Faculty Bibliography

Sustained treatment of prostate cancer with androgen receptor (AR) antagonists can evoke drug resistance, leading to castrate-resistant disease. Elevated activity of the AR is often associated with this highly aggressive disease state. Therefore, new therapeutic regimens that target and modulate AR activity could prove beneficial. We previously introduced a versatile chemical platform to generate competitive and non-competitive multivalent peptoid oligomer conjugates that modulate AR activity. In particular, we identified a linear and a cyclic divalent ethisterone conjugate that exhibit potent anti-proliferative properties in LNCaP-abl cells, a model of castrate-resistant prostate cancer. Here, we characterize the mechanism of action of these compounds utilizing confocal microscopy, time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer, chromatin immunoprecipitation, flow cytometry, and microarray analysis. The linear conjugate competitively blocks AR action by inhibiting DNA binding. In addition, the linear conjugate does not promote AR nuclear localization or co-activator binding. In contrast, the cyclic conjugate promotes AR nuclear localization and induces cell-cycle arrest, despite its inability to compete against endogenous ligand for binding to AR in vitro. Genome-wide expression analysis reveals that gene transcripts are differentially affected by treatment with the linear or cyclic conjugate. Although the divalent ethisterone conjugates share extensive chemical similarities, we illustrate that they can antagonize the AR via distinct mechanisms of action, establishing new therapeutic strategies for potential applications in AR pharmacology.

Glucocorticoids regulate gene expression by binding and activating the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). While ligand affinity determines the global sensitivity of the response, additional proteins act on the genome to tune sensitivity of some genes. However, the genomic extent and specificity of dose-specific glucocorticoid responses are unknown. We show that dose-specific glucocorticoid responses are extraordinarily specific at the genomic scale, able to distinctly express a single gene, the circadian rhythm gene for Period 1 (PER1), at concentrations consistent with the nighttime nadir of human cortisol. We mapped the PER1 response to a single GR binding site. The specific GR binding sequence did not impact sensitivity, and we instead attributed the response to a combination of additional transcription factors and chromatin accessibility acting in the same locus. The PER1 hypersensitive response element is conserved in the mouse, where we found similar upregulation of Per1 in pituitary cells. Targeted and transient overexpression of PER1 led to regulation of additional circadian rhythm genes hours later, suggesting that hypersensitive expression of PER1 impacts circadian gene expression. These findings show that hypersensitive GR binding occurs throughout the genome, drives targeted gene expression, and may be important to endocrine mediation of peripheral circadian rhythms.

PURPOSE: The GR gene produces GRalpha and GRbeta isoforms by alternative splicing of a C-terminal exon. GRalpha binds glucocorticoids, modulates transcription in a glucocorticoid dependent manner and has a growth inhibitory role in prostate cells. Due to this role glucocorticoids are often used to treat androgen independent prostate cancer. In contrast, GRbeta has intrinsic transcriptional activity and binds mifepristone (RU486) but not glucocorticoids to control gene expression. To our knowledge the role of GRbeta in prostate cell proliferation is unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We determined GRbeta levels in various prostate cancer cell lines by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. The effect of GRbeta on the kinetics of prostate cancer cell growth was determined by cell counting and flow cytometry upon mifepristone and dexamethasone treatment. Cell proliferation was also examined after siRNA mediated knockdown and over expression of GRbeta. RESULTS: GRbeta mRNA and protein were up-regulated in LNCaP cells that over expressed the androgen receptor co-factor ARA70beta. Treatment of LNCaP-ARA70beta with mifepristone or siRNA targeting GRbeta inhibited proliferation compared to that of parental LNCaP cells. The immortal but nontumorigenic RC165 prostate cell line and the tumorigenic DU145 prostate cell line with endogenous GRbeta also showed partial growth reduction upon GRbeta depletion but to a lesser extent than LNCaP-ARA70beta cells. The growth stimulatory effect of ARA70beta on LNCaP cells was partly GRbeta dependent, as was the proliferation of RC165 cells and to a lesser extent of DU145 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that patients with a primary tumor that expresses GRbeta and ARA70beta may benefit from mifepristone.

We introduce a family of multivalent peptidomimetic conjugates that modulate the activity of the androgen receptor (AR). Bioactive ethisterone ligands were conjugated to a set of sequence-specific peptoid oligomers. Certain multivalent peptoid conjugates enhance AR-mediated transcriptional activation. We identify a linear and a cyclic conjugate that exhibit potent anti-proliferative activity in LNCaP-abl cells, a model of therapy-resistant prostate cancer. The linear conjugate blocks AR action by competing for ligand binding. In contrast, the cyclic conjugate is active despite its inability to compete against endogenous ligand for binding to AR in vitro, suggesting a non-competitive mode of action. These results establish a versatile platform to design competitive and non-competitive AR modulators with potential therapeutic significance.

Glucocorticoid (GC) induction of the tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) gene by the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a classic model used to investigate steroid-regulated gene expression. Classic studies analyzing GC-induction of the TAT gene demonstrated that despite having very high affinity for GR, some steroids cannot induce maximal TAT enzyme activity, but the molecular basis for this phenomenon is unknown. Here, we used RT-PCR and chromatin immunoprecipitation to determine TAT mRNA accumulation and GR recruitment to the TAT promoter (TAT-GRE) in rat hepatoma cells induced by seven GR ligands: dexamethasone (DEX), cortisol (CRT), corticosterone (CCS), 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC), aldosterone (ALD), progesterone (PRG) and 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17P). As expected, DEX, CRT, CCS and ALD all induced both TAT mRNA and GR recruitment to the TAT-GRE, while PRG and 17P did not. However, while DOC could not induce significant TAT mRNA, it did induce robust GR occupancy of the TAT-GRE. DOC also induced recruitment of the histone acetyltransferase p300 to the TAT-GRE as efficiently as DEX. These DOC-induced effects recapitulated at another GR target gene (sulfonyltransferase 1A1), and DOC also failed to promote the multiple changes in gene expression required for glucocorticoid-dependent 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation. Structural simulations and protease sensitivity assays suggest that DOC and DEX induce different conformations in GR. Thus, although steroids that bind GR with high affinity can induce GR and p300 occupancy of target promoters, they may not induce a conformation of GR capable of activating transcription.

To cite this article: Obiri DD, Flink N, Maier JV, Neeb A, Maddalo D, Thiele W, Menon A, Stassen M, Kulkarni RA, Garabedian MJ, Barrios AM, Cato ACB. PEST-domain-enriched tyrosine phosphatase and glucocorticoids as regulators of anaphylaxis in mice. Allergy 2012; 67: 175-182. ABSTRACT: Background: PEST-domain-enriched tyrosine phosphatase (PEP) is a protein tyrosine phosphatase exclusively expressed in hematopoietic cells. It is a potent negative regulator of T-cell receptor signalling that acts on receptor-coupled protein tyrosine kinases. PEST-domain-enriched tyrosine phosphatase is also expressed in mast cell and is positively regulated by glucocorticoids, but its function is unknown. In this communication, the function of PEP is analysed in mast cells. Methods: Signal transduction cascades following IgE receptor cross-linking were compared in bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC) from PEP(-/-) and PEP(+/+) mice. Furthermore, antigen-induced passive systemic anaphylaxis (PSA) was analysed in PEP(+/+) and PEP(-/-) mice. Results: Bone marrow-derived mast cells from PEP(-/-) mice showed impaired PLCgamma1 phosphorylation and Ca(2+) mobilization. Additionally, mice deficient in PEP showed impaired mast cell degranulation and were less susceptible to PSA. Treatment of wild-type BMMC or mice with an Au(I)-phosphine complex that selectively inhibits PEP activity produced defects in Ca(2+) signalling pathway and reduced anaphylaxis similar to that caused by the deletion of the PEP gene. Glucocorticoid that negatively regulates a wide range of mast cell action increased PEP expression and only partially inhibited anaphylaxis. However, glucocorticoid potently inhibited anaphylaxis when combined with the PEP inhibitor. Conclusions: PEST-domain-enriched tyrosine phosphatase is an important positive regulator of anaphylaxis. Pharmacological inhibition of its activity together with glucocorticoid administration provide an effective rescue for PSA in mice

Regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is critical for adaptation to environmental changes. The principle regulator of the HPA axis is corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), which is made in the parventricular nucleus and is an important target of negative feedback by glucocorticoids. However, the molecular mechanisms that regulate CRH are not fully understood. Disruption of normal HPA axis activity is a major risk factor of neuropsychiatric disorders in which decreased expression of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) has been documented. To investigate the role of the GR in CRH neurons, we have targeted the deletion of the GR, specifically in the parventricular nucleus. Impairment of GR function in the parventricular nucleus resulted in an enhancement of CRH expression and an up-regulation of hypothalamic levels of BDNF and disinhibition of the HPA axis. BDNF is a stress and activity-dependent factor involved in many activities modulated by the HPA axis. Significantly, ectopic expression of BDNF in vivo increased CRH, whereas reduced expression of BDNF, or its receptor TrkB, decreased CRH expression and normal HPA functions. We find the differential regulation of CRH relies upon the cAMP response-element binding protein coactivator CRTC2, which serves as a switch for BDNF and glucocorticoids to direct the expression of CRH.

p23 is a chaperone with multiple heat shock protein 90 dependent and independent cellular functions, including stabilizing unliganded steroid receptors and modulating receptor-DNA dynamics. p23 protein is also up-regulated in several cancers, notably breast cancer. We previously demonstrated that higher expression of p23 in the estrogen-dependent breast cancer line MCF-7 (MCF-7+p23) selectively increased estrogen receptor (ER) target gene transcription and ER recruitment to regulatory elements, promoted cell invasion, and predicted a poor prognosis in breast cancer patients. To probe the impact of p23 on ER binding throughout the human genome, we compared ER occupancy in MCF-7+p23 cells relative to MCF-7-control cells by using chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by ultrahigh-throughput DNA sequencing in the absence and presence of 17beta-estradiol (E2) treatment. We found that increased expression of p23 resulted in a 230% increase in the number of E2-induced ER-binding sites throughout the genome compared with control cells and also increased ER binding under basal conditions. Motif analysis indicated that ER binds to a similar DNA sequence regardless of p23 status. We also observed that ER tends to bind closer to genes that were induced, rather than repressed by either E2 treatment or p23 overexpression. Interestingly, we also found that the increased invasion of MCF-7+p23 cells was not only p23 dependent but also ER dependent. Thus, a small increase in the expression of p23 amplifies ER-binding genome wide and, in combination with ER, elicits an invasive phenotype. This makes p23 an attractive target for combating tumor cell metastasis in breast cancer patients

We have developed a mouse model of atherosclerotic plaque regression in which an atherosclerotic aortic arch from a hyperlipidemic donor is transplanted into a normolipidemic recipient, resulting in rapid elimination of cholesterol and monocyte-derived macrophage cells (CD68+) from transplanted vessel walls. To gain a comprehensive view of the differences in gene expression patterns in macrophages associated with regressing compared with progressing atherosclerotic plaque, we compared mRNA expression patterns in CD68+ macrophages extracted from plaque in aortic aches transplanted into normolipidemic or into hyperlipidemic recipients. In CD68+ cells from regressing plaque we observed that genes associated with the contractile apparatus responsible for cellular movement (e.g. actin and myosin) were up-regulated whereas genes related to cell adhesion (e.g. cadherins, vinculin) were down-regulated. In addition, CD68+ cells from regressing plaque were characterized by enhanced expression of genes associated with an anti-inflammatory M2 macrophage phenotype, including arginase I, CD163 and the C-lectin receptor. Our analysis suggests that in regressing plaque CD68+ cells preferentially express genes that reduce cellular adhesion, enhance cellular motility, and overall act to suppress inflammation.

Androgen receptor (AR)-mediated transcription is modulated by interaction with coregulatory proteins. We demonstrate that the unconventional prefoldin RPB5 interactor (URI) is a new regulator of AR transcription and is critical for antagonist (bicalutamide) action. URI is phosphorylated upon androgen treatment, suggesting communication between the URI and AR signaling pathways. Whereas depletion of URI enhances AR-mediated gene transcription, overexpression of URI suppresses AR transcriptional activation and anchorage-independent prostate cancer cell growth. Repression of AR-mediated transcription is achieved, in part, by URI binding and regulation of androgen receptor trapped clone 27 (Art-27), a previously characterized AR corepressor. Consistent with this idea, genome-wide expression profiling in prostate cancer cells upon depletion of URI or Art-27 reveals substantially overlapping patterns of gene expression. Further, depletion of URI increases the expression of the AR target gene NKX-3.1, decreases the recruitment of Art-27, and increases AR occupancy at the NKX-3.1 promoter. While Art-27 can bind AR directly, URI is bound to chromatin prior to hormone-dependent recruitment of AR, suggesting a role for URI in modulating AR recruitment to target genes