Differential Regulation of POC5 by ERα in Human Normal and Scoliotic Cells.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a complex three-dimensional spinal deformity. The incidence of AIS in females is 8.4 times higher than in males. Several hypotheses on the role of estrogen have been postulated for the progression of AIS. Recently, Centriolar protein gene POC5 (POC5) was identified as a causative gene of AIS. POC5 is a centriolar protein that is important for cell cycle progression and centriole elongation. However, the hormonal regulation of POC5 remains to be determined. Here, we identify POC5 as an estrogen-responsive gene under the regulation of estrogen receptor ERα in normal osteoblasts (NOBs) and other ERα-positive cells. Using promoter activity, gene, and protein expression assays, we found that the POC5 gene was upregulated by the treatment of osteoblasts with estradiol (E2) through direct genomic signaling. We observed different effects of E2 in NOBs and mutant POC5A429V AIS osteoblasts. Using promoter assays, we identified an estrogen response element (ERE) in the proximal promoter of POC5, which conferred estrogen responsiveness through ERα. The recruitment of ERα to the ERE of the POC5 promoter was also potentiated by estrogen. Collectively, these findings suggest that estrogen is an etiological factor in scoliosis through the deregulation of POC5.

Seroprevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi in Eight Blood Banks in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: The true prevalence of Chagas disease in Mexico is unknown. However, it has been estimated that 1.1-4 million people are infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, which represents a potential risk for transmission of the disease via contaminated blood. AIM OF THE STUDY: To determine the Chagas disease seroprevalence in donors from eight blood banks in the north of Mexico City, and the northeast of the State of Mexico. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Serum samples from blood donors (n = 515,038) were tested to detect the presence of anti-Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies in eight blood banks. The serologic screening test was performed in each of the blood banks. To confirm the seropositive blood donors, only two out of the eight blood banks used a test with a different principle with the aim of identifying anti-Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies. All tests were validated by the Mexican Institute for Epidemiological Diagnosis and Reference. RESULTS: One thousand two hundred and ten blood donors were seropositive for Trypanosoma cruzi, which represents a 0.23% seroprevalence (95% CI 0.22-0.25%). Of the seropositive blood donors, 97.03 % resided in the northeast area of the State of Mexico, Mexico City, and southern part of the State of Hidalgo. CONCLUSIONS: Active transmission of Chagas disease may be occurring in non-endemic regions in the northeast of the State of Mexico.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis associated POC5 mutation impairs cell cycle, cilia length and centrosome protein interactions.

Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is a spinal deformity that affects approximately 3 percent of human adolescents. Although the etiology and molecular basis of AIS is unclear, several genes such as POC5 have been identified as possible causes of the condition. In order to understand the role of POC5 in the pathogenesis of AIS, we investigated the subcellular localization of POC5 in cilia of cells over-expressing either the wild type (wt) or an AIS-related POC5 variant POC5A429V. Mutation of POC5 was found to alter its subcellular localization and to induce ciliary retraction. Furthermore, we observed an impaired cell-cycle progression with the accumulation of cells in the S-phase in cells expressing POC5A429V. Using immunoprecipitation coupled to mass spectrometry, we identified specific protein interaction partners of POC5, most of which were components of cilia and cytoskeleton. Several of these interactions were altered upon mutation of POC5. Altogether, our results demonstrate major cellular alterations, disturbances in centrosome protein interactions and cilia retraction in cells expressing an AIS-related POC5 mutation. Our study suggests that defects in centrosomes and cilia may underlie AIS pathogenesis.

Estrogen receptor signaling regulates the expression of the breast tumor kinase in breast cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: BRK is, a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, overexpressed in approximately 85% of human invasive ductal breast tumors. It is not clear whether BRK expression correlates with breast cancer subtypes, or the expression has prognostic or diagnostic significance. Herein, we investigated the correlation of BRK with any breast cancer subtypes and clinicopathological significance of BRK expression in breast cancer. METHODS: In this study, we examined BRK expression in 120 breast tumor samples and 29 breast cancer cell lines to explore the positive correlation between BRK and the expression of ERα. We used immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, and immunoblotting to analyse our experimental samples. RESULT: We demonstrate that estrogen induces BRK gene and protein expression in ER+ breast cancer cells. Over-expression of ERα in the ER-negative breast cancer cell line increased BRK expression, and knock-down of ESR1 in MCF7 cells reduced BRK levels. Further, we provide evidence that BRK is regulated by ERα signaling and the presence of ER antagonists (tamoxifen and fulvestrant) reduce the expression of BRK in ER-positive breast cancer cells. Finally, we demonstrate that the overall survival of ER-positive breast cancer patients is poor when their cancers express high levels of BRK. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that BRK is a prognostic marker for ER+ breast cancers and provide a strong rationale for targeting BRK to improve patients' survival.

The 17ß-estradiol induced upregulation of the adhesion G-protein coupled receptor (ADGRG7) is modulated by ESRα and SP1 complex.

The physiological role and the regulation of ADGRG7 are not yet elucidated. The functional involvement of this receptor was linked with different physiological process such as reduced body weight, gastrointestinal function and recently, a gene variant in ADGRG7 was observed in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Here, we identify the ADGRG7 as an estrogen-responsive gene under the regulation of estrogen receptor ERα in scoliotic osteoblasts and other cells lines. We found that ADGRG7 expression was upregulated in response to estrogen (E2) in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) cells. ADGRG7 promoter studies indicate the presence of an ERα response half site in close vicinity of a specificity protein 1 (SP1) binding site. Mutation of the SP1 site completely abrogated the response to E2, indicating its essential requirement. ChIP confirmed the binding of SP1 and ERα to the ADGRG7 promoter. Our results identify the ADGRG7 gene as an estrogen-responsive gene under the control of ERα and SP1 tethered actions, suggesting a possible role of estrogens in the regulation of ADGRG7 This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.

Seroprevalence and geographical distribution of sero-positive blood donors to Trypanosoma cruzi at the central blood bank of the National Medical Center "La Raza".

BACKGROUND: Trypanosoma cruzi is a protozoan parasite that causes Chagas disease endemic to Latin-America. It is estimated that 1.0 to 1.5% of Mexicans are infected with T. cruzi, which constitutes a potential risk of disease transmission via contaminated blood. New cases are being reported worldwide due to the migration of infected people from endemic areas. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Serum samples were collected from donors at the Central Blood Bank of the National Medical Center "La Raza" from July 2008 to December 2015 and analyzed for T. cruzi antibodies using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assays. Blood donors were classified serologically as either negative or positive for Chagas disease based on the Official Mexican Standard NOM-032-SSA2-2014. The geographical distribution of sero-positive donors for Chagas disease was then determined based on the donor's areas of residence. RESULTS: Of the 510, 047 donors, 595 tested positive for Chagas disease. We found a prevalence of 0.12%, was higher in males (0.13%) than females (0.08%) In both genders, there were more sero-positive donors aged 51-65 years as compared to other age groups. Overall there were more positive donors from the State of Mexico, northern area of Mexico City, and southern area of Hidalgo State, with rates of 67.4%, 20.6%, and 5.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The seroprevalence of Chagas disease in blood donors attending to La Raza BB is low. Chagas disease is more prevalent in the older age groups; most sero-positive donors are from areas considered non-endemic to Chagas disease.

Repression of Fyn-related kinase in breast cancer cells is associated with promoter site-specific CpG methylation.

The triple-negative breast cancer subtype is highly aggressive and has no defined therapeutic target. Fyn-related kinase (FRK) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, reported to be downregulated in breast cancer and gliomas, where it is suggested to have tumor suppressor activity. We examined the expression profile of FRK in a panel of 40 breast cancer cells representing all the major subtypes, as well as in 4 non-malignant mammary epithelial cell lines. We found that FRK expression was significantly repressed in a proportion of basal B breast cancer cell lines. We then determined the mechanism of suppression of FRK in FRK-low or negative cell lines. In silico analyses of the FRK promoter region led to the identification of at least 17 CpG sites. Bisulphite sequencing of the promoter region revealed that two of these sites were consistently methylated in FRK-low/negative cell lines and especially in the basal B breast cancer subtype. We further show that treatment of these cells with histone deacetylase inhibitors, Entinostat and Mocetinostat' promoted re-expression of FRK mRNA and protein. Further, using luciferase reporter assays, we show that both GATA3-binding protein FOG1 and constitutively active STAT5A increased the activity of FRK promoter. Together, our results present the first evidence that site-specific promoter methylation contributes to the repression of FRK more so in basal B breast cancers. Our study also highlights the potential clinical significance of targeting FRK using epigenetic drugs specifically in basal B breast cancers which are usually triple negative and very aggressive.

FRK inhibits breast cancer cell migration and invasion by suppressing epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

The human fyn-related kinase (FRK) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase known to have tumor suppressor activity in breast cancer cells. However, its mechanism of action has not been fully characterized. We generated FRK-stable MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines and analyzed the effect on cell proliferation, migration, and invasiveness. We also used kinome analysis to identify potential FRK-regulated signaling pathways. We employed both immunoblotting and RT-PCR to identify/validate FRK-regulated targets (proteins and genes) in these cells. Finally, we interrogated the TCGA and GENT gene expression databases to determine the correlation between the expression of FRK and epithelial/mesenchymal markers. We observed that FRK overexpression suppressed cell proliferation, migration, and invasiveness, inhibited various JAK/STAT, MAPK and Akt signaling pathways, and suppressed the expression of some STAT3 target genes. Also, FRK overexpression increased the expression of epithelial markers including E-cadherin mRNA and down-regulated the transcript levels of vimentin, fibronectin, and slug. Finally, we observed an inverse correlation between FRK expression and mesenchymal markers in a large cohort of breast cancer cells. Our data, therefore, suggests that FRK represses cell proliferation, migration and invasiveness by suppressing epithelial to mesenchymal transition.

BRK targets Dok1 for ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation to promote cell proliferation and migration.

Breast tumor kinase (BRK), also known as protein tyrosine kinase 6 (PTK6), is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase overexpressed in more that 60% of human breast carcinomas. The overexpression of BRK has been shown to sensitize mammary epithelial cells to mitogenic signaling and to promote cell proliferation and tumor formation. The molecular mechanisms of BRK have been unveiled by the identification and characterization of BRK target proteins. Downstream of tyrosine kinases 1 or Dok1 is a scaffolding protein and a substrate of several tyrosine kinases. Herein we show that BRK interacts with and phosphorylates Dok1 specifically on Y362. We demonstrate that this phosphorylation by BRK significantly downregulates Dok1 in a ubiquitin-proteasome-mediated mechanism. Together, these results suggest a novel mechanism of action of BRK in the promotion of tumor formation, which involves the targeting of tumor suppressor Dok1 for degradation through the ubiquitin proteasomal pathway.

Friend of GATA and GATA-6 modulate the transcriptional up-regulation of hepcidin in hepatocytes during inflammation.

Hepcidin is an antimicrobial peptide hormone that plays a central role in the metabolism of iron and its expression in the liver can be induced through two major pathways: the inflammatory pathway, mainly via IL-6; and the iron-sensing pathway, mediated by BMP-6. GATA-proteins are group of evolutionary conserved transcriptional regulators that bind to the consensus motif-WGATAR-in the promoter region. In hepatoma cells, GATA-proteins 4 and 6 in conjunction with the co-factor friend of GATA (FOG) were shown to modulate the transcription of HAMP. However, it is unclear as to which of the GATA-proteins drive the expression of HAMP in vivo. In this study, using in vitro and in vivo approaches, we investigated the relevance of GATA and FOG proteins in the expression of hepcidin following treatment with IL-6 and BMP-6. We found that treatment of Huh7 cells with either IL-6 or BMP-6 increased the HAMP promoter activity. The HAMP promoter activity following treatment with IL-6 or BMP-6 was further increased by co-transfection of the promoter with GATA proteins 4 and 6. However, co-transfection of the HAMP promoter with FOG proteins 1 or 2 repressed the promoter response to treatments with either IL-6 or BMP-6. The effects of both GATA and FOG proteins on the promoter activity in response to IL-6 or BMP-6 treatment were abrogated by mutation of the GATA response element-TTATCT-in the HAMP promoter region -103/-98. In vivo, treatment of mice with lipopolysaccharide led to a transient increase of Gata-6 expression in the liver that was positively correlated with the expression of hepcidin. Our results indicate that during inflammation GATA-6 is up-regulated in concert with hepcidin while GATA-4 and FOG (1 and 2) are repressed.

Friend of GATA suppresses the GATA-induced transcription of hepcidin in hepatocytes through a GATA-regulatory element in the HAMP promoter.

Hepcidin is an antimicrobial peptide hormone involved in the metabolism of iron, encoded for by the HAMP gene mainly in hepatocytes. It's expressed at lower levels in other cells such as the macrophages. The mechanisms that determine tissue-specific expression of hepcidin remain unclear. GATA- and its co-factor Friend of GATA (FOG) modulate the tissue-specific transcription of other genes involved in the metabolism of iron. GATA proteins are group of evolutionary conserved transcriptional regulators that bind to the consensus motif -WGATAR- in the promoter. We characterized a 1.3 kb fragment of the 5'-flanking sequence of the HAMP gene in Huh7 cells, which express HAMP. Transfection of 5'-deletions of the HAMP promoter in Huh7 cells revealed two regions, -932/-878 and -155/-96, that when deleted decreased promoter activity. Using site-directed mutations in the HAMP promoter region -155/-96 we identified two subregions, -138/-125 and -103/-98, which when mutated suppressed promoter activity by 70 and 90% respectively. Site -103/-98 with a sequence -TTATCT- to which endogenous GATA proteins 4 and 6 bind and transactivate HAMP is a GATA-regulatory element (RE). Mutation of the GATA-RE abrogated binding of GATA proteins 4 and 6 to the promoter and blunted the GATA transactivation of HAMP. FOG proteins 1 and 2 suppressed the endogenous and exogenous GATA activation of the HAMP promoter. We concluded that the GATA-RE, -TTATCT- in the HAMP promoter region -103/-98 is crucial for the GATA-4 and GATA-6 driven transcription of hepcidin in Huh7 cells and that FOG proteins moderate the transcription by suppressing the GATA transactivation of HAMP.

Transcription of platelet-derived growth factor receptor α in Leydig cells involves specificity protein 1 and 3.

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) A is secreted by Sertoli cells and acts on Leydig precursor cells, which express the receptor PDGFRA, triggering their differentiation into steroidogenically active Leydig cells. There is, however, no information regarding the molecular mechanisms that govern Pdgfra expression in Leydig cells. In this study, we isolated and characterized a 2.2 kb fragment of the rat Pdgfra 5'-flanking sequence in the TM3 Leydig cell line, which endogenously expresses Pdgfra. A series of 5' progressive deletions of the Pdgfra promoter was generated and transfected in TM3 cells. Using this approach, two regions (-183/-154 and -154/-105), each conferring 46% of Pdgfra promoter activity, were identified. To better define the regulatory elements, trinucleotide mutations spanning the -154/-105 region were introduced by site-directed mutagenesis in the context of the -2.2  kb Pdgfra promoter. Mutations that altered the TCCGAGGGAAAC sequence at -138  bp significantly decreased Pdgfra promoter activity in TM3 cells. Several proteins from TM3 nuclear extracts were found to bind to this G(C/A) motif in electromobility shift assay. Two of the proteins were identified as the transcription factors SP1 and SP3. Using transient transfections of TM3 Leydig cells, SP1 and SP3 were found to activate the Pdgfra promoter by threefold. The SP1/SP3-dependent activation of the Pdgfra promoter was severely blunted when the G(C/A) motif was mutated. Our study provides new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of Pdgfra transcription in Leydig cells, which includes a role for the transcription factors SP1 and SP3.

Pulsatile LH secretion and ovarian follicular wave emergence and growth in anestrous ewes.

The objective of this study was to determine if pulsatile LH secretion was needed for ovarian follicular wave emergence and growth in the anestrous ewe. In Experiment 1, ewes were either large or small (10 x 0.47 or 5 x 0.47 cm, respectively; n = 5/group) sc implants releasing estradiol-17 beta for 10 d (Day 0 = day of implant insertion), to suppress pulsed LH secretion, but not FSH secretion. Five sham-operated control ewes received no implants. In Experiment 2, 12 ewes received large estradiol-releasing implants for 12 d (Day 0 = day of implant insertion); six were given GnRH (200 ng IV) every 4 h for the last 6 d that the implants were in place (to reinitiate pulsed LH secretion) whereas six Control ewes were given saline. Ovarian ultrasonography and blood sampling were done daily; blood samples were also taken every 12 min for 6 h on Days 5 and 9, and on Days 6 and 12 of the treatment period in Experiments 1 and 2, respectively. Treatment with estradiol blocked pulsatile LH secretion (P < 0.001). In Experiment 1, implant treatment halted follicular wave emergence between Days 2 and 10. In Experiment 2, follicular waves were suppressed during treatment with estradiol, but resumed following GnRH treatment. In both experiments, the range of peaks in serum FSH concentrations that preceded and triggered follicular wave emergence was almost the same as control ewes and those given estradiol implants alone or with GnRH; mean concentrations did not differ (P < 0.05). We concluded that some level of pulsatile LH secretion was required for the emergence of follicular waves that were triggered by peaks in serum FSH concentrations in the anestrous ewe.

Differential effects of various estradiol-17beta treatments on follicle-stimulating hormone peaks, luteinizing hormone pulses, basal gonadotropin concentrations, and antral follicle and luteal development in cyclic ewes.

In a previous study, 10-day estradiol implant treatment truncated the FSH peaks that precede follicular waves in sheep, but subsequent ovine FSH (oFSH) injection reinitiated wave emergence. The present study's objectives were to examine the effects of a 20-day estradiol and progesterone treatment on FSH peaks, follicle waves, and responsiveness to oFSH injection. Also, different estradiol doses were given to see whether a model that differentially suppressed FSH peaks, LH pulses, or basal gonadotropin secretion could be produced in order to study effects of these changes on follicular dynamics. Mean estradiol concentrations were 11.8 +/- 0.4 pg/ml, FSH peaks were truncated, wave emergence was halted, and the number of small follicles (2-3 mm in diameter) was reduced (P < 0.05) in cyclic ewes given estradiol and progesterone implants (experiment 1). On Day 15 of treatment, oFSH injection failed to induce wave emergence. With three different estradiol implant sizes (experiment 2), estradiol concentrations were 5.2, 19.0, 27.5, and 34.8 (+/-4.6) pg/ml in control and treated ewes, respectively. All estradiol treatments truncated FSH peaks, except those that created the highest estradiol concentrations. Experiment 2-treated ewes had significantly reduced mean and basal FSH concentrations and LH pulse amplitude and frequency. We concluded that 20-day estradiol treatment truncated FSH peaks, blocking wave emergence, and reduced the small-follicle pool, rendering the ovary unresponsive to oFSH injection in terms of wave emergence. Varying the steroid treatment created differential FSH peak regulation compared with other gonadotropin secretory parameters. This provides a useful model for future studies of the endocrine regulation of ovine antral follicular dynamics.

Patterns of antral follicular wave dynamics and accompanying endocrine changes in cyclic and seasonally anestrous ewes treated with exogenous ovine follicle-stimulating hormone during the inter-wave interval.

In the ewe, ovarian follicular waves emerge every 4 to 5 days and are preceded by a peak in FSH secretion. It is unclear whether large antral follicle(s) in a wave suppress the growth of other smaller follicles during the inter-wave interval, as is seen in cattle. In this study, anestrous (n = 6; experiment 1) and cyclic (n = 5; experiment 2) Western white face ewes were given ovine FSH (oFSH) (0.5 microg/kg; two s.c. injections, 8 h apart) during the growth phase (based on ultrasonography) of a follicular wave (wave 1). Control ewes (n = 5 and 6, respectively) received vehicle. In oFSH-treated ewes, serum FSH concentrations reached a peak (P < 0.05) by 12 h after oFSH treatment, and this induced FSH peak did not differ (P > 0.05) from the endogenous FSH peaks. In all ewes, emergence of follicular waves 1 and 2 was seen (P > 0.05). However, in oFSH-treated ewes, an additional follicular wave emerged approximately 0.5 days after treatment: during the interwave interval of waves 1 and 2 without delaying the emergence of wave 2. The growth characteristics and serum estradiol concentrations did not differ (P > 0.05) between oFSH-induced waves and waves induced by endogenous FSH peaks. We concluded that, unlike in cattle, the largest follicle of a wave in sheep has limited direct effect on the growth of other follicles induced by exogenous oFSH. In addition, the largest follicle of a wave may possibly not influence the rhythmicity of follicular wave emergence, as it does in cattle.