Dominique Gallo

Calmodulin, a regulatory partner of the estrogen receptor alpha in breast cancer cells

Although calmodulin (CaM) interaction with estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) has been known for more than two decades, it is only recently that the molecular mechanism of CaM-mediated regulation of ERalpha is beginning to emerge. Others and we have identified a putative calmodulin binding site (P(295)LMIKRSKKNSLALSTADQMVS(317)) in ERalpha, at the boundary between the hinge and the ligand binding domain. ERalpha mutations affecting its association with CaM have been reported to generate high basal, estrogen-independent transactivation activity, indicating that the P(295)-T(317) sequence has an inhibitory function. Moreover, we found that a synthetic peptide (ERalpha17p: P(295)-T(311)) containing residues crucial for CaM binding exerts estrogenic effects on breast carcinoma cells. Finally, computer-aided conformational studies revealed that the CaM binding site might associate with a region located downstream in ERalpha (the beta turn/H4 region), this association likely resulting in an auto-inhibitory folding of the receptor. Thus, we propose as a hypothesis that CaM acts as a positive regulator by relieving this ERalpha auto-inhibition.

Calmodulin-independent, agonistic properties of a peptide containing the calmodulin binding site of estrogen receptor α

Calmodulin (CaM) contributes to estrogen receptor alpha (ER)-mediated transcription. In order to study the underlying mechanisms, we synthesized a peptide including the CaM binding site: ERalpha17p (P(295)-T(311)). This peptide inhibited ER-CaM association, unlike two analogs in which two amino acids required for CaM binding were substituted. Exposure of MCF-7 cells to ERalpha17p down regulated ER, stimulated ER-dependent transcription and enhanced the proliferation of ER-positive breast cancer cell lines. Interestingly, ERalpha17p analogs unable to bind to CaM induced similar responses, demonstrating that ERalpha17p-mediated effects are mainly relevant to mechanisms independent of ER-CaM dissociation. The P(295)-T(311) motif is indeed a platform for multiple post-translational modifications not necessarily CaM-dependent. The additional finding that deletion of the P(295)-T(311) sequence in ER produced a constitutive transcriptional activity revealed that this platform motif has autorepressive functions. With regard to cell function, association of CaM to ER would counteract this autorepression, leading thereby to enhanced ER-mediated transactivation.

Trophic effect in MCF-7 cells of ERalpha17p, a peptide corresponding to a platform regulatory motif of the estrogen receptor alpha--underlying mechanisms.

As yet, estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) inhibitors used in clinical practice target a unique site, i.e. the hormone-binding pocket. With the aim of discovering other potential therapeutic targets in the receptor, we studied its AF-2a domain, a site that proves to be critical for ligand-independent ERalpha activity. Previous studies from our laboratory highlighted an auto-inhibitory action associated with a site included in this domain, i.e. the P295-T311 sequence. Accordingly, a deletion of this sequence produces a constitutively activated receptor mutant. More interestingly, a synthetic peptide with the P295-T311 sequence (ERalpha17p) elicits in breast cancer cell lines estrogenic responses that may be ascribed to a competitive mechanism towards the P295-T311-associated auto-inhibition of ERalpha. In the present study, we show that ERalpha17p sustains MCF-7 cell growth in estrogen-depleted culture medium by inducing molecular events promoting G1/S phase transition. We demonstrate, moreover, that this proliferative activity is associated with receptor down regulation (acceleration of ERalpha degradation and repression of ESR1 gene transcription), similar to that induced by estrogen agonists. Complementary studies suggest that our observations may be, at least in part, relevant to a competitive inhibition affecting ERalpha-Hsp70 association. Hence, the design of drugs able to stabilize ERalpha-Hsp70 complexes - where the receptor is in an inactive conformation - may be of therapeutic value.

The estrogen receptor alpha-derived peptide ERα17p (P295-T311) exerts pro-apoptotic actions in breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, independently from their ERα status

In recent years, our knowledge on estrogen receptors (ER) has been modified profoundly with the identification and the deciphering of the role of its protein effectors, as well as with the deeper insight of its molecular structure/function dynamics, characteristics associated with its nucleo‐cytoplasmic‐membrane shuttling properties. Also, significant progress has been made concerning its turn‐over and associated final proteasomal degradation processes. These advances could lead in the near future to the design and the synthesis of novel receptor‐interacting drugs. Recently, a number of receptor‐related peptides acting as specific ER ligands have been identified and extensively studied with respect to their estrogenic/antiestrogenic activities. Among them, ERα17p, a synthetic analog of the P295‐T311 sequence of ERα, has been shown to exert pseudo‐estrogenic effects by interacting in the close vicinity of its hinge region (BF3 domain). Remarkably, this sequence appears as the epicenter of a number of post‐transcriptional modifications as well as of the recruitment of co‐regulators, suggesting that it would play a key role in ERα functions. Here, we provide evidence that ERα17p induces apoptosis in ERα‐positive (MCF‐7, T47D) and ‐negative (MDA‐MB‐231, SK‐BR‐3) breast cancer cells by an ERα‐independent membrane mechanism, triggering major pro‐apoptotic signaling cascades. Finally, ERα17p induces the regression of breast ERα‐negative cancer tumor xenografts, without apparent toxicity, suggesting that it could represent a new attractive tool for the development of future promising therapeutic approaches, and providing a novel insight to ER regulation of cell fate.

ERα17p, an ERα P295-T311 fragment, modifies the migration of breast cancer cells, through actin cytoskeleton rearrangements†

Recently, our knowledge on estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) functions and fate has progressed: ERα enters in repeated transcription‐modulating cycles (nucleus/cytoplasm/membrane trafficking processes and proteasomal degradation) that are governed by specific protein–protein interactions. Receptor fragments, especially those resulting from the proteolysis of its ligand binding domain, as well as corresponding synthetic peptides, have been studied with respect to their estrogenic/antiestrogenic potency. A peptide, corresponding to the human ERα P295‐T311 sequence (ERα17p) has been shown to alter breast cancer cell fate, triggering proliferation, or apoptosis. The aim of this work was to explore the effect of ERα17p on breast cancer cell migration and actin cytoskeleton dynamics and further analyze the mechanism of its membrane action. We show that ERα17p increases (MCF‐7 and SK‐BR‐3 cells) or decreases (T47D and MDA‐MB‐231 cells) migration of breast cancer cells, in an ERα‐independent manner, by mechanism(s) depending on Rho/ROCK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. Moreover, the peptide enhances the association of both estrogens and androgens to membranes and modifies cell migration, induced by E2‐BSA. Additionally, initial evidence of a possible agonistic action of the peptide on GPR30 is also provided. ERα17p can be considered as a cell migration‐modulator and could therefore constitute a therapeutic challenge, even in anti‐estrogen‐resistant tumors. J. Cell. Biochem. 112: 3786–3796, 2011.

Identification of a human estrogen receptor α-derived antiestrogenic peptide that adopts a polyproline II conformation

Polyproline II (PPII) helix is an extended secondary structure present in a number of proteins. PPII‐containing sequences mediate specific protein–protein interactions with partners containing appropriate cognate domains called PPII‐recognizing domains (PRDs) and are involved in the activation of intracellular signaling pathways. Thus, the identification of PPII structures in proteins is of great interest, not only to explore molecular and physiological mechanisms, but also to elaborate new potential drugs. By revisiting X‐ray crystal structures of liganded α‐type human estrogen receptor (ERα), we have identified an 11‐residue PPII‐helical sequence (D321AEPPILYSEY331) in the ligand‐binding domain of the receptor. The data recorded by far‐ultraviolet circular dichroism (far‐UV CD), vibrational Raman optical activity (ROA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) show that the corresponding peptide (Ac‐DAEPPILYSEY‐NH2) is particularly well structured in PPII, with the same proportion of PPII as observed from X‐ray structures (∼85%). In addition, studies carried out on ERα‐negative Evsa‐T breast cancer cells transiently co‐transfected with a pcDNA3‐ERα plasmid and a Vit‐tk‐Luc reporter gene revealed that the peptide antagonizes the estradiol‐induced transcription providing perspectives for researching new molecules with antagonistic properties. Copyright

Regulatory function of the P295-T311 motif of the estrogen receptor α - does proteasomal degradation of the receptor induce emergence of peptides implicated in estrogenic responses?

The way in which estrogen receptor α (ERα) mediates gene transcription and hormone-dependent cancer cell proliferation is now being largely reconsidered in view of several recent discoveries. ERα-mediated transcription appears to be a cyclic and transient process where the proteasome - and thus receptor degradation - plays a pivotal role. In view of our recent investigations, which demonstrate the estrogenic activity of a synthetic peptide corresponding to a regulatory motif of the receptor (ERα17p), we propose that ERα proteasomal degradation could induce the emergence of regulatory peptide(s). The latter would function as a signal and contribute to the ERα activation process, amplifying the initial hormonal stimulation and giving rise to sustained estrogenic response.

Identification of polyproline II regions derived from the proline-rich nuclear receptor coactivators PNRC and PNRC2: New insights for ERα coactivator interactions

Protein-protein interactions are crucial for signal transductions required for cell differentiation and proliferation. Their modulation is therefore key to the development of therapeutic alternatives, particularly in the context of cancer. According to literature data, the polyproline-rich nuclear receptor coactivators PNRC and PNRC2 interact with estrogen receptor (ERα) through their PxxP SH3-binding motifs. In a search to identify the molecular features governing this interaction, we explored using electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopy and molecular dynamics (MD) calculations, the capacity of a range of putative biologically active peptides derived from these proteins and containing this PxxP motif(s) to form polyproline II (PPII) domains. An additional more exhaustive structural study on a lead PPII peptide was also performed using 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. With the exception of one of all the investigated peptides (PNRC-D), binding assays failed to detect any affinity for Grb2 SH3 domains, suggesting that PPII motifs issued from Grb2 antagonists have a binding mode distinct from those derived from Grb2 agonists. Instead, the peptides revealed a competitive binding ability against a synthetic peptide (ERα17p) with a putative PPII-cognate domain located within a coregulator recruitment region of ERα (AF-2 site). Our work, which constitutes the first structure-related interaction study concerning PNRC and PNRC2, supports not only the existence of PxxP-induced PPII sequences in these coregulators, but also confirms the presence of a PPII recognition site in the AF-2 of the steroid receptor ERα, a region important for transcription regulation.