Diego Sisci

G Protein-Coupled Receptor 30 Expression Is Up-Regulated by EGF and TGFα in Estrogen Receptor α-Positive Cancer Cells

In the present study, we evaluated the regulation of G protein-coupled receptor (GPR)30 expression in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive endometrial, ovarian, and estrogen-sensitive, as well as tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells. We demonstrate that epidermal growth factor (EGF) and TGF alpha transactivate the GPR30 promoter and accordingly up-regulate GPR30 mRNA and protein levels only in endometrial and tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells. These effects exerted by EGF and TGF alpha were dependent on EGF receptor (EGFR) expression and activation and involved phosphorylation of the Tyr(1045) and Tyr(1173) EGFR sites. Using gene-silencing experiments and specific pharmacological inhibitors, we have ascertained that EGF and TGF alpha induce GPR30 expression through the EGFR/ERK transduction pathway, and the recruitment of c-fos to the activator protein-1 site located within GPR30 promoter sequence. Interestingly, we show that functional cross talk of GPR30 with both activated EGFR and ER alpha relies on a physical interaction among these receptors, further extending the potential of estrogen to trigger a complex stimulatory signaling network in hormone-sensitive tumors. Given that EGFR/HER2 overexpression is associated with tamoxifen resistance, our data may suggest that ligand-activated EGFR could contribute to the failure of tamoxifen therapy also by up-regulating GPR30, which in turn could facilitates the action of estrogen. In addition, important for resistance is the ability of tamoxifen to bind to and activate GPR30, the expression of which is up-regulated by EGFR activation. Our results emphasize the need for new endocrine agents able to block widespread actions of estrogen without exerting any stimulatory activity on transduction pathways shared by the steroid and growth factor-signaling networks.

The G protein-coupled receptor 30 is up-regulated by hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) in breast cancer cells and cardiomyocytes.

GPR30, also known as GPER, has been suggested to mediate rapid effects induced by estrogens in diverse normal and cancer tissues. Hypoxia is a common feature of solid tumors involved in apoptosis, cell survival, and proliferation. The response to low oxygen environment is mainly mediated by the hypoxia-inducible factor named HIF-1α, which activates signaling pathways leading to adaptive mechanisms in tumor cells. Here, we demonstrate that the hypoxia induces HIF-1α expression, which in turn mediates the up-regulation of GPER and its downstream target CTGF in estrogen receptor-negative SkBr3 breast cancer cells and in HL-1 cardiomyocytes. Moreover, we show that HIF-1α-responsive elements located within the promoter region of GPER are involved in hypoxia-dependent transcription of GPER, which requires the ROS-induced activation of EGFR/ERK signaling in both SkBr3 and HL-1 and cells. Interestingly, the apoptotic response to hypoxia was prevented by estrogens through GPER in SkBr3 cells. Taken together, our data suggest that the hypoxia-induced expression of GPER may be included among the mechanisms involved in the anti-apoptotic effects elicited by estrogens, particularly in a low oxygen microenvironment.

Insulin receptor substrate 1 is a target for the pure antiestrogen ICI 182,780 in breast cancer cells.

The pure antiestrogen ICI 182,780 inhibits insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐dependent proliferation in hormone‐responsive breast cancer cells. However, the interactions of ICI 182,780 with IGF‐I receptor (IGF‐IR) intracellular signaling have not been characterized. Here, we studied the effects of ICI 182,780 on IGF‐IR signal transduction in MCF‐7 breast cancer cells and in MCF‐7‐derived clones overexpressing either the IGF‐IR or its 2 major substrates, insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS‐1) or src/collagen homology proteins (SHC). ICI 182,780 blocked the basal and IGF‐I‐induced growth in all studied cells in a dose‐dependent manner; however, the clones with the greatest IRS‐1 overexpression were clearly least sensitive to the drug. Pursuing ICI 182,780 interaction with IRS‐1, we found that the antiestrogen reduced IRS‐1 expression and tyrosine phosphorylation in several cell lines in the presence or absence of IGF‐I. Moreover, in IRS‐1‐overexpressing cells, ICI 182,780 decreased IRS‐1/p85 and IRS‐1/GRB2 binding. The effects of ICI 182,780 on IGF‐IR protein expression were not significant; however, the drug suppressed IGF‐I‐induced (but not basal) IGF‐IR tyrosine phosphorylation. The expression and tyrosine phosphorylation of SHC as well as SHC/GRB binding were not influenced by ICI 182,780. In summary, downregulation of IRS‐1 may represent one of the mechanisms by which ICI 182,780 inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells. Thus, overexpression of IRS‐1 in breast tumors could contribute to the development of antiestrogen resistance. Int. J. Cancer 81:299–304, 1999.

Farnesoid X Receptor, through the Binding with Steroidogenic Factor 1-responsive Element, Inhibits Aromatase Expression in Tumor Leydig Cells

The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily that regulates bile acid homeostasis. It is expressed in the liver and the gastrointestinal tract, but also in several non-enterohepatic tissues including testis. Recently, FXR was identified as a negative modulator of the androgen-estrogen-converting aromatase enzyme in human breast cancer cells. In the present study we detected the expression of FXR in Leydig normal and tumor cell lines and in rat testes tissue. We found, in rat Leydig tumor cells, R2C, that FXR activation by the primary bile acid chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) or a synthetic agonist GW4064, through a SHP-independent mechanism, down-regulates aromatase expression in terms of mRNA, protein levels, and its enzymatic activity. Transient transfection experiments, using vector containing rat aromatase promoter PII, evidenced that CDCA reduces basal aromatase promoter activity. Mutagenesis studies, electrophoretic mobility shift, and chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis reveal that FXR is able to compete with steroidogenic factor 1 in binding to a common sequence present in the aromatase promoter region interfering negatively with its activity. Finally, the FXR-mediated anti-proliferative effects exerted by CDCA on tumor Leydig cells are at least in part due to an inhibition of estrogen-dependent cell growth. In conclusion our findings identify for the first time the activators of FXR as negative modulators of the aromatase enzyme in Leydig tumor cell lines.

Crosstalk between IGF signaling and steroid hormone receptors in breast cancer

Breast cancer development and progression is regulated by crosstalk between steroid hormones (SHs) (e.g., estrogens, progestins and androgens) and growth factors such as insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), insulin, epidermal growth factors (EGFs), transforming growth factors, and vascular endothelial growth factor. The biological effects of SHs are mediated by the nuclear receptors acting as transcriptional activators. Steroid hormone receptors (SRs), in addition to being induced by their own ligands, are also regulated by cellular kinases activated by growth factors. Growth factors are known to influence the expression and activity of SRs as well as regulate the action of various SR transcriptional co-factors. In turn, the expression of growth factor receptors, their ligands, and signaling molecules is often controlled by SHs. This review will focus on crosstalk between the IGF-I system and several SRs implicated in breast cancer.

The estrogen receptor α is the key regulator of the bifunctional role of FoxO3a transcription factor in breast cancer motility and invasiveness

The role of the Forkhead box class O (FoxO)3a transcription factor in breast cancer migration and invasion is controversial. Here we show that FoxO3a overexpression decreases motility, invasiveness, and anchorage-independent growth in estrogen receptor α-positive (ERα+) cancer cells while eliciting opposite effects in ERα-silenced cells and in ERα-negative (ERα−) cell lines, demonstrating that the nuclear receptor represents a crucial switch in FoxO3a control of breast cancer cell aggressiveness. In ERα+ cells, FoxO3a-mediated events were paralleled by a significant induction of Caveolin-1 (Cav1), an essential constituent of caveolae negatively associated to tumor invasion and metastasis. Cav1 induction occurs at the transcriptional level through FoxO3a binding to a Forkhead responsive core sequence located at position −305/−299 of the Cav1 promoter. 17β-estradiol (E2) strongly emphasized FoxO3a effects on cell migration and invasion, while ERα and Cav1 silencing were able to reverse them, demonstrating that both proteins are pivotal mediators of these FoxO3a controlled processes. In vivo, an immunohistochemical analysis on tissue sections from patients with ERα+ or ERα− invasive breast cancers or in situ ductal carcinoma showed that nuclear FoxO3a inversely (ERα+) or directly (ERα−) correlated with the invasive phenotype of breast tumors. In conclusion, FoxO3a role in breast cancer motility and invasion depends on ERα status, disclosing a novel aspect of the well-established FoxO3a/ERα interplay. Therefore FoxO3a might become a pursuable target to be suitably exploited in combination therapies either in ERα+ or ERα− breast tumors.

Fibronectin and type IV collagen activate ERalpha AF-1 by c-Src pathway: effect on breast cancer cell motility

The expression of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) is generally associated with a less invasive and aggressive phenotype in breast carcinoma. In an attempt to understand the role of ERα in regulating breast cancer cells invasiveness, we have demonstrated that cell adhesion on fibronectin (Fn) and type IV Collagen (Col) induces ERα-mediated transcription and reduces cell migration in MCF-7 and in MDA-MB-231 cell lines expressing ERα. Analysis of deleted mutants of ERα indicates that the transcriptional activation function (AF)-1 is required for ERα-mediated transcription as well as for the inhibition of cell migration induced by cell adhesion on extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. In addition, the nuclear localization signal region and some serine residues in the AF-1 of the ERα are both required for the regulation of cell invasiveness as we have observed in HeLa cells. It is worth noting that c-Src activation is coincident with adhesion of cells to ECM proteins and that the inhibition of c-Src activity by PP2 or the expression of a dominant-negative c-Src abolishes ERα-mediated transcription and partially reverts the inhibition of cell invasiveness in ERα-positive cancer cells. These findings address the integrated role of ECM proteins and ERα in influencing breast cancer cell motility through a mechanism that involves c-Src and seems not to be related to a specific cell type.

Chenodeoxycholic acid through a TGR5-dependent CREB signaling activation enhances Cyclin D1 expression and promotes human endometrial cancer cell proliferation

Endometrial cancer exhibits a strong incidence in western developed countries mainly due to fat-rich diet and obesity. Processing of dietary lipids is triggered by bile acids, amphipathic detergents that are synthesized in the liver and stored in the gallbladder. In addition to their well-recognized role in dietary lipid absorption and cholesterol homeostasis, bile acids can also act as signaling molecules with systemic endocrine functions. In the present study we investigated the biological effects of the primary bile chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) on a human endometrial cancer cell line, Ishikawa. Low concentrations of CDCA are able to stimulate Ishikawa cell growth by inducing a significant increase in Cyclin D1 protein and mRNA expression through the activation of the membrane G protein-coupled receptor (TGR5)-dependent pathway. Dissecting the molecular mechanism underlying this effect by mutagenesis, EMSA and ChIP analysis revealed that CDCA-induced Cyclin D1 expression requires the enhanced recruitment of the transcription factor CREB on the cyclic AMP-responsive element motif within the Cyclin D1 gene proximal promoter. Our results suggest a novel molecular mechanism explaining the potential contribution of high-fat diet and obesity to endometrial cancer growth and progression opening the rationale for strategies to prevent the risk of this obesity-related cancer in women.

Role of Cyclic AMP Response Element–Binding Protein in Insulin-like Growth Factor-I Receptor Up-regulation by Sex Steroids in Prostate Cancer Cells

Insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR) overexpression may play a role in prostate cancer progression. We found previously that, in prostate cancer cells, IGF-IR is up-regulated by both androgens and estrogens via a nongenotropic pathway. We now show that, in prostate cancer cells, stimulation with either androgens or estrogens up-regulates IGF-IR by inducing cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) activation. Both sex steroids phosphorylated CREB at Ser(133) in a dose-dependent manner in androgen receptor (AR)-positive LNCaP cells, whereas only estrogens phosphorylated CREB in AR-negative PC3 cells. CREB phosphorylation involved c-Src-dependent extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 activation, but not protein kinase A, protein kinase C, or calmodulin-dependent kinase II, and occurred also in cells transfected with AR or estrogen receptor mutants that do not localize into the nucleus. CREB silencing abrogated IGF-IR up-regulation and promoter activation. We also showed that CREB binds to IGF-IR promoter region and identified the relevant CREB-binding site at the 5-untranslated region fragment of IGF-IR promoter. In conclusion, we describe a novel mechanism of IGF-IR up-regulation and promoter activity by CREB activation, induced by sex steroids, through a nongenotropic signaling.

Akt2 inhibition enables the Forkhead transcription factor FoxO3a to a repressive role for ERα transcriptional activity in breast cancer cells

ABSTRACT Estrogen receptor alpha (ER) and the insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR) pathways are engaged in a functional cross talk in breast cancer, promoting tumor progression and increased resistance to anticancer treatments and radiotherapy. Here, we introduce new mechanisms through which proteins of the IGF-I/IGF-IR signaling pathway may regulate ER function in the absence of ligand. Our results indicate that in ER-positive breast cancer cells, Akt2 modulates ER transcriptional activity at multiple levels, including (i) the regulation of ER expression and its nuclear retention and (ii) the activation of one of its downstream targets, the Forkhead transcription factor FoxO3a. FoxO3a colocalizes and coprecipitates with ER in the nucleus, where it binds to Forkhead-responsive sequences on the ER target pS2/TFF-1 promoter; in addition, FoxO3a silencing leads to an increase of ER transcriptional activity, suggesting a repressive role of the Forkhead transcription factor in ER function. Moreover, 17β-estradiol upregulates FoxO3a levels, which could represent the basis for an ER-mediated homeostatic mechanism. These findings provide further evidence of the importance of mediators of the growth factor signaling in ER regulation, introducing the Akt2/FoxO3a axis as a pursuable target in therapy for ER-positive breast cancer.