Examination of ER? signaling pathways in bone of mutant mouse models reveals the importance of ERE-dependent signaling.

ABSTRACT: The mechanisms of estrogen receptor (ER)-? activity can be categorized into those involving direct (classical) or indirect (nonclassical) DNA binding. Although various mouse models have demonstrated the importance of ER? in bone, the specific gene expression patterns affected by these modes of ER? action are unknown. In this report, the gene expression patterns of ER?-deficient (ERKO) mice and nonclassical ER knock-in (NERKI) mice, which can function only by nonclassical means, were analyzed. Three-month-old mice were ovariectomized and implanted with estrogen pellets for 1 month to normalize estrogen levels. Microarray analysis of flushed cortical bone revealed 28% (210 of 763) of the genes differentially expressed in ERKO mice were altered in NERKI mice, suggesting estrogen response element-dependent regulation of these genes in bone. Pathway analysis revealed alterations in genes involved in focal adhesion and extracellular matrix interactions. However, the majority of genes regulated in ERKO mice (72%) were unique (i.e. not altered in NERKI mice), suggesting these are regulated by nonclassical mechanisms. To further explore the pathways affected in ERKO mice, we performed focused quantitative PCR arrays for genes involved in various aspects of bone physiology. Genes involved in bone formation, senescence, apoptosis, and autophagy were significantly regulated. Overall, the majority of the genes regulated by ER? in bone are via nonclassical pathways. However, because NERKI mice display an osteoporotic phenotype, it can be deduced that the minority of the estrogen response element-dependent genes/pathways play critical roles in the regulation of bone physiology. These data demonstrate the importance of classical ER? signaling in regulating bone metabolism.

SUBMITTER: Chokalingam K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3473212 | biostudies-other | 2012 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other