John G. Menke

27-Hydroxycholesterol Is an Endogenous Ligand for Liver X Receptor in Cholesterol-loaded Cells

The nuclear receptors liver X receptor α (LXRα) (NR1H3) and LXRβ (NR1H2) are important regulators of genes involved in lipid metabolism, including ABCA1,ABCG1, and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c). Although it has been demonstrated that oxysterols are LXR ligands, little is known about the identity of the physiological activators of these receptors. Here we confirm earlier studies demonstrating a dose-dependent induction of ABCA1 and ABCG1 in human monocyte-derived macrophages by cholesterol loading. In addition, we show that formation of 27-hydroxycholesterol and cholestenoic acid, products of CYP27 action on cholesterol, is dependent on the dose of cholesterol used to load the cells. Other proposed LXR ligands, including 20(S)-hydroxycholesterol, 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol, and 24(S),25-epoxycholesterol, could not be detected under these conditions. A role for CYP27 in regulation of cholesterol-induced genes was demonstrated by the following findings. 1) Introduction of CYP27 into HEK-293 cells conferred an induction of ABCG1 and SREBP-1c; 2) upon cholesterol loading, CYP27-expressing cells induce these genes to a greater extent than in control cells; 3) in CYP27-deficient human skin fibroblasts, the induction of ABCA1 in response to cholesterol loading was ablated; and 4) in a coactivator association assay, 27-hydroxycholesterol functionally activated LXR. We conclude that 27-hydroxylation of cholesterol is an important pathway for LXR activation in response to cholesterol overload.

Liver X Receptor Agonists as Potential Therapeutic Agents for Dyslipidemia and Atherosclerosis

The recent identification of liver X receptors (LXR) as regulators of the cholesterol and phospholipid export pump ABCA1 has raised the possibility that LXR agonists could be developed as HDL-raising agents, possibly also acting on the artery wall to stimulate cholesterol efflux from lipid-laden macrophages. Presently several pharmaceutical companies are working to develop such compounds, which will require finding a path for separating these beneficial effects from the detrimental stimulation of triglyceride synthesis also inherent to LXR agonists. Other challenges to the drug development process include species differences, which makes prediction of in vivo effects of LXR agonists in humans difficult. This review summarizes the present state of knowledge on LXR as a drug target and discusses possible solutions for dissociating the favorable effects of LXR agonists from their unwanted effects.

A potent synthetic LXR agonist is more effective than cholesterol-loading at inducing ABCA1 mRNA and stimulating cholesterol efflux

The LXR nuclear receptors are intracellular sensors of cholesterol excess and are activated by various oxysterols. LXRs have been shown to regulate multiple genes of lipid metabolism, including ABCA1 (formerly known asABC1). ABCA1 is a lipid pump that effluxes cholesterol and phospholipid out of cells. ABCA1 deficiency causes extremely low high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, demonstrating the importance of ABCA1 in the formation of HDL. The present work shows that the acetyl-podocarpic dimer (APD) is a potent, selective agonist for both LXRα (NR1H3) and LXRβ (NR1H2). In transient transactivation assays, APD was ∼1000-fold more potent, and yielded ∼6-fold greater maximal stimulation, than the widely used LXR agonist 22-(R)-hydroxycholesterol. APD induced ABCA1mRNA levels, and increased efflux of both cholesterol and phospholipid, from multiple cell types. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry measurements demonstrated that APD stimulated efflux of endogenous cholesterol, eliminating any possible artifacts of cholesterol labeling. For both mRNA induction and stimulation of cholesterol efflux, APD was found to be more effective than was cholesterol loading. Taken together, these data show that APD is a more effective LXR agonist than endogenous oxysterols. LXR agonists may therefore be useful for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis, especially in the context of low HDL levels.

L-764406 is a partial agonist of human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma. The role of Cys313 in ligand binding.

Insulin-sensitizing thiazolidinedione (TZD) compounds are high affinity ligands for a member of the nuclear receptor family, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ. A scintillation proximity assay for measurement of3H-radiolabeled TZD binding to human PPARγ under homogeneous conditions was developed. Using this approach, a novel non-TZD compound (L-764406) was shown to be a potent (apparent binding IC50 of 70 nm) PPARγ ligand. Preincubation of PPARγ with L-764406 prevented binding of the [3H]TZD, suggesting a covalent interaction with the receptor; in addition, structurally related analogues ofL-764406, which would be predicted not to interact with PPARγ in a covalent fashion, did not displace [3H]TZD binding to PPARγ. Covalent binding of L-764406 was proven by an observed molecular weight shift of a tryptic PPARγ ligand binding domain (LBD) peptide by mass spectrometric analysis. A specific cysteine residue (Cys313 in helix 3 of hPPARγ2) was identified as the attachment site for this compound. In protease protection experiments, the liganded receptor adopted a typical agonist conformation. L-764406 exhibited partial agonist activity in cells expressing a chimeric receptor containing the PPARγ LBD and a cognate reporter gene and also induced the expression of the adipocyte-specific gene aP2 in 3T3-L1 cells. In contrast,L-764406 did not exhibit activity in cells transfected with chimeric receptors containing PPARα or PPARδ LBDs. The partial agonist properties of L-764406 were also evident in a co-activator association assay, indicating that the increased transcription in cells was co-activator mediated. Thus,L-764406 is a novel non-TZD ligand for PPARγ and is also the first known partial agonist for this receptor. The results suggest a critical functional role for Cys313, and helix 3, in contributing to ligand binding and subsequent agonist-induced conformational changes.

Cloning and pharmacological characterization of a rabbit bradykinin B1 receptor

A rabbit B1 bradykinin receptor cDNA was isolated from a rabbit aorta smooth muscle cell library. The 1223 bp cDNA clone encodes a protein of 352 amino acids which is 78% identical to the human bradykinin B1(3) receptor protein. Heterologous expression of the rabbit B1 receptor cDNA in COS-7 cells imparts a high affinity specific binding for 3H-labeled [des-Arg10,Leu9]kallidin. Scatchard analysis indicates that the receptor binds the radiolabeled ligand with a Kd of 0.5 nM. The ability of kallidin (Lys-bradykinin) and bradykinin analogues to compete with binding of 3H-labeled [des-Arg10,Leu9]kallidin was determined and defined a rank order of potency: [des-Arg10,Leu9]kallidin = [des-Arg10]kallidin > [des- Arg9]bradykinin = kallidin >> bradykinin. This receptor exhibits the classical B1 pharmacological property of preferentially binding to kinin analogues which lack the C-terminal arginine. In addition, the affinities for [des-Arg10]kallidin and [des-Arg10,Leu9]kallidin are 100-fold higher than those for the corresponding bradykinin analogues [des-Arg9]bradykinin and [des-Arg9,Leu8]bradykinin which lack the N-terminal lysine. This pharmacological profile is characteristic of the B1 receptor subtype.

A Novel Liver X Receptor Agonist Establishes Species Differences in the Regulation of Cholesterol 7α-Hydroxylase (CYP7a)

The liver X receptors, LXRα and LXRβ, are members of the nuclear receptor superfamily. Originally identified as orphans, both receptor subtypes have since been shown to be activated by naturally occurring oxysterols. LXRα knockout mice fail to regulate cyp7a mRNA levels upon cholesterol feeding, implicating the role of this receptor in cholesterol homeostasis. LXR activation also induces the expression of the lipid pump involved in cholesterol efflux, the gene encoding ATP binding cassette protein A1 (ABCA1). Therefore, LXR is believed to be a sensor of cholesterol levels and a potential therapeutic target for atherosclerosis. Here we describe a synthetic molecule named F3MethylAA [3-chloro-4-(3-(7-propyl-3-trifluoromethyl-6-(4,5)-isoxazolyl)propylthio)-phenyl acetic acid] that is more potent than 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol in LXR in vitro assays. F3MethylAA is capable not only of inducing ABCA1 mRNA levels, but also increasing cholesterol efflux from THP-1 macrophages. In rat hepatocytes, F3MethylAA induce...

The nuclear membrane organization of leukotriene synthesis

Leukotrienes (LTs) are signaling molecules derived from arachidonic acid that initiate and amplify innate and adaptive immunity. In turn, how their synthesis is organized on the nuclear envelope of myeloid cells in response to extracellular signals is not understood. We define the supramolecular architecture of LT synthesis by identifying the activation-dependent assembly of novel multiprotein complexes on the outer and inner nuclear membranes of mast cells. These complexes are centered on the integral membrane protein 5-Lipoxygenase-Activating Protein, which we identify as a scaffold protein for 5-Lipoxygenase, the initial enzyme of LT synthesis. We also identify these complexes in mouse neutrophils isolated from inflamed joints. Our studies reveal the macromolecular organization of LT synthesis.

Disulfide bonds are neither required, present, nor compatible with full activity of human recombinant acidic fibroblast growth factor.

Human acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) is a potent broad-spectrum mitogen that contains three Cys residues within its monomeric structure. We have found that site-directed mutants in which any one of these Cys residues is converted to serine remain highly active, although variably dependent on heparin, so none of the three possible intramolecular disulfide bonds that can be formed are required for mitogenic activity. Furthermore, a dispensable disulfide bond that might stabilize the active conformation is not present since all three Cys residues are accessible to chemical modification in recombinant as well as brain-derived aFGFs. Finally, formation of a disulfide bond between the two Cys residues conserved among all seven known members of the FGF family results in a virtually inactive product that can subsequently be reactivated by reduction. Thus, despite the extracellular function of aFGF, its Cys residues do not form intramolecular disulfide bonds in the active conformation.

Miniaturization of Cell-Based β-Lactamase-Dependent FRET Assays to Ultra-High Throughput Formats to Identify Agonists of Human Liver X Receptors

Activation of liver X receptors (LXRs) induces reverse cholesterol transport and increases high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in vivo. Here, we describe novel, functional, homogeneous cell-based fluorescence resonance energy transfer assays for identifying agonists of LXRs using beta-lactamase as the reporter gene. Stable Chinese hamster ovary cell lines expressing LXRalpha-GAL4 or LXRbeta-GAL4 fusion proteins that regulate beta-lactamase transcription from upstream 7 x UAS GAL4 DNA binding sequences were generated and characterized. Synthetic and natural ligands of LXR dose-dependently activated the expression of beta-lactamase in a subtype-specific manner. These assays were used to demonstrate that a 1-pyridyl hydantoin small molecule LXR synthetic ligand specifically activates LXRalpha receptors. The beta-lactamase assays were optimized for cell density, dimethyl sulfoxide sensitivity, and time of agonist stimulation. Clonal LXRbeta-GAL4-beta-lactamase cells were miniaturized into an ultra high throughput (3456-well nanoplates) screening format.

A gene expression signature that classifies human atherosclerotic plaque by relative inflammation status.

Background— Atherosclerosis is a complex disease requiring improvements in diagnostic techniques and therapeutic treatments. Both improvements will be facilitated by greater exploration of the biology of atherosclerotic plaque. To this end, we carried out large-scale gene expression analysis of human atherosclerotic lesions. Methods and Results— Whole genome expression analysis of 101 plaques from patients with peripheral artery disease identified a robust gene signature (1514 genes) that is dominated by processes related to Toll-like receptor signaling, T-cell activation, cholesterol efflux, oxidative stress response, inflammatory cytokine production, vasoconstriction, and lysosomal activity. Further analysis of gene expression in microdissected carotid plaque samples revealed that this signature is differentially expressed in macrophage-rich and smooth muscle cell–containing regions. A quantitative PCR gene expression panel and inflammatory composite score were developed on the basis of the atherosclerotic plaque gene signature. When applied to serial sections of carotid plaque, the inflammatory composite score was observed to correlate with histological and morphological features related to plaque vulnerability. Conclusions— The robust mRNA expression signature identified in the present report is associated with pathological features of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque and may be useful as a source of biomarkers and targets of novel antiatherosclerotic therapies.