Francesca Giordano

Estrogen Receptor α Binds to Peroxisome Proliferator–Activated Receptor Response Element and Negatively Interferes with Peroxisome Proliferator–Activated Receptor γ Signaling in Breast Cancer Cells

Purpose: The molecular mechanisms involved in the repressive effects exerted by estrogen receptors (ER) on peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor (PPAR) γ–mediated transcriptional activity remain to be elucidated. The aim of the present study was to provide new insight into the crosstalk between ERα and PPARγ pathways in breast cancer cells. Experimental Design: Using MCF7 and HeLa cells as model systems, we did transient transfections and electrophoretic mobility shift assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation studies to evaluate the ability of ERα to influence PPAR response element–mediated transcription. A possible direct interaction between ERα and PPARγ was ascertained by coimmunoprecipitation assay, whereas their modulatory role in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway was evaluated by determining PI3K activity and AKT phosphorylation. As a biological counterpart, we investigated the growth response to the cognate ligands of both receptors in hormone-dependent MCF7 breast cancer cells. Results: Our data show for the first time that ERα binds to PPAR response element and represses its transactivation. Moreover, we have documented the physical and functional interactions of ERα and PPARγ, which also involve the p85 regulatory subunit of PI3K. Interestingly, ERα and PPARγ pathways have an opposite effect on the regulation of the PI3K/AKT transduction cascade, explaining, at least in part, the divergent response exerted by the cognate ligands 17β-estradiol and BRL49653 on MCF7 cell proliferation. Conclusion: ERα physically associates with PPARγ and functionally interferes with PPARγ signaling. This crosstalk could be taken into account in setting new pharmacologic strategies for breast cancer disease.

Evidence that leptin through STAT and CREB signaling enhances cyclin D1 expression and promotes human endometrial cancer proliferation.

Obesity is a risk factor for endometrial cancer in pre‐ and post‐menopausal women. Leptin, an adipocyte‐derived hormone, in addition to the control weight homeostasis, is implicated in multiple biological actions. A recent study demonstrated that leptin promotes endometrial cancer growth and invasiveness through STAT/MAPK and Akt pathways, but the molecular mechanism involved in such processes still needs to be elucidated. In an attempt to understand the role of leptin in regulating endometrial cancer cells proliferation, we have demonstrated that leptin treatment reduced the numbers of cells in G0/G1‐phase while increased cell population in S‐phase. This effect is associated with an up‐regulation of cyclin D1 together with a down‐regulation of cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor p21WAF1/Cip1. Mutagenesis studies, eletrophoretic mobility shift, and chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) and cyclic AMP‐responsive element (CRE) binding protein motifs, within cyclin D1 promoter, were required for leptin‐induced cyclin D1 expression in Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells. Silencing of STAT3 and CREB gene expression by RNA interference reversed the up‐regulatory effect of leptin on cyclin D1 expression and cells proliferation. These results support the hypothesis that STAT3 and CREB play an important role in leptin signaling pathway that leads to the proliferation of Ishikawa cells, thus establishing a direct association between obesity and endometrial tumorogenesis. J. Cell. Physiol. 218: 490–500, 2009.

Inhibition of cyclin D1 expression by androgen receptor in breast cancer cells—identification of a novel androgen response element

Cyclin D1 gene (CCND1) is a critical mitogen-regulated cell-cycle control element whose transcriptional modulation plays a crucial role in breast cancer growth and progression. Here we demonstrate that the non-aromatizable androgen 5-α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) inhibits endogenous cyclin D1 expression, as evidenced by reduction of cyclin D1 mRNA and protein levels, and decrease of CCND1-promoter activity, in MCF-7 cells. The DHT-dependent inhibition of CCND1 gene activity requires the involvement and the integrity of the androgen receptor (AR) DNA-binding domain. Site directed mutagenesis, DNA affinity precipitation assay, electrophoretic mobility shift assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses indicate that this inhibitory effect is ligand dependent and it is mediated by direct binding of AR to an androgen response element (CCND1-ARE) located at −570 to −556-bp upstream of the transcription start site, in the cyclin D1 proximal promoter. Moreover, AR-mediated repression of the CCND1 involves the recruitment of the atypical orphan nuclear receptor DAX1 as a component of a multiprotein repressor complex also embracing the participation of Histone Deacetylase 1. In conclusion, identification of the CCND1-ARE allows defining cyclin D1 as a specific androgen target gene in breast and might contribute to explain the molecular basis of the inhibitory role of androgens on breast cancer cells proliferation.

Resveratrol, through NF-Y/p53/Sin3/HDAC1 complex phosphorylation, inhibits estrogen receptor α gene expression via p38MAPK/CK2 signaling in human breast cancer cells

Agents to counteract acquired resistance to hormonal therapy for breast cancer would substantially enhance the long‐term benefits of hormonal therapy. In the present study, we demonstrate how resveratrol (Res) inhibits human breast cancer cell proliferation, including MCF‐7 tamoxifen‐resistant cells (IC50 values for viability were in the 30–45 μM range). We show that Res, through p38MAPK phosphorylation, causes induction of p53, which recruits at the estrogen receptor α (ERα) proximal promoter, leading to an inhibition of ERα expression in terms of mRNA and protein content. These events appear specifically p53 dependent, since they are drastically abrogated with p53‐targeting siRNA. Coimmunoprecipitation assay showed specific interaction between p53, the Sin3A corepressor, and histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1), which was phosphorylated. The enhancement of the tripartite complex p53/Sin3A/HDAC1, together with NF‐Y on Res treatment, was confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses, with a concomitant release of Sp1 and RNA polymerase II, thereby inhibiting the cell transcriptional machinery. The persistence of such effects in MCF‐7 tamoxifen‐resistant cells at a higher extent than parental MCF‐7 cells addresses how Res may be considered a useful pharmacological tool to be exploited in the adjuvant settings for treatment of breast cancer developing hormonal resistance.—De Amicis, F., Giordano, F., Vivacqua, A., Pellegrino, M., Panno, M. L., Tramontano, D., Fuqua, S. A. W., Andò, S. Resveratrol, through NF‐Y/p53/Sin3/HDAC1 complex phosphorylation, inhibits estrogen receptor α gene expression via p38MAPK/CK2 signaling in human breast cancer cells. FASEB J. 25, 3695–3707 (2011). www.fasebj.org

Estrogen receptor beta as a novel target of androgen receptor action in breast cancer cell lines

IntroductionThe two isoforms of estrogen receptor (ER) alpha and beta play opposite roles in regulating proliferation and differentiation of breast cancers, with ER-alpha mediating mitogenic effects and ER-beta acting as a tumor suppressor. Emerging data have reported that androgen receptor (AR) activation inhibits ER-positive breast cancer progression mainly by antagonizing ER-alpha signaling. However, to date no studies have specifically evaluated a potential involvement of ER-beta in the inhibitory effects of androgens.MethodsER-beta expression was examined in human breast cancer cell lines using real-time PCR, Western blotting and small interfering RNA (siRNA) assays. Mutagenesis studies, electromobility shift assay (EMSA) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis were performed to assess the effects of mibolerone/AR on ER-beta promoter activity and binding.ResultsIn this study, we demonstrate that mibolerone, a synthetic androgen ligand, up-regulates ER-beta mRNA and protein levels in ER-positive breast cancer cells. Transient transfection experiments, using a vector containing the human ER-beta promoter region, show that mibolerone increases basal ER-beta promoter activity. Site-directed mutagenesis and deletion analysis reveal that an androgen response element (ARE), TGTTCT motif located at positions −383 and −377, is critical for mibolerone-induced ER-beta up-regulation in breast cancer cells. This occurs through an increased recruitment of AR to the ARE site within the ER-beta promoter region, along with an enhanced occupancy of RNA polymerase II. Finally, silencing of ER-beta gene expression by RNA interference is able to partially reverse the effects of mibolerone on cell proliferation, p21 and cyclin D1 expression.ConclusionsCollectively, these data provide evidence for a novel mechanism by which activated AR, through an up-regulation of ER-beta gene expression, inhibits breast cancer cell growth.

Aromatase expression in prepuberal Sertoli cells: effect of thyroid hormone.

Aromatase activity has recently been assumed as a Sertoli cell functional maturation marker since it is maximally expressed in prepuberal age then it dramatically decreases at puberty and is virtually absent in adult age. Neonatal hypothyroidism is associated with a prolonged proliferation of Sertoli cells. This immature stage persists concomitantly with a dramatic enhancement of aromatase activity reversed by triiodothyronine (T3) either in vivo or in vitro administration. Therefore, in the present study, after immunolocalisation of aromatase in the cytoplasm of cultured Sertoli cells as well as in testis section, we investigate the regulatory effects of T3 in the same cells just at the age when aromatase activity is reported to be maximally expressed. In this aim, the effects of thyroid hormone have been evaluated in 2-weeks-old rats, in basal condition and upon stimulation with dibutyryl cyclic AMP [(Bu)(2)cAMP] by simultaneously analysing three functional levels of aromatase, mRNA expression; protein content; enzymatic activity. Western-blot analysis of Sertoli cell extracts revealed a protein, which co-migrated with a 55 kDa protein detected in human placenta used a positive control. The presence of a functional P450 aromatase protein in purified Sertoli cells was confirmed by the measurement [3H]H(2)O released after incubation with [1beta-(3)H]androst-4-3,17-dione. At the dose used, T3 down-regulates basal aromatase activity, while aromatase mRNA expression was apparently not inhibited. It is noteworthy that aromatase content pattern evaluated by Western blot analysis did not tightly parallel the aromatase activity pattern which clearly displays the inhibitory effects of T3, in basal condition ad upon (Bu)(2)cAMP stimulation, simulating FSH stimulation. The detection of mRNA altered transcript coding for putative protein lacking both aromatic and heme-binding regions upon T3 treatment and unable to convert androgens into estrogens, provides a reasonable explanation for the observed discrepancies between aromatase protein pattern, P450arom mRNA levels and aromatase activity. The authors conclude that although the altered transcript induced by prolonged exposure to T3 is a mechanism by which T3 may down regulate aromatase activity, it cannot be ruled out a direct effect of this hormone at the transcription levels since a recognisable emisite for potential TR(s) binding is located in the promoter region of aromatase gene. Thus a further investigation on T3 modulator role on aromatase gene promoter should be pursued even utilising higher doses of T3.

Estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) produces autophagy and necroptosis in human seminoma cell line through the binding of the Sp1 on the phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted from chromosome 10 (PTEN) promoter gene.

Testicular germ cell tumors are the most common tumor in male and the least studied. We focused on human seminoma using the TCAM2 cell line. Through ERβ, 10 nM estradiol (E2) was able to induce PTEN gene expression and promoter transactivation. Transient transfections, ChIP and EMSA assays evidenced the 5′-flanking region of PTEN gene promoter E2-responsive. The ERβ binding to the Sp1 on PTEN promoter decreased cell survival. The presence of ERβ or PTEN is necessary to induce the loss of cell survival upon E2, addressing their cooperation in this action. pAKT and AKT expression decreased under E2 and DPN, while known apoptotic markers appeared to be unchanged. The PI3K/AKT pathway inhibition also leads to autophagy: E2 and DPN enhanced the expression of autophagy-related markers such as PI3III, Beclin 1, AMBRA and UVRAG. MDC and TEM assays confirmed E2-induced autophagy. The absence of DNA fragmentation, caspase 9 and PARP1 cleavages suggested that necroptosis and/or parthanatos may occur. FACS analysis, LDH assay and RIP1 expression attested this hypothesis. Our study reveals a unique mechanism through which ERβ/PTEN signaling induces cell death in TCAM2 by autophagy and necroptosis. These data, supporting estrogen-dependency of human seminoma, propose ERβ ligands for therapeutic use in the treatment of this pathological condition.

Identification of the estrogen receptor GPER in neoplastic and non-neoplastic human testes

BackgroundEstrogen signaling is mediated by estrogen receptor beta isoforms in normal and neoplastic human testes. Recently, a G-protein-coupled-receptor (GPER) has been suggested as being involved in rapid responses to estrogens in different normal and tumor cells.MethodsThis study investigated the GPER expression in paraffin-embedded samples from non neoplastic and neoplastic human testes (sex-cord stromal and germ cell tumors) by immunohistochemical and Western Blot analyses.ResultsIn control testes, a positive GPER immunoreactivity was detected in Leydig and in Sertoli cells while all germ cells were immunonegative. Furthermore, neoplastic cells of the Sertoli cell tumor, Leydig cell tumor, seminoma and embryonal carcinoma samples were all immunopositive. The immunoblots of testis extracts confirmed the results.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that GPER could mediate estrogen signaling in both normal and transformed somatic cells of human testis, but they reveal a differential expression of the novel estrogen receptor in non neoplastic and neoplastic germ cells.

Progesterone Receptor B Recruits a Repressor Complex to a Half-PRE Site of the Estrogen Receptor α Gene Promoter

In the present study, we demonstrate that elevated levels of the progesterone receptor (PR)-B isoform in breast cancer cells induces down-regulation of estrogen receptor (ER) alpha mRNA and protein content, causing concomitant repression of the estrogen-regulated genes insulin receptor substrate 1, cyclin D1, and pS2, addressing a specific effect of PR/PR-B on ERalpha gene transcription. ERalpha gene promoter activity was drastically inhibited by PR-B overexpression. Promoter analysis revealed a transcriptionally responsive region containing a half-progesterone response element (PRE) site located at -1757 bp to -1752 bp. Mutation of the half-PRE down-regulated the effect induced by PR/PR-B overexpression. Moreover chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses revealed an increase of PR bound to the ERalpha-regulatory region encompassing the half-PRE site, and the recruitment of a corepressor complex containing nuclear receptor corepressor (NCoR) but not silencing mediator of retinoid and thyroid hormone receptor and DAX1, concomitantly with hypoacetylation of histone H4 and displacement of RNA polymerase II. Furthermore, NCoR ablation studies demonstrated the crucial involvement of NCoR in the down-regulatory effects due to PR-B overexpression on ERalpha protein and mRNA. We also demonstrated that the ERalpha regulation observed in MCF-7 cells depended on PR-B expression because PR-B knockdown partially abrogates the feedback inhibition of ERalpha levels after estrogenic stimulus. Our study provides evidence for a mechanism by which overexpressed PR-B is able to actively repress ERalpha gene expression.

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.