Estrogen Receptor Ligand-binding Domain Research Articles

Different Residues of the Human Estrogen Receptor Are Involved in the Recognition of Structurally Diverse Estrogens and Antiestrogens

We have previously examined, by alanine scanning mutagenesis, amino acids 515-535 of the estrogen receptor (ER) ligand binding domain to determine which of these residues are important in estradiol binding. Mutation at four sites that potentially lie along one face of an alpha-helix, Gly521, His524, Leu525, and Met528, all significantly impaired estradiol binding by the ER (Ekena, K., Weis, K. E., Katzenellenbogen, J. A., and Katzenellenbogen, B. S. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 20053-20059). In this report, we compare the pattern of residues that are important in the recognition of several structurally diverse estrogen agonists and antagonists (the synthetic nonsteroidal agonist hexestrol, an agonist derived from the mold metabolite zearalenone, P1496, and the partial agonist-antagonist trans-hydroxytamoxifen) with those that are predicted to contact estradiol in the receptor-ligand complex. Although there are some similarities in the pattern of residue recognition among all four ligands, each ligand showed distinct differences as well. Interestingly, alanine substitution at only one residue, the leucine at position 525, was found to inhibit binding of all the ligands tested. Another residue, His524, was found to be important in the recognition of three different agonists but not trans-hydroxytamoxifen (the only ligand lacking a second hydroxyl group). The recognition of estradiol and another agonist, P1496, was impaired by the G521A mutation, whereas ligand-induced activity by the two compounds that lack B- and C-rings, hexestrol and trans-hydroxytamoxifen, was unaffected. Our findings demonstrate that these ligands fit into the ER ligand binding pocket differently and that each contacts a distinct set of amino acids. The smaller ligands (estradiol and hexestrol) have a narrower footprint of interacting residues than the larger ligands (P1496 and trans-hydroxytamoxifen). This pattern of interaction is most consistent with the amino acids within this region being in contact with the portion of these ligands that corresponds to the D-ring end of estradiol. The interplay between the shape of an ER ligand and the residues that support its binding to ER may potentially underlie the selective actions of different ER ligands in various cell and promoter contexts.

Intact noncovalent dimer of estrogen receptor ligand-binding domain can be detected by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESMS) of the estrogen receptor ligand binding domain (ER LBD) in its estradiol-binding form was performed. A dimeric ER LBD was observed, with a greatly reduced capacity for protonation (major charge state for dimer +16 vs. +23 for a monomer). Peak broadening (probably due to heterogeneity resulting from salt and water adduct formation) adversely affected our ability to distinguish between multiple discreet dimeric species and thus prevented us from establishing an accurate average mass for the dimerized domain. A mixture of species with molecular masses between 57,240 Da and 57,900 Da was observed, which would compare to 57,274 Da, 57,546 Da, and 57,818 Da for the calculated masses of the dimer without estradiol, or with one or two bound ligand molecules, respectively. Hence, nonliganded ER LBD dimer appeared to constitute the major species. The presence of low levels of a singly liganded ER LBD dimer cannot be ruled out, but the data argue against the possibility of the ER LBD dimer carrying two molecules of estradiol. Allowing for current limitations in the technology, our data demonstrate that ESMS on a quadrupole mass spectrometer of limited mass range (4000 Da for singly charged ions) has potential utility for studying ligandbinding proteins. In particular, in future it might be possible to compare spectra obtained from agonist- and antagonist-bound receptors and determine from subtle changes in protonation state possible differences in the higher order structure of those noncovalent protein complexes.

Mutational analysis of the estrogen receptor ligand-binding domain: influence of ligand structure and stereochemistry on transactivation.

The mouse estrogen receptor (mER) exhibits ligand stereochemical specificity for indenestrol A (IA), a stilbestrol estrogen. IA has a chiral C3 methyl group, and the mER preferentially binds the S-enantiomer (IA-S), resulting in elevated biological activity when compared with the IA-R enantiomer. To elucidate the mechanisms for this stereochemical recognition, we have constructed a series of mERs with individual amino acid substitutions at Met521, His528, Met532, and Val537. The abilities of yeast-expressed wild-type and mutant mERs to transactivate an estrogen-responsive reporter gene construct were measured in the presence of diethylstilbestrol (DES) and IA enantiomers. The concentration of IA-S required to induce half-maximal transactivation by wild-type mER was 10-fold lower than IA-R, which is attributed to the 15-fold greater binding affinity for IA-S. Wild-type mER displayed similar dose-response curves for IA-R and demethyl IA, which lacks a C3 methyl group, demonstrating that the presence and correct orientation of the C3 methyl group on the IA compound is required for high-affinity ligand binding and transcriptional activity. Each mutant exhibited a reduced preference for IA-S enantiomer with respect to transactivation, suggesting that this region of the mER functions in ligand stereochemical recognition and activation. A mutation at Met532 diminished DES- and IA-S-induced transactivation by 7.5-fold and 40-fold respectively, with minimal change on their binding affinity. These data suggest that Met532 is required for transactivation induced by the potent agonist, IA-S, and the M532G mutation effectively uncouples IA-S ligand binding from transactivation. Use of these stereochemically different ligands in combination with mutagenesis of the mER demonstrates that ligand structure could influence transactivation by specifically altering the conformation of the mER AF-2 region.

Analysis of the structural core of the human estrogen receptor ligand binding domain by selective proteolysis/mass spectrometric analysis.

The structure of the ca. 250 amino acid hormone binding domain of the human estrogen receptor (hER-LBD), expressed in E. coli and purified as a complex with estradiol, has been probed by selective proteolysis, with analysis of the protein fragments both by classical methods (SDS-PAGE and Edman N-terminal sequencing) and by mass spectrometry (HPLC-coupled electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS)). Rapid cleavage by several proteases (trypsin, chymotrypsin, thermolysin, and Asp-N endoproteinase) is observed within a localized region (residues 297-303) at the N-terminus. In contrast, proteolytic scission at the C-terminus is less localized and more progressive; initial cuts by trypsin, chymotrypsin, thermolysin, V8, and Asp-N proteinases are observed to occur in the region 553-571, followed by further cleavage with thermolysin (548) and trypsin (548, 531, and 529). Thus, N304 and K529 define the protease-resistant N- and C-termini of a core structure for this domain that appears to contain the elements sufficient for ligand binding. The remaining segment of this domain (530-553), which is known to embody elements essential for ligand-modulated transcription activation (AF-2), is likely a surface-exposed region that, through these studies, is shown to be accessible to proteases. Only a single region within the 26 kDa ligand-binding core (N304-K529) has been identified as being readily accessible to proteases; rapid proteolysis using the proteases trypsin, chymotrypsin, and thermolysin, is localized to residues 465-468, with cleavage occurring at residues K467, L466, and both T465 and S468, respectively. The flexibility implied by the cuts in this internal 465-468 region suggest that the hER-LBD may actually consist of two subdomains. These proteolysis studies provide a substantially refined view of the conformational nature of the human estrogen receptor ligand binding domain.

Structural characterization of a short peptide fragment that mediates estrogen-receptor dimerization.

In a recent study it is suggested that a short peptide fragment within the estrogen receptor ligand-binding and dimerization domain might act as a constitutively active dimerization motif [Lees, J. A., Fawell, S. E., White, R. & Parker, M. G. (1990) Mol. Cell. Biol. 10, 5529-5531]. We used NMR and CD spectroscopies to characterize the structure and biophysical properties of a synthetic peptide comprising residues Thr500-His528 of the mouse estrogen receptor, including the putative dimerization motif. We found that residues Leu501-Asn523 form a nascent helix in water solution, whereas the C-terminal (Lys524-His528) has no propensity for alpha-helical conformation. We found no evidence for a strong homodimerization activity of the peptide. However, we observed concentration-dependent NMR chemical shifts of several residues that would be located on the same face of an alpha-helix. This observation suggests a weak, but specific dimerization/oligomerization of the peptide at millimolar concentrations.

Molecular characterization by mass spectrometry of the human estrogen receptor ligand-binding domain expressed in Escherichia coli.

The ligand binding domain of the human estrogen receptor (hER-LBD), encompassing the sequence MDPS282AG...V595, has been expressed at high levels in Escherichia coli from a pET-23d vector, and a purified preparation has been characterized both by mass spectrometry and biochemical methods. Inclusion bodies from the bacterial expression were solubilized by sonication and the hER-LBD was purified to near homogeneity by affinity chromatography over an estradiol-Sepharose column in urea-containing buffer. This material ran as a single peak on reversed-phase HPLC, and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis showed a band with apparent molecular mass of 31-32 kilodaltons (kDa), somewhat smaller than that expected from the construct (35.6 kDa). Edman degradation revealed a single sequence of MDPSAGDMRA, consistent with an intact N terminus. Further characterization of this material using low resolution matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry indicated an apparent single protein species of average mass 33,143 daltons (Da). Detailed molecular analysis by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, however, revealed that this purified hER-LBD preparation was actually composed of a number of both modified and unmodified LBD protein fragments between 32,900-33,400 Da. The bulk of this 33-kDa protein mixture consisted of three LBD protein fragments with C termini at Ala571 (70%), Ala569 (23%), and Ser575 (4%), with only a trace amount (3%) of the full length expressed LBD (MDPS282...V595; 35, 602 Da). These four protein species also appear to be partially chemically modified by carbamylation. The functional integrity of this hER-LBD preparation was investigated by a ligand-exchange assay, which showed that the hER-LBD retained full estradiol-binding capacity; specific, covalent labeling was also observed using either the electrophilic affinity-labeling ligand tamoxifen aziridine (TAZ) or the photoaffinity-labeling ligand hexestrol diazirine. Thus, this expressed hER-LBD preparation, while appearing nominally pure by conventional biochemical techniques and having the expected ligand-binding capacity, was shown by sensitive high resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry techniques to be largely truncated 20-26 amino acids from the expected C terminus and to have a substantial level of covalent modification arising from the urea.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Molecular characterization by mass spectrometry of the human estrogen receptor ligand-binding domain expressed in Escherichia coli

Molecular characterization by mass spectrometry of the human estrogen receptor ligand-binding domain expressed in Escherichia coli

A modified oestrogen receptor ligand-binding domain as an improved switch for the regulation of heterologous proteins

A number of proteins have been rendered functionally oestrogen-dependent by fusion with the hormone-binding domain of the oestrogen receptor. There are, however, several significant disadvantages with such fusion proteins. First, their use in cells in vitro requires phenol red-free medium and laborious stripping of steroid hormones from serum in order to avoid constitutive activation. Secondly, control of oestrogen receptor fusion proteins in vivo is precluded by high endogenous levels of circulating oestrogens. Thirdly, the hormone-binding domain of the oestrogen receptor functions as a hormone-dependent transcriptional activation domain making interpretation of fusions with transcription factors problematical. In order to overcome these drawbacks we have used a transcriptionally inactive mutant of the murine oestrogen receptor which is unable to bind oestrogen yet retains normal affinity for the synthetic ligand, 4-hydroxytamoxifen. When the hormone-binding domain of this mutant oestrogen receptor is fused to the C-terminus of the c-Myc protein, Myc-induced proliferation and apoptosis in fibroblasts becomes dependent on 4-hydroxytamoxifen, but remains refractory to 17 beta-oestradiol.

Transcriptional activation by the estrogen receptor requires a conformational change in the ligand binding domain.

The estrogen receptor (ER) is a strong hormone-inducible transcription factor that regulates the expression of many genes. It was shown for the human progesterone receptor that the binding of hormone causes distinct conformational changes in the ligand binding domain (LBD) and that these changes in LBD conformation are crucial for events after DNA binding. We now show that conformational changes in the LBD of the human ER are a prerequisite for trans-activation. Under the appropriate conditions ER binds to its response element and activates transcription only in the presence of ligand. Binding of the ligand causes changes in the conformation of the LBD. Antihormones induce distinct conformational changes, the differences between the conformations lying in the carboxy-terminal end of the receptor. Changing the experimental conditions results in a receptor that can bind to DNA and activate transcription in a ligand-independent manner. Under these conditions the LBD has a transcriptionally active conformation in the absence of ligand. Taken together, our data indicate that the conformational change induced by ligand is required for converting a receptor to the transcriptionally active form.

A model to describe how a point mutation of the estrogen receptor alters the structure-function relationship of antiestrogens

The antiestrogen tamoxifen [(Z)-1(p-beta-dimethylamino-ethoxyphenyl)-1,2- diphenylbut-1-ene] is an effective anticancer agent for the treatment of hormone responsive breast cancer. Previous studies have demonstrated that a point mutation in the estrogen receptor (ER) resulted in an alteration of the pharmacology of 4-hydroxytamoxifen, the active metabolite of tamoxifen (Jiang et al, Mol Endocrinol 6:2167-2174, 1992). We have extended our studies to evaluate the effect of a point mutation, a Val substitution for Gly at amino acid 400 in the ligand binding domain of ER, on the pharmacology of other antiestrogens in ER stable transfectants derived from the ER-negative breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 CL10A. The compounds were tested with or without estradiol-17 beta (E2) for their effects on cell growth in cells expressing the wild type ER (S30) or the mutant ER (ML alpha 2H) or in control antisense ER transfectant AS23 which does not express ER protein. MCF-7 cells, which express the wild type ER, were also used as a control. The growth of AS23 cells was not affected by any of the compounds at a concentration of 1 microM. E2 stimulated the growth of MCF-7 cells but inhibited the growth of ER transfectants S30 and ML alpha 2H. The ML alpha 2H cells were about 10 to 100-fold less sensitive to E2 and antiestrogens than S30 and MCF-7 cells. Keoxifene, an antiestrogen with a high affinity for the ER, maintained antiestrogenic activities in both ER transfectants and MCF-7 cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)