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J Carlstedt-Duke

Publications and source records attributed to J Carlstedt-Duke.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

1H NMR studies of the glucocorticoid receptor DNA-binding domain: sequential assignments and identification of secondary structure elements.

Two protein fragments containing the DNA-binding domain (DBD) of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) have been studied by two-dimensional 1H NMR spectroscopy. The two peptides (93 and 115 residues, respectively) contain a common segment corresponding to residues C440-I519 of the rat GR or residues C421-I500 of the human GR and include two Zn-binding "finger" domains. The structures of this segment are almost identical in the two protein fragments, as judged from chemical shifts and sequential NOE connectivities. More than 90% of all observable 1H resonances within a 71-residue segment encompassing C440-R510 (rat GR) could be sequentially assigned by standard techniques, and stereospecific assignments could be made for the methyl groups in four valine residues within this segment. Sequential NOE connectivities indicate several elements of secondary structure including two alpha-helical segments consisting of residues S459-E469 and P493-G504, a type I reverse turn between residues R479 and C482, a type II reverse turn between residues L475 and G478, and several regions of extended peptide conformation. No evidence for alpha-helical conformation was found within the two putative zinc-finger domains, indicating that the structures of these domains differ from that of TFIIIA-type zinc fingers. The observation of some very slowly exchanging amide protons in the N-terminal (CI) domain of the DBD in combination with slow rotation of the Y452 aromatic ring indicates that this domain has a restricted conformational flexibility compared to the C-terminal (CII) domain. We also observe several long-range NOE connectivities within C440-R510, suggesting that the sequential assignments presented here will provide a basis for a complete structure determination of this segment of the GR.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Ligand-specific transactivation of gene expression by a derivative of the human glucocorticoid receptor expressed in yeast.

In this study we have reconstituted transactivation of gene expression by the human glucocorticoid receptor in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We have expressed the C-terminal half of the human glucocorticoid receptor (residues 415-777), the smallest derivative that can be expected to function as a ligand-dependent activator of transcription, in yeast cells. The function of the expressed protein has been assayed using a reporter gene consisting of the beta-galactosidase gene from Escherichia coli fused to the yeast iso-1-cytochrome c promoter with a glucocorticoid-responsive element from the rat tyrosine aminotransferase gene upstream. Transactivation of expression from the reporter gene by the expressed receptor is seen only in the presence of steroid hormones with glucocorticoid activity and occurs via specific interaction of receptor with the glucocorticoid-responsive element upstream of the reporter gene. This result is different from those obtained for the estrogen receptor in which a similar derivative was not functional in yeast. This suggests that the well documented conservation of structure and function between steroid receptors may not extend to the transactivation domains. Our results also suggest that the mechanism by which receptors are sequestered in an inactive, non-DNA binding state in the absence of ligand may be functionally conserved in yeast. In support of this we show evidence that the expressed receptor is associated with the yeast molecular weight 90,000 heat shock protein as seen in mammalian cells.

Base Sequence↗

Protein-protein interactions facilitate DNA binding by the glucocorticoid receptor DNA-binding domain.

We have studied the interaction of the DNA-binding domain of the glucocorticoid receptor with a glucocorticoid response element from the tyrosine aminotransferase gene. This response element consists of two binding sites (half-sites) for the glucocorticoid receptor DNA-binding domain. The sequences of these two half-sites are not identical, and we have previously shown that binding occurs preferentially to one of the half-sites (Tsai, S.-Y., Carlstedt-Duke, J., Weigel, N. L., Dahlman, K., Gustafsson, J.-A., Tsai, M.-J., and O'Malley, B. W. (1988) Cell 55, 361-369). We show here that binding to the low affinity half-site is dependent on previous occupancy of the high affinity half-site. This facilitated binding is dependent on the distance between the two half-sites and their relative orientation but is not dependent on the integrity of the DNA backbone. This is consistent with a model where DNA binding is not only dependent on interactions between the protein and its DNA target sequence but is also influenced by interactions between the protein molecules bound.

Base Sequence↗

Radiosequence analysis of the human progestin receptor charged with [3H]promegestone. A comparison with the glucocorticoid receptor.

Partially purified preparations of the human progestin receptor and the human and rat glucocorticoid receptor proteins were covalently charged with the synthetic progestin, [3H]promegestone, by photoaffinity labeling. After labeling, the denaturated protein was cleaved and the mixture of peptides subjected to radiosequence analysis as previously described for the rat glucocorticoid receptor protein (Carlstedt-Duke, J., Strömstedt, P.-E., Persson, B., Cederlund, E., Gustafsson, J.-A., and Jörnvall, H. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 6842-6846). The radioactivity labels identified, corresponded to Met-759 and Met-909 after photoaffinity labeling of the human progestin receptor, and Met-622 and Cys-754 after labeling of the rat glucocorticoid receptor. The residues labeled in the glucocorticoid receptor are the same as those previously reported to bind triamcinolone actonide. The corresponding residues were also labeled in the human glucocorticoid receptor. Met-759 of the progestin receptor and Met-622 of the rat glucocorticoid receptor are positioned within a segment with an overall high degree of sequence similarity and are equivalent. However, Met-909 (progestin receptor) and Cys-754 (glucocorticoid receptor) do not occur within equivalent segments of the two proteins. Thus, although the two classes of steroid hormone share a common structure within the A-ring, there are subtle differences in their interaction with the two separate receptor proteins.

Affinity Labels↗

Solution structure of the glucocorticoid receptor DNA-binding domain.

The three-dimensional structure of the DNA-binding domain (DBD) of the glucocorticoid receptor has been determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and distance geometry. The structure of a 71-residue protein fragment containing two "zinc finger" domains is based on a large set of proton-proton distances derived from nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectra, hydrogen bonds in previously identified secondary structure elements, and coordination of two zinc atoms by conserved cysteine residues. The DBD is found to consist of a globular body from which the finger regions extend. A model of the dimeric complex between the DBD and the glucocorticoid response element is proposed. The model is consistent with previous results indicating that specific amino acid residues of the DBD are involved in protein-DNA and protein-protein interactions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cooperativity and specificity in the interactions between DNA and the glucocorticoid receptor DNA-binding domain.

We have employed fluorescence spectroscopy to study the chemical equilibrium between a 115 amino acid protein fragment containing the DNA-binding domain of the human glucocorticoid receptor (DBDr) and a 24-base-pair DNA oligomer containing the glucocorticoid response element (GRE) from the mouse mammary tumor virus promoter region and compared it with the binding to nonspecific DNA at various ionic conditions. We find that binding to both DNAs is cooperative but that DBDr shows a higher affinity for the GRE than for nonspecific DNA and that this difference is more pronounced at increased salt concentrations. Sequence-specific binding to the GRE sequence at 570 mM monovalent cations can be described by a two-site cooperative model, and this supports the notion that DBDr binding to the GRE is enhanced by dimer formation at the recognition site. The product between the (average) association constant for binding to a GRE half-site and the cooperativity parameter was estimated to be K omega = (1-4) x 10(7) M-1 at this salt concentration and 20 degrees C. The sequence-specific binding is not very sensitive to salt concentration in the interval 270-570 mM monovalent cations. However, at lower salt (70 mM) additional binding takes place, presumably nonspecific (cooperative) association to DNA adjacent to the GRE sequence. DBDr binding to nonspecific DNA can be described by the McGhee-von Hippel model for cooperative binding to a chain polymer and is very sensitive to ionic conditions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Allosteric Regulation↗

Purified glucocorticoid receptors bind selectively in vitro to a cloned DNA fragment that mediates a delayed secondary response to glucocorticoids in vivo.

We have identified and characterized a 206-base-pair region downstream from rat alpha 2u-globulin promoter that specifically mediates a delayed secondary response to glucocorticoids. Unlike positive primary glucocorticoid response elements (GREs), this regulatory element, termed delayed sGRE, dictates an inductive process preceded by a time lag of several hours and blocked by the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. Reminiscent of GREs and negative GREs (nGREs), a delayed sGRE confers hormonal regulation upon a linked heterologous promoter from a downstream position with respect to transcription start site and, remarkably, also interacts selectively with purified glucocorticoid receptor. These results imply that receptor binding to a delayed sGRE in vivo may mediate certain secondary responses to glucocorticoid hormones.

Alpha-Globulins↗

Characterization of a complex glucocorticoid response unit in the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene.

The minimal DNA sequence required for glucocorticoid induction of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) gene in H4IIE rat hepatoma cells was defined. This novel glucocorticoid response unit (GRU) spans about 110 base pairs (bp) and includes two receptor-binding elements plus two accessory factor-binding elements. Purified glucocorticoid receptor bound to two regions (GR1 and GR2) between -395 and -349 bp relative to the transcription start site. Factors in crude rat liver nuclear extract bound to DNA in the regions -455 to -431 and -420 to -403 bp, which are designated accessory factor 1 (AF1) and accessory factor 2 (AF2) elements, respectively. Gel retardation analysis revealed that at least two proteins bound to AF1 and that they were distinct from the protein(s) that bound to AF2. Various combinations of GR1, GR2, AF1, and AF2 were fused to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene and cotransfected with a glucocorticoid receptor expression plasmid (pSVGR1) into H4IIE cells to identify the functional GRU. Neither the glucocorticoid receptor binding region nor the accessory factor binding region alone was sufficient to confer glucocorticoid responsiveness. The two components of the glucocorticoid receptor binding region functioned independently, and each accounted for half of the maximal response, provided the accessory factor elements were present. Similarly, deletion of either AF1 or AF2 diminished glucocorticoid induction of the PEPCK gene to approximately half of the maximum. We propose that the complex PEPCK gene GRU provides the stringent regulation required of this critical enzyme in liver.

Animals↗

Structure-function aspects of the glucocorticoid receptor.

The glucocorticoid receptor belongs to a family of ligand activated nuclear receptors. In addition to steroid hormone receptors, this family also includes receptors for thyroid hormone, retinoic acid and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 as well as some receptors with as yet unknown ligands, the so called orphan receptors. It is possible that the dioxin receptor is a member of this family as well although this cannot be definitely assessed until the receptor has been cloned. Interestingly, the clofibrate receptor, believed to be involved in clofibrate induction of certain isozymes of cytochrome P-450, has recently been shown to be a member of the steroid receptor supergene family and it is conceivable that other P-450 inducers might act via as yet uncharacterized receptors belonging to the same gene family. Therefore, we should learn significantly about principles of P-450 regulation by considering basic mechanisms of glucocorticoid action; the glucocorticoid receptor probably represents the most extensively studied member of the nuclear receptor family. Our laboratory has been particularly interested in structural aspects of this receptor and has used gene technology to overexpress its different domains, particularly the DNA-binding domain, the structure of which has been resolved using NMR.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

High level expression in Escherichia coli of the DNA-binding domain of the glucocorticoid receptor in a functional form utilizing domain-specific cleavage of a fusion protein.

A fragment comprising the DNA-binding domain of the human glucocorticoid receptor has been expressed in a functional form in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein with protein A from Staphylococcus aureus. The DNA-binding domain was purified to apparent homogeneity by affinity chromatography on IgG-Sepharose and DNA-cellulose, a purification scheme which does not involve denaturation of the protein at any step. The DNA-binding domain was separated from the protein A part of the fusion protein by domain-specific enzymatic cleavage with chymotrypsin while immobilized on IgG-Sepharose. The recombinant protein has been characterized by amino acid analysis, NH2- and COOH-terminal sequence analysis, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and reactivity to iodoacetate and was found to correspond to the primary structure derived from the cDNA sequence. DNase I footprinting showed that the purified recombinant protein bound to the same DNA sequences on the mouse mammary tumor virus long terminal repeat as glucocorticoid receptor purified from rat liver does. About 10 times more recombinant protein, on a molar basis, was needed to obtain the same level of protection. However, the protection of the three different footprints (1.3, 1.4, and 1.5') by the recombinant protein differed greatly from that of the natural receptor, with virtually no protection of footprint 1.4. This indicates cooperative binding of the natural receptor to adjacent footprints, dependent on other regions of the receptor than the DNA-binding domain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular interactions of steroid hormone receptor with its enhancer element: evidence for receptor dimer formation.

A steroid hormone responsive element (GRE/PRE), sufficient to confer glucocorticoid and progesterone inducibility when linked to a reporter gene, was used in band-shift assays to examine its molecular interactions with steroid hormone receptors. Both progesterone and glucocorticoid receptors bound directly and specifically to the GRE/PRE. The purine contact sites for both form A and form B chicken progesterone receptor, as well as those for rat glucocorticoid receptor, are identical. A peptide fragment produced in bacteria that primarily contain the DNA binding domain of the glucocorticoid receptor binds first to the TGTTCT half-site of the GRE/PRE, and a second molecule binds subsequently to the TGTACA (half-site) of the GRE/PRE in a cooperative manner. Utilizing the peptide fragment and the protein A-linked fragment, we demonstrated that the receptor interacts with its cognate enhancer as a dimer.

Animals↗

Identification of hormone-interacting amino acid residues within the steroid-binding domain of the glucocorticoid receptor in relation to other steroid hormone receptors.

Purified rat liver glucocorticoid receptor was covalently charged with [3H]glucocorticoid by photoaffinity labeling (UV irradiation of [3H]triamcinolone acetonide-glucocorticoid receptor) or affinity labeling (incubation with [3H]dexamethasone mesylate). After labeling, separate samples of the denatured receptor were cleaved with trypsin (directly or after prior succinylation), chymotrypsin, and cyanogen bromide. Labeled residues in the peptides obtained were identified by radiosequence analysis. The peaks of radioactivity corresponded to Met-622 and Cys-754 after photoaffinity labeling with [3H]triamcinolone acetonide and Cys-656 after affinity labeling with [3H]dexamethasone mesylate. The labeled residues are all positioned within hydrophobic segments of the steroid-binding domain. The patterns of hydropathy and secondary structure for the glucocorticoid receptor are highly similar to those for the progestin receptor and similar but less so to those for the estrogen receptor and to those for c-erb A.

Affinity Labels↗

Functional probing of glucocorticoid receptor structure.

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) consists of three functional domains. The steroid-binding domain is situated at the C-terminal end and N-terminal sequence analysis has identified the border of this domain at residue 518. The DNA-binding domain is central and lies between residues 414 and 517. The remaining N-terminal half of the protein constitutes the third domain. Probing of the steroid-receptor interaction by affinity-labelling and radiosequence analysis has identified three steroid-binding amino acid residues, Met-622, Cys-656 and Cys-754.

Animals↗

Hormone-mediated repression: a negative glucocorticoid response element from the bovine prolactin gene.

We have defined and characterized a region upstream of the bovine prolactin gene that confers repression by glucocorticoids. This 'negative glucocorticoid response element' (nGRE) contains multiple footprinting sites for purified glucocorticoid receptor protein between -51 and -562 bp. A strong consensus sequence for receptor binding within the nGRE has not yet been defined, but it is apparent that nGRE sequences differ from the GRE consensus elements that confer positive glucocorticoid regulation. Unlike 'positive' GREs, the nGRE enhances promoter activity in the absence of glucocorticoids or receptor, presumably through the action of a protein that binds in the same region and activates transcription. The hormone-receptor complex appears to negate this enhancement by competing or inactivating the second factor. As with positive GREs, nGRE sequences confer hormonal regulation upon linked heterologous promoters within various cell types; a 34-bp subfragment containing a single receptor binding site is sufficient for nGRE activity. We speculate that nGRE sequences might alter the structure of bound receptor, thereby preventing it from functioning as a positive regulator when bound at those sites.

Animals↗

Relation between defective regulation of arachidonic acid release and symptoms in cystic fibrosis.

A hypothesis is formed about the basic defect in CF based on the findings of 1) a defective inhibition of AA release by dexamethasone stimulation of lymphocytes from patients with CF, probably due to a defect in or absence of lipocortin and 2) the essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD) in CF reported by different authors for 25 years. Both in lymphocytes and fibroblasts from patients with CF increased AA release has been demonstrated. AA, substrate for the eicosanoid system (prostaglandins, leukotrienes, hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids, thromboxanes), has been shown to increase mucus release, influence chloride transport and the stimulus-secretion coupling (Ca++ balance), all factors suggested as basic defects in CF. The increased release of AA might explain the development of EFAD, since AA is synthesized from linoleic acid. In animals EFAD gives rise to symptoms similar to those in CF, e.g. defect Na transport, liver steatosis, increased caloric need, disturbed insulin release, increased bacterial colonization of airways, and decreased immune response. Regular supplementation with fat emulsion (Intralipid) to CF patients normalizes the renal Na transport and prevents liver steatosis. We suggest that the basic defect in CF is a defect in or absence of lipocortin, causing an increased release of AA, which regulates synthesis in the eicosanoid system. An increase of the products in this system gives rise to the basic signs and symptoms of CF. The resulting EFAD is dependent on the rate of AA turnover and could explain most of the clinical symptoms and the progression of the disease.

Annexins↗