Gilles Flouriot

Vitellogenin synthesis in cultured hepatocytes; an in vitro test for the estrogenic potency of chemicals

We describe here an in vitro technique to assess the estrogenic activity of chemicals. This technique is based on rainbow trout hepatocytes incubated in a basic medium free of any additional growth factors or estrogenic chemicals and uses the production of vitellogenin (VTG) as a marker for the estrogenic potency of the compounds tested. The system allows at least some of the metabolic transformations which are undertaken by the liver cells in vivo and could therefore be used for xenobiotic compounds which exhibit estrogenic activities after liver metabolic transformation. A dose-response curve was always consistently obtained using estradiol-17 beta (E2), with a mid point at around 100 nM E2 and a maximum response at around 1000 nM. Established estrogens such as 17 a 1 ethynylestradiol (EE2) or diethylstilboestrol (DES) were also tested. EE2 appeared to be equipotent with E2 and DES slightly less potent. E2 conjugates were, perhaps surprisingly, also very potent. Estradiol-3-sulfate was equipotent with E2 and estradiol-17 beta-glucuronide approx. 10% as potent. Other steroids such as androgens and progesterone, though active in the bioassay, were 3 orders of magnitude less potent than E2. Of the various steroids tested, only cortisol, at concentrations up to 50 microM, was completely inactive. Six different phytoestrogens were tested in the assay. All were weakly estrogenic, possessing approximately one thousandth the potency of E2 (they were as potent as the androgens and progesterone). All six phytoestrogens, as well as the androgens and progesterone, were tested in the presence of tamoxifen. In all cases tamoxifen reduced the production of VTG significantly, demonstrating that the estrogenic action of all of these compounds was most likely mediated by the E2 receptor. The potencies determined here may not reflect the situation in vivo but can provide complementary results about the activity of chemicals which need an hepatic metabolization to be estrogenic. Hepatocyte cultures would profitably be developed in other species to sustain these results.

Transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of rainbow trout estrogen receptor and vitellogenin gene expression

Estrogen receptor (ER) and vitellogenin (Vg) gene expression are strongly up-regulated by estrogens in rainbow trout liver. In this paper, we have used primary cultured hepatocytes to examine the mechanisms implicated in estrogen regulation of ER and Vg gene expression. Treatment of hepatocytes with 1 microM estradiol (E2) led to a rapid increase in ER and mRNA level (15 fold) followed by Vg and mRNA induction. Transcription rate and mRNA half-life determination carried out in the presence or absence of E2, demonstrated that E2 increases both the ER and Vg gene transcriptional activity and mRNA stability (ca. 3 fold). The effect of E2 was inhibited by an excess of antiestrogen, showing that E2-stimulation of ER and mRNA level is mediated by the estrogen receptor. Our data show that ER and Vg genes have different hormonal sensitivity. In fact, the Vg gene required a higher concentration of E2 to be stimulated compared to the ER gene. Examination of the mechanisms involved in post-transcriptional regulation of ER mRNA showed that the setting up and maintenance of this regulation process implies that estrogen receptor and the general translational activity within the cells, suggesting that ER mRNA depends on the synthesis of an estrogen-dependent protein. However, the cis and trans elements involved in E2-stabilization process remain to be identified.

A Dynamic Structural Model for Estrogen Receptor-α Activation by Ligands, Emphasizing the Role of Interactions between Distant A and E Domains

The functional interplay between different domains of estrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha, NR3A1) is responsible for the overall properties of the full-length protein. We previously identified an interaction between the N-terminal A and C-terminal domains, which we demonstrate here to repress ligand-independent transactivation and transrepression abilities of ERalpha. Using targeted mutations based on ERalpha structural models, we determine the basis for this interaction that defines a regulatory interplay between ERalpha A domain, corepressors, and ERalpha Helix 12 for binding to the same C-terminal surface. We propose a dynamic model where binding of different ligands influences the A/D-F domain interaction and results in specific functional outcomes. This model gives insights into the dynamic properties of full-length ERalpha and into the structure of unliganded ERalpha.

Differential regulation of two genes implicated in fish reproduction: Vitellogenin and estrogen receptor genes

In rainbow trout as well as in other species, variability of estrogen receptor (ER) gene expression according to the cell type and the physiological state reflects a differential cell and gene sensitivity to estrogen. We previously demonstrated that expression of the rainbow trout estrogen receptor (rtER) and vitellogenin (Vg) genes were induced differently by estrogens in rainbow trout liver. Therefore, these two genes offered a suitable model to study the influence of ER concentration on gene transcriptional activities. In the present study we show that the transcription rate of rtER and Vg genes during an estrogenic treatment are affected differently by variation of cellular ER concentration. We demonstrate that rtER gene exhibits a low threshold response to loaded estrogen receptor, and increasing ER amounts do not affect the transcriptional response of this gene during an estrogenic stimulation. On the contrary, Vg gene expression requires the presence of a higher loaded estrogen receptor level to be induced, and its transcriptional response is directly proportional to the amount of synthesised ER. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 48:317–323, 1997.

The Relative Contribution Exerted by AF-1 and AF-2 Transactivation Functions in Estrogen Receptor α Transcriptional Activity Depends upon the Differentiation Stage of the Cell

The activity of the transactivation functions (activation function (AF)-1 and AF-2) of the estrogen receptor α (ERα) is cell-specific. This study aimed to decipher the yet unclear mechanisms involved in this differential cell sensitivity, with particular attention to the specific influence that cell differentiation may have on these processes. Hence, we comparatively evaluated the permissiveness of cells to either ERα AFs in two different cases: (i) a series of cell lines originating from a common tissue, but with distinct differentiation phenotypes; and (ii) cell lines that undergo differentiation processes in culture. These experiments demonstrate that the respective contribution that AF-1 and AF-2 make toward ERα activity varies in a cell differentiation stage-dependent manner. Specifically, whereas AF-1 is the dominant AF involved in ERα transcriptional activity in differentiated cells, the more a cell is de-differentiated the more this cell mediates ERα signaling through AF-2. For instance, AF-2 is the only active AF in cells that have achieved their epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Moreover, the stable expression of a functional ERα in strictly AF-2 permissive cells restores an AF-1-sensitive cell context. These results, together with data obtained in different ERα-positive cell lines tested strongly suggest that the transcriptional activity of ERα relies on its AF-1 in most estrogen target cell types.

Differential Estrogen-Regulation of CXCL12 Chemokine Receptors, CXCR4 and CXCR7, Contributes to the Growth Effect of Estrogens in Breast Cancer Cells

CXCR4 and CXCR7 are the two receptors for the chemokine CXCL12, a key mediator of the growth effect of estrogens (E2) in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancers. In this study we examined E2-regulation of the CXCL12 axis components and their involvement in the growth of breast cancer cells. CXCR4 and CXCR7 were differentially regulated by E2 which enhanced the expression of both CXCL12 and CXCR4 but repressed the expression of CXCR7. Formaldehyde-associated isolation of regulatory elements (FAIRE) revealed that E2-mediated transcriptional regulation of these genes is linked to the control of the compaction state of chromatin at their promoters. This effect could be accomplished via several distal ER-binding sites in the regions surrounding these genes, all of which are located 20–250 kb from the transcription start site. Furthermore, individual down-regulation of CXCL12, CXCR4 or CXCR7 expression as well as the inhibition of their activity significantly decreases the rate of basal cell growth. In contrast, E2-induced cell growth was differentially affected. Unlike CXCR7, the inhibition of the expression or activity of either CXCL12 or CXCR4 significantly blunted the E2-mediated stimulation of cellular growth. Besides, CXCR7 over-expression increased the basal MCF-7 cell growth rate and decreased the growth effect of E2. These findings indicate that E2 regulation of the CXCL12 signaling axis is important for the E2-mediated growth effect of breast cancer cells. These data also provide support for distinct biological functions of CXCR4 and CXCR7 and suggest that targeting CXCR4 and/or CXCR7 would have distinct molecular effects on ER-positive breast tumors.

Transcriptional Interference Between Glucocorticoid Receptor and Estradiol Receptor Mediates the Inhibitory Effect of Cortisol on Fish Vitellogenesis

Abstract In oviparous species, the synthesis of vitellogenin (Vg) takes place in the liver according to a strictly estrogen-dependent mechanism that first involves an up-regulation of the estrogen receptor (ER) by its own ligand. However, reports from the literature indicate that in trout stress or cortisol may cause a reduction of cytosolic E2-binding sites in the liver and a decrease in plasma Vg levels. To investigate the mechanisms underlying these effects, in vivo and in vitro experiments were designed in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The results demonstrate that cortisol implanted into maturing females caused a marked decrease of rainbow trout ER (rtER) and rainbow trout Vg (rtVg) mRNA levels in the liver. In vitro experiments on hepatocyte aggregates also showed that dexamethasone (Dex) caused a strong decrease in the basal and E2-stimulated rtER mRNA and to a lesser extent rtVg mRNA. These effects were specific as no other hormones were able to mimic the inhibitory action of Dex. A study of rtER mRNA stability indicated that the effects of glucocorticoids are likely to take place at the transcriptional level. This was further indicated by transfection experiments in CHO-K1 cells, which showed that rainbow trout glucocorticoid receptor (rtGR) strongly inhibited the E2-stimulated transcriptional activity of the rtER promoter. Taken together, these results indicate that the rtGR exerts a transcriptional interference on the expression of the rtER that may explain some of the negative effects of stress or cortisol on vitellogenesis.

Formation of an hERα–COUP-TFI complex enhances hERα AF-1 through Ser118 phosphorylation by MAPK

The enhancement of the human estrogen receptor α (hERα, NR3A1) activity by the orphan nuclear receptor COUP‐TFI is found to depend on the establishment of a tight hERα–COUP‐TFI complex. Formation of this complex seems to involve dynamic mechanisms different from those allowing hERα homodimerization. Although the hERα–COUP‐TFI complex is present in all cells tested, the transcriptional cooperation between the two nuclear receptors is restricted to cell lines permissive to hERα activation function 1 (AF‐1). In these cells, the physical interaction between COUP‐TFI and hERα increases the affinity of hERα for ERK2/p42MAPK, resulting in an enhanced phosphorylation state of the hERα Ser118. hERα thus acquires a strengthened AF‐1 activity due to its hyperphosphorylation. These data indicate an alternative interaction process between nuclear receptors and demonstrate a novel protein intercommunication pathway that modulates hERα AF‐1.

Regulation of gene expression and biological activity of rainbow trout estrogen receptor

Rainbow trout estrogen receptor (rtER) concentration was highly induced in the liver after in vivo estradiol (E2) treatment or in vitro, in hepatocyte aggregate culture. Determination of transcription rate and mRNA half-life demonstrated that E2-induction of hepatic rtER level is caused essentially by an increase in the transcriptional and post-transcriptional activity of rtER gene. However, the expression of rtER gene in the liver seems to be down-regulated by glucocorticoids. We have used transient transfection assays with reporter plasmids linked to 5′ flanking regions of the rtER gene promoter, to identify cis-elements responsible for E2 inducibility. Deletion analysis localized a functional estrogen-responsive-element (ERE), near the transcription start site, with one mutation on the first base compared to the consensus sequence. This element and 200 bp fragment of the rtER promoter encompassing the ERE appear to be the major cis-acting element involved in the regulation of the gene. Data obtained from transfection experiments and footprinting analysis, suggested that the receptor is one of the major trans-factors implicated in the regulation of its own gene. However, interaction of ER with other transcription factors is required for maximal E2-stimulation.

The uterine and vascular actions of estetrol delineate a distinctive profile of estrogen receptor α modulation, uncoupling nuclear and membrane activation

Estetrol (E4) is a natural estrogen with a long half‐life produced only by the human fetal liver during pregnancy. The crystal structures of the estrogen receptor α (ERα) ligand‐binding domain bound to 17β‐estradiol (E2) and E4 are very similar, as well as their capacity to activate the two activation functions AF‐1 and AF‐2 and to recruit the coactivator SRC3. In vivo administration of high doses of E4 stimulated uterine gene expression, epithelial proliferation, and prevented atheroma, three recognized nuclear ERα actions. However, E4 failed to promote endothelial NO synthase activation and acceleration of endothelial healing, two processes clearly dependent on membrane‐initiated steroid signaling (MISS). Furthermore, E4 antagonized E2 MISS‐dependent effects in endothelium but also in MCF‐7 breast cancer cell line. This profile of ERα activation by E4, uncoupling nuclear and membrane activation, characterizes E4 as a selective ER modulator which could have medical applications that should now be considered further.