Estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERRα) plays an important role in the development of hor- monezdependent cancers, but its roles in lung cancer remain elusive. The present study was aimed to investigate the effects ...Estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERRα) plays an important role in the development of hor- monezdependent cancers, but its roles in lung cancer remain elusive. The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of ERRα on the proliferation and metastasis of lung cancer A549 cells. The mRNA and protein levels of ERRor were detected in lung cancer A549 and MCF-7 cells and bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells by qRT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. ERRor plasmid transfection and XCT-790 (an inverse agonist of ERRc0 were used to up-regulate or down-regulate ERRα expression in A549 cells, respectively. The viability of A549 cells was measured by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and the motility of A549 cells by wound healing assay and Transwell migration/invasion assay. The epithelial markers E-cadherin (E-Cad) and zona occludin-1 (ZO-1), the mesenchymal markers fi- bronectin (FN) and vimentin (Vim) and the transcription factors (Snail, Zebl Twist and Slug) were fur- ther detected at mRNA and protein levels by qRT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The results showed that ERRor promoted the growth of lung cancer A549 cells in vitro. XCT-790 significantly in- hibited the migration and invasion of A549 cells. Over-expression of ERRα promoted the epithe- lial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of A549 ceils, down-regulated the epithelial makers E-Cad and ZO-1, and up-regulated the mesenchymal makers FN and Vim. Silencing of Slug, but not other tran- scription factors, significantly abolished the ERRs-induced EMT of A549 cells. It was suggested that ERRor promoted the migration and invasion of A549 cells by inducing EMT, and Slug was involved in the process. Targeting ERRor might be an efficient approach for lung cancer treatment.展开更多
BACKGROUND: Virological clearance, delayed progression to cirrhosis or liver cancer, and increased survival are the long-term goals of antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis B patients. Identification of host factors ...BACKGROUND: Virological clearance, delayed progression to cirrhosis or liver cancer, and increased survival are the long-term goals of antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis B patients. Identification of host factors correlated with therapeutic response may contribute greatly to individual treatment. This study aimed at investigating whether T29C genotype polymorphism of estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) is associated with the initial response to interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) therapy in chronic hepatitis B patients. METHODS: The initial responses of 100 patients to IFN-alpha therapy were evaluated and compared by classifying them into three groups according to T29C genotype polymorphism of ESR1: T/T, TIC, and C/C genotype groups. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to analyze the genotype polymorphism in T29C. RESULTS: The frequency of initially combined response was markedly higher in both the T/T and TIC groups than in the C/C group (Z=10.326, P=0.006 and Z=26.247, P=0.000, respectively). In addition, the initial virological response was higher in the T/T and T/C groups than the C/C group (chi(2)=5.674, P=0.017 and chi(2)=4.980, P=0.026, respectively). In 78 initially HBeAg-positive patients, however, the frequency of initial e-antigen disappearance or seroconversion among the T/T, T/C, and C/C genotype groups was 34.15%, 27.78% and 15.79%, respectively, which were not significantly different. CONCLUSION. The T29C genotype polymorphism of ESR1 is associated with the initial response to IFN-alpha in patients with chronic hepatitis B, and might be a significant marker for predicting the initial response to IFN-alpha, at least in this study population. (Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2010; 9: 275-279)展开更多
BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), nerve growth factor (NGF), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and androgen receptor (AR) expression in the cerebellum decreases when estrogen levels decr...BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), nerve growth factor (NGF), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and androgen receptor (AR) expression in the cerebellum decreases when estrogen levels decrease in vivo. Soybean isoflavone, a type of non-steroid estrogen with similar molecular structure and function to estradiol, exhibits estrogen-like characteristics. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of various doses of soybean isoflavone on expression of ERa, NGF, IL-2, and AR in the cerebellum of ovariectomized rat, and to determine whether there is a dose-dependent effect.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Controlled trial at the cellular and molecular level. The study was performed at the Experimental Animal Engineering Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University from July 2006 to May 2008. MATERIALS: Soybean isoflavone, comprised of daidzin, genistein and isoflavone, was provided by Taiyuan Yuantai Biochemical Industry, China. The ERα, NGF, IL-2, and AR in situ hybridization kit, rabbit anti-rat ERa, NGF, IL-2, and AR monoclonal antibodies, and SABC kit were purchased from Wuhan Boster Biological Technology, China. METHODS: A total of 50 female, Sprague Dawley rats, aged 3 months, were randomly assigned to 5 groups, with 10 animals in each group. With the exception of the sham-operation group (abdominal cavity opening alone), all rats underwent bilateral ovariectomy. At 14 days after surgery, rats in the high-, middle-, and low-dose soybean isoflavone groups were subcutaneously injected with 1.5, 1.0, and 0.5 mg/kg soybean isoflavone, respectively, every 2 days for 6 consecutive weeks. Rats in the sham-operation and ovariectomized groups were subcutaneously injected with absolute alcohol (0.5 mL/kg). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Expression levels and distribution of ERα, NGF, IL-2, and AR in the cerebellum were detected by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. RESULTS: Compared with the sham-operation group, immunoreactive products and hybridization signals of ERa, NGF, IL-2, and AR were significantly decreased in the cerebellar cortex and nuclei of ovariectomized rats (P 〈 0.05 or P 〈 0.01), but increased following soybean isoflavone treatment. In particular, levels of the high-dose soybean isoflavone group were almost restored to levels of the sham-operation group (P 〉 0.05). The immunoreactive products were primarily located in the cytoplasm and neurites, and rarely in the cell membrane and nuclei. However, the hybridization signals were predominantly located in the nuclei, but rarely in the cytoplasm, cell membrane, or neurites. CONCLUSION: Soybean isoflavone upregulated ERα, NGF, IL-2, and AR protein and gene expression in a dose-dependent manner, and played an important role in sustaining and protecting structure and function of cerebellar neurons. Moreover, the similarity of expression patterns of these molecules indicated that they were mutually interactive during the regulation of soybean isoflavone to the cerebellum.展开更多
The nuclear transcription factors κB (NF-κB) is widely existing in various kinds of cell types in the nervous system and plays an important role in neuron apoptosis and neurodegenerative diseases. Estrogen receptor ...The nuclear transcription factors κB (NF-κB) is widely existing in various kinds of cell types in the nervous system and plays an important role in neuron apoptosis and neurodegenerative diseases. Estrogen receptor alpha 36 (ER-α36), is a novel variant of ERα (as known ER-α66) which can transduce both estrogenand antiestrogen-dependent activation of MAPK signal pathway and stimulate cell growth. Here, we aimed to detect the effect of ER-α36 gene silencing on the expression of NF-κB in normal cultured PC12 cells and to provide an experimental foundation for understanding the function of ER-α36 innerve cells. PC12 cells with ER-α36 expression knocked down by the shRNA method. Then Western blot and immunocytochemical staining were performed to detect the expression and translocation of NF-κB after transfection. The results showed that NF-κB expression was significantly higher comparing with the control group after transfection (P 0.01). Also, NF-κB subunit entered nuclear after transfection;Immunofluorescence staining and immunocytochemical staining of PC12 cells demonstrated that ER-α36 was expressed mainly on the plasma membrane and on the cell nucleus membrane. These data indicate that ER-α36 gene silencing can increase the expression of NF-κB and promote its nuclear translocation in PC12 cells.展开更多
Estrogen receptor alpha(ERα) is detected in more than 70% of the cases of breast cancer. Nuclear activity of ERα, a transcriptional regulator, is linked to the development of mammary tumors, whereas the extranuclear...Estrogen receptor alpha(ERα) is detected in more than 70% of the cases of breast cancer. Nuclear activity of ERα, a transcriptional regulator, is linked to the development of mammary tumors, whereas the extranuclear activity of ERα is related to endocrine therapy resistance. ERα polyubiquitination is induced by the estradiol hormone, and also by selective estrogen receptor degraders, resulting in ERα degradation via the ubiquitin proteasome system. Moreover, polyubiquitination is related to the ERα transcription cycle, and some E3-ubiquitin ligases also function as coactivators for ERα. Several studies have demonstrated that ERα polyubiquitination is inhibited by multiple mechanisms that include posttranslational modifica-tions, intera-ctions with coregula-tors, a-nd forma-tion of specific protein complexes with ERα. These events are responsible for an increase in ERα protein levels and deregulation of its signaling in breast cancers. Thus, ERα polyubiquitination inhibition may be a key factor in the progression of breast cancer and resistance to endocrine therapy.展开更多
Twenty-five years ago,Nembrot and colleagues reported amplification of the estrogen receptor alpha gene(ESR1) in breast cancer,initiating a broad and still ongoing scientific debate on the prevalence and clinical sign...Twenty-five years ago,Nembrot and colleagues reported amplification of the estrogen receptor alpha gene(ESR1) in breast cancer,initiating a broad and still ongoing scientific debate on the prevalence and clinical significance of this genetic aberration,which affects one of the most important genes in breast cancer.Since then,a multitude of studies on this topic has been published,covering a wide range of divergent results and arguments.The reported prevalence of this alteration in breast cancer ranges from 0% to 75%,suggesting that ESR1 copy number analysis is hampered by technical and interpreter issues.To date,two major issues related to ESR1 amplification remain to be conclusively addressed:(1) The extent to which abundant amounts of messenger RNA can mimic amplification in standard fluorescence in situ hybridization assays in the analysis of strongly expressed genes like ESR1,and(2) the clinical relevance of ESR1 amplification:Such relevance is strongly disputed,with data showing predictive value for response as well as for resistance of the cancer to anti-estrogen therapies,or for subsequent development of cancers in the case of precursor lesions that display amplification of ESR1.This review provides a comprehensive summary of the various views on ESR1 amplification,and highlights explanations for the contradictions and conflicting data that could inform future ESR1 research.展开更多
Estrogen affects the generation and transmission of neuropathic pain,but the specific regulatory mechanism is still unclear.Activation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate acid receptor 1(NMDAR1) plays an important role in t...Estrogen affects the generation and transmission of neuropathic pain,but the specific regulatory mechanism is still unclear.Activation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate acid receptor 1(NMDAR1) plays an important role in the production and maintenance of hyperalgesia and allodynia.The present study was conducted to determine whether a relationship exists between estrogen and NMDAR1 in peripheral nerve pain.A chronic sciatic nerve constriction injury model of chronic neuropathic pain was established in rats.These rats were then subcutaneously injected with 17β-estradiol,the NMDAR1 antagonist D(-)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid(AP-5),or both once daily for 15 days.Compared with injured drug na?ve rats,rats with chronic sciatic nerve injury that were administered estradiol showed a lower paw withdrawal mechanical threshold and a shorter paw withdrawal thermal latency,indicating increased sensitivity to mechanical and thermal pain.Estrogen administration was also associated with increased expression of NMDAR1 immunoreactivity(as assessed by immunohistochemistry) and protein(as determined by western blot assay) in spinal dorsal root ganglia.This 17β-estradiol-induced increase in NMDAR1 expression was blocked by co-administration with AP-5,whereas AP-5 alone did not affect NMDAR1 expression.These results suggest that 17β-estradiol administration significantly reduced mechanical and thermal pain thresholds in rats with chronic constriction of the sciatic nerve,and that the mechanism for this increased sensitivity may be related to the upregulation of NMDAR1 expression in dorsal root ganglia.展开更多
In the present study expression of estrogen receptor subtype -alpha (ERalpha) and -beta (ERbeta) in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and olfactory bulb was investigated and compared between neonatal (1 to approximatel...In the present study expression of estrogen receptor subtype -alpha (ERalpha) and -beta (ERbeta) in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and olfactory bulb was investigated and compared between neonatal (1 to approximately 3-days-old) and adult (250 to approximately 350 g) rats, using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). No ERalpha transcripts were detectable in the adult cerebellum and olfactory bulb, whereas very weak expression of ERalpha was present in the adult cerebral cortex. No significant difference in ERbeta transcripts was detectable between the neonatal and adult rats. While transcripts for both ER subtypes were co-expressed in these brain areas of neonatal rats, although ERalpha expression was significantly weaker than ERbeta. Even in the cerebral cortex known to contain both ER subtypes in adult rats, ERalpha transcripts in neonatal rats were much higher than in adult. These observations provide evidence for the existence of different expression patterns of ERalpha/ERbeta transcripts in these three brain areas between the neonatal and adult rats, suggesting that each ER subtype may play a distinct role in the regulation of differentiation, development, and functions of the brain by estrogen.展开更多
Objective:To study the expression of estrogen receptor alpha(ERα) in preimplantation mice embryos.Methods:Mice zygotes were collected from superovulated Kunming mice and cultured in vitro.Embryos at different develop...Objective:To study the expression of estrogen receptor alpha(ERα) in preimplantation mice embryos.Methods:Mice zygotes were collected from superovulated Kunming mice and cultured in vitro.Embryos at different developmental stages were collected at 0,24,36,48,72 and 96hours after cultivation.The expression of ERα in early mice embryos was detected by reverse transcription-PCR(RT-PCR) and immunocytochemistry.Results:The expression of ERα mRNA was detected in all of the examined embryonic stages.The relative amount of ERα mRNA showed no significant difference between 1-cell stage embryos and 4-cell stage embryos(P>0.05).However,the relative level of ERα mRNA significantly decreased(P<0.05) at 2-cell stage and was the lowest at this stage.Over 2-cell stage,the ERα mRNA relative level would increase and achieve the peak level at blastocyst stage.The location of immunocytochemistry showed that ERα immunopositive cells could be firstly detected at 8-cell stage,after which they are consistently detected until blastocyst stage.In addition,the intensity of ERα positive staining was higher at blastocyst stage compared with that at 8-cell stage and morula stage.Conclusion:ERα is expressed in preimplantation mice embryos in a temporal and spatial pattern and may be involved in regulating the development of early mice embryos,which probably plays crucial roles in early embryonic development.展开更多
17-β-estradiol (estrogen) is a steroid hormone important to human development;however, high levels of this molecule are associated with increased risk of breast cancer primarily due to estrogen’s ability to bind and...17-β-estradiol (estrogen) is a steroid hormone important to human development;however, high levels of this molecule are associated with increased risk of breast cancer primarily due to estrogen’s ability to bind and activate the estrogen receptor (ER) and initiate gene transcription. Currently, estrogen mechanisms of action are classified as genomic and non-genomic and occur in an ER-dependent and ER-independent manner. In this study, we examine estrogen signaling pathways, by measuring changes in protein expression as a function of time of exposure to estrogen in both ER-positive (MCF-7) and ER-negative (MDA-MB-231) cell lines. Using a robust experimental design utilizing isotopic labeling, two-dimensional LC-MS, and bioinformatics analysis, we report genomic and non-genomic ER regulated estrogen responsive proteins. We find a little over 200 proteins differentially expressed after estrogen treatment. Cell proliferation, transcription, actin filament capping and cell to cell signaling are significantly enriched in the MCF-7 cell line alone. Translational elongation and proteolysis are enriched in both cell lines. Subsets of the proteins presented in this study are for the first time directly associated with estrogen signaling in mammary carcinoma cells. We find that estrogen affected the expression of proteins involved in numerous processes that are related to tumorigenesis such as increased cellular division and invasion in an ER-dependent manner. Moreover, we identified negative regulation of apoptosis as a non-genomic process of estrogen. This study complements gene expression studies and highlights the need for both genomic and proteomic analyses in unraveling the complex mechanisms by which estrogen affects progression of breast cancer.展开更多
Environmental chemicals in drinking water can impact human health through nuclear receptors. Additionally, estrogen-related receptors (ERRs) are vulnerable to endocrine-disrupting effects. To date, however, ERR disr...Environmental chemicals in drinking water can impact human health through nuclear receptors. Additionally, estrogen-related receptors (ERRs) are vulnerable to endocrine-disrupting effects. To date, however, ERR disruption of drinking water potency has not been reported. We used ERRy two-hybrid yeast assay to screen ERRy disrupting activities in a drinking water treatment plant (DWTP) located in north China and in source water from a reservoir, focusing on agonistic, antagonistic, and inverse agonistie activity to 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-OHT). Water treatment processes in the DWTP consisted of pre-chlorination, coagulation, coal and sand filtration, activated carbon filtration, and secondary chlorination processes. Samples were extracted by solid phase extraction. Results showed that ERRγ antagonistic activities were found in all sample extracts, but agonistic and inverse agonistic activity to 4-OHT was not found. When calibrated with the toxic equivalent of 4-OHT, antagonistic effluent effects ranged from 3.4 to 33.1 μg/L. In the treatment processes, secondary chlorination was effective in removing ERRy antagonists, but the coagulation process led to significantly increased ERRy antagonistic activity. The drinking water treatment processes removed 73.5 % of ERRy antagonists. To our knowledge, the occurrence of ERRy disruption activities on source and drinking water in vitro had not been reported previously. It is vital, therefore, to increase our understanding of ERRγ disrupting activities in drinking water.展开更多
Relatively little is known about the effects of estrogen on postischemic cerebral vasomotor dynamics after ischemic injury. Emerging hypotheses suggest that the timing after menopause at which hormone replacement is i...Relatively little is known about the effects of estrogen on postischemic cerebral vasomotor dynamics after ischemic injury. Emerging hypotheses suggest that the timing after menopause at which hormone replacement is initiated might be important and might modulate the potential benefits of estrogen on brain rescue once a cerebral ischemic event occurs. Therefore, we sought to determine if protracted hypoestrogenicity modifies estrogen’s protective effects on postischemic pial artery dilatory dysfunction and if the arachidonic acid metabolite 20-hydroxyeicosatetraeonic (20-HETE) contributes to the dysfunction. Pial artery dilation to acetylcholine was examined before and 1 hour after 15 minutes forebrain ischemia. The rat study groups included: sexually mature males (M), naive (N), OVX (OV), estrogen-treated OVX females (E1;estrogen started 1 week post ovariectomy) and delayed estrogen-treated (E10;started 10 weeks post ovariectomy) females. Postischemic responses were assessed before and after superfusion of the 20-HETE synthesis inhibitor N-hydroxy-N’-(4-butyl-2-methylphenyl)-formamidine (HET0016). Postischemic acetylcholine dilation was depressed in M, OV and E10 compared to N and E1 rats. Compared to E1, delayed estrogen replacement worsened acetylcholine-induced dilation. Postischemic microvascular estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) density was similar in the OV, E1 and E10 rats. Postischemic application of HET0016 failed to improve acetylcholine dilation. Continuous infusion of HET0016 during and after ischemia did not reverse postischemic pial vasodilatory dysfunction. Timing of estrogen replacement may be critical for vascular health after cerebral ischemic injury. Postischemic loss of acetylcholine reactivity does not appear to involve mechanisms related to 20-HETE synthesis or microvascular ERα expression.展开更多
Background A number of studies have examined the association between estrogen receptor alpha (ESR-a) gene polymorphisms and bone mineral density (BMD), but previous studies of ESR-a gene Xbal (rs9340799) and Pvu...Background A number of studies have examined the association between estrogen receptor alpha (ESR-a) gene polymorphisms and bone mineral density (BMD), but previous studies of ESR-a gene Xbal (rs9340799) and Pvull (rs2234693) polymorphisms have been hampered by small sample size, regional restrictions and inconclusive results. Thus a meta-analysis is needed to assess their pooled effects. Methods This study reviewed all published articles indexed in Pubmed using the keywords in the title or abstract. All data were extracted independently by two reviewers using a standard form, the studies were meta-analyzed and minor discrepancies were resolved by authors' discussion. Results Twenty seven eligible studies involving 8467 women and 2032 men were identified. The Xbal and Pvull polymorphisms were significantly associated with BMD of the lumbar spine. XX and PP homozygotes had a protective effect in comparison with carriers of the x and p alleles, the effects were more significant in premenopausal women or Western women. At the femoral neck, the results were different. XX served as a protective factor in postmenopausal women, Western women, Western postmenopausal women, and men, while PP was likely to serve as a risk factor in Eastern women, Eastern postmenopausal women, and men. Conclusions The Xbal polymorphism is correlated to BMD at diverse skeletal sites. PP had a protective role for the lumbar spine but might be a risk factor for the femoral neck.展开更多
Background Estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer cells are more aggressive than ER-positive cells. Elevated levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) expression...Background Estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer cells are more aggressive than ER-positive cells. Elevated levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) expression have been detected in cultured human breast cancer cells and are associated with negative hormone receptor status. In this study, we created ERα stable transfectants in MDA-MB-231 cells to explore the effect of ERα on cell growth and COX-2 and VEGF-C expression.Methods The green fluorescent protein (GFP)-ERα plasmids were stably transfected into ER-negative MDA-MB-231 cells. The proliferation and migration of untransfected MDA-MB-231 cells, ERα-transfected MDA-MB-231 cells and ER-positive MCF-7 cells were determined. The expression of COX-2, and the levels of VEGF-C mRNA and the VEGF-C secretion concentration were assayed in these cell lines.Results The proliferation and migration capacities of ERα-tranfected MDA-MB-231 cells were significantly decreased (P 〈0.05). The expression of COX-2 was significantly lower in ERa-tranfected MDA-MB-231 cells than in untranfected MDA-MB-231 cells. The mRNA and protein levels of VEGF-C were lower in ERa-tranfected MDA-MB-231 cells than in untransfected MDA-MB-231 cells (P〈0.05).Conclusions ERα stable transfection inhibits proliferation and migration capacities of MDA-MB-231 cells and decreases expression of COX-2 and VEGF-C. The decreases of proliferation and migration capacities may be related to suppression of COX-2 and VEGF-C expression.展开更多
基金supported by the Fundamental Research Funds of the Central Universities(No.21613316)
文摘Estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERRα) plays an important role in the development of hor- monezdependent cancers, but its roles in lung cancer remain elusive. The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of ERRα on the proliferation and metastasis of lung cancer A549 cells. The mRNA and protein levels of ERRor were detected in lung cancer A549 and MCF-7 cells and bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells by qRT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. ERRor plasmid transfection and XCT-790 (an inverse agonist of ERRc0 were used to up-regulate or down-regulate ERRα expression in A549 cells, respectively. The viability of A549 cells was measured by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and the motility of A549 cells by wound healing assay and Transwell migration/invasion assay. The epithelial markers E-cadherin (E-Cad) and zona occludin-1 (ZO-1), the mesenchymal markers fi- bronectin (FN) and vimentin (Vim) and the transcription factors (Snail, Zebl Twist and Slug) were fur- ther detected at mRNA and protein levels by qRT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The results showed that ERRor promoted the growth of lung cancer A549 cells in vitro. XCT-790 significantly in- hibited the migration and invasion of A549 cells. Over-expression of ERRα promoted the epithe- lial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of A549 ceils, down-regulated the epithelial makers E-Cad and ZO-1, and up-regulated the mesenchymal makers FN and Vim. Silencing of Slug, but not other tran- scription factors, significantly abolished the ERRs-induced EMT of A549 cells. It was suggested that ERRor promoted the migration and invasion of A549 cells by inducing EMT, and Slug was involved in the process. Targeting ERRor might be an efficient approach for lung cancer treatment.
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.30771907)the Foundation of Pre-973 Program Projects(No.2009CB526411)
文摘BACKGROUND: Virological clearance, delayed progression to cirrhosis or liver cancer, and increased survival are the long-term goals of antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis B patients. Identification of host factors correlated with therapeutic response may contribute greatly to individual treatment. This study aimed at investigating whether T29C genotype polymorphism of estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) is associated with the initial response to interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) therapy in chronic hepatitis B patients. METHODS: The initial responses of 100 patients to IFN-alpha therapy were evaluated and compared by classifying them into three groups according to T29C genotype polymorphism of ESR1: T/T, TIC, and C/C genotype groups. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to analyze the genotype polymorphism in T29C. RESULTS: The frequency of initially combined response was markedly higher in both the T/T and TIC groups than in the C/C group (Z=10.326, P=0.006 and Z=26.247, P=0.000, respectively). In addition, the initial virological response was higher in the T/T and T/C groups than the C/C group (chi(2)=5.674, P=0.017 and chi(2)=4.980, P=0.026, respectively). In 78 initially HBeAg-positive patients, however, the frequency of initial e-antigen disappearance or seroconversion among the T/T, T/C, and C/C genotype groups was 34.15%, 27.78% and 15.79%, respectively, which were not significantly different. CONCLUSION. The T29C genotype polymorphism of ESR1 is associated with the initial response to IFN-alpha in patients with chronic hepatitis B, and might be a significant marker for predicting the initial response to IFN-alpha, at least in this study population. (Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2010; 9: 275-279)
基金the Program for Changing Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University, No. IRT0848Youth Foundation of Sichuan Province Science & Technology Bureau, No. 08ZQ026-061
文摘BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), nerve growth factor (NGF), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and androgen receptor (AR) expression in the cerebellum decreases when estrogen levels decrease in vivo. Soybean isoflavone, a type of non-steroid estrogen with similar molecular structure and function to estradiol, exhibits estrogen-like characteristics. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of various doses of soybean isoflavone on expression of ERa, NGF, IL-2, and AR in the cerebellum of ovariectomized rat, and to determine whether there is a dose-dependent effect.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Controlled trial at the cellular and molecular level. The study was performed at the Experimental Animal Engineering Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University from July 2006 to May 2008. MATERIALS: Soybean isoflavone, comprised of daidzin, genistein and isoflavone, was provided by Taiyuan Yuantai Biochemical Industry, China. The ERα, NGF, IL-2, and AR in situ hybridization kit, rabbit anti-rat ERa, NGF, IL-2, and AR monoclonal antibodies, and SABC kit were purchased from Wuhan Boster Biological Technology, China. METHODS: A total of 50 female, Sprague Dawley rats, aged 3 months, were randomly assigned to 5 groups, with 10 animals in each group. With the exception of the sham-operation group (abdominal cavity opening alone), all rats underwent bilateral ovariectomy. At 14 days after surgery, rats in the high-, middle-, and low-dose soybean isoflavone groups were subcutaneously injected with 1.5, 1.0, and 0.5 mg/kg soybean isoflavone, respectively, every 2 days for 6 consecutive weeks. Rats in the sham-operation and ovariectomized groups were subcutaneously injected with absolute alcohol (0.5 mL/kg). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Expression levels and distribution of ERα, NGF, IL-2, and AR in the cerebellum were detected by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. RESULTS: Compared with the sham-operation group, immunoreactive products and hybridization signals of ERa, NGF, IL-2, and AR were significantly decreased in the cerebellar cortex and nuclei of ovariectomized rats (P 〈 0.05 or P 〈 0.01), but increased following soybean isoflavone treatment. In particular, levels of the high-dose soybean isoflavone group were almost restored to levels of the sham-operation group (P 〉 0.05). The immunoreactive products were primarily located in the cytoplasm and neurites, and rarely in the cell membrane and nuclei. However, the hybridization signals were predominantly located in the nuclei, but rarely in the cytoplasm, cell membrane, or neurites. CONCLUSION: Soybean isoflavone upregulated ERα, NGF, IL-2, and AR protein and gene expression in a dose-dependent manner, and played an important role in sustaining and protecting structure and function of cerebellar neurons. Moreover, the similarity of expression patterns of these molecules indicated that they were mutually interactive during the regulation of soybean isoflavone to the cerebellum.
文摘The nuclear transcription factors κB (NF-κB) is widely existing in various kinds of cell types in the nervous system and plays an important role in neuron apoptosis and neurodegenerative diseases. Estrogen receptor alpha 36 (ER-α36), is a novel variant of ERα (as known ER-α66) which can transduce both estrogenand antiestrogen-dependent activation of MAPK signal pathway and stimulate cell growth. Here, we aimed to detect the effect of ER-α36 gene silencing on the expression of NF-κB in normal cultured PC12 cells and to provide an experimental foundation for understanding the function of ER-α36 innerve cells. PC12 cells with ER-α36 expression knocked down by the shRNA method. Then Western blot and immunocytochemical staining were performed to detect the expression and translocation of NF-κB after transfection. The results showed that NF-κB expression was significantly higher comparing with the control group after transfection (P 0.01). Also, NF-κB subunit entered nuclear after transfection;Immunofluorescence staining and immunocytochemical staining of PC12 cells demonstrated that ER-α36 was expressed mainly on the plasma membrane and on the cell nucleus membrane. These data indicate that ER-α36 gene silencing can increase the expression of NF-κB and promote its nuclear translocation in PC12 cells.
基金Supported by the DGAPA-UNAM,Nos.PAPIIT–IA200916 and PAPIIT–IA201618
文摘Estrogen receptor alpha(ERα) is detected in more than 70% of the cases of breast cancer. Nuclear activity of ERα, a transcriptional regulator, is linked to the development of mammary tumors, whereas the extranuclear activity of ERα is related to endocrine therapy resistance. ERα polyubiquitination is induced by the estradiol hormone, and also by selective estrogen receptor degraders, resulting in ERα degradation via the ubiquitin proteasome system. Moreover, polyubiquitination is related to the ERα transcription cycle, and some E3-ubiquitin ligases also function as coactivators for ERα. Several studies have demonstrated that ERα polyubiquitination is inhibited by multiple mechanisms that include posttranslational modifica-tions, intera-ctions with coregula-tors, a-nd forma-tion of specific protein complexes with ERα. These events are responsible for an increase in ERα protein levels and deregulation of its signaling in breast cancers. Thus, ERα polyubiquitination inhibition may be a key factor in the progression of breast cancer and resistance to endocrine therapy.
文摘Twenty-five years ago,Nembrot and colleagues reported amplification of the estrogen receptor alpha gene(ESR1) in breast cancer,initiating a broad and still ongoing scientific debate on the prevalence and clinical significance of this genetic aberration,which affects one of the most important genes in breast cancer.Since then,a multitude of studies on this topic has been published,covering a wide range of divergent results and arguments.The reported prevalence of this alteration in breast cancer ranges from 0% to 75%,suggesting that ESR1 copy number analysis is hampered by technical and interpreter issues.To date,two major issues related to ESR1 amplification remain to be conclusively addressed:(1) The extent to which abundant amounts of messenger RNA can mimic amplification in standard fluorescence in situ hybridization assays in the analysis of strongly expressed genes like ESR1,and(2) the clinical relevance of ESR1 amplification:Such relevance is strongly disputed,with data showing predictive value for response as well as for resistance of the cancer to anti-estrogen therapies,or for subsequent development of cancers in the case of precursor lesions that display amplification of ESR1.This review provides a comprehensive summary of the various views on ESR1 amplification,and highlights explanations for the contradictions and conflicting data that could inform future ESR1 research.
基金supported by the Youth Shihezi University Applied Basic Research Project of China,No.2015ZRKYQ-LH19
文摘Estrogen affects the generation and transmission of neuropathic pain,but the specific regulatory mechanism is still unclear.Activation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate acid receptor 1(NMDAR1) plays an important role in the production and maintenance of hyperalgesia and allodynia.The present study was conducted to determine whether a relationship exists between estrogen and NMDAR1 in peripheral nerve pain.A chronic sciatic nerve constriction injury model of chronic neuropathic pain was established in rats.These rats were then subcutaneously injected with 17β-estradiol,the NMDAR1 antagonist D(-)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid(AP-5),or both once daily for 15 days.Compared with injured drug na?ve rats,rats with chronic sciatic nerve injury that were administered estradiol showed a lower paw withdrawal mechanical threshold and a shorter paw withdrawal thermal latency,indicating increased sensitivity to mechanical and thermal pain.Estrogen administration was also associated with increased expression of NMDAR1 immunoreactivity(as assessed by immunohistochemistry) and protein(as determined by western blot assay) in spinal dorsal root ganglia.This 17β-estradiol-induced increase in NMDAR1 expression was blocked by co-administration with AP-5,whereas AP-5 alone did not affect NMDAR1 expression.These results suggest that 17β-estradiol administration significantly reduced mechanical and thermal pain thresholds in rats with chronic constriction of the sciatic nerve,and that the mechanism for this increased sensitivity may be related to the upregulation of NMDAR1 expression in dorsal root ganglia.
文摘In the present study expression of estrogen receptor subtype -alpha (ERalpha) and -beta (ERbeta) in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and olfactory bulb was investigated and compared between neonatal (1 to approximately 3-days-old) and adult (250 to approximately 350 g) rats, using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). No ERalpha transcripts were detectable in the adult cerebellum and olfactory bulb, whereas very weak expression of ERalpha was present in the adult cerebral cortex. No significant difference in ERbeta transcripts was detectable between the neonatal and adult rats. While transcripts for both ER subtypes were co-expressed in these brain areas of neonatal rats, although ERalpha expression was significantly weaker than ERbeta. Even in the cerebral cortex known to contain both ER subtypes in adult rats, ERalpha transcripts in neonatal rats were much higher than in adult. These observations provide evidence for the existence of different expression patterns of ERalpha/ERbeta transcripts in these three brain areas between the neonatal and adult rats, suggesting that each ER subtype may play a distinct role in the regulation of differentiation, development, and functions of the brain by estrogen.
文摘Objective:To study the expression of estrogen receptor alpha(ERα) in preimplantation mice embryos.Methods:Mice zygotes were collected from superovulated Kunming mice and cultured in vitro.Embryos at different developmental stages were collected at 0,24,36,48,72 and 96hours after cultivation.The expression of ERα in early mice embryos was detected by reverse transcription-PCR(RT-PCR) and immunocytochemistry.Results:The expression of ERα mRNA was detected in all of the examined embryonic stages.The relative amount of ERα mRNA showed no significant difference between 1-cell stage embryos and 4-cell stage embryos(P>0.05).However,the relative level of ERα mRNA significantly decreased(P<0.05) at 2-cell stage and was the lowest at this stage.Over 2-cell stage,the ERα mRNA relative level would increase and achieve the peak level at blastocyst stage.The location of immunocytochemistry showed that ERα immunopositive cells could be firstly detected at 8-cell stage,after which they are consistently detected until blastocyst stage.In addition,the intensity of ERα positive staining was higher at blastocyst stage compared with that at 8-cell stage and morula stage.Conclusion:ERα is expressed in preimplantation mice embryos in a temporal and spatial pattern and may be involved in regulating the development of early mice embryos,which probably plays crucial roles in early embryonic development.
文摘17-β-estradiol (estrogen) is a steroid hormone important to human development;however, high levels of this molecule are associated with increased risk of breast cancer primarily due to estrogen’s ability to bind and activate the estrogen receptor (ER) and initiate gene transcription. Currently, estrogen mechanisms of action are classified as genomic and non-genomic and occur in an ER-dependent and ER-independent manner. In this study, we examine estrogen signaling pathways, by measuring changes in protein expression as a function of time of exposure to estrogen in both ER-positive (MCF-7) and ER-negative (MDA-MB-231) cell lines. Using a robust experimental design utilizing isotopic labeling, two-dimensional LC-MS, and bioinformatics analysis, we report genomic and non-genomic ER regulated estrogen responsive proteins. We find a little over 200 proteins differentially expressed after estrogen treatment. Cell proliferation, transcription, actin filament capping and cell to cell signaling are significantly enriched in the MCF-7 cell line alone. Translational elongation and proteolysis are enriched in both cell lines. Subsets of the proteins presented in this study are for the first time directly associated with estrogen signaling in mammary carcinoma cells. We find that estrogen affected the expression of proteins involved in numerous processes that are related to tumorigenesis such as increased cellular division and invasion in an ER-dependent manner. Moreover, we identified negative regulation of apoptosis as a non-genomic process of estrogen. This study complements gene expression studies and highlights the need for both genomic and proteomic analyses in unraveling the complex mechanisms by which estrogen affects progression of breast cancer.
基金supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program (863) of China(No. 2007AA06Z414)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No. 50778170)
文摘Environmental chemicals in drinking water can impact human health through nuclear receptors. Additionally, estrogen-related receptors (ERRs) are vulnerable to endocrine-disrupting effects. To date, however, ERR disruption of drinking water potency has not been reported. We used ERRy two-hybrid yeast assay to screen ERRy disrupting activities in a drinking water treatment plant (DWTP) located in north China and in source water from a reservoir, focusing on agonistic, antagonistic, and inverse agonistie activity to 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-OHT). Water treatment processes in the DWTP consisted of pre-chlorination, coagulation, coal and sand filtration, activated carbon filtration, and secondary chlorination processes. Samples were extracted by solid phase extraction. Results showed that ERRγ antagonistic activities were found in all sample extracts, but agonistic and inverse agonistic activity to 4-OHT was not found. When calibrated with the toxic equivalent of 4-OHT, antagonistic effluent effects ranged from 3.4 to 33.1 μg/L. In the treatment processes, secondary chlorination was effective in removing ERRy antagonists, but the coagulation process led to significantly increased ERRy antagonistic activity. The drinking water treatment processes removed 73.5 % of ERRy antagonists. To our knowledge, the occurrence of ERRy disruption activities on source and drinking water in vitro had not been reported previously. It is vital, therefore, to increase our understanding of ERRγ disrupting activities in drinking water.
文摘Relatively little is known about the effects of estrogen on postischemic cerebral vasomotor dynamics after ischemic injury. Emerging hypotheses suggest that the timing after menopause at which hormone replacement is initiated might be important and might modulate the potential benefits of estrogen on brain rescue once a cerebral ischemic event occurs. Therefore, we sought to determine if protracted hypoestrogenicity modifies estrogen’s protective effects on postischemic pial artery dilatory dysfunction and if the arachidonic acid metabolite 20-hydroxyeicosatetraeonic (20-HETE) contributes to the dysfunction. Pial artery dilation to acetylcholine was examined before and 1 hour after 15 minutes forebrain ischemia. The rat study groups included: sexually mature males (M), naive (N), OVX (OV), estrogen-treated OVX females (E1;estrogen started 1 week post ovariectomy) and delayed estrogen-treated (E10;started 10 weeks post ovariectomy) females. Postischemic responses were assessed before and after superfusion of the 20-HETE synthesis inhibitor N-hydroxy-N’-(4-butyl-2-methylphenyl)-formamidine (HET0016). Postischemic acetylcholine dilation was depressed in M, OV and E10 compared to N and E1 rats. Compared to E1, delayed estrogen replacement worsened acetylcholine-induced dilation. Postischemic microvascular estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) density was similar in the OV, E1 and E10 rats. Postischemic application of HET0016 failed to improve acetylcholine dilation. Continuous infusion of HET0016 during and after ischemia did not reverse postischemic pial vasodilatory dysfunction. Timing of estrogen replacement may be critical for vascular health after cerebral ischemic injury. Postischemic loss of acetylcholine reactivity does not appear to involve mechanisms related to 20-HETE synthesis or microvascular ERα expression.
基金This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30973046).
文摘Background A number of studies have examined the association between estrogen receptor alpha (ESR-a) gene polymorphisms and bone mineral density (BMD), but previous studies of ESR-a gene Xbal (rs9340799) and Pvull (rs2234693) polymorphisms have been hampered by small sample size, regional restrictions and inconclusive results. Thus a meta-analysis is needed to assess their pooled effects. Methods This study reviewed all published articles indexed in Pubmed using the keywords in the title or abstract. All data were extracted independently by two reviewers using a standard form, the studies were meta-analyzed and minor discrepancies were resolved by authors' discussion. Results Twenty seven eligible studies involving 8467 women and 2032 men were identified. The Xbal and Pvull polymorphisms were significantly associated with BMD of the lumbar spine. XX and PP homozygotes had a protective effect in comparison with carriers of the x and p alleles, the effects were more significant in premenopausal women or Western women. At the femoral neck, the results were different. XX served as a protective factor in postmenopausal women, Western women, Western postmenopausal women, and men, while PP was likely to serve as a risk factor in Eastern women, Eastern postmenopausal women, and men. Conclusions The Xbal polymorphism is correlated to BMD at diverse skeletal sites. PP had a protective role for the lumbar spine but might be a risk factor for the femoral neck.
基金This work was supported by a grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30600588).
文摘Background Estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer cells are more aggressive than ER-positive cells. Elevated levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) expression have been detected in cultured human breast cancer cells and are associated with negative hormone receptor status. In this study, we created ERα stable transfectants in MDA-MB-231 cells to explore the effect of ERα on cell growth and COX-2 and VEGF-C expression.Methods The green fluorescent protein (GFP)-ERα plasmids were stably transfected into ER-negative MDA-MB-231 cells. The proliferation and migration of untransfected MDA-MB-231 cells, ERα-transfected MDA-MB-231 cells and ER-positive MCF-7 cells were determined. The expression of COX-2, and the levels of VEGF-C mRNA and the VEGF-C secretion concentration were assayed in these cell lines.Results The proliferation and migration capacities of ERα-tranfected MDA-MB-231 cells were significantly decreased (P 〈0.05). The expression of COX-2 was significantly lower in ERa-tranfected MDA-MB-231 cells than in untranfected MDA-MB-231 cells. The mRNA and protein levels of VEGF-C were lower in ERa-tranfected MDA-MB-231 cells than in untransfected MDA-MB-231 cells (P〈0.05).Conclusions ERα stable transfection inhibits proliferation and migration capacities of MDA-MB-231 cells and decreases expression of COX-2 and VEGF-C. The decreases of proliferation and migration capacities may be related to suppression of COX-2 and VEGF-C expression.