Shaimaa Ahmed

Dioxin Increases the Interaction Between Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor and Estrogen Receptor Alpha at Human Promoters

Recent studies have shown that activated aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) induced the recruitment of estrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha) to AHR-regulated genes and that AHR is recruited to ERalpha-regulated genes. However, these findings were limited to a small number of well-characterized AHR- or ERalpha-responsive genes with little knowledge of what was occurring at other genomic regions. In this study, we showed using chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by hybridization to promoter focused microarrays (ChIP-chip) that 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin treatment significantly increased the overlap of genomic regions bound by both AHR and ERalpha. Conventional and sequential ChIPs confirmed the recruitment of AHR and ERalpha to many of the identified regions. Transcription factor binding site analysis revealed an overrepresentation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor response elements in regions bound by both AHR and ERalpha, suggesting that AHR was the important factor determining the recruitment of ERalpha to these regions. RNA interference-mediated knockdown of AHR confirmed its requirement for the recruitment of ERalpha to some, but not all, of the shared regions. Our findings demonstrate not only that dioxin induces the recruitment of ERalpha to AHR target genes but also that AHR is recruited to estrogen-responsive regions in a gene-specific manner, suggesting that AHR utilizes both of these mechanisms to modulate estrogen-dependent signaling.

Estrogen receptor subtype- and promoter-specific modulation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor-dependent transcription.

In this study, we examined the role of estrogen receptors (ER) in aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR)–dependent transactivation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed that AHR agonists differentially induced recruitment of ERα to the AHR target genes CYP1A1 and CYP1B1. Cotreatment with 17β-estradiol significantly increased β-naphthoflavone (BNF)– and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin–induced recruitment of ERα to CYP1A1, whereas 3,3′-diindolylmethane induced promoter occupancy of ERα at CYP1A1 that was unaffected by cotreatment with 17β-estradiol. Cyclical recruitment of AHR and ERα to CYP1A1 was only observed in cells treated with BNF. Stable and subtype-specific knockdown of ERα or ERβ using shRNA showed that suppression of ERα significantly reduced, whereas knockdown of ERβ significantly enhanced, AHR agonist–induced Cyp1a1 expression in HC11 mouse mammary epithelial cells. AHR agonist–induced Cyp1b1 expression was reduced by ERβ knockdown but unaffected by ERα knockdown. The siRNA-mediated knockdown of ERα in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells did not affect 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin–dependent regulation of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 mRNA expression. In agreement with our in vitro findings in the HC11 cells, ERα knockout mice exhibit reduced BNF-dependent induction of Cyp1a1 mRNA. These results establish ligand- and promoter-specific influences on the cyclical recruitment patterns for AHR and show ER species-, subtype-, and promoter-specific modulation of AHR-dependent transcription. (Mol Cancer Res 2009;7(6):977–86)

3-Methylcholanthrene Induces Differential Recruitment of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor to Human Promoters

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated protein that mediates the toxic actions of polycyclic aromatic and halogenated compounds. Identifying genes directly regulated by AHR is important in understanding the pathways regulated by this receptor. Here we used the techniques of chromatin immunoprecipitation and DNA microarrays (ChIP-chip) to detect AHR-bound genomic regions after 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC) treatment of T-47D human breast cancer cells. We identified 241 AHR-3MC-bound regions, and transcription factor-binding site analysis revealed a strong overrepresentation of the AHR-responsive element. Conventional ChIP confirmed recruitment of AHR to 26 regions with target gene responses to 3MC varying from activation to inhibition to having no effect. A comparison of identified AHR-3MC-bound regions with AHR-2,3,7,8-tetrchlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-bound regions from our previous study (Ahmed, S., Valen, E., Sandelin, A., and Matthews, J. (2009). Toxicol. Sci. 111, 254-266) revealed that 127 regions were common between the data sets. Time course ChIPs for six of the regions showed that 3MC induced gene-specific changes in histone H3 acetylation and methylation and induced differential oscillatory binding of AHR, with a periodicity between 1.5 and 2 h. Re-treatment of cells with 3MC failed to alter the oscillatory binding profiles of AHR or aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator. Cells became responsive to 3MC but not TCDD after 24 h of exposure to 3MC, highlighting important differences in AHR responsiveness between the two ligands. Our results reveal a number of novel AHR-bound promoter regions and target genes that exhibit differential kinetic binding profiles and regulation by AHR.

Loss of the Mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase, Tiparp, Increases Sensitivity to Dioxin-induced Steatohepatitis and Lethality

Background: Tiparp is an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) repressor, but its role in dioxin toxicity is unknown. Results: Loss of Tiparp increases sensitivity to dioxin toxicity and lethality. Tiparp ADP-ribosylates AHR, which is reversed by the mono-ADP-ribosylase, MacroD1. Conclusion: We identify new roles for Tiparp, MacroD1, and ADP-ribosylation in AHR signaling and dioxin toxicity. Significance: These data reveal the importance of TIPARP in regulating AHR activity in mice. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) mediates the toxic effects of the environmental contaminant dioxin (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin; TCDD). Dioxin causes a range of toxic responses, including hepatic damage, steatohepatitis, and a lethal wasting syndrome; however, the mechanisms are still unknown. Here, we show that the loss of TCDD-inducible poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (Tiparp), an ADP-ribosyltransferase and AHR repressor, increases sensitivity to dioxin-induced toxicity, steatohepatitis, and lethality. Tiparp−/− mice given a single injection of 100 μg/kg dioxin did not survive beyond day 5; all Tiparp+/+ mice survived the 30-day treatment. Dioxin-treated Tiparp−/− mice exhibited increased liver steatosis and hepatotoxicity. Tiparp ADP-ribosylated AHR but not its dimerization partner, the AHR nuclear translocator, and the repressive effects of TIPARP on AHR were reversed by the macrodomain containing mono-ADP-ribosylase MACROD1 but not MACROD2. These results reveal previously unidentified roles for Tiparp, MacroD1, and ADP-ribosylation in AHR-mediated steatohepatitis and lethality in response to dioxin.

Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Repressor and TiPARP (ARTD14) Use Similar, but also Distinct Mechanisms to Repress Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Signaling

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) regulates the toxic effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). The AHR repressor (AHRR) is an AHR target gene and functions as a ligand-induced repressor of AHR; however, its mechanism of inhibition is controversial. Recently, we reported that TCDD-inducible poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (TiPARP; ARTD14) also acts as a repressor of AHR, representing a new player in the mechanism of AHR action. Here we compared the ability of AHRR- and TiPARP-mediated inhibition of AHR activity. TCDD increased AHRR mRNA levels and recruitment of AHRR to cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) in MCF7 cells. Knockdown of TiPARP, but not AHRR, increased TCDD-induced CYP1A1 mRNA and AHR protein levels. Similarly, immortalized TiPARP−/− mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and AHRR−/− MEFs exhibited enhanced AHR transactivation. However, unlike TiPARP−/− MEFs, AHRR−/− MEFs did not exhibit increased AHR protein levels. Overexpression of TiPARP in AHRR−/− MEFs or AHRRΔ8, the active isoform of AHRR, in TiPARP−/− MEFs reduced TCDD-induced CYP1A1 mRNA levels, suggesting that they independently repress AHR. GFP-AHRRΔ8 and GFP-TiPARP expressed as small diffuse nuclear foci in MCF7 and HuH7 cells. GFP-AHRRΔ8_Δ1-49, which lacks its putative nuclear localization signal, localized to both the nucleus and the cytoplasm, while the GFP-AHRRΔ8_Δ1-100 mutant localized predominantly in large cytoplasmic foci. Neither GFP-AHRRΔ8_Δ1-49 nor GFP-AHRRΔ8_Δ1-100 repressed AHR. Taken together, AHRR and TiPARP repress AHR transactivation by similar, but also different mechanisms.

FOXA1 Is Essential for Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor–Dependent Regulation of Cyclin G2

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that mediates the effects of the environmental contaminant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Recently, AHR has emerged as a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer by virtue of its ability to modulate estrogen receptor-α (ERα) signalling and/or its ability to block cell proliferation. Our previous studies identified cyclin G2 (CCNG2), an inhibitor of cell-cycle progression, as an AHR target gene; however, the mechanism of this regulation is unknown. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays in T-47D human breast cancer cells revealed a TCDD-dependent recruitment of AHR, nuclear co-activator 3 (NCoA3) and the transcription factor forkhead box A1 (FOXA1), a key regulator of breast cancer cell signaling, to CCNG2 resulting in increases in CCNG2 mRNA and protein levels. Mutation of the AHR response element (AHRE) and forkhead-binding sites abolished TCDD-induced CCNG2-regulated reporter gene activity. RNA interference–mediated knockdown of FOXA1 prevented the TCDD-dependent recruitment of AHR and NCoA3 to CCNG2 and reduced CCNG2 mRNA levels. Interestingly, knockdown of FOXA1 also caused a marked decrease in ERα, but not AHR protein levels. However, RNA interference–mediated knockdown of ERα, a negative regulator of CCNG2, had no effect on TCDD-dependent AHR or NCoA3 recruitment to or expression of CCNG2. These findings show that FOXA1, but not ERα, is essential for AHR-dependent regulation of CCNG2, assigning a role for FOXA1 in AHR action. Mol Cancer Res; 10(5); 636–48. ©2012 AACR.

Pyruvate Kinase Isoform Switching and Hepatic Metabolic Reprogramming by the Environmental Contaminant 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin

The environmental contaminant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) elicits dose-dependent hepatotoxicity that includes fat accumulation, inflammation, and fibrosis that may progress to hepatocellular carcinoma. To further investigate these effects, RNA-Seq data were integrated with computationally identified putative dioxin response elements, and complementary targeted metabolomic and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ChIP-Seq data from female C57BL/6 mice gavaged with TCDD every 4 days for 28 days. Data integration using CytoKEGG with manual curation identified dose-dependent alterations in central carbon and amino acid metabolism. More specifically, TCDD increased pyruvate kinase isoform M2 (PKM2) gene and protein expression. PKM2 has lower catalytic activity resulting in decreased glycolytic flux and the accumulation of upstream intermediates that were redirected to the pentose phosphate pathway and serine/folate biosynthesis, 2 important NADPH producing pathways stemming from glycolysis. In addition, the GAC:KGA glutaminase (GLS1) protein isoform ratio was increased, consistent with increases in glutaminolysis which serves an anaplerotic role for the TCA cycle and compensates for the reduced glycolytic flux. Collectively, gene expression, protein, and metabolite changes were indicative of increases in NADPH production in support of cytochrome P450 activity and ROS defenses. This AhR-mediated metabolic reprogramming is similar to the Warburg effect and represents a novel advantageous defense mechanism to increase anti-oxidant capacity in normal differentiated hepatocytes.

Activation function 2 mediates dioxin-induced recruitment of estrogen receptor alpha to CYP1A1 and CYP1B1.

We investigated the role of the activation function 1 (AF1) and AF2 domains of estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) in mediating dioxin-dependent recruitment of ERalpha to cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) and CYP1B1 in HuH-7 human hepatoma cells. Dioxin-induced recruitment of ERalpha wildtype (ERalpha-WT) and an ERalpha AF1 deletion mutant (ERalpha-DeltaAF1), but not a transcriptional inactive AF2 mutant (ERalpha-AF2mut) to CYP1A1 and CYP1B1. Direct interactions between AHR and the AF1 and AF2 domains of ERalpha were observed, and were independent of mutations in the AF2. Expression of ERalpha-WT increased dioxin-induced CYP1A1 and CYP1B1-regulated reporter activity, and CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 mRNA levels. However, no increases in gene expression above vector controls were observed in cells transfected with ERalpha-DeltaAF1 or ERalpha-AF2mut. Our data show that the AF2 domain contributes to dioxin-induced recruitment of ERalpha to AHR target genes, but that both the AF1 and AF2 domains are required for ERalpha-dependent increases in AHR activity.

Zinc Finger Nuclease–Mediated Knockout of AHR or ARNT in Human Breast Cancer Cells Abolishes Basal and Ligand-Dependent Regulation of CYP1B1 and Differentially Affects Estrogen Receptor α Transactivation

In this study, we used zinc finger nuclease-mediated knockout of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) or AHR nuclear translocator (ARNT) in MCF7 and AHR knockout in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells to investigate cross talk among AHR, ARNT, and estrogen receptor α (ERα). Knockout of AHR or ARNT prevented the 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-dependent induction of all AHR target genes examined. Knockout of AHR or ARNT also significantly reduced basal cytochrome P4501B1 (CYP1B1) expression levels, which were restored with overexpression of either protein but not with a DNA binding-deficient AHR mutant. Basal and TCDD-, 17β-estradiol (E2)-, or TCDD + E2-dependent recruitment of AHR, ARNT, ERα, NCoA3, and RNA polymerase II to CYP1B1 as well as CYP1B1 mRNA levels were abolished in MCF7-AHR((ko)) and MDA-MB-231 AHR(ko) cells. However, reduced but significant E2-dependent recruitment of ERα, NCoA3, and RNA polymerase II to CYP1B1 and weak increases in CYP1B1 mRNA levels were observed in MCF7 ARNT((ko)) cells. Interestingly, E2-dependent increases in trefoil factor 1, but not growth regulation by estrogen in breast cancer 1 (GREB1) mRNA levels, were dependent on ARNT expression. Moreover, the TCDD-dependent increases in the proteolytic degradation of ERα were prevented by the loss of AHR or ARNT. Our data show that AHR and ARNT play critical roles in the basal, TCDD, and E2-induced regulation of CYP1B1 but also reveal distinct roles for both proteins in ERα transactivation.

AHR- and ER-Mediated Toxicology and Chemoprevention

Abstract The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and estrogen receptors (ERs) are ligand-activated transcription factors and members of the basic helix-loop-helix PER-ARNT-SIM (bHLH-PAS) and nuclear receptor (NR) superfamilies, respectively. The bHLH-PAS and NRs regulate many vital physiological processes including metabolism, circadian rhythm, differentiation, development, and reproduction. However, both receptor families are also associated with numerous human diseases. Reciprocal crosstalk between AHR and ERs is proposed to both positively and negatively impact human health. ERs are the most important targets in the treatment of breast cancer. The AHR, which is activated by many environmental pollutants, natural/dietary compounds, and endogenous substances, is a negative regulator of ER function. The role of ERα in AHR signaling is less clear as it is known to exhibit cell-type and promoter-specific differences. In this chapter, we will highlight the current understanding of AHR and ER crosstalk and toxicity.