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H Loosfelt

Publications and source records attributed to H Loosfelt.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Processing of the precursors of the human thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor in various eukaryotic cells (human thyrocytes, transfected L cells and baculovirus-infected insect cells).

The complementary DNA for human thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor encodes a single protein with a deduced molecular mass of 84.5 kDa. This protein is cleaved during its maturation in the human thyroid since the receptor protein has been shown to be composed of two subunits (alpha subunit of approximately 53 kDa and beta subunit of approximately 38 kDa) held together by disulfide bridges [Loosfelt, H., Pichon, C., Jolivet, A., Misrahi, M., Caillou, B., Jamous, M., Vannier, B. & Miligrom, E. (1992) Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 89, 3765-3769]. A similar processing occurs in an L cell line permanently expressing the human TSH receptor. The processing is however incomplete, resulting in a permanent accumulation of a 95-kDa high-mannose precursor which is present only in trace amounts in the thyroid. Pulse-chase experiments show the successive appearance in the L cells of two precursors: initially the approximately 95-kDa high-mannose glycoprotein followed by a approximately 120-kDa species containing mature oligosaccharides. This latter precursor is then processed into the alpha and beta subunits. In primary cultures of human thyrocytes precursors of similar size are detected. Spodoptera frugiperda insect cells (Sf9 and Sf21) infected with a recombinant baculovirus encoding the human TSH receptor synthesize a monomeric protein of about 90 kDa soluble only in denaturing conditions. Comparison with the product of in vitro transcription-translation experiments (approximately 80 kDa), suggests that it may be incompletely or improperly glycosylated. The TSH receptor expressed in these cells is unable to bind the hormone. Immunoelectron microscopy studies show that in human thyrocytes most of the receptor is present on the cell surface; in L cells the receptor is detected on the cell surface, as well as in the endoplasmic reticulum and in the Golgi apparatus (this intracellular pool of receptor molecules probably corresponding to the high-mannose precursor); in insect cells nearly all the receptor molecules are trapped in the endoplasmic reticulum. These differences in receptor distribution are concordant with the differences observed for receptor processing.

Animals↗

[LH receptors. A new family of G-protein receptors].

Monoclonal antibodies have been raised against porcine LH receptor and allowed to clone the corresponding messenger RNA from testicular cells. The structure of the LH receptor have been determined. It shows similarities but also differences to other G protein coupled receptors. In particular a large extracellular domain is specific for that family of receptors. Variants forms of the LH receptor generated by alternative splicing and lacking transmembrane domains have been isolated. Immunochemical and immunocytochemical studies have been performed. Three different forms of the LH receptor are physiologically expressed: a mature 85 kDa transmembrane species, a 68 kDa high mannose containing species corresponding to a precursor which accumulate inside the cells, and truncated 45-48 kDa molecular weight species corresponding to the variant messenger RNAs identified during the cloning of the receptor. A novel zonation of the ovary has been described by immunocytochemical studies. Cross hybridisation with the LH receptor clone allowed to isolate the related human TSH receptor from thyroïds. The human LH and FSH receptor genes have been localized to chromosome 2p21 and the TSH receptor gene to chromosome 14q31. The genes are very large and have introns only within their 5' part corresponding to the extracellular domain of the receptor.

Cloning, Molecular↗

The chromosomal localization of the human follicle-stimulating hormone receptor gene (FSHR) on 2p21-p16 is similar to that of the luteinizing hormone receptor gene.

Two cDNA probes (5' and 3' region) corresponding to the human follicle-stimulating hormone receptor gene (FSHR) were used for chromosomal localization by in situ hybridization. The localization obtained on chromosome 2p21-p16 is similar to that of the luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin (LH/CG) receptor gene.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Two-subunit structure of the human thyrotropin receptor.

The extracellular and intracellular domains of the human thyrotropin receptor were expressed in Escherichia coli and the proteins were used to produce monoclonal anti-receptor antibodies. Immunoblot studies and immunoaffinity purification showed that the receptor is composed of two subunits linked by disulfide bridges and probably derived by proteolytic cleavage of a single 90-kDa precursor. The extracellular alpha subunit (hormone binding) had an apparent molecular mass of 53 kDa (35 kDa after deglycosylation with N-glycosidase F). The membrane-spanning beta subunit seemed heterogeneous and had an apparent molecular mass of 33-42 kDa. Human thyroid membranes contained a 2.5- to 3-fold excess of beta subunits over alpha subunits. Immunocytochemistry showed the presence of both subunits in all the follicular thyroid cells, and both subunits were restricted to the basolateral region of the cell membrane.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mechanisms of nuclear localization of the progesterone receptor.

Deletion mutants of the rabbit progesterone receptor were used to identify two major mechanisms of its nuclear localization. A putative signal sequence, homologous to that of the SV40 large T antigen, was localized around amino acids 638-642 and was shown to be constitutively active. When amino acids 638-642 were deleted, the receptor became cytoplasmic but could be shifted into the nucleus by the addition of hormone (or anti-hormone), it was almost fully active. A second putative nuclear localization signal is located in the DNA binding domain activated either through ligand binding or through production of constitutive receptor. By deleting epitopes recognized by monoclonal antibodies, it was possible to follow different receptor mutants inside the same cells. In the absence of ligand the receptor was transferred into the nucleus as a monomer. After administration of hormone (or anti-hormone) a "cytoplasmic" monomer was transferred into the nucleus through interaction with a "nuclear" monomer. These interactions occurred through the steroid binding domains of both monomers.

Animals↗

[LH and TSH receptors. A new family of G protein-coupled receptors].

Monoclonal antibodies have been raised against porcine LH receptor and allowed to clone the corresponding messenger RNA from testicular cells. Cross hybridisation with the LH receptor clone allowed to isolate a clone corresponding to the human TSH receptor from thyroids. The structure of both receptors have been determined. They show similarities but also differences to other G protein coupled receptors. In particular a large extracellular domain is specific of that new family of receptors. Variant forms of the LH receptor lacking transmembrane domains have been isolated. The obtention of monoclonal antibodies against both receptors allowed immunochemical and immunocytochemical studies to be performed. The human LH receptor gene have been localized to chromosome 2p21 and TSH receptor gene to chromosome 14q31. The complete organisation of the human TSH receptor gene has been determined.

Animals↗

Phosphorylation of transfected wild type and mutated progesterone receptors.

An expression vector encoding wild type or mutated forms of the rabbit progesterone receptor was transfected into COS-7 cells and phosphorylation was studied by incubation with 32Pi followed by specific immunoprecipitation. The features of phosphorylation of the wild type receptor were identical to those previously observed in uterine cells: there was a basal level of phosphorylation which was increased approximately 7-fold by incubation with the hormone. The hyperphosphorylated receptor had decreased electrophoretic mobility ("upshift"). These experiments thus showed that the presence of the receptor specific kinase is not restricted to the target cells. Cleavage of the receptor by hydroxylamine and cyanogen bromide, and use of receptor mutants deleted in the N-terminal region, showed the absence of any detectable phosphorylation downstream from amino acid 520 (thus in the DNA and steroid binding domains). The majority of the phosphorylation sites were localized between amino acids 166 and 520. This localization was similar for basal and hormone-induced phosphorylation. DNA binding and hormone-induced hyperphosphorylation were not directly related, since deletion of the first zinc finger provided a hyperphosphorylated receptor. We showed that the constitutive receptor (totally deleted in the steroid binding region) exhibited only a low basal level of phosphorylation, and antagonist RU 486-receptor complexes were found to be hyperphosphorylated, leading us to conclude that the active form of the receptor was not the hyperphosphorylated one. Moreover receptor down regulation and hormone-induced receptor hyperphosphorylation were two independent phenomena. Basal phosphorylation was observed for both cytoplasmic and nuclear mutants, whereas nuclear localization was necessary but not sufficient for hyperphosphorylation. Finally, the second finger region and the hormone binding domain, which are necessary for receptor hyperphosphorylation, may be involved in the hormonally induced increased affinity of the receptor toward its kinase.

Animals↗

Nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of the progesterone receptor.

The nuclear localization of the progesterone receptor is mediated by two signal sequences: one is constitutive and lies in the hinge region (between the DNA and steroid binding domains), the other is hormone dependent and is localized in the second zinc finger of the DNA binding domain. The use of various inhibitors of energy synthesis in cells expressing permanently or transiently the wild-type receptor or a receptor mutated within the nuclear localization signals, demonstrated that the nuclear residency of the receptor reflects a dynamic situation: the receptor diffusing into the cytoplasm and being constantly and actively transported back into the nucleus. The existence of this nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttle mechanism was confirmed by receptor transfer from one nucleus to the other in heterokaryons. Preliminary evidence was obtained, using oestrogen receptor, that this phenomenon may be of general significance for steroid receptors.

Animals↗

Cloning, sequencing and expression of human TSH receptor.

Complementary cDNA clones encoding the TSH (thyroid stimulatory hormone) receptor were isolated from a human thyroid lambda gt10 library using Iow stringency hybridization with LH/hCG (luteinizing hormone-human choriogonadotropic hormone) receptor probes. Sequencing of the clones showed a 764 amino acid open reading frame. The first 21 amino acids probably correspond to a signal peptide, the mature protein thus contains 743 amino acids (calculated molecular weight: 84,501 daltons). Its putative structure consists of a 394 amino acid extracellular domain, a 266 amino acid membrane spanning domain with 7 putative transmembrane segments and a 83 amino acid intracellular domain. A high degree of homology is observed with LH/hCG receptor suggesting the definition of a new subfamily of G-protein coupled receptors. Computer search showed the presence in the putative third intracellular loop of a motif resembling that described in the non receptor type protein tyrosine kinases (c-src, c-yes, c-fgr, etc...). RNA blots showed that the receptor messenger RNA consists of two major species of 4300 and 3900 nucleotides. The cDNA was inserted into an expression vector and after transfection into COS 7 cells it was shown to produce a functional TSH receptor.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Structural and functional studies of mammalian progesterone receptors.

During the past years there has been an improvement in our understanding of the molecular mechanism of action of the progesterone receptor (PR). This was due to the obtention of monoclonal antibodies against PR which allowed the first structural analyses and led to the cloning of the genes.

Animals↗

Cloning and sequencing of porcine LH-hCG receptor cDNA: variants lacking transmembrane domain.

Complementary DNA clones, encoding the LH-hCG (luteinizing hormone-human choriogonadotropic hormone) receptor were isolated by screening a lambda gt11 library with monoclonal antibodies. The primary structure of the protein was deduced from the DNA sequence analysis; the protein contains 696 amino acids with a putative signal peptide of 27 amino acids. Hydropathy analysis suggests the existence of seven transmembrane domains that show homology with the corresponding regions of other G protein-coupled receptors. Three other types of clones corresponding to shorter proteins were observed, in which the putative transmembrane domain was absent. These probably arose through alternative splicing. RNA blot analysis showed similar patterns in testis and ovary with a major RNA of 4700 nucleotides and several minor species. The messenger RNA was expressed in COS-7 cells, yielding a protein that bound hCG with the same affinity as the testicular receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mechanisms of nuclear localization of the progesterone receptor: evidence for interaction between monomers.

Deletion mutants of the rabbit progesterone receptor were used to identify two major mechanisms of its nuclear localization. A putative signal sequence, homologous to that of the SV40 large T antigen, was localized around amino acids 638-642 and shown to be constitutively active. When amino acids 638-642 were deleted, the receptor became cytoplasmic but could be shifted into the nucleus by the addition of hormone (or anti-hormone); it was almost fully active. The second mechanism consisted of the activation of the DNA binding domain. By deleting epitopes recognized by monoclonal antibodies, it was possible to follow different receptor mutants inside the same cells. In the absence of ligand, the receptor was transferred into the nucleus as a monomer. After administration of hormone (or anti-hormone) a "cytoplasmic" monomer was transferred into the nucleus through interaction with a "nuclear" monomer. These interactions occurred through the steroid binding domains of both monomers.

Animals↗