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M Pfahl

Publications and source records attributed to M Pfahl.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Genomic organization of the retinoic acid receptor gamma gene.

The retinoic acid receptors (RAR) belong to the large family of ligand responsive gene regulatory proteins that includes receptors for steroid and thyroid hormones. These proteins contain two highly conserved domains, involved in determining their DNA and ligand binding activities. Three distinct RARs have been identified (RAR alpha, beta, and gamma) which are encoded by genes on separate chromosomes. Additional isoforms of the three receptors have been described that all differ in the N-terminal regions. To gain insight into the genomic organization and mechanisms of RAR isoform generation, we have analyzed the genomic structure of the RAR gamma gene. The major portion of the RAR gamma protein, including DNA and ligand binding domains, is encoded by seven exons that are identical for all RARg isoforms and are represented by a relatively small portion of the RAR gamma gene. The major portion of this gene encodes separate N-terminal exons for gamma 1 and gamma 2 isoforms and several exons for gamma 1 untranslated regions. We show that RAR gamma 2 transcription is regulated by its own promoter. In comparison with the steroid receptor subfamily, various splice sites of RAR gamma occur at altered positions, suggesting that the RAR subfamily has diverged early during evolution.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Regulatory functions of a non-ligand-binding thyroid hormone receptor isoform.

Gene regulation by thyroid hormones is mediated through multiple nuclear receptors. Only some of these thyroid hormone receptor (TR) isoforms become transcriptional enhancers in the presence of the thyroid hormone T3. Here we analyze the regulatory function of the human TR alpha 2 isoform. This protein does not bind T3 and is not a transcriptional activator of thyroid hormone-responsive elements (TRE). Transfected TR alpha 2 functions as a constitutive repressor of the transcriptional activators TR alpha 1 and TR beta 1 but also represses heterologous receptors, including the retinoic acid receptor and the estrogen receptor, which can activate TRE-controlled genes. TR alpha 2 protein showed strongly reduced DNA binding to a palindromic TRE when compared with the active TRs. Hybrid receptor analysis revealed that the special properties of the TR alpha 2 protein, including its repressor function and DNA binding characteristics, are intrinsic properties of its carboxyterminus and can be transferred to other receptors. Although it has been shown that the active TRs can act as repressors and silencers due to their strong DNA binding in the absence of hormone, our data show that TR alpha 2 is unlikely to inhibit TRs and other receptors through a competitive DNA binding mechanism. Antibody gel shift experiments suggest that repression by TR alpha 2 might result from interaction with active receptors. Thus, the receptor-like TR alpha 2 isoform differs from typical nuclear receptors in its DNA-binding and ligand-binding properties and appears to regulate the activity of other receptors via protein-protein interaction.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Novel pathway for thyroid hormone receptor action through interaction with jun and fos oncogene activities.

Many essential biological pathways, including cell growth, development, and metabolism, are regulated by thyroid hormones (THs). TH action is mediated by intracellular receptors that belong to a large family of ligand-dependent transcription factors, including the steroid hormone and retinoic acid receptors. So far it has been assumed that TH receptors (TRs) regulate gene transcription only through the classical protein-DNA interaction mechanism. Here we provide evidence for a regulatory pathway that allows cross-talk between TRs and the signal transduction pathway used by many growth factors, oncogenes, and tumor promoters. In transient transfection studies, we observed that the oncogenes c-jun and c-fos inhibit TR activities, while TRs inhibit induction of the c-fos promoter and repress AP-1 site-dependent gene activation. A truncated TR that lacks only 17 amino acids from the carboxy terminus can no longer antagonize AP-1 activity. The cross-regulation between TRs and the signal transduction pathway appears to be based on the ability of TRs to inhibit DNA binding of the transcription factor AP-1 in the presence of THs. The constituents of AP-1, c-Jun, and c-Fos, vice versa, can inhibit TR-induced gene activation in vivo, and c-Jun inhibits TR DNA binding in vitro. This novel regulatory pathway is likely to play a major role in growth control and differentiation by THs.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Antagonism between retinoic acid receptors.

In the developing mouse, retinoic acid receptors (RARs) beta and gamma 1 are expressed in characteristic spatiotemporal patterns which are correlated with different developmental fates of the respective tissues. Understanding the cues that regulate the expression of the various RARs may therefore provide insights into the process of tissue diversification. Transcription of RAR beta is rapidly upregulated through a retinoic acid-responsive element (here referred to as the beta RARE) in its promoter. Like RAR alpha and RAR beta, RAR gamma 1 has been implicated in the activation of the beta RARE. Therefore, it is puzzling that RAR beta and RAR gamma 1 appear to be expressed in reciprocal patterns. In the present report, we show that RAR gamma 1, one of the two predominant RAR gamma isoforms, can inhibit the activity of RAR gamma 2, RAR beta, and endogenous RAR on the beta RARE. In contrast, the three RAR gamma isoforms tested and RAR beta activated a palindromic thyroid hormone response element with similar levels of efficiency. The differential activity of RAR gamma 1 compared with that of RAR beta appears to reside in both the N-terminal and the C-terminal halves of RAR gamma 1. RAR gamma 1-mediated inhibition of other RARs may involve competition for the response element as well as direct interaction with other receptors and might be part of a regulatory system contributing to the characteristic tissue distribution of the various RARs.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

DNA binding and dimerization determinants for thyroid hormone receptor alpha and its interaction with a nuclear protein.

The gel retardation assay was used to analyze the role of the thyroid hormone receptor alpha (TR alpha) ligand-binding domain (LBD) in controlling receptor interaction with a thyroid hormone responsive element (TRE). While wild type receptor TR alpha binds to the TRE mainly as monomer, deletion of 85 amino acids from its C-terminus results in a mutant receptor with enhanced DNA binding that forms several slow mobility complexes as revealed by gel retardation assay. Receptor deletion mutants that lack most of the LBD show significantly elevated DNA binding and are still able to bind to DNA as two complexes. Thus, the C-terminal end of TR alpha appears to interfere with the dimerization/oligomerization function and DNA binding of TR alpha. All C-terminal deletion mutants have lost their T3-responsive activator function, but some show constitutive activity. Nuclear factor from several cell lines, including CV-1, F9, and GC cells, interacts with TR alpha receptor to form a larger molecular weight complex as determined by gel retardation assay. This factor could not be detected in HeLatk- cells, where TR alpha does not activate a TRE-containing reporter gene. The nuclear factor is heat sensitive and does not bind to TRE itself but can interact with TR alpha in the absence of DNA. Deletion analysis demonstrates that the leucine zipper-like sequence located in the LBD of TR alpha is involved in this interaction. Together, our data suggest that TR alpha contains a dimerization function outside the LBD which is inhibited by the carboxy-terminal region, while the leucine zipper-like sequence in the LBD is required for interaction with a nuclear factor.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1991

Inhibition of estrogen receptor activity by the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradeconylphorbol-13-acetate: a molecular analysis.

Cell proliferation and phenotype of cells from female reproductive tissues are regulated by estrogens. It is therefore important to understand how estrogen action can be modulated. It recently has been reported that certain nuclear receptors can antagonize the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradeconylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) by direct interaction with the transcription factor AP-1, and that the AP-1 constituents cJun and cFos can inhibit receptor activity. This mutual antagonism appears to be based on direct protein-protein interaction. In the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7, TPA leads to growth arrest and altered cell morphology. We have investigated here whether in MCF-7 cells and other cell lines AP-1 and estrogen receptors (ERs) can inhibit each other's activity. We find that TPA or the AP-1 components cJun and cFos can inhibit estradiol-dependent estrogen receptor activity in most cell lines investigated. In addition, ER mRNA is rapidly down-regulated in MCF-7 cells. Gel retardation experiments show that ER DNA binding is inhibited in vitro by cJun protein, while ER also can inhibit cJun DNA binding. However, in vivo we do not observe inhibition of AP-1 activity by ER in the cell lines investigated here. On the contrary, we observed an enhancing effect at low ER concentrations on AP-1. Together our data suggest a new regulatory pathway by which ER activity can be modulated by AP-1. Several mechanisms including ER-AP-1 protein interaction appear to be involved.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Thyroid hormone receptors repress estrogen receptor activation of a TRE.

The identification of hormone response elements in the promoter regions of hormonally regulated genes has revealed a striking similarity between the estrogen response element (ERE) and a palindromic thyroid hormone response element (TRE) derived from the GH gene promoter. In addition, this TRE was described as a strong retinoic acid receptor response element for all three subtypes: alpha, beta, and gamma. We show here that the TRE in the absence of thyroid hormone receptor (TR) behaves similarly to imperfect EREs, which can synergize to mediate a strong estrogen-dependent activation of transcription. However, in the presence of TR, but the absence of T3, activation of the TRE constructs by estrogen receptor (ER) is inhibited. In vitro, ER and TR were found to bind to the TRE in the absence and presence of their respective ligands; however, TRs form a more stable complex with the TRE than does ER. To examine whether repression of ER activity on the TRE constructs by TR was due to heterodimer formation, we employed truncated TR mutants (tTR) that lacked the DNA-binding domain, but contained the ligand-binding/dimerization domain. The tTRs were shown to be efficient inhibitors of TR, but not of ER. Thus, inhibition of ER activity on TREs by TRs does not result from heterodimer formation. We discuss a mechanism in which TRs, in the absence of thyroid hormone, control TRE activation by related receptors by preventing their access to the TRE. This mechanism can greatly enhance the fidelity of the ligand-specific response from a TRE.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Coordinate expression of functionally distinct thyroid hormone receptor alpha isoforms during neonatal brain development.

Thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) are nuclear proteins that regulate gene expression through interactions with specific DNA sequences. It is well known that thyroid hormones have critical functions in the control of normal brain development. In the rat brain, at least three mRNA species are generated by differential processing of the TR alpha transcript. Only one of the isoforms, TR alpha-1, is a transcriptional activator, while the regulatory roles of the carboxy-terminal variants TR alpha-2 and TR alpha-2v remain unclear. In this study we have used polymerase chain reaction amplification of total RNA to compare TR alpha-1, TR alpha-2, and TR alpha-2v mRNA levels in the brainstem, cerebellum, cerebrum, midbrain, and olfactory bulbs of developing neonatal brains in rats. RNA was collected 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 days after birth from both normal and hypothyroid animals. Coordinate expression of all three isoforms was observed in most tissues during development, with TR alpha-2 generally maintaining the highest level of expression, and TR alpha-1 the lowest. In hypothyroid tissues, TR alpha-1 message was generally increased, while TR alpha-2 was not. To explore the possible roles of the TR alpha isoforms, we have compared their DNA-binding activities. We report that compared to TR alpha-1, the carboxy-terminal variants TR alpha-2 and TR alpha-2v show different binding patterns with a thyroid hormone response element, suggesting that they bind only poorly as monomers. The varying ratios of the TR alpha isoform expression together with their distinct binding patterns and reported repressor functions suggest that TR alpha isoforms have important roles during brain development and function, and may serve to fine-tune the biological responses to thyroid hormone.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Ligand-binding domain of thyroid hormone receptors modulates DNA binding and determines their bifunctional roles.

We report here that the thyroid hormone receptors TR alpha and TR beta, and the retinoic acid receptor, RAR, can bind cooperatively to the thyroid hormone response elements (TRE) in both the presence and absence of ligand. Although the transcriptional synergism induced by such cooperative DNA binding could also be influenced by the position of the DNA-binding site on the promoter, the strength of the receptor-DNA interaction in the absence of the cognate ligand of each receptor was in general correlated with the repression activity. The strong-binding TRs, but not the weaker-binding RAR, allowed repression of a constitutive promoter. In addition, strong-binding receptors could repress transcriptional activation of weaker-binding receptors on the TRE. We also show here that the presence of thyroid hormone affects the cooperative DNA binding of TR beta to a TRE dimer by increasing the dissociation rate and decreasing the association rate of TR beta with the DNA. Hybrid receptor analysis revealed that receptor-DNA interaction and repressor activity are largely influenced by the ligand-binding domain of the receptor. We used deletion analysis to localize the sequences conferring a negative effect of thyroid hormone on TR beta binding to DNA and on receptor dimerization or oligomerization. Our data indicate that the ligand-binding domain of thyroid hormone receptors has an essential role in DNA binding and repressor functions, and that this domain exerts its effects by controlling receptor dimerization and oligomerization in the absence and presence of ligand.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Antagonism between retinoic acid receptors and AP-1: implications for tumor promotion and inflammation.

Retinoids such as retinoic acid (RA) are potent anti-arthritic and anti-neoplastic agents. We investigated the mechanism by which RA inhibits induction of collagenase gene transcription by inflammatory mediators, tumor promoters, and proto-oncogenes. We found that the RA receptors (RARs) are potent inhibitors of AP-1 activity generated either by cJun homodimers or cJun/cFos heterodimers. In addition, both cJun and cFos can inhibit RAR activity. In vitro experiments suggested that this inhibition is due to an interaction between RAR and AP-1 proteins that results in mutual loss of DNA-binding activity. The RARs need not bind to the AP-1 site, neither does AP-1 bind to RA response elements. An understanding of this antagonism between the RAR and AP-1 might help to elucidate the anti-neoplastic and anti-arthritic effects of RA as well as its effects on cell differentiation and proliferation.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1990

A retinoic acid receptor-specific element controls the retinoic acid receptor-beta promoter.

The morphogen retinoic acid (RA) regulates gene transcription by interacting with specific nuclear receptors that recognize DNA sequences near responsive promoters. While much has recently been learned about the nuclear receptor proteins, little is known about the genes that are directly regulated by RA and their cis-acting response elements recognized by these receptors. Here we have analyzed the RA receptor-beta (RAR beta) gene promoter that is controlled by RA. We find that a RA-responsive element (RARE) is located adjacent to the TATA box. The RARE shows a direct repeat symmetry which is essential for its function. While thyroid hormone-responsive elements can also function as RAR response elements, we show here that this RARE is activated by endogenous RARs and RAR beta, but cannot be regulated by thyroid hormone receptors and other known nuclear receptors. In addition, we find that RAR gamma is a poor activator of this RARE. However, the response element is bound with high affinity by both RAR beta and RAR gamma as well as by thyroid hormone receptors. Thus, interaction between specific response elements and receptors is insufficient for gene activation.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1990

The human estrogen receptor has transcriptional activator and repressor functions in the absence of ligand.

Most studies on the cloned human estrogen receptor (hER) have been conducted with a mutant receptor in which Gly400 is changed to Val. Here we describe two novel regulatory functions of wild-type hER that are hormone independent: (i) a constitutive activator function and (ii) a repressor activity. Mutations in the hormone-binding domain, including the Val400 mutation, impair both of these functions. In addition, DNA binding is strongly reduced in the mutant receptors. The hormone-binding domain of the hER thus controls DNA binding (and thereby the repressor function) of the hER as well as its constitutive activator function. Moreover, we find that the antiestrogen tamoxifen restores the constitutive activator function, the DNA binding, and the repressor function of the Val400 mutant, but has no effect on the constitutive activator function or DNA binding of the wild-type hER.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Dual regulatory role for thyroid-hormone receptors allows control of retinoic-acid receptor activity.

Both thyroid hormone (T3) and retinoic acid signal essential steps in development, differentiation and morphogenesis. Specific nuclear receptors for these ligands have recently been cloned. Previously we have noted a close homology between the DNA-binding domains of the epsilon-retinoic acid receptor (RAR-epsilon, also designated RAR-beta), the thyroid hormone receptors and the oestrogen receptor. We have now found that RAR-epsilon is very efficient at inducing transcription from two distinct thyroid-hormone responsive elements (TREs). Transcription induced by ligand-activated RAR-epsilon from a TRE can, however, be repressed by thyroid-hormone receptor in the absence of its ligand. Conversely, in the presence of its ligand, thyroid-hormone receptor will activate transcription from a TRE irrespective of the presence of unbound RAR. The use of hybrid receptors has shown that the DNA-binding domain of RAR is the essential target for inhibition by thyroid-hormone receptors. These data, together with in vitro DNA-binding studies, suggest that thyroid-hormone receptors may have dual regulatory roles: in the presence of hormone they function as TRE-specific transcriptional activators; in the absence of hormone, however, they can function as TRE-specific repressors.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed1988

A new retinoic acid receptor identified from a hepatocellular carcinoma.

Processes as diverse as growth, vision and reproduction depend on the presence of vitamin A and its metabolites (retinoids), but the molecular mechanisms which govern these diverse actions remain unclear (for reviews see refs 1,2). A crucial advance recently was the isolation of a specific nuclear receptor for retinoic acid, one of the physiologically active vitamin A derivatives. This nuclear receptor is a member of the steroid/thyroid hormone receptor family. Our analysis of an uncharacterized member of this class of intracellular receptors, encoded by a complementary DNA clone from a human placental library, has led us to discover a second retinoic acid receptor. This new receptor is expressed at high levels in a number of epithelial-type tissues. The gene for the receptor was first identified in a hepatocellular carcinoma where it surrounds a site of integration of hepatitis B virus. Activation by this virus may play a role in tumour development in liver cells, where it is normally not expressed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1988

Variable responsiveness of hormone-inducible hybrid genes in different cell lines.

Altered steroid responsiveness leads to various pathological conditions and is a particular problem for the treatment of cancers arising in steroid-sensitive cells. To develop cellular model systems for the analysis of the molecular mechanisms mediating altered steroid responses, we have analyzed the inducibility of a steroid-responsive promoter in different cell lines. In vitro constructs containing the mouse mammary tumor virus promoter fused to the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene or the bacterial neo gene were transfected into four different cell lines [Rat-2, CHO chinese hamster ovary cells, F9, and T47D). Thymidine kinase+ clones and neo-resistant clones were selected in the presence of dexamethasone (dex) and/or other steroid hormones. We find that the mouse mammary tumor virus promoter activity is completely dependent on the presence of dex in Rat-2 cells but is constitutively active in CHO cells and is inactive in F9 teratocarcinoma cells in the presence and absence of dex. In the human breast cancer cell line T47D, we observe no response to dex but do observe an inducibility by progesterone. Examination of glucocorticoid receptors in these cell lines showed that Rat-2, CHO, and F9 cells contain sufficient receptors to allow a hormonal response, whereas in T47D cells several glucocorticoid binding activities appear to be present. Our results indicate that the presence of receptor in cells is not always sufficient to allow hormonal activation and that, in some cell lines, like CHO, other factors are present that can substitute for an activated steroid hormone receptor complex.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1987

A novel thyroid hormone receptor encoded by a cDNA clone from a human testis library.

The c-erbA gene belongs to a multigene family that encodes transcriptional regulatory proteins including the v-erbA oncogene product, steroid hormone receptors, and the vitamin D3 receptor. A v-erbA DNA probe encoding the DNA-binding region of the v-erbA protein was used to screen a human complementary DNA testis library. One of the clones isolated, erbA-T-1, was found to encode a 490-amino acid protein (erbA-T). The erbA-T polypeptide shows high homology with the proteins encoded by both the chicken c-erbA and the human c-erbA-beta genes but is most closely related to the chicken gene. The chicken c-erbA and the human c-erbA-beta genes encode high-affinity receptors for thyroid hormone, and here it is shown that the erbA-T protein binds specifically to 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine with a dissociation constant of 3.8 +/- 0.2 x 10(-10) M. These data imply that more than one thyroid hormone receptor exists in humans and that these receptors might have different tissue- and gene-activating specificities.

Amino Acid Sequence↗