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Enhancers of GnRH transcription embedded in an upstream gene use homeodomain proteins to specify hypothalamic expression.

ABSTRACT: GnRH, the central regulator of reproductive function, is produced by only approximately 800 highly specialized hypothalamic neurons. Previous studies identified a minimal promoter [GnRH minimal promoter (GnRH-P)] (-173/+1) and a neuron-specific enhancer [GnRH-enhancer (E)1] (-1863/-1571) as regulatory regions in the rat gene that confer this stringent specificity of GnRH expression to differentiated GnRH neurons. In transgenic mice, these two elements target only GnRH neurons but fail to drive expression in the entire population, suggesting the existence of additional regulatory regions. Here, we define two novel, highly conserved, upstream enhancers in the GnRH gene termed GnRH-E2 (-3135/-2631) and GnRH-E3 (-4199/-3895) that increase neuron-specific GnRH expression through interactions with GnRH-E1 and GnRH-P. GnRH-E2 and GnRH-E3 regulate GnRH expression through similar mechanisms via Oct-1, Msx1, and Dlx2, which bind both GnRH-E2 and the GnRH-E3 critical region at -3952/-3895. Overexpression of Dlx2 increases transcription through GnRH-E2 and GnRH-E3. Remarkably, these novel elements are contained within the 3' untranslated region of the neighboring upstream gene, yet are marked endogenously by histone modification signatures consistent with those of enhancers. Thus, GnRH-E2 and GnRH-E3 are novel regulatory elements that, together with GnRH-E1 and GnRH-P, confer the specificity of GnRH expression to differentiated and mature GnRH neurons.

SUBMITTER: Iyer AK

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2954641 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Enhancers of GnRH transcription embedded in an upstream gene use homeodomain proteins to specify hypothalamic expression.

Iyer Anita K AK Miller Nichol L G NL Yip Kathleen K Tran Brian H BH Mellon Pamela L PL

Molecular endocrinology (Baltimore, Md.) 20100728 10

GnRH, the central regulator of reproductive function, is produced by only approximately 800 highly specialized hypothalamic neurons. Previous studies identified a minimal promoter [GnRH minimal promoter (GnRH-P)] (-173/+1) and a neuron-specific enhancer [GnRH-enhancer (E)1] (-1863/-1571) as regulatory regions in the rat gene that confer this stringent specificity of GnRH expression to differentiated GnRH neurons. In transgenic mice, these two elements target only GnRH neurons but fail to drive e ...[more]

PMID: 20667983

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Project description:Abstract Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of female infertility and is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Understanding the etiology of PCOS is crucial to relieve this tremendous health burden. Twin studies estimate that 70% of PCOS etiology can be explained by genetic factors, motivating studies to identify these factors. Recent genome wide association studies identified a PCOS risk locus that encompasses the gene encoding the follicle-stimulating hormone beta (FSHβ) subunit. The most significant single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) within this locus, rs11031006 (rs06), resides within a region of DNA (~450 base pairs) that is highly conserved among mammals. As FSH supplementation can restore ovulation in some PCOS patients, deficient FSH signaling may be a causative factor of anovulation and potentially other facets of PCOS. FSH transcription and release is stimulated by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) produced in the hypothalamus, as well as activin produced by the gonads and pituitary. We previously hypothesized that the conserved region containing rs06 acts as an enhancer of FSHβ transcription, and we determined through luciferase reporter assays that this highly conserved region enhances transcription ~2 fold compared to the minimal FSHβ promoter alone for human and 2.5 fold for mouse. The rs06 SNP minor allele further increased both mouse and human FSHβ luciferase expression. In the present study, we sought to identify interactions between the enhancer and the hormones, GnRH and activin. With DNA constructs from both human and mouse, we identified synergistic interactions between the enhancer and GnRH- or activin-induction of FSHβ. These interactions were maintained after mutation of the rs06 site to the minor allele, suggesting that this SNP alters basal and not hormone-induced FSHβ transcription. We are currently investigating the effect of the enhancer and rs06 on activin/GnRH synergy. Overall, our findings provide evidence that the enhancer functions as a novel mediator of activin and GnRH regulation of FSHβ transcription in both human and mouse.

Project description:Recent studies have shown that bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are important regulators in the pituitary-gonadal endocrine axis. We here investigated the effects of BMPs on GNRH production controlled by estrogen using murine GT1-7 hypothalamic neuron cells. GT1-7 cells expressed estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha; ESR1 as listed in MGI Database), ERbeta (ESR2 as listed in MGI Database), BMP receptors, SMADs, and a binding protein follistatin. Treatment with BMP2 and BMP4 had no effect on Gnrh mRNA expression; however, BMP6 and BMP7 significantly increased Gnrh mRNA expression as well as GnRH production by GT1-7 cells. Notably, the reduction of Gnrh expression caused by estradiol (E(2)) was restored by cotreatment with BMP2 and BMP4, whereas it was not affected by BMP6 or BMP7. E(2) activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) signaling but did not activate p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling in GT1-7 cells. Inhibition of ERK1/ERK2 reversed the inhibitory effect of estrogen on Gnrh expression, whereas SAPK/JNK inhibition did not affect the E(2) actions. Expression levels of Eralpha and Erbeta were reduced by BMP2 and BMP4, but were increased by BMP6 and BMP7. Treatment with an ER antagonist inhibited the E(2) effects on Gnrh suppression including reduction of E(2)-induced ERK phosphorylation, suggesting the involvement of genomic ER actions in Gnrh suppression. BMP2 and BMP4 also suppressed estrogen-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/ERK2 and SAPK/JNK signaling, suggesting that BMP2 and BMP4 downregulate estrogen effects by attenuating ER-MAPK signaling. Considering that BMP6 and BMP7 increased the expression of alpha1E-subunit of R-type calcium channel (Cacna1e), which is critical for GNRH secretion, it is possible that BMP6 and BMP7 directly stimulate GNRH release by GT1-7 cells. Collectively, a newly uncovered interaction of BMPs and ER may be involved in controlling hypothalamic GNRH production and secretion via an autocrine/paracrine mechanism.

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Enhancers of GnRH transcription embedded in an upstream gene use homeodomain proteins to specify hypothalamic expression.

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Enhancers of GnRH transcription embedded in an upstream gene use homeodomain proteins to specify hypothalamic expression.

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