Kuniko Horie

Use of recombinant α1-adrenoceptors to characterize subtype selectivity of drugs for the treatment of prostatic hypertrophy

Several alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonists have recently been developed for the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy because of their less frequent systemic side-effects compared to conventional alpha 1-adrenoceptor blockers. One potential explanation for their good tolerability would be the selectivity for a certain subtype of alpha 1-adrenoceptor. Utilizing COS-7 cells expressing the rat alpha 1A, the hamster alpha 1B and the human alpha 1C-adrenoceptors, we investigated affinities of alfuzosin, doxazosin, terazosin, indoramin and (+)- and (-)-5-[2-[[2-(o-ethoxyphenoxy)ethyl] amino]propyl]-2-methoxybenzesulfonamide HCl (YM 617) compared to prazosin. Radioligand binding studies showed that the affinities of alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes for alfuzosin (Ki value; alpha 1A: 2.4 nM, alpha 1B:1.4 nM, alpha 1C:4.2 nM), doxazosin (Ki value; alpha 1A:2.7 nM, alpha 1B:3.2 nM, alpha 1C:7.5 nM), terazosin (Ki value; alpha 1A:2.5 nM, alpha 1B:2.7 nM, alpha 1C:7.1 nM), indoramin (Ki value; alpha 1A:69 nM, alpha 1B:21 nM, alpha 1C:13 nM) and prazosin (Ki value; alpha 1A:0.16 nM, alpha 1B:0.19 nM, alpha 1C:0.2 nM) were equipotent to the three receptor subtypes. Unlike these antagonists, both (+)- and (-)-YM617 had relatively lower affinity for alpha 1B receptors compared to the other subtypes (Ki value; for (+)-YM617, alpha 1A:22 nM, alpha 1B:96 nM, alpha 1C:4.3 nM; for (-)-YM617, alpha 1A:0.11 nM, alpha 1B:0.7 nM, alpha 1C:0.035 nM). The data suggest that alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonists currently used for the treatment of the benign prostatic hyperplasia do not show substantial subtype selectivity.

Cloning, functional expression and tissue distribution of human α1C-adrenoceptor splice variants

We report the cloning and characterization of two isoforms of human α 1C‐adrenoceptor cDNA (α 1C‐2, α C‐3). These isoforms are generated by alternative splicing and differ from the clone we previously isolated (α 1C‐1) in their length and sequences of the C‐terminal domain. Tissue distribution of mRNAs showed that these variants co‐express with α 1C‐1 in the human heart, liver, cerebellum and cerebrum. Despite the structural differences, functional experiments in transfected CHO cells showed that the three isoforms have similar ligand binding properties, and all couple with phospholipase C/Ca2+ signaling pathway.

Nuclear cyclin B1 in human breast carcinoma as a potent prognostic factor

Cyclin B1 is translocated to the nucleus from the cytoplasm, and plays an essential role in cell proliferation through promotion of mitosis. Although overexpression of cyclin B1 was previously reported in breast carcinomas, the biological significance of the intracellular localization of cyclin B1 remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, we examined cyclin B1 immunoreactivity in 109 breast carcinomas, according to the intracellular localization, that is, nucleus, cytoplasm or total (nucleus or cytoplasm). Total cyclin B1 was detected in carcinoma cells in 42% of breast carcinomas examined, whereas nuclear and cytoplasmic cyclin B1 were positive in 17 and 35% of the cases, respectively. Total or cytoplasmic cyclin B1 were positively associated with histological grade, mitosis, Ki‐67, p53, c‐myc or 14‐3‐3σ, and inversely correlated with estrogen or progesterone receptor. Nuclear cyclin B1 was significantly associated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis, histological grade, mitosis, Ki‐67 or polo‐like kinase 1. Only nuclear cyclin B1 was significantly associated with adverse clinical outcome of the patients, and multivariate analyses of disease‐free and overall survival demonstrated nuclear cyclin B1 as the independent marker. A similar tendency was detected in the patients receiving adjuvant therapy after surgery. These results suggest that an onocogenic role of overexpressed cyclin B1 is mainly mediated in nuclei of breast carcinoma cells, and the nuclear translocation is regulated by polo‐like kinase 1 and 14‐3‐3σ. Nuclear cyclin B1‐positive breast carcinoma is resistant to adjuvant therapy, and nuclear cyclin B1 immunoreactivity is a potent prognostic factor in breast carcinoma patients. (Cancer Sci 2007; 98: 644–651)

NS-49, a novel α1a-adrenoceptor-selective agonist characterization using recombinant human α1-adrenoceptors

Abstract α1-Adrenoceptors comprise a heterogeneous family and subtype-selective ligands are valuable in studying the functional role of each receptor subtype. Using the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably expressing the cloned human α1-adrenoceptor subtypes (α1a, α1b, and α1d)1, we have compared a newly synthesized phenethylamine class agonist (R)-(−)-3′-(2-amino-1-hydroxythyl)-4′- fluoromethanesulfonanilide hydrochloride (NS-49) with imidazoline class agonist oxymetazoline in their binding affinities and intrinsic activities in causing transient increases of cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]1 response). Radioligand binding sites with 2-[β-(4-hydroxy-3-[125I]iodophenyl)ethylamino-methyl]tetralone ([125I]HEAT) showed NS-49 and oxymetazoline had higher affinities at α1a- than at α1b- and α1d-subtypes (−log Ki values at α1a−, α1b− and α1d-subtype: 6.18, 5.13, and 5.38 for NS-49; 8.19, 6.50, and 6.44 for oxymetazoline, respectively). In functional studies, both oxymetazoline and NS-49 worked as a selective and partial agonist at α1a-subtype; however, NS-49 is more efficacious than oxymetazoline. NS-49 is the phenethylamine class of α1-adrenoceptor partial agonist relatively selective and efficacious for the human α1a-adrenoceptor subtype. NS-49 would be potentially useful for studying the physiological role of α1-adrenoceptor subtype.

Pregnane X receptor knockout mice display osteopenia with reduced bone formation and enhanced bone resorption

The steroid and xenobiotic receptor (SXR) and its murine ortholog pregnane X receptor (PXR) are nuclear receptors that are expressed mainly in the liver and intestine where they function as xenobiotic sensors. In addition to its role as a xenobiotic sensor, previous studies in our laboratories and elsewhere have identified a role for SXR/PXR as a mediator of bone homeostasis. Here, we report that systemic deletion of PXR results in marked osteopenia with mechanical fragility in female mice as young as 4 months old. Bone mineral density (BMD) of PXR knockout (PXRKO) mice was significantly decreased compared with the BMD of wild-type (WT) mice. Micro-computed tomography analysis of femoral trabecular bones revealed that the three-dimensional bone volume fraction of PXRKO mice was markedly reduced compared with that of WT mice. Histomorphometrical analysis of the trabecular bones in the proximal tibia showed a remarkable reduction in bone mass in PXRKO mice. As for bone turnover of the trabecular bones, bone formation is reduced, whereas bone resorption is enhanced in PXRKO mice. Histomorphometrical analysis of femoral cortical bones revealed a larger cortical area in WT mice than that in PXRKO mice. WT mice had a thicker cortical width than PXRKO mice. Three-point bending test revealed that these morphological phenotypes actually caused mechanical fragility. Lastly, serum levels of phosphate, calcium, and alkaline phosphatase were unchanged in PXRKO mice compared with WT. Consistent with our previous results, we conclude that SXR/PXR promotes bone formation and suppresses bone resorption thus cementing a role for SXR/PXR as a key regulator of bone homeostasis.

Analysis of estrogen receptor α signaling complex at the plasma membrane

There is accumulating evidence that the estrogen receptor (ER) can transduce specific signals at the plasma membrane. We tried to clarify the biological function of ER as a signaling molecule by identifying proteins that interact with the membrane‐localized ER. The activation function 1 and 2 (AF‐1 and AF‐2) domains of ERα with or without the membrane‐targeting sequence were stably expressed in the breast cancer cell line, MCF‐7. The level of tyrosine phosphorylation of AF‐2 was significantly elevated by the membrane localization. By mass‐spectrometry analysis, α‐ and β‐tubulins and heat shock protein 70 were identified as the AF‐1‐associated proteins. Of these, tubulins are associated only with membrane‐targeted AF‐1.

Estrogen-responsive RING finger protein controls breast cancer growth.

Most of the breast cancers initially respond to endocrine therapy that reduces the levels of estrogens or competes with estrogen for binding to its receptor. Most of the patients, however, acquire resistance to endocrine therapy with tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors later. We assumed that identification of estrogen-responsive genes those regulate the growth of breast cancer is indispensable to develop new strategies targeting the genes and overcome the resistance to current endocrine therapy. Estrogen-responsive finger protein (Efp) is one of the estrogen receptor (ER)-target genes we have cloned using genomic binding site cloning. Efp features a structure of the RING-finger B-box coiled-coil (RBCC) motif. We postulated that Efp is a critical factor in proliferation of breast tumors. In a model system using MCF7 cells grown in xenografts, we showed that inhibition of Efp expression by antisense oligonucleotide reduced the tumor growth. MCF7 cells overexpressing Efp formed tumors in xenografts even in estrogen deprivation environment. By yeast two-hybrid screen, we identified that Efp interacts with 14-3-3sigma, which is known as a cell cycle brake that causes G2 arrest and expressed in normal mammary glands. In vitro studies have revealed that Efp functions as a ubiquitin-protein ligase (E3) that targets 14-3-3sigma. These data suggest that Efp controls breast cancer growth through ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis of 14-3-3sigma. Future studies may provide a new therapy to block breast tumor proliferation by targeting Efp.

Estrogen activates cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 through induction of cyclin D in rat primary osteoblasts

Estrogen plays important roles in maintaining bone density and protecting against osteoporosis, but the underlying mechanisms of estrogen action via estrogen receptors (ERs) in bone remain to be clarified. In the present study, we isolated primary osteoblasts derived from transgenic rats harboring a dominant negative ER mutant, rat ERalpha (1-535) cDNA, and from their wild-type littermates. We observed that the rate of cell growth of osteoblasts from the transgenic rats was reduced compared to that of wild-type osteoblasts. Utilizing cDNA microarray analysis, we found that mRNA level of cyclin D2 was lower in the osteoblasts from the transgenic rats. D-type cyclins including cyclin D1, cyclin D2, and cyclin D3 are cell cycle regulators that promote progression through the early-to-mid G1 phase of the cell cycle. The protein levels of D-type cyclins including cyclin D2 and cyclin D3 but not cyclin D1 were elevated in wild-type osteoblasts with 17beta-estradiol treatment, resulting in the activation of cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (Cdk4/6) activities and the promotion of cell growth. Moreover, an anti-estrogen ICI 182,780 abolished the induction of the expression of D-type cyclins by 17beta-estradiol. Our findings indicate that estrogen and its receptors enhance Cdk4/6 activities through the induction of D-type cyclins, leading to the growth promotion of osteoblasts.

Cloning, functional expression and tissue distribution of human α 1C‐adrenoceptor splice variants

We report the cloning and characterization of two isoforms of human α 1C‐adrenoceptor cDNA (α 1C‐2, α C‐3). These isoforms are generated by alternative splicing and differ from the clone we previously isolated (α 1C‐1) in their length and sequences of the C‐terminal domain. Tissue distribution of mRNAs showed that these variants co‐express with α 1C‐1 in the human heart, liver, cerebellum and cerebrum. Despite the structural differences, functional experiments in transfected CHO cells showed that the three isoforms have similar ligand binding properties, and all couple with phospholipase C/Ca2+ signaling pathway.

Effect of receptor density on the receptor-effector coupling : use of cloned and stably expressed α1B-adrenoceptors in CHO cells

Using Chinese hamster ovary cells stably expressing alpha 1B-adrenoceptor as a model, we investigated whether the changes in receptor density may influence the receptor-effector coupling relationship. Among the transfected cells, two clones which showed similar pharmacological properties but markedly differed in receptor density (Bmax were 1600 and 110,000 sites/cell, respectively), were examined. The phenoxybenzamine inactivation method showed that the alpha 1B-adrenoceptor occupancy and transients of cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) response relationship was markedly nonlinear but similar in the two cell lines. The dose-response relationship for norepinephrine-induced [Ca2+]i response showed an increase in maximum effect with no change in agonist potency, and the increase in maximum effect was disproportionate to the difference in receptor density. The results indicate that the classical model of drug-receptor action cannot appropriately describe the coupling of alpha 1B-adrenoceptor to [Ca2+]i response in the single receptor expressing system.