Boris J. Cheskis

Estrogen receptor-interacting protein that modulates its nongenomic activity-crosstalk with Src/Erk phosphorylation cascade

Numerous studies have demonstrated that estrogens induce rapid and transient activation of the Src/Erk phosphorylation cascade. Activation of this cascade triggers vital cellular functions including cell proliferation and differentiation. However, the details of the molecular mechanism of this process remain to be elucidated. We have identified a previously uncharacterized nuclear receptor-interacting protein designated as modulator of nongenomic activity of estrogen receptor (MNAR). Here we show that MNAR modulates estrogen-receptor (ER) interaction with members of the Src family of tyrosine kinases, which leads to a stimulation of Src enzymatic activity and activation of Erk1 and Erk2 kinases. We also show that MNAR, through activation of the Src/Erk phosphorylation cascade, affects ER transcriptional activity and ultimately ER-mediated gene expression. These data reveal that MNAR mediates the crosstalk between two important classes of signal transducing molecules and suggest that ER “genomic” and “nongenomic” activities are interrelated.

Changes in Androgen Receptor Nongenotropic Signaling Correlate with Transition of LNCaP Cells to Androgen Independence

A cure for prostate cancer (CaP) will be possible only after a complete understanding of the mechanisms causing this disease to progress from androgen dependence to androgen independence. To carry on a careful characterization of the phenotypes of CaP cell lines before and after acquisition of androgen independence, we used two human CaP LNCaP sublines: LNCaPnan, which is androgen dependent (AD), and LNCaP-HP, which is androgen independent (AI). In AD LNCaPnan cells, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) stimulated in an androgen receptor (AR)-dependent way a phosphorylation signaling pathway involving steroid receptor coactivator (Src)–mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) kinase (MEK)-1/2–ERK-1/2–cAMP-response element binding-protein (CREB). Activation of this pathway was associated with increased [3H]thymidine incorporation and resistance to apoptosis. Use of dominant-negative forms of MEK-1/2 and CREB demonstrated in LNCaPnan cells that DHT induced [3H]thymidiine incorporation through a thus far unidentified molecule activated downstream of MEK-1/2, and antiapoptosis through phosphorylation of the transcription factor CREB. In contrast, in AI LNCaP-HP cells, the Src–MEK-1/2–ERK-1/2–CREB pathway was constitutively active. Because it was not further stimulated by addition of DHT, no increase of [3H]thymidine incorporation or apoptosis resistance was demonstrated in LNCaP-HP cells. Additional experiments showed that Src and the scaffold protein MNAR coimmunoprecipitated with AR, indicating a role for Src as an apical molecule in the Src–MEK-1/2–ERK-1/2–CREB pathway. Interestingly, differences between the two cell lines were that in LNCaP-HP cells presence of an AI phenotype and lack of response to DHT were associated with constitutive activation of the protein kinase Src and interaction among Src, AR, and MNAR. In contrast, in LNCaPnan cells, presence of an AD phenotype and ability to respond to DHT were associated with DHT-dependent activation of Src kinase activity and interaction among Src, AR, and MNAR. Intriguingly, in LNCaPnan cells, we found that transcription through the prototypical CREB-responsive promoter c-fos could be induced in a DHT-dependent way, and this action was inhibited by the AR antagonist Casodex and MEK-1 inhibitor PD98059. In contrast, transcription through the PSA P/E promoter, a prototypical AR-dependent promoter directly activated by agonist, was obliterated only by Casodex. Additional experiments with genital skin fibroblasts derived from patients with a variety of AR abnormalities indicated that nongenotropic AR signaling does not depend on an intact DNA-binding domain or on the ability of AR to translocate to the nucleus. The results suggest the following: (1) Constitutive activation of the Src–MEK-1/2–ERK-1/2–CREB pathway is associated with the AI phenotype observed in LNCaP-HP cells. (2) Activation of the Src–MEK-1/2–ERK-1/2–CREB pathway is DHT dependent in AD LNCaPnan cells. (3) DHT activation of this pathway is associated with induction of [3H]thymidine incorporation by a molecule activated downstream of MEK-1/2 and of antiapoptosis through activation of the transcription factor CREB in AD LNCaPnan cells. (4) AR regulates transcription either directly upon ligand binding and nuclear translocation or indirectly through kinase pathways leading to activation of downstream transcription factors. (5) Nuclear translocation and ability of the DNA-binding domain of AR to interact with DNA are not prerequisites for nongenotropic AR activity.

Signaling by estrogens

By regulating activities and expression levels of key signaling molecules, estrogens control mechanisms that are responsible for crucial cellular functions. Ligand binding to estrogen receptor (ER) leads to conformational changes that regulate the receptor activity, its interaction with other proteins and DNA. In the cytoplasm, receptor interactions with kinases and scaffolding molecules regulate cell signaling cascades (extranuclear/nongenomic action). In the nucleus, estrogens control a repertoire of coregulators and other auxiliary proteins that are associated with ER, which in turn determines the nature of regulated genes and level of their expression (genomic action). The combination of genomic and nongenomic actions of estrogens ultimately confers the cell‐type and tissue‐type selectivity. Recent studies have revealed some important new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying ER action, which may help to explain the functional basis of existing selective ER modulators (SERMs) and provide evidence into how ER might be selectively targeted to achieve specific therapeutic goals. In this review, we will summarize some new molecular details that relate to estrogen signaling. We will also discuss some new strategies that may potentially lead to the development of functionally selective ER modulators that can separate between the beneficial, prodifferentiative effects in bone, the cardiovascular system and the CNS as well as the “detrimental,” proliferative effects in reproductive tissues and organs. J. Cell. Physiol. 213:610–617.

Phosphorylation of MNAR Promotes Estrogen Activation of Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase

ABSTRACT Estrogen actions are mediated by a complex interface of direct control of gene expression (the so-called “genomic action”) and by regulation of cell signaling/phosphorylation cascades, referred to as the “nongenomic,” or extranuclear, action. We have previously described the identification of MNAR (modulator of nongenomic action of estrogen receptor) as a novel scaffold protein that regulates estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) activation of cSrc. In this study, we have investigated the role of MNAR in 17β-estradiol (E2)-induced activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. Consistent with our previous results, a direct correlation was established between MNAR expression levels and E2-induced activation of PI3 and Akt kinases. Endogenous MNAR, ERα, cSrc, and p85, the regulatory subunit of PI3 kinase, interacted in MCF7 cells treated with E2. The interaction between p85 and MNAR required activation of cSrc and MNAR phosphorylation on Tyr 920. Consequently, the mutation of this tyrosine to alanine (Y920A) abrogated the interaction between MNAR and p85 and the E2-induced activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway, which was required for the E2-induced protection of MCF7 cells from apoptosis. Nonetheless, the Y920A mutant potentiated the E2-induced activation of the Src/MAPK pathway and MCF7 cell proliferation, as observed with the wild-type MNAR. These results provide new and important insights into the molecular mechanisms of E2-induced regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis.

Modulation of Steroid/Nuclear Receptor Dimerization and DNA Binding by Ligands

Transcription is a primary regulatory step of gene expression. Differential gene expression is controlled by a complex regulatory network of highly specialized transcription factors. Sequence-specific transcription factors modulate the formation of the preinitiation complex and thus control the rate of gene transcription. The concentration of the various transcription factors and their activities determines whether their target genes are transcribed, and to what extent. Therefore, the regulation of these regulators is of crucial importance for differential gene expression during development and in terminally differentiated cells.

Phosphorylation of MNAR promotes estrogen activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Retraction.

Volume 27, no. 5, p. 1904–1913, 2007. The publisher hereby retracts this article. Although the data showing an estrogendependent ternary complex of MNAR, estrogen receptor alpha (ER ), and the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and the requirement for the activation of c-Src and ER for the MNAR-p85 interaction are accurate, Wyeth Research has determined that the data demonstrating the phosphorylation of the Y920 residue of MNAR by c-Src and the requirement of Y920 phosphorylation of MNAR for estrogen-mediated activation of PI3K are unreliable.