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Clarisse D, Van Moortel L, Van Leene C, Gevaert K, De Bosscher K. Glucocorticoid receptor signaling: intricacies and therapeutic opportunities. Trends Biochem Sci 2024; 49:431-444. [PMID: 38429217 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2024.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a major nuclear receptor (NR) drug target for the treatment of inflammatory disorders and several cancers. Despite the effectiveness of GR ligands, their systemic action triggers a plethora of side effects, limiting long-term use. Here, we discuss new concepts of and insights into GR mechanisms of action to assist in the identification of routes toward enhanced therapeutic benefits. We zoom in on the communication between different GR domains and how this is influenced by different ligands. We detail findings on the interaction between GR and chromatin, and highlight how condensate formation and coregulator confinement can perturb GR transcriptional responses. Last, we discuss the potential of novel ligands and the therapeutic exploitation of crosstalk with other NRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorien Clarisse
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Laura Van Moortel
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Chloé Van Leene
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kris Gevaert
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karolien De Bosscher
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.
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2
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Laulhé M, Kuhn E, Bouligand J, Amazit L, Perrot J, Lebigot E, Kamenickỷ P, Lombès M, Fagart J, Viengchareun S, Martinerie L. A novel mutation in the NR3C1 gene associated with reversible glucocorticoid resistance. Eur J Endocrinol 2024; 190:284-295. [PMID: 38584335 DOI: 10.1093/ejendo/lvae031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Glucocorticoid resistance is a rare endocrine disease caused by variants of the NR3C1 gene encoding the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). We identified a novel heterozygous variant (GRR569Q) in a patient with uncommon reversible glucocorticoid resistance syndrome. METHODS We performed ex vivo functional characterization of the variant in patient fibroblasts and in vitro through transient transfection in undifferentiated HEK 293T cells to assess transcriptional activity, affinity, and nuclear translocation. We studied the impact of the variant on the tertiary structure of the ligand-binding domain through 3D modeling. RESULTS The patient presented initially with an adrenal adenoma with mild autonomous cortisol secretion and undetectable adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) levels. Six months after surgery, biological investigations showed elevated cortisol and ACTH (urinary free cortisol 114 µg/24 h, ACTH 10.9 pmol/L) without clinical symptoms, evoking glucocorticoid resistance syndrome. Functional characterization of the GRR569Q showed decreased expression of target genes (in response to 100 nM cortisol: SGK1 control +97% vs patient +20%, P < .0001) and impaired nuclear translocation in patient fibroblasts compared to control. Similar observations were made in transiently transfected cells, but higher cortisol concentrations overcame glucocorticoid resistance. GRR569Q showed lower ligand affinity (Kd GRWT: 1.73 nM vs GRR569Q: 4.61 nM). Tertiary structure modeling suggested a loss of hydrogen bonds between H3 and the H1-H3 loop. CONCLUSION This is the first description of a reversible glucocorticoid resistance syndrome with effective negative feedback on corticotroph cells regarding increased plasma cortisol concentrations due to the development of mild autonomous cortisol secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaux Laulhé
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Physiologie et Physiopathologie Endocriniennes, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Emmanuelle Kuhn
- Unité Hypophyse, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP, Paris 75013, France
| | - Jérôme Bouligand
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Physiologie et Physiopathologie Endocriniennes, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- Service de Génétique Moléculaire, Pharmacogénétique et Hormonologie, Hôpital Bicêtre APHP Paris Saclay, Le Kremlin Bicêtre 94270, France
| | - Larbi Amazit
- UMS 44/Institut Biomédical du Val de Bièvre, Université Paris-Saclay, Le Kremlin Bicêtre 94276, France
| | - Julie Perrot
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Physiologie et Physiopathologie Endocriniennes, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Elise Lebigot
- Service de Biochimie, Hôpital Bicêtre APHP Paris Saclay, Le Kremlin Bicêtre 94270, France
| | - Peter Kamenickỷ
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Physiologie et Physiopathologie Endocriniennes, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- Service d'Endocrinologie et des Maladies de la Reproduction, Hôpital Bicêtre APHP Paris Saclay, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre 94270, France
| | - Marc Lombès
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Physiologie et Physiopathologie Endocriniennes, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Jérôme Fagart
- Laboratoire de Biologie Structurale de la Cellule, BIOC, Ecole Polytechnique, CNRS, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91128 Palaiseau cedex, France
| | - Say Viengchareun
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Physiologie et Physiopathologie Endocriniennes, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Laetitia Martinerie
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Physiologie et Physiopathologie Endocriniennes, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- Endocrinologie Pédiatrique, Centre de Référence Maladies Endocriniennes Rares de la Croissance et du Développement, Hôpital Universitaire Robert-Debré APHP Nord, Paris 75019, France
- Faculté de Santé, Université Paris Cité, UFR de Médecine, Paris 75006, France
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Helsen C, Rocca MS, Nguyen TT, Eerlings R, Lee XY, De Block S, Vinanzi C, Di Millo F, Giagulli V, Voet A, Ferlin A, Claessens F. Study of novel androgen receptor V770 variant in androgen insensitivity syndrome patients reveals the transitional state of the androgen receptor ligand binding domain homodimer. Protein Sci 2023; 32:e4599. [PMID: 36806291 PMCID: PMC10019450 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
We report the discovery of the androgen receptor missense mutation V770D, that was found in two sisters suffering from complete androgen insensitivity. Experimental validation of AR V770 variants demonstrated that AR V770D was transcriptionally inactive due to the inability to dimerize and a reduced ligand binding affinity. The more conservative AR V770A variant showed a dimerization defect at low levels of DHT with a partial recovery of the transcriptional activity and of the receptor's ability to dimerize when increasing the DHT levels. With V770 located outside of the proposed LBD dimerization interface of the AR LBD homodimer crystal structure, the effects of the V770A mutation on AR dimerization were unexpected. We therefore explored whether the AR LBD dimerization interface would be better described by an alternative dimerization mode based on available human homodimeric LBD crystal structures of other nuclear receptors. Superposition of the monomeric AR LBD in the homodimeric crystal structures of GR, PR, ER, CAR, TRβ, and HNF-4α showed that the GR-like LBD dimer model was energetically the most stable. Moreover, V770 was a key energy residue in the GR-like LBD dimer while it was not involved in the stabilization of the AR LBD homodimer according to the crystal structure. Additionally, the observation that 4 AIS mutations impacted the stability of the AR LBD dimer while 16 mutations affected the GR-like LBD dimer, suggested that the AR LBD dimer crystal is a snapshot of a breathing AR LBD homodimer that can transition into the GR-like LBD dimer model.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Santa Rocca
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive MedicineUniversity Hospital of PadovaPadovaItaly
| | - Tien T. Nguyen
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Modelling and Design, the Chemistry DepartmentKU LeuvenHeverleeBelgium
| | - Roy Eerlings
- Molecular Endocrinology LaboratoryKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Xiao Yin Lee
- Molecular Endocrinology LaboratoryKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Sofie De Block
- Molecular Endocrinology LaboratoryKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Cinzia Vinanzi
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive MedicineUniversity Hospital of PadovaPadovaItaly
| | | | - Vito Giagulli
- Santa Maria and Villa Lucia HospitalGVM Care & ResearchBariItaly
| | - Arnout Voet
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Modelling and Design, the Chemistry DepartmentKU LeuvenHeverleeBelgium
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4
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Postel S, Wissler L, Johansson CA, Gunnarsson A, Gordon E, Collins B, Castaldo M, Köhler C, Öling D, Johansson P, Fröderberg Roth L, Beinsteiner B, Dainty I, Delaney S, Klaholz BP, Billas IML, Edman K. Quaternary glucocorticoid receptor structure highlights allosteric interdomain communication. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2023; 30:286-295. [PMID: 36747092 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-022-00914-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that binds DNA and assembles co-regulator complexes to regulate gene transcription. GR agonists are widely prescribed to people with inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Here we present high-resolution, multidomain structures of GR in complex with ligand, DNA and co-regulator peptide. The structures reveal how the receptor forms an asymmetric dimer on the DNA and provide a detailed view of the domain interactions within and across the two monomers. Hydrogen-deuterium exchange and DNA-binding experiments demonstrate that ligand-dependent structural changes are communicated across the different domains in the full-length receptor. This study demonstrates how GR forms a distinct architecture on DNA and how signal transmission can be modulated by the ligand pharmacophore, provides a platform to build a new level of understanding of how receptor modifications can drive disease progression and offers key insight for future drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Postel
- Mechanistic & Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Lisa Wissler
- Mechanistic & Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Carina A Johansson
- Mechanistic & Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anders Gunnarsson
- Mechanistic & Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Euan Gordon
- Discovery Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Barry Collins
- Bioscience COPD/IPF, Research and Early Development, Respiratory and Immunology (R&I), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Marie Castaldo
- Discovery Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Christian Köhler
- Bioscience COPD/IPF, Research and Early Development, Respiratory and Immunology (R&I), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - David Öling
- Discovery Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Patrik Johansson
- Mechanistic & Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Brice Beinsteiner
- Centre for Integrative Biology (CBI), Department of Integrated Structural Biology, Institute of Genetics and of Molecular and Cellular Biology (IGBMC), Illkirch, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR 7104, Illkirch, France
| | - Ian Dainty
- Bioscience COPD/IPF, Research and Early Development, Respiratory and Immunology (R&I), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Stephen Delaney
- Bioscience COPD/IPF, Research and Early Development, Respiratory and Immunology (R&I), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Bruno P Klaholz
- Centre for Integrative Biology (CBI), Department of Integrated Structural Biology, Institute of Genetics and of Molecular and Cellular Biology (IGBMC), Illkirch, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR 7104, Illkirch, France
| | - Isabelle M L Billas
- Centre for Integrative Biology (CBI), Department of Integrated Structural Biology, Institute of Genetics and of Molecular and Cellular Biology (IGBMC), Illkirch, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR 7104, Illkirch, France
| | - Karl Edman
- Mechanistic & Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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Pinheiro EDS, Preato AM, Petrucci TVB, dos Santos LS, Glezer I. Phase-separation: a possible new layer for transcriptional regulation by glucocorticoid receptor. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1160238. [PMID: 37124728 PMCID: PMC10145926 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1160238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are hormones involved in circadian adaptation and stress response, and it is also noteworthy that these steroidal molecules present potent anti-inflammatory action through GC receptors (GR). Upon ligand-mediated activation, GR translocates to the nucleus, and regulates gene expression related to metabolism, acute-phase response and innate immune response. GR field of research has evolved considerably in the last decades, providing varied mechanisms that contributed to the understanding of transcriptional regulation and also impacted drug design for treating inflammatory diseases. Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) in cellular processes represents a recent topic in biology that conceptualizes membraneless organelles and microenvironments that promote, or inhibit, chemical reactions and interactions of protein or nucleic acids. The formation of these molecular condensates has been implicated in gene expression control, and recent evidence shows that GR and other steroid receptors can nucleate phase separation (PS). Here we briefly review the varied mechanisms of transcriptional control by GR, which are largely studied in the context of inflammation, and further present how PS can be involved in the control of gene expression. Lastly, we consider how the reported advances on LLPS during transcription control, specially for steroid hormone receptors, could impact the different modalities of GR action on gene expression, adding a new plausible molecular event in glucocorticoid signal transduction.
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6
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Timmermans S, Vandewalle J, Libert C. Dimerization of the Glucocorticoid Receptor and Its Importance in (Patho)physiology: A Primer. Cells 2022; 11:cells11040683. [PMID: 35203332 PMCID: PMC8870481 DOI: 10.3390/cells11040683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a very versatile protein that comes in several forms, interacts with many proteins and has multiple functions. Numerous therapies are based on GRs’ actions but the occurrence of side effects and reduced responses to glucocorticoids have motivated scientists to study GRs in great detail. The notion that GRs can perform functions as a monomeric protein, but also as a homodimer has raised questions about the underlying mechanisms, structural aspects of dimerization, influencing factors and biological functions. In this review paper, we are providing an overview of the current knowledge and insights about this important aspect of GR biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Timmermans
- Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; (S.T.); (J.V.)
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jolien Vandewalle
- Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; (S.T.); (J.V.)
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Claude Libert
- Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; (S.T.); (J.V.)
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Correspondence:
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