scholarly journals Molecular Characterization of Membrane Steroid Receptors in Hormone-Sensitive Cancers

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2999
Author(s):  
Mirco Masi ◽  
Marco Racchi ◽  
Cristina Travelli ◽  
Emanuela Corsini ◽  
Erica Buoso
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Receptors ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Steroid Receptors ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Membrane Receptors ◽  
Potential Candidate ◽  
Candidate Drug ◽  
Biologic Effects ◽  
Hormone Sensitive

Cancer is one of the most common causes of death worldwide, and its development is a result of the complex interaction of genetic factors, environmental cues, and aging. Hormone-sensitive cancers depend on the action of one or more hormones for their development and progression. Sex steroids and corticosteroids can regulate different physiological functions, including metabolism, growth, and proliferation, through their interaction with specific nuclear receptors, that can transcriptionally regulate target genes via their genomic actions. Therefore, interference with hormones’ activities, e.g., deregulation of their production and downstream pathways or the exposition to exogenous hormone-active substances such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), can affect the regulation of their correlated pathways and trigger the neoplastic transformation. Although nuclear receptors account for most hormone-related biologic effects and their slow genomic responses are well-studied, less-known membrane receptors are emerging for their ability to mediate steroid hormones effects through the activation of rapid non-genomic responses also involved in the development of hormone-sensitive cancers. This review aims to collect pre-clinical and clinical data on these extranuclear receptors not only to draw attention to their emerging role in cancer development and progression but also to highlight their dual role as tumor microenvironment players and potential candidate drug targets.

scholarly journals Steroid signal transduction activated at the cell membrane: from plants to animals.

2002 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 735-745 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewa Marcinkowska ◽  
Antoni Wiedłocha
Keyword(s):  
Cell Surface ◽  
Steroid Hormones ◽  
Nuclear Receptors ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Steroid Receptors ◽  
Transmembrane Protein ◽  
Steroid Receptor ◽  
Membrane Receptors ◽  
Protein Kinase Activity ◽  
Animal Cells

Steroid hormones in plants and in animals are very important for physiological and developmental regulation. In animals steroid hormones are recognized by nuclear receptors, which transcriptionally regulate specific target genes following binding of the ligand. In addition, numerous rapid effects generated by steroids appear to be mediated by a mechanism not depending on the activation of nuclear receptors. Although the existence of separate membrane receptors was postulated many years ago and hundreds of reports supporting this hypothesis have been published, no animal membrane steroid receptor has been cloned to date. Meanwhile, a plant steroid receptor from Arabidopsis thaliana has been identified and cloned. It is a transmembrane protein which specifically recognizes plant steroids (brassinosteroids) at the cell surface and has a serine/threonine protein kinase activity. It seems that plants have no intracellular steroid receptors, since there are no genes homologous to the family of animal nuclear steroid receptors in the genome of A. thaliana. Since the reason of the rapid responses to steroid hormones in animal cells still remains obscure we show in this article two possible explanations of this phenomenon. Using 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) as an example of animal steroid hormone, we review results of our and of other groups concordant with the hypothesis of membrane steroid receptors. We also review the results of experiments performed with ovarian hormones, that led their authors to the hypothesis explaining rapid steroid actions without distinct membrane steroid receptors. Finally, examples of polypeptide growth factor that similarly to steroids exhibit a dual mode of action, activating not only cell surface receptors, but also intracellular targets, are discussed.

scholarly journals Roles of Nuclear Receptors in Vascular Calcification

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 6491
Author(s):  
Giulia Chinetti ◽  
Jaap G. Neels
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Receptors ◽  
Vascular Calcification ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Vascular Wall ◽  
Calcium Deposition ◽  
Wall Calcification ◽  
Clinical Consequences

Vascular calcification is defined as an inappropriate accumulation of calcium depots occurring in soft tissues, including the vascular wall. Growing evidence suggests that vascular calcification is an actively regulated process, sharing similar mechanisms with bone formation, implicating both inhibitory and inducible factors, mediated by osteoclast-like and osteoblast-like cells, respectively. This process, which occurs in nearly all the arterial beds and in both the medial and intimal layers, mainly involves vascular smooth muscle cells. In the vascular wall, calcification can have different clinical consequences, depending on the pattern, localization and nature of calcium deposition. Nuclear receptors are transcription factors widely expressed, activated by specific ligands that control the expression of target genes involved in a multitude of pathophysiological processes, including metabolism, cancer, inflammation and cell differentiation. Some of them act as drug targets. In this review we describe and discuss the role of different nuclear receptors in the control of vascular calcification.

scholarly journals Phosphorylation of the C-Raf N Region Promotes Raf Dimerization

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (19) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maho Takahashi ◽  
Yanping Li ◽  
Tara J. Dillon ◽  
Yumi Kariya ◽  
Philip J. S. Stork
Keyword(s):  
Drug Targets ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Potential Candidate ◽  
Erk Activation ◽  
Extracellular Signal ◽  
Candidate Drug ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein

ABSTRACT The activation of Raf kinases by the small GTPase Ras requires two major sets of phosphorylations. One set lies within the activation loop, and the other lies within the N-terminal acidic region (N region). In the most abundant isoform of Raf, C-Raf, N-region phosphorylations occur on serine 338 (S338) and tyrosine 341 (Y341) and are thought to provide allosteric activation of the Raf dimer. We show that the phosphorylations of these N-region sites does not require C-Raf dimerization, but rather, they precede dimerization. One of these phosphorylations (phospho-Y341) is required for C-Raf dimerization, and this action can be replicated by phosphomimetic mutants both in vivo and in vitro. The role of the phosphorylation of Y341 in promoting Raf dimerization is distinct from its well-known function in facilitating S338 phosphorylation. In Ras mutant pancreatic cancer cell lines, the phosphorylation and dimerization of C-Raf are basally elevated. Dimerization is thought to contribute to their elevated growth rate through their activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase (extracellular signal-regulated kinase [ERK]) signaling cascade. Blocking the tyrosine phosphorylation of C-Raf with Src family inhibitors blocks growth, basal dimerization, and ERK activation in these cells. We suggest that the kinases mediating C-Raf Y341 phosphorylation are potential candidate drug targets in selected Ras-dependent cancers.

scholarly journals Nuclear receptors, their coactivators and modulation of transcription.

1999 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Manteuffel-Cymborowska
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Histone Deacetylase ◽  
Nuclear Receptors ◽  
Nuclear Receptor ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Membrane Receptors ◽  
Special Role ◽  
Multicomponent Complex ◽  
Associated Proteins

Nuclear receptors are ligand-dependent transcription factors which can also be activated in the absence of their lipophilic ligands by signaling substances acting on cell membrane receptors. This ligand-independent activation indicates the importance of nuclear receptor phosphorylation for their function. Nuclear receptor-mediated transcription of target genes is further increased by interactions with recruited coactivators forming a novel family of nuclear proteins. CBP/p300, a coactivator of different classes of transcription factors, including the tumor suppressor protein p53, plays a special role acting as a bridging protein between inducible transcription factors and the basal transcription apparatus, and as an integrator of diverse signaling pathways. Coactivators of nuclear receptors and associated proteins forming a multicomponent complex have an intrinsic histone acetylase activity in contrast to nuclear receptor and heterodimer Mad-Max corepressors, which recruit histone deacetylase. Similarly the Rb protein interacts with histone deacetylase to repress transcription of cell cycle regulatory genes. Targeted histone acetylation/deacetylation results in remodeling of chromatin structure and correlates with activation/repression of transcription. Recent data point to the important role of coactivator proteins associated with inducible transcription factors in transcription regulation, and in the integration of multiple signal transduction pathways within the nucleus.

scholarly journals Distinct Myocardial Transcriptomic Profiles of Cardiomyopathies Stratified by the Mutant Genes

Genes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1430
Author(s):  
Katharina Sielemann ◽  
Zaher Elbeck ◽  
Anna Gärtner ◽  
Andreas Brodehl ◽  
Caroline Stanasiuk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Binding Motif ◽  
Similar Response ◽  
Potential Candidate ◽  
Candidate Drug ◽  
Gene Expression Signatures ◽  
Molecular Pathomechanisms

Cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain not well understood. Cardiomyopathies are primary diseases of the heart muscle and contribute to high rates of heart failure and sudden cardiac deaths. Here, we distinguished four different genetic cardiomyopathies based on gene expression signatures. In this study, RNA-Sequencing was used to identify gene expression signatures in myocardial tissue of cardiomyopathy patients in comparison to non-failing human hearts. Therefore, expression differences between patients with specific affected genes, namely LMNA (lamin A/C), RBM20 (RNA binding motif protein 20), TTN (titin) and PKP2 (plakophilin 2) were investigated. We identified genotype-specific differences in regulated pathways, Gene Ontology (GO) terms as well as gene groups like secreted or regulatory proteins and potential candidate drug targets revealing specific molecular pathomechanisms for the four subtypes of genetic cardiomyopathies. Some regulated pathways are common between patients with mutations in RBM20 and TTN as the splice factor RBM20 targets amongst other genes TTN, leading to a similar response on pathway level, even though many differentially expressed genes (DEGs) still differ between both sample types. The myocardium of patients with mutations in LMNA is widely associated with upregulated genes/pathways involved in immune response, whereas mutations in PKP2 lead to a downregulation of genes of the extracellular matrix. Our results contribute to further understanding of the underlying molecular pathomechanisms aiming for novel and better treatment of genetic cardiomyopathies.

scholarly journals The mineralocorticoid receptor and its coregulators

2009 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 53-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Yang ◽  
Morag J Young
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Receptors ◽  
Nuclear Receptor ◽  
Mineralocorticoid Receptor ◽  
Rational Design ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Steroid Receptors ◽  
Tissue Expression ◽  
Epithelial Tissues ◽  
Suitable Target ◽  
Full Complement

The mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily and is essential for controlling sodium transport in epithelial tissues such as the kidney and colon. Moreover, it is also present in other non-epithelial tissues and is capable of activation by both mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids. A challenge in understanding transcriptional regulation by the MR and other nuclear receptors is to determine how tissue- and ligand-specificity is achieved. Over the past decade, it has become clear that a heterogeneous group of non-receptor proteins termed as coregulators are required to either enhance or repress nuclear receptor-mediated transactivation of target genes. A subset of these coregulators may be expected to confer specificity to MR-mediated responses by virtue of their variable tissue expression and selectivity for different ligands. Specific coregulator–MR interactions may be a suitable target in the rational design of tissue-specific MR modulators as has been described for other steroid receptors. However, the number of coregulators identified to date for the MR is very limited compared with other nuclear receptors. Understanding the full complement of MR coregulators is essential for unraveling the complexity of MR signaling pathways and will facilitate the development of selective MR modulators.

Nuclear receptors in disease: the oestrogen receptors

2004 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 157-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Nilsson ◽  
Karin Dahlman-Wright ◽  
Jan-Åke Gustafsson
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Receptors ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Receptor Subtype ◽  
Target Tissue ◽  
Oestrogen Receptors ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Cell Type ◽  
Single Nucleotide ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
The Family

For several decades, it has been known that oestrogens are essential for human health. The discovery that there are two oestrogen receptors (ERs), ERalpha and ERbeta, has facilitated our understanding of how the hormone exerts its physiological effects. The ERs belong to the family of ligand-activated nuclear receptors, which act by modulating the expression of target genes. Studies of ER-knockout (ERKO) mice have been instrumental in defining the relevance of a given receptor subtype in a certain tissue. Phenotypes displayed by ERKO mice suggest diseases in which dysfunctional ERs might be involved in aetiology and pathology. Association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ER genes and disease have been demonstrated in several cases. Selective ER modulators (SERMs), which are selective with regard to their effects in a certain cell type, already exist. Since oestrogen has effects in many tissues, the goal with a SERM is to provide beneficial effects in one target tissue while avoiding side effects in others. Refined SERMs will, in the future, provide improved therapeutic strategies for existing and novel indications.

scholarly journals Cellular Fitness Phenotypes of Cancer Target Genes from Oncobiology to Cancer Therapeutics

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 433
Author(s):  
Bijesh George ◽  
P. Mukundan Pillai ◽  
Aswathy Mary Paul ◽  
Revikumar Amjesh ◽  
Kim Leitzel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Targets ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Human Cancer ◽  
Cancer Therapeutics ◽  
Survival Duration ◽  
Cancer Drug ◽  
Targeted Therapeutics ◽  
Cellular Targets ◽  
Human Cancer Cells ◽  
Cancer Types

To define the growing significance of cellular targets and/or effectors of cancer drugs, we examined the fitness dependency of cellular targets and effectors of cancer drug targets across human cancer cells from 19 cancer types. We observed that the deletion of 35 out of 47 cellular effectors and/or targets of oncology drugs did not result in the expected loss of cell fitness in appropriate cancer types for which drugs targeting or utilizing these molecules for their actions were approved. Additionally, our analysis recognized 43 cellular molecules as fitness genes in several cancer types in which these drugs were not approved, and thus, providing clues for repurposing certain approved oncology drugs in such cancer types. For example, we found a widespread upregulation and fitness dependency of several components of the mevalonate and purine biosynthesis pathways (currently targeted by bisphosphonates, statins, and pemetrexed in certain cancers) and an association between the overexpression of these molecules and reduction in the overall survival duration of patients with breast and other hard-to-treat cancers, for which such drugs are not approved. In brief, the present analysis raised cautions about off-target and undesirable effects of certain oncology drugs in a subset of cancers where the intended cellular effectors of drug might not be good fitness genes and that this study offers a potential rationale for repurposing certain approved oncology drugs for targeted therapeutics in additional cancer types.

scholarly journals Identifying Personalized Metabolic Signatures in Breast Cancer

Metabolites ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 20
Author(s):  
Priyanka Baloni ◽  
Wikum Dinalankara ◽  
John C. Earls ◽  
Theo A. Knijnenburg ◽  
Donald Geman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Targets ◽  
Metabolic Networks ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Enrichment Analysis ◽  
Metabolic Reprogramming ◽  
The Cancer Genome Atlas ◽  
Estrogen Metabolism ◽  
Acid Oxidation ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Context Specific

Cancer cells are adept at reprogramming energy metabolism, and the precise manifestation of this metabolic reprogramming exhibits heterogeneity across individuals (and from cell to cell). In this study, we analyzed the metabolic differences between interpersonal heterogeneous cancer phenotypes. We used divergence analysis on gene expression data of 1156 breast normal and tumor samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and integrated this information with a genome-scale reconstruction of human metabolism to generate personalized, context-specific metabolic networks. Using this approach, we classified the samples into four distinct groups based on their metabolic profiles. Enrichment analysis of the subsystems indicated that amino acid metabolism, fatty acid oxidation, citric acid cycle, androgen and estrogen metabolism, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) detoxification distinguished these four groups. Additionally, we developed a workflow to identify potential drugs that can selectively target genes associated with the reactions of interest. MG-132 (a proteasome inhibitor) and OSU-03012 (a celecoxib derivative) were the top-ranking drugs identified from our analysis and known to have anti-tumor activity. Our approach has the potential to provide mechanistic insights into cancer-specific metabolic dependencies, ultimately enabling the identification of potential drug targets for each patient independently, contributing to a rational personalized medicine approach.

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