期生长反应基因 (Egr 1)、核受体SF 1基因、Ptx1基因和Sp1基因等 ,通过与LHβ亚基基因的启动子区直接结合 ,而对该基因的表达进行调控。     

Regulation of gonadotropin subunit genes in tilapia

A steroidogenic tilapia gonadotropin (taGtH=LH) was purified from pituitaries of hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus x O. aureus) and a homologous RIA was established. This RIA enabled the study of the endocrine regulation of GtH release, the transduction pathways involved in its secretion and its profile during the spawning cycle. Discrepancies between steroid and taGtH peaks during the cycle led to the conclusion that an additional gonadotropin similar to salmonid FSH operates early in the cycle. In order to identify this hormone and to study the endocrine control of synthesis of all gonadotropin (GtH) subunits, a molecular approach was taken. The cDNA sequences and the entire gene sequences encoding the FSHbeta and LHbeta subunits, as well as an incomplete sequence of the glycoprotein hormone alpha subunit (GPalpha), were cloned. Salmon gonadotropin-releasing hormone (sGnRH) elevated mRNA steady-state levels of all three GtH subunits in cultured pituitary cells. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) also stimulated the expression of these subunits and potentiated the effect of GnRH, except that NPY did not affect FSHbeta. The GnRH and NPY effects were found to be mediated mainly through protein kinase C (PKC), while protein kinase A (PKA) cascade was involved to a lesser extent. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade takes part in mediating GnRH effects, possibly via PKC. Testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2), but not 11-ketotestosterone (KT), are able to elevate GPalpha and LHbeta mRNAs in pituitary cells of early maturing or regressing males. Low levels of T exposure are associated with elevated FSHbeta mRNA in cells of mature fish, while higher levels suppress it, but elevate LHbeta mRNA. In vivo observations also showed the association of low T levels with increased FSHbeta mRNA and high T levels with elevated LHbeta mRNA. In accordance with these findings, analysis of LHbeta and FSHbeta 5' gene-flanking regions revealed on both gene promoters a GtH-specific element (GSE), half site estrogen response elements (ERE), cAMP response element (CRE) and AP1. In vitro experiments showed that recombinant human activin-A leads to higher levels of GPalpha, FSHbeta and LHbeta mRNAs in pituitary cell culture. Porcine inhibin marginally decreased the mRNA levels of GPalpha and FSHbeta, but at a low level (1 ng/ml) it stimulated that of LHbeta. These results shed some light on certain hypothalamic and gonadal hormones regulating the expression of GtH subunit genes in tilapia. In addition, they provide evidence for their differential regulation, and insight into their mode of action.     

Hypoxia induces proteasome-dependent degradation of estrogen receptor alpha in ZR-75 breast cancer cells

Regulation of estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) plays an important role in hormone responsiveness and growth of ER-positive breast cancer cells and tumors. ZR-75 breast cancer cells were grown under conditions of normoxia (21% O(2)) or hypoxia (1% O(2) or cobaltous chloride), and hypoxia significantly increased hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha protein within 3 h after treatment, whereas ERalpha protein levels were dramatically decreased within 6-12 h, and this response was blocked by the proteasome inhibitor MG-132. In contrast, hypoxia induced only minimal decreases in cellular Sp1 protein and did not affect ERalpha mRNA; however, hypoxic conditions decreased basal and 17beta-estradiol-induced pS2 gene expression (mRNA levels) and estrogen response element-dependent reporter gene activity in ZR-75 cells. Although 17beta-estradiol and hypoxia induce proteasome-dependent degradation of ERalpha, their effects on transactivation are different, and this may have implications for clinical treatment of mammary tumors.     

Estrogen-related receptors-stimulated monoamine oxidase B promoter activity is down-regulated by estrogen receptors

Although there are studies published about the neuroprotective effect of estrogen, little is known about the mechanisms and cellular targets of the hormone. Recent reports demonstrate that estrogen down-regulates the expression of monoamine oxidase A and B (MAO-A and MAO-B) in the hypothalamus of the Macaques monkey, both of which are key isoenzymes in the neurotransmitter degradation pathway. Additionally, estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERRalpha) up-regulates MAO-B gene expression in breast cancer cells. ERRalpha recognizes a variety of estrogen response elements and shares many target genes and coactivators with estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha). In this study, we investigate the interplay of ERs and ERRs in the regulation of MAO-B promoter activity. We demonstrate that ERRalpha and ERRgamma up-regulate MAO-B gene activity, whereas ERalpha and ERbeta decrease stimulation in both a ligand-dependent and -independent manner. Ectopically expressed ERRalpha and ERRgamma stimulate the expression of MAO-B mRNA and protein as well as increase the MAO-B enzymatic activity in ER-negative HeLa cells. The ability of ERRs to stimulate MAO-B promoter activity was reduced in ER-positive MCF-7 and T47D cells. Several AGGTCA motifs of the MAO-B promoter are responsible for up-regulation by ERRs. Interestingly, ERalpha or ERbeta alone have no effect on MAO-B promoter activity but can down-regulate the activation function of ERRs, whereas glucocorticoid receptor does not. By using chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, we demonstrate that ERs compete with ERRs for binding to the MAO-B promoter at selective AGGTCA motifs, thereby changing the chromatin status and cofactor recruitment to a repressed state. These studies provide new insight into the relationship between ERalpha, ERbeta, ERRalpha, and ERRgamma in modulation of MAO-B gene activity.