Silencing and reactivation of the selective estrogen receptor modulator-estrogen receptor alpha complex

4-Hydroxytamoxifen (4-OHT), a selective estrogen receptor modulator, is an agonist at a transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) target gene in situ in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells stably transfected with wild-type human ERalpha. In contrast, raloxifene (Ral) is a complete antiestrogen silencing activation function (AF) 1 and AF2 in this system. A natural mutation D351YERalpha enhances 4-OHT agonist activity and changes Ral-like compounds from antagonists to partial agonists. We reasoned that: either the conformation of the Ral-D351YERalpha is altered, thereby reactivating AF2 in the ligand binding domain, or the change at amino acid 351 allosterically reactivates AF1 in the Ral-D351YERalpha complex. Unlike the estradiol-ERalpha complex, agonist activity of 4-OHT and raloxifene through ERalpha and D351YERalpha were not attributed to coactivator (such as SRC-1, AIB1) binding to the ligand binding domain. We conclude that the classic AF2 is not responsible for the agonist activities of 4-OHT-ERalpha, 4-OHT-D351YERalpha, and Ral-D351YERalpha. To address the role of AF1, stable transfectants of ERalpha or D351YERalpha with an AF1 deletion (D351deltaAF1, D351YdeltaAF1) were generated in MDA-MB-231 cells. Additionally, D538A/E542A/D545A triple mutations within helix 12 (D351-3m, D351Y3m) or the COOH-terminal 537 deletion (D351delta537) were tested. The agonist activities of 4-OHT and raloxifene were lost in these stable transfectants, but antiestrogenic action was retained. The reactivation of an estrogen-like property of the Ral-ERalpha complex through AF1 with the D351Y mutation illustrates a novel allosteric mechanism for the selective estrogen receptor modulator ERalpha complex.     

The erbB gene and the EGF receptor

The epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor is a plasma membrane glycoprotein. It contains four distinct segments: an N-terminal EGF binding domain which is exposed at the cell surface; a short transmembrane segment; a cytoplasmic domain with protein-tyrosine kinase activity; and a C-terminal regulatory segment. Binding of EGF to the external domain of the receptor activates the protein-tyrosine kinase activity of the receptor, and this elevated kinase activity is presumed to be involved in the activation of cell growth. The v-erbB transforming gene of avian erythroblastosis virus is derived, by retroviral transduction, from the gene (c-erbB) which encodes the avian EGF receptor. The transforming capacity of v-erbB appears to result from truncation of the receptor. In erythroid cells, truncation of the N-terminal ligand binding domain is sufficient for transformation, whereas in fibroblasts removal of an additional C-terminal segment is required for transformation. The EGF receptor is subject to complex regulatory controls, including ligand activation, downregulation by internalization, autophosphorylation and autoregulation and transmodulation involving phosphorylation by kinase C. This review is centered around the hypothesis that the transforming capacity of the truncated v-erbB gene product results from a loss in sensitivity to regulators and the consequent activation of protein kinase activity.     

Oncogenic and invasive potentials of human macrophage-stimulating protein receptor,the RON receptor tyrosine kinase

The product of the RON (recepteur d'origine nantais) gene belongs to the MET proto-oncogene family, a distinct subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases. The ligand of RON was identified as macrophage-stimulating protein (MSP), a member of the plasminogen-related growth factor family. RON is mainly expressed in cells of epithelial origin and is required for embryonic development. In vitro RON activation results in epithelial cell dissociation, migration and matrix invasion, suggesting that RON might be involved in the pathogenesis of certain epithelial cancers in vivo. Indeed, recent studies have shown that RON expression is significantly altered in several primary human cancers, including those of the breast and colon. Truncation of the RON protein has also been found in primary tumors from the gastrointestinal tract. These alterations lead to constitutive activation of RON that causes cell transformation in vitro, induces neoplasm formation in athymic nude mice, and promotes tumor metastasis into the lung. Studies employing transgenic models further demonstrated that over-expression of RON in lung epithelial cells results in multiple tumor formation with features of large cell undifferentiated carcinoma. The oncogenic activities of RON are mediated by RON-transduced signals that promote unbalanced cell growth and transformation leading to tumor development. Thus, abnormal accumulation and activation of RON could play a critical role in vivo in the progression of certain malignant human epithelial cancers.     

Modulation of the folate receptor alpha gene by the estrogen receptor: mechanism and implications in tumor targeting

The folate receptor (FR) type alpha is a promising target for diagnostic imaging agents and therapeutic intervention in major subtypes of gynecological malignancies; however, the receptor levels in the tumors are variable and are generally relatively low in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive tumors. Here we report that the FR-alpha gene promoter is repressed in the presence of 17beta-estradiol and derepressed by the antiestrogens tamoxifen and ICI 182780 in a promoter-specific and ER-alpha-dependent manner in carcinoma cell lines including HeLa (cervical carcinoma), BG-1 (ovarian carcinoma), and IGROV-1 (ovarian carcinoma). The ligand and ER dose response of the FR-alpha promoter and its time course paralleled those of a classical estrogen response element-mediated effect. Antiestrogens produced an ER-dependent increase of up to 36-fold in the expression of the endogenous FR-alpha gene. Deletion analysis and FR-alpha/SV40 promoter chimeras showed that the ER effect is mediated exclusively within the G/C-rich region in the TATA-less P4 promoter of FR-alpha; electrophoretic mobility shift analysis demonstrated interaction of ER at only one of three G/C-rich elements. ER-beta only modestly affected FR-alpha promoter activity but did not diminish the ER-alpha-mediated effects. The ER corepressor, SMRT, enhanced the repression by 17beta-estradiol/ER, but ER coactivators, including SRC family members, did not appreciably impact the ER ligand response. The results suggest that in ER+ tumors, FR-alpha expression is directly and actively suppressed and predict that a brief treatment with antiestrogens will boost FR-alpha expression by passive derepression, enhancing the efficacy of FR-targeted diagnostic and therapeutic applications. They also reveal novel aspects of gene repression by ER.     

The fms gene and the CSF-1 receptor

The c-fms proto-oncogene encodes an integral transmembrane glycoprotein with tyrosine specific protein kinase activity whose properties resemble those of receptors for polypeptide growth factors. The relatively restricted expression of the feline c-fms gene in mononuclear phagocytes (peripheral blood monocytes and tissue macrophages) and their committed bone marrow progenitors suggested that c-fms encoded a receptor for a macrophage specific growth factor. We found that the receptor for the mononuclear phagocyte colony stimulating factor, CSF-1 (M-CSF), is biochemically and immunologically related to the c-fms gene product, consistent with the hypothesis that c-fms is identical to the CSF-1 receptor gene (Sherr et al, 1985). Although the activity of CSF-1 has been defined through its action on haemopoietic cells, the c-fms gene is expressed in human placenta (Müller et al, 1983a) and in human choriocarcinoma cell lines derived from placental trophoblasts (Müller et al, 1983b). The latter cell lines exhibit binding sites for CSF-1, suggesting that this colony stimulating factor might also have an embryological role in placental development. The retroviral oncogene v-fms is a potent fibroblast transforming gene, whereas c-fms can be expressed at relatively high levels in certain normal tissues without causing neoplastic transformation. The glycoprotein encoded by v-fms is closely related to the c-fms gene product but differs at its extreme carboxy terminal end. Because v-fms, like c-fms, encodes a competent ligand binding domain, cells producing the v-fms gene product acquire the ability to bind CSF-1. Moreover, many fibroblast cell lines susceptible to transformation by v-fms produce the growth factor. Although this raises the possibility that v-fms transforms cells by an autocrine mechanism, antibodies to epitopes in the v-fms-coded ligand binding domain that interfere with CSF-1 binding, or antibodies to CSF-1 itself, do not affect the transformed phenotype. In membrane preparations, tyrosine-specific phosphorylation of the v-fms product appears to be constitutive, whereas in vitro phosphorylation of the c-fms-coded glycoprotein on tyrosine is enhanced in the presence of CSF-1. These results are most compatible with the possibility that critical alterations in the 3' coding region of the c-fms gene activate its kinase activity and unmask its latent transforming potential. An implication of these findings is that chromosomal rearrangements affecting c-fms could contribute to myeloid leukaemogenesis.     

Monoclonal antibodies directed against the EGF receptor show differential bindings of amphiregulin and EGF to the EGF receptor

Amphiregulin (AR), a new member of the EGF family of ligand, is a glycoprotein containing a 78 or 84 amino acid core polypeptide that was originally purified from the conditioned medium of the breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7 after treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. The aim of the present study was to determine whether, like EGF, TGF alpha, heparin binding EGF-related growth factor (HB-EGF) and betacellulin (ETC), the recombinant 78 amino acid form of mature human AR transmits its biological effects following binding to the EGF receptor (EGFR). We show that unlike EGF, TGF alpha, HB-EGF and BTC, the mature AR is not effective in blocking the binding of I-125-EGF or the iodinated anti-EGFR antibodies (mAbs) I-125-ICR62 and I-125-ICR80 to the external domain of the EGF receptor on EJ cells. Again, in contrast to other EGF ligands, AR is not effective in enhancing the binding of another anti-EGFR mAb ICR9 to the EGFR on EJ cells. Like EGF, TGF alpha and HB-EGF, AR could inhibit the growth in culture of EGFR overexpressing tumour cell lines, namely HN5, HSC-1 and MDA-MB468 cells, and again compared to other ligands AR was moderately effective at low concentration. Despite these differences, we show that like EGF, AR could induce the tyrosine phosphorylation of the 170 kDa EGF receptor on HN5 cells and that this effect could be blocked in the presence of anti-EGFR mAbs ICR62 and ICR80. Moreover, like EGF, the AR-induced growth inhibition of MDA-MB468 cells could also be reversed in the presence of anti-EGFR mAbs ICR62 and ICR80. On the basis of our results we conclude that, unlike the EGF, TGF alpha, HB-EGF and BTC, the AR-induced activation of the EGFR may involve another receptor.     

Multiple G-protein-coupled receptor signals converge on the epidermal growth factor receptor to promote migration and invasion

Signalling through G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) is involved in the regulation of essential cellular processes and its deregulation is associated with tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo. We investigated pathophysiological processes that are regulated by GPCR pathways in human kidney and bladder cancer cell lines. Our results show that GPCR ligands induce tyrosine phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as well as downstream signalling events such as recruitment of the adapter protein Shc and activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) ERK1/2, JNK and p38. Moreover, we report that the EGFR transactivation signal involves the EGFR ligands amphiregulin, HB-EGF and TGFalpha as well as the metalloproteinases ADAM 10, 15 and 17, depending on the cellular system. Finally, we demonstrate that EGFR transactivation is part of a regulatory system that modulates the migratory and invasive behaviour of kidney and bladder cancer cells. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that metalloproteinase-mediated transactivation of the EGFR is a key mechanism of the cellular signalling network that promotes MAPK activation as well as tumour cell migration and invasion in response to a variety of physiologically relevant GPCR ligands, and therefore represents a novel target for cancer intervention strategies.     

Androgen receptor and vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and prostate cancer risk

We study the CAG repeat region in exon 1 of the androgen receptor (AR) and the TaqI polymorphism in exon 9 of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and the association with prostate cancer. 137 incidentally discovered, histologically verified prostate cancers were analysed for CAG repeat length in AR and genotype at the TaqI site of the VDR. 124 control subjects were analysed to determine the CAG repeat length and TaqI genotype determined for 176 control subjects. An unpaired t-test shows that the mean CAG repeat length was significantly (p<0.001) shorter among cases (20.1 repeats) compared with controls (22.5 repeats). Dividing the prostate cohort and controls into tertiles (< or = 19, 20-22, > or = 23 repeats) shows that short repeats are significantly more common among cases (odds ratio (OR) 4.45, p=0.00003). Genotype frequencies for the TaqI polymorphism reveals no significant differences between cases and controls. We conclude that men with a short CAG repeat in the androgen receptor gene have an increased risk of developing prostate cancer.     

雌激素受体及孕激素受体在肝内及肝外胆管癌中的表达

 目的　对比研究雌激素受体（ER）、孕激素受体（PR）在肝内、外胆管癌中的表达情况。方法　应用免疫组织化学法,检测24例肝内胆管癌和34例肝外胆管癌组织中ER和PR的表达水平。结果　在肝内胆管癌中,ER和PR的阳性表达率分别为29 %（7／24）和46 %（11／24）,组织学分级高分化组的9例中3例ER阳性表达,中分化组的11例中3例阳性表达,低分化组的4例中1例阳性表达;不同分级中,PR阳性表达分别为2、7、2例,各组织学分级间ER和PR的表达差异无统计学意义（均P＞0.05）。ER和PR在34例肝外胆管癌中均呈阴性表达。结论　ER和PR在肝内、外胆管癌中的表达水平明显不同,仅表达于肝内胆管癌,可能参与了肝内胆管癌的发生过程。     

Leptin receptor and leukemia

The receptor for leptin, the gene product of the obese gene, is expressed in hematopoietic stem cells. Leptin stimulates normal myeloid and erythroid development, and is secreted from bone marrow adipocytes, which occupy most of the marrow cavity in humans. Leptin might thus play an important role in the control of the expansion and differentiation of primitive hematopoietic cells through paracrine interaction in the bone marrow microenvironment. Leukemic cells of some patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) also express the leptin receptor. In cases of CML, higher expression of leptin receptor is observed during blast crisis than in chronic phase. Leptin alone and in combination with other cytokines has stimulative effects on proliferation of leukemia cells as well as anti-apoptotic effects. These findings suggest the possibility that leptin plays roles in the pathophysiology of leukemia.     

Overexpression of androgen receptor enhances the binding of the receptor to the chromatin in prostate cancer

Androgen receptor (AR) is overexpressed in the majority of castration-resistant prostate cancers (CRPCs). Our goal was to study the effect of AR overexpression on the chromatin binding of the receptor and to identify AR target genes that may be important in the emergence of CRPC. We have established two sublines of LNCaP prostate cancer (PC) cell line, one overexpressing AR 2-3-fold and the other 4-5-fold compared with the control cells. We used chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and deep-sequencing (seq) to identify AR-binding sites (ARBSs). We found that the number of ARBSs and the AR-binding strength were positively associated with the level of AR when cells were stimulated with low concentrations of androgens. In cells overexpressing AR, the chromatin binding of the receptor took place in 100-fold lower concentration of the ligand than in control cells. We confirmed the association of AR level and chromatin binding in two PC xenografts, one containing AR gene amplification with high AR expression, and the other with low expression. By combining the ChIP-seq and expression profiling, we identified AR target genes that are upregulated in PC. Of them, the expression of ZWINT, SKP2 (S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (p45)) and FEN1 (flap structure-specific endonuclease 1) was demonstrated to be increased in CRPC, while the expression of SNAI2 was decreased in both PC and CRPC. FEN1 protein expression was also associated with poor prognosis in prostatectomy-treated patients. Finally, the knock-down of FEN1 with small interfering RNA inhibited the growth of LNCaP cells. Our data demonstrate that the overexpression of AR sensitizes the receptor binding to chromatin, thus, explaining how AR signaling pathway is reactivated in CRPC cells.     

糖皮质激素受体与肿瘤

糖皮质激素受体(GR)是肿瘤细胞信号传导、相关基因表达和细胞凋亡等多环节中的一个重要调节因素.GR具有自身结构的特殊性及与糖皮质激素(GC)结合的专一性,使其可在转录及翻译水平调节肿瘤相关基因的转录与表达,发挥调节肿瘤细胞代谢的生物学效应.现就此方面研究进展综述如下.     

结直肠癌雌激素受体、孕激素受体、C-erbB-2表达与肿瘤芽的关系

 目的　探讨在结直肠癌雌激素受体（ER）、孕激素受体（PR）、C-erbB-2表达与肿瘤芽（budding）的关系。方法　对93份存档大肠癌石蜡组织标本进行重新切片，采用免疫组织化学染色法分别检测ER、PR、C-erbB-2在大肠癌标本的表达。染色结果与结直肠癌常规染色标本肿瘤芽进行比较。结果　ER、C-erbB-2在大肠癌标本的表达与结直肠癌肿瘤芽正相关，而PR与肿瘤芽呈负相关。结论　检测PR、C-erbB-2对准确判断结直肠癌生物学行为有所帮助。ER与肿瘤芽的关系还有待进一步研究。