Biomedical subjects

B Desvergne

Publications and source records attributed to B Desvergne.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1997

DNA binding properties of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor subtypes on various natural peroxisome proliferator response elements. Importance of the 5'-flanking region.

The three subtypes of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARalpha, beta/delta, and gamma) form heterodimers with the 9-cis-retinoic acid receptor (RXR) and bind to a common consensus response element, which consists of a direct repeat of two hexanucleotides spaced by one nucleotide (DR1). As a first step toward understanding the molecular mechanisms determining PPAR subtype specificity, we evaluated by electrophoretic mobility shift assays the binding properties of the three PPAR subtypes, in association with either RXRalpha or RXRgamma, on 16 natural PPAR response elements (PPREs). The main results are as follows. (i) PPARgamma in combination with either RXRalpha or RXRgamma binds more strongly than PPARalpha or PPARbeta to all natural PPREs tested. (ii) The binding of PPAR to strong elements is reinforced if the heterodimerization partner is RXRgamma. In contrast, weak elements favor RXRalpha as heterodimerization partner. (iii) The ordering of the 16 natural PPREs from strong to weak elements does not depend on the core DR1 sequence, which has a relatively uniform degree of conservation, but correlates with the number of identities of the 5'-flanking nucleotides with respect to a consensus element. This 5'-flanking sequence is essential for PPARalpha binding and thus contributes to subtype specificity. As a demonstration of this, the PPARgamma-specific element ARE6 PPRE is able to bind PPARalpha only if its 5'-flanking region is exchanged with that of the more promiscuous HMG PPRE.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1997

Polarity and specific sequence requirements of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)/retinoid X receptor heterodimer binding to DNA. A functional analysis of the malic enzyme gene PPAR response element.

The malic enzyme (ME) gene is a target for both thyroid hormone receptors and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR). Within the ME promoter, two direct repeat (DR)-1-like elements, MEp and MEd, have been identified as putative PPAR response elements (PPRE). We demonstrate that only MEp and not MEd is able to bind PPAR/retinoid X receptor (RXR) heterodimers and mediate peroxisome proliferator signaling. Taking advantage of the close sequence resemblance of MEp and MEd, we have identified crucial determinants of a PPRE. Using reciprocal mutation analyses of these two elements, we show the preference for adenine as the spacing nucleotide between the two half-sites of the PPRE and demonstrate the importance of the two first bases flanking the core DR1 in 5'. This latter feature of the PPRE lead us to consider the polarity of the PPAR/RXR heterodimer bound to its cognate element. We demonstrate that, in contrast to the polarity of RXR/TR and RXR/RAR bound to DR4 and DR5 elements respectively, PPAR binds to the 5' extended half-site of the response element, while RXR occupies the 3' half-site. Consistent with this polarity is our finding that formation and binding of the PPAR/RXR heterodimer requires an intact hinge T region in RXR while its integrity is not required for binding of the RXR/TR heterodimer to a DR4.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1997

Transcriptional regulation by triiodothyronine of the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase family 1 gene complex in rat liver. Comparison with induction by 3-methylcholanthrene.

This study demonstrates that the expression of the phenol UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1 gene (UGT1A1) is regulated at the transcriptional level by thyroid hormone in rat liver. Following 3,5, 3'-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) stimulation in vivo, there is a gradual increase in the amount of UGT1A1 mRNA with maximum levels reached 24 h after treatment. In comparison, induction with the specific inducer, 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC), results in maximal levels of UGT1A1 mRNA after 8 h of treatment. In primary hepatocyte cultures, the stimulatory effect of both T3 and 3-MC is also observed. This induction is suppressed by the RNA synthesis inhibitor actinomycin D, indicating that neither inducer acts at the level of mRNA stabilization. Indeed, nuclear run-on assays show a 3-fold increase in UGT1A1 transcription after T3 treatment and a 6-fold increase after 3-MC stimulation. This transcriptional induction by T3 is prevented by cycloheximide in primary hepatocyte cultures, while 3-MC stimulation is only partially affected after prolonged treatment with the protein synthesis inhibitor. Together, these data provide evidence for a transcriptional control of UGT1A1 synthesis and indicate that T3 and 3-MC use different activation mechanisms. Stimulation of the UGT1A1 gene by T3 requires de novo protein synthesis, while 3-MC-dependent activation is the result of a direct action of the compound, most likely via the aromatic hydrocarbon receptor complex.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

The major transcription initiation site of the SV40 late promoter is a potent thyroid hormone response element.

Thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) are members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily, which act as transcription factors upon binding to specific DNA sequences called thyroid hormone (T3) response elements (TREs). Such elements are found in the upstream regulatory region of promoters as well as in intragenic sequences of T3-responsive genes. In this report, we demonstrate that SV40 late (SVL) promoter activity is strongly down-regulated by TR in the absence of ligand. Addition of T3 releases this repression, but does not further induce SVL promoter activity. Electrophoretic mobility shift analyses reveal a TR binding element that overlaps with the SV40 major late transcription initiation site. This element closely fits the consensus TRE, formed of two hexanucleotides organized in a tandem repeat separated by 4 nt, and is able to confer T3 responsiveness on a heterologous promoter. We further show that, although the presence of TR leads to quantitatively modified expression of an SVL-driven reporter gene, neither displacement of the site of transcription initiation nor modification of the splicing pattern of the primary transcripts occur.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1996

Expression of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha gene is stimulated by stress and follows a diurnal rhythm.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are nuclear hormone receptors that can be activated by fatty acids and peroxisome proliferators. The PPAR alpha subtype mediates the pleiotropic effects of these activators in liver and regulates several target genes involved in fatty acid catabolism. In primary hepatocytes cultured in vitro, the PPAR alpha gene is regulated at the transcriptional level by glucocorticoids. We investigated if this hormonal regulation also occurs in the whole animal in physiological situations leading to increased plasma corticosterone levels in rats. We show here that an immobilization stress is a potent and rapid stimulator of PPAR alpha expression in liver but not in hippocampus. The injection of the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone into adult rats produces a similar increase in PPAR alpha expression in liver, whereas the administration of the antiglucocorticoid RU 486 inhibits the stress-dependent stimulation. We conclude that glucocorticoids are major mediators of the stress response. Consistent with this hormonal regulation, hepatic PPAR alpha mRNA and protein levels follow a diurnal rhythm, which parallels that of circulating corticosterone. To test the effects of variations in PPAR alpha expression on PPAR alpha target gene activity, high glucocorticoid-dependent PPAR alpha expression was mimicked in cultured primary hepatocytes. Under these conditions, hormonal stimulation of receptor expression synergizes with receptor activation by WY-14,643 to induce the expression of the PPAR alpha target gene acyl-CoA oxidase. Together, these results show that regulation of the PPAR alpha expression levels efficiently modulates PPAR activator signaling and thus may affect downstream metabolic pathways involved in lipid homeostasis.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors: a nuclear receptor signaling pathway in lipid physiology.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are lipid-activated transcription factors that belong to the steroid/thyroid/retinoic acid receptor superfamily. All their characterized target genes encode proteins that participate in lipid homeostasis. The recent finding that antidiabetic thiazolidinediones and adipogenic prostanoids are ligands of one of the PPARs reveals a novel signaling pathway that directly links these compounds to processes involved in glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism including adipocyte differentiation. A detailed understanding of this pathway could designate PPARs as targets for the development of novel efficient treatments for several metabolic disorders.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1995

Peroxisome proliferator activated receptors: transcriptional regulators of adipogenesis, lipid metabolism and more....

The recent discovery of lipid-activatable transcription factors that regulate the genes controlling lipid metabolism and adipogenesis has provided insight into the way that organisms sense and respond to lipid levels. Identification of the signaling pathways in which these receptors are involved will help us to understand the control of energy balance and the molecular defects underlying its disorders.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1994

Regulation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha gene by glucocorticoids.

This study demonstrates that the expression of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR alpha) is regulated by glucocorticoid hormones in hepatocytes. Hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, and triamcinolone stimulated PPAR alpha mRNA synthesis in a dose-dependent manner in primary rat hepatocyte cultures. This glucocorticoid stimulation was inhibited by RU 486, a specific glucocorticoid antagonist. Moreover, in contrast to glucocorticoid hormones, the mineralocorticoid aldosterone had only a weak effect, suggesting that the hormonal stimulation of PPAR alpha was mediated by the glucocorticoid receptor. The induction was not prevented by cycloheximide treatment of the hepatocytes, indicating that it was mediated by preexisting glucocorticoid receptor. Finally, the RNA synthesis inhibitor actinomycin D abolished the stimulatory effect of dexamethasone, and nuclear run-on analysis showed an increase of PPAR alpha transcripts after hormonal induction. Thus, the PPAR alpha gene is an early response gene of glucocorticoids that control its expression at the transcriptional level.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

A role for intronic sequences on expression of thyroid hormone receptor alpha gene.

We have cloned and characterized the organization of the rat thyroid hormone receptor alpha (THR) gene. Multiple transcription start sites were mapped by RNA primer extension analyses. The promoter of the rat THR alpha gene does not contain a TATA or CAAT box. Deletion analyses of the 5' region of THR alpha gene and transfection assays, using NIH3T3 and NG108-15 cells, revealed that the sequences from -137 to +205 (+205 resides in the first intron) are necessary for efficient expression of this gene. This region contains two positively acting elements, the sequence -137 to -60 upstream from the major start of transcription and three copies of an AGG sequence located in the first intron. In contrast, two octamer-binding motifs in the first intron function as the negative regulatory elements. Gel mobility shift assays showed that the purine-rich sequence and the octamer-binding motifs bind to a protein(s) present in NIH3T3 and NG108-15 cells, the recipients in transient transfection assays. Genomic sequence comparison of THR alpha and beta revealed the presence of the purine-rich track in both genes, while the octamer-binding motifs were found only in the alpha gene. These results might explain the differential regulation of THR alpha and beta gene expression previously noted.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1994

How do thyroid hormone receptors bind to structurally diverse response elements?

Three classes of thyroid hormone response elements have been described. They are composed of two half-sites arranged either as a palindromic, a direct repeat or as an inverted palindromic array. Receptor homodimers as well as heterodimers can bind to all three types of response element. While the ligand binding domain of the receptors provides the major dimerization surface, asymmetric contacts between the DNA binding domains are necessary for binding to a direct repeat. Moreover, some recent findings suggest that in TR, compared to RXR, the ligand binding domain has a 180 degrees rotation with respect to the DNA binding domain. This feature could explain the preferential binding of the RXR-TR heterodimer to the direct repeat response element, in which RXR exclusively binds the 5' half-site, and of the TR homodimer to the inverted palindrome response element.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Characterization of myelin basic protein thyroid hormone response element and its function in the context of native and heterologous promoter.

In this report we have characterized further the myelin basic protein (MBP) gene thyroid hormone response element (TRE) by functional and binding analysis. Mutation and deletion experiments revealed that this TRE, confined to the sequences -184 to -167 of the MBP promoter, is able to function as a classical regulatory element in the context of the native and a heterologous promoter. It is comprised of two regions, containing a motif that is highly conserved among other TREs: AGGACA, arranged as an inverted palindrome. Any mutation within the footprinted region impaired receptor binding and function. Moreover, the deletion of sequences outside of the receptor footprinted region (MBP-TRE-18) resulted in a higher triiodothyronine responsiveness and a concomitant increase in receptor-dependent, hormone-independent repression. Results of transfection assays showed that both receptors alpha and beta elicit indistinguishable triiodothyronine responses when the MBP-TRE functions as a regulator of a heterologous promoter activity. However, a preferential beta receptor transactivation was observed when the MBP-TRE was placed in the context of its native promoter.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1991

Molecular basis of thyroid hormone regulation of myelin basic protein gene expression in rodent brain.

Regulation of myelin basic protein (MBP) gene expression by thyroid hormone has been investigated in rodent brain. Quantitation of the 4 major alternatively spliced transcripts by RNase protection assay showed that the individual mRNAs, corresponding to MBP isoforms 21.5, 18.5, 17, and 14 kDa, were decreased from 2- to 17-fold at all ages studied (4-60 days) in hypothyroid animals when compared to euthyroid, but the timing of onset of expression was not altered. MBP mRNA was also reduced in young adult rats thyroidectomized at the age of 5-6 weeks and was restored to normal by thyroxine administration. Nuclear run-off assays showed that the rate of MBP gene transcription is dependent on thyroid state. Co-transfection of MBP (-256/+1)-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase chimeric gene with a plasmid expressing thyroid hormone receptor alpha, and in the presence of 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine, into NIH3T3 or NG108-15, increased chloramphenicol acetyltransferase expression 4-fold. Using a footprinting technique and Spodoptera frugiperda 9 (Sf9) nuclear extract infected with baculovirus expressing TR alpha, we have identified a single DNA-binding site (-186/-163) for the receptor. A part of this region contains the AGGACA sequence found in thyroid hormone-responsive elements of other 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine-regulated genes. Our finding of a specific hormone-receptor interaction with the MBP promoter region is the first direct demonstration of a thyroid hormone-responsive element in a brain-specific gene.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Functional characterization and receptor binding studies of the malic enzyme thyroid hormone response element.

We previously showed that the 5'-flanking region of the malic enzyme (ME) gene contains a cis-regulatory element (-281 to -261) that binds thyroid hormone receptors and confers triiodothyronine (T3) inducibility of transcription to the ME promoter (Petty, K.J., Desvergne, B., Mitsuhashi, T., and Nikodem, V. M. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 7395-7400). In this report, we have used deletion and mutation analyses of the ME thyroid hormone response element (TRE) to evaluate the roles of several subregions of TRE in T3 binding and transactivation. ME TRE was shown to act as an enhancer conferring T3 responsiveness to a heterologous promoter thymidine kinase. Although T3 treatment induced the promoter activity, the absence of hormone resulted in repression as measured by the level of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase expression in the NIH 3T3 transient expression system in the presence of overexpressed receptor. The degree of repression was similar to the degree of T3 induction observed for the same TRE mutants. Mutation and deletion analyses indicated that the functional TRE is comprised of discrete regions that are not contiguous, with a dominant role of a cluster of G residues and an AGGACA sequence. Both functions, induction and repression of transcription, correlated with receptor binding to the ME TRE as determined by competition binding assays using wild type and mutated TRE as competitors.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Identification of a thyroid hormone response element in the malic enzyme gene.

We have studied the rat malic enzyme gene as a model for thyroid hormone (triiodothyronine (T3)) regulation of transcription. Our previous studies showed that transcription of this gene is controlled by T3 in vivo. In this study, we used COS-7 cells in culture to determine the location of a T3 response element (TRE) within this gene. Cotransfection of the rat T3 alpha-receptor cDNA with a reporter gene linked to 5'-deletion mutants of the malic enzyme gene 5'-flanking region revealed the presence of a TRE between positions -315 and -248. Using T3 receptors synthesized in vitro from their cDNAs, we have identified, through the use of gel shift assays and footprinting, a single DNA-binding site (positions -281 to -261) for the receptor within the rat malic enzyme gene TRE. The site was capable of binding either the rat alpha- or human beta-receptor with similar affinities. Competition binding studies indicated that the apparent affinity of receptor binding to the malic enzyme gene was similar to that of the rat alpha-myosin heavy chain gene TRE (positions -151 to -122) and was significantly greater than that of the rat growth hormone TRE (positions -192 to -163). These results indicate that both the alpha- and beta-forms of the nuclear T3 receptor are capable of binding directly to the malic enzyme gene 5'-flanking region at a site which functions as a hormone-inducible cis-regulatory element. In conjunction with our previous finding that T3 induces or activates essential transcription factors which bind to the promoter, it appears that the regulation of transcription of the malic enzyme gene by thyroid hormone involves at least two regulatory pathways.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Modulation of albumin secretion by ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate in adult rat hepatocyte cultures and a human hepatoma cell line (HepG2).

Cocultured adult rat hepatocytes and a human hepatoma cell line (HepG2) were maintained in an arginine-free medium with or without ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate. This drug increased greatly hepatocyte albumin secretion in both culture models. L-Ornithine was the component accounting for these effects since similar data were obtained by using this sole amino acid. Moreover, we observed that L-ornithine stimulation of albumin production was via polyamine synthesis. Since a correlated increase in albumin mRNA was observed, it may be postulated that ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate acts at a pretranslational level.

Albumins↗

PubMed1989

Effects of iron overload on transferrin secretion by cultured fetal rat hepatocytes.

Primary cultures of fetal rat hepatocytes were maintained in an arginine-free medium deprived of serum but supplemented with 0.03 mM L-ornithine and 10(-8) M dexamethasone. Ferric nitrilotriacetate was added to the culture medium in order to obtain iron concentrations ranging from 10 to 100 microM. After 24 h of treatment, iron was visualized inside the hepatocytes by the staining method of Perls and electron microscope study. The present data demonstrate that iron overload decreases transferrin secretion; this effect appears not to be specific, since albumin production is affected in a similar manner. This depressed transferrin secretion is not the consequence of hepatocyte death, as the phenomenon is confirmed when expressed per cell. Since the corresponding mRNA is unaffected, it may be postulated that iron overload decreases transferrin secretion at some post-transcriptional level.

Albumins↗

PubMed1989

Chronic iron overload inhibits protein secretion by adult rat hepatocytes maintained in long-term primary culture.

Short-term pure cultures and long-term cocultures of adult rat hepatocytes with rat liver epithelial cells, presumably derived from primitive biliary cells, were used to define in vitro models of iron overloaded hepatocytes in order to understand the molecular mechanism responsible for liver damage occurring in patients with hemochromatosis. In vitro iron overload was obtained by daily addition of ferric nitrilotriacetate to the culture medium. A concentration of 20 microM ferric salt induced hepatocyte iron overload with minimal cytotoxicity as evaluated by cell viability, morphological changes of treated cells and cytosolic enzyme leakage into the culture medium. The effects of iron overload on protein biosynthesis and secretion were studied in both short-term pure cultures and long-term cocultures of hepatocytes. The amounts of intracellular and newly synthesized proteins were never modified by the iron treatment. Furthermore, neither the relative amounts of transferrin and albumin mRNAs nor their translational products were altered by iron overload. Moreover, no change in the transferrin isomeric forms were observed in treated cells. In contrast, a prolonged exposure of cocultured hepatocytes to 20 microM ferric salt led to a significant decrease in the amount of proteins secreted in the medium. This decrease included the two major secreted proteins, namely albumin and transferrin, and probably all other secreted proteins. These results demonstrate that iron loading alters neither the total nor the liver specific protein synthesis activity of cultured hepatocytes. They suggest that chronic overload may impede the protein secretion process.

Albumins↗

PubMed1988

Effect of ornithine on transferrin secretion of rat and human hepatocyte cultures.

Fetal rat or neonatal human hepatocytes and a human hepatoma cell line were cultured in an arginine-free medium, supplemented or not with L-ornithine. This amino-acid improved survival of hepatocytes and strongly enhanced their transferrin secretion. Moreover, this increase observed in transferrin production was well correlated with a higher corresponding mRNA level. Thus, it may be postulated that the mechanism involved in the increased transferrin secretion by L-ornithine is of pretranslational origin.

Animals↗