Study of the Genetic Variants in BRCA1/2 and Non-BRCA Genes in a Population-Based Cohort of 2155 Breast/Ovary Cancer Patients, Including 443 Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Patients, in Argentina.

Gene/s sequencing in hereditary breast/ovary cancer (HBOC) in routine diagnosis is challenged by the analysis of panels. We aim to report a retrospective analysis of BRCA1/2 and non-BRCA gene sequencing in patients with breast/ovary cancer (BOC), including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), in our population. In total 2155 BOC patients (1900 analyzed in BRCA1/2 and 255 by multigenic panels) gave 372 (17.2.6%) and 107 (24.1%) likely pathogenic/pathogenic variants (LPVs/PVs), including BRCA and non-BRCA genes, for the total and TNBC patients, respectively. When BOC was present in the same proband, a 51.3% rate was found for LPVs/PVs in BRCA1/2. Most of the LPVs/PVs in the panels were in BRCA1/2; non-BRCA gene LPVs/PVs were in CDH1, CHEK2, CDKN2A, MUTYH, NBN, RAD51D, and TP53. TNBC is associated with BRCA1/2 at a higher rate than the rest of the breast cancer types. The more prevalent PVs in BRCA1/2 genes (mostly in BRCA1) do not rule out the importance to panels of genes, although they are certainly far from shedding light on the gap of the 85% predicted linkage association of BOC with BRCA1/2 and are still not elucidated.

New inhibitor targeting Acyl-CoA synthetase 4 reduces breast and prostate tumor growth, therapeutic resistance and steroidogenesis.

Acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (ACSL4) is an isoenzyme of the fatty acid ligase-coenzyme-A family taking part in arachidonic acid metabolism and steroidogenesis. ACSL4 is involved in the development of tumor aggressiveness in breast and prostate tumors through the regulation of various signal transduction pathways. Here, a bioinformatics analysis shows that the ACSL4 gene expression and proteomic signatures obtained using a cell model was also observed in tumor samples from breast and cancer patients. A well-validated ACSL4 inhibitor, however, has not been reported hindering the full exploration of this promising target and its therapeutic application on cancer and steroidogenesis inhibition. In this study, ACSL4 inhibitor PRGL493 was identified using a homology model for ACSL4 and docking based virtual screening. PRGL493 was then chemically characterized through nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopy. The inhibitory activity was demonstrated through the inhibition of arachidonic acid transformation into arachidonoyl-CoA using the recombinant enzyme and cellular models. The compound blocked cell proliferation and tumor growth in both breast and prostate cellular and animal models and sensitized tumor cells to chemotherapeutic and hormonal treatment. Moreover, PGRL493 inhibited de novo steroid synthesis in testis and adrenal cells, in a mouse model and in prostate tumor cells. This work provides proof of concept for the potential application of PGRL493 in clinical practice. Also, these findings may prove key to therapies aiming at the control of tumor growth and drug resistance in tumors which express ACSL4 and depend on steroid synthesis.

Regulatory mechanisms leading to differential Acyl-CoA synthetase 4 expression in breast cancer cells.

Acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (ACSL4) overexpression plays a causal role in the aggressiveness of triple negative breast cancer. In turn, a negative correlation has been established between ACSL4 and estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) expression. However, the upstream regulatory mechanisms leading to differential ACSL4 expression between triple negative breast cancer and ERα-positive cells remained unknown. We performed the characterization of the human ACSL4 promoter and the identification of transcription factors involved. Deletional analysis demonstrated the proximal 43 base pairs of the promoter are involved in overexpression. By site directed mutagenesis we describe that retinoid-related orphan receptor alpha (RORα), Sp1 and E2F elements are involved in the promoter activity. We established for the first time that estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERRα) is a transcription factor involved in the higher activation of the human ACSL4 promoter in breast cancer cells. Furthermore, a combination of inhibitors of ACSL4 and ERRα produced a synergistic decrease in MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation. We also demonstrated that ERα restoration in triple negative breast cancer cells downregulates ACSL4 expression. The results presented in this manuscript demonstrated transcriptional mechanism is involved in the different expression of ACSL4 in human breast cancer cell lines of different aggressiveness.

Angiotensin II stimulation promotes mitochondrial fusion as a novel mechanism involved in protein kinase compartmentalization and cholesterol transport in human adrenocortical cells.

In steroid-producing cells, cholesterol transport from the outer to the inner mitochondrial membrane is the first and rate-limiting step for the synthesis of all steroid hormones. Cholesterol can be transported into mitochondria by specific mitochondrial protein carriers like the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR). StAR is phosphorylated by mitochondrial ERK in a cAMP-dependent transduction pathway to achieve maximal steroid production. Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles that undergo replication, mitophagy and morphology changes, all processes allowed by mitochondrial fusion and fission, known as mitochondrial dynamics. Mitofusin (Mfn) 1 and 2 are GTPases involved in the regulation of fusion, while dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) is the major regulator of mitochondrial fission. Despite the role of mitochondrial dynamics in neurological and endocrine disorders, little is known about fusion/fission in steroidogenic tissues. In this context, the present work aimed to study the role of angiotensin II (Ang II) in protein subcellular compartmentalization, mitochondrial dynamics and the involvement of this process in the regulation of aldosterone synthesis. We demonstrate here that Ang II stimulation promoted the recruitment and activation of PKCε, ERK and its upstream kinase MEK to the mitochondria, all of them essential for steroid synthesis. Moreover, Ang II prompted a shift from punctate to tubular/elongated (fusion) mitochondrial shape, in line with the observation of hormone-dependent upregulation of Mfn2 levels. Concomitantly, mitochondrial Drp1 was diminished, driving mitochondria toward fusion. Moreover, Mfn2 expression is required for StAR, ERK and MEK mitochondrial localization and ultimately for aldosterone synthesis. Collectively, this study provides fresh insights into the importance of hormonal regulation in mitochondrial dynamics as a novel mechanism involved in aldosterone production.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutations Other Than the Founder Alleles Among Ashkenazi Jewish in the Population of Argentina.

In Ashkenazi Jewish (AJ) high risk families 3 mutations [2 in BRCA1 (c. 68_69del and c.5266dup) and 1 in BRCA2 (c.5946del)] account for the majority of high risk breast and ovarian cancer cases in that ethnic group. Few studies with limited number of genotyped individuals have expanded the spectrum of mutations in both BRCA genes beyond the 3 mutation panel. In this study, 279 high risk individual AJ were counseled at CEMIC (Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas), and were genotyped first for the 3 recurrent mutation panel followed by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) of BRCA1 BRCA2 in 76 individuals who tested negative for the first genotyping step. Of 279 probands (259 women), 55 (50 women) harbored one of the 3 mutations (19.7%); Of 76 fully sequenced cases (73 women), 6 (5 women) (7.9%) carried a pathogenic mutation: in BRCA1, c.2728C>T - p.(Gln910*); c.5407-?_(*1_?)del and c.5445G>A - p.(Trp1815*); in BRCA2, c.5351dup - p.(Asn1784Lysfs*3); c.7308del - p.(Asn2436Lysfs*33) and c.9026_9030del - p.(Tyr3009Serfs*7). Of 61 mutation carriers the distribution was as follows: 11 cancer free at the time of genotyping, 34 female breast cancer cases with age range 28-72 years (41.6 ± 9.3), 3 male breast cancer cases with age range 59-75 years (65 ± 7.3), 6 breast and ovarian cancer cases with age range 35-60 years (breast 40.4 ± 5.2; ovary 47.8 ± 7.2) and 7 ovarian cancer cases with age range 41-77 years (60.6 ± 13.3). This information proved highly useful for counseling, treatment, and prevention for the patient and the family. In conclusion comprehensive BRCA1/2 testing in AJ high risk breast ovarian cancer cases adds valuable clinically relevant information in a subset of cases estimated up to 7% and is therefore recommended.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations and clinical interpretation in 398 ovarian cancer patients: comparison with breast cancer variants in a similar population.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide among gynecologic malignancies. The recent approval of inhibitors of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (iPARP) in the treatment of ovarian cancer in the presence of a BRCA1/2 mutation has sparked the analysis of women with such diagnosis, which can further benefit from the detection of carriers in the family. Germline sequence and large rearrangements for BRCA1/2 were tested in 398 consecutive epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients. The aim of this study was to identify the frequency and spectrum of germline BRCA1/2 pathogenic alterations in a cohort of patients with ovarian serous carcinoma, with a view to adequately selecting patients for prevention through family counseling and correlating this frequency with platinum sensitivity as a guidance to identify patients eligible for iPARP in our population. RESULTS: A total of 96 patients carried a pathogenic germline mutation, accounting for an overall 24.1% mutation incidence. Among mutation carriers, BRCA1 showed 62.5% incidence, BRCA2 rendered 36.5%, and one patient exhibited a mutation in both genes. Three pathogenic mutations were recurrent mutations detected five, three, and four times and represented 12.5% of the mutated samples. Worth highlighting, a 50% mutation incidence was detected when breast and ovarian cancer coexisted in the same patient. Novel mutations amounted to 9.4% of the total mutations, as compared to 4.7% in breast cancer. Forty out of 60 BRCA1 mutations were beyond the ovarian cancer cluster region (OCCR), in stark contrast with 22 out of 36 BRCA2 mutations being inside the OCCR. Taken together, germline BRCA1/2 mutations in EOC patients showed a distinct mutational spectrum compared to our previously published data on breast cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS: In sum, our study provides novel data on ovarian BRCA1/2 mutation prevalence worldwide, enhances adequate patient selection for family counseling and prevention, and sheds light on the benefits of iPARP treatment.

Role of Protein Phosphorylation and Tyrosine Phosphatases in the Adrenal Regulation of Steroid Synthesis and Mitochondrial Function.

In adrenocortical cells, adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) promotes the activation of several protein kinases. The action of these kinases is linked to steroid production, mainly through steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), whose expression and activity are dependent on protein phosphorylation events at genomic and non-genomic levels. Hormone-dependent mitochondrial dynamics and cell proliferation are functions also associated with protein kinases. On the other hand, protein tyrosine dephosphorylation is an additional component of the ACTH signaling pathway, which involves the "classical" protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), such as Src homology domain (SH) 2-containing PTP (SHP2c), and members of the MAP kinase phosphatase (MKP) family, such as MKP-1. PTPs are rapidly activated by posttranslational mechanisms and participate in hormone-stimulated steroid production. In this process, the SHP2 tyrosine phosphatase plays a crucial role in a mechanism that includes an acyl-CoA synthetase-4 (Acsl4), arachidonic acid (AA) release and StAR induction. In contrast, MKPs in steroidogenic cells have a role in the turn-off of the hormonal signal in ERK-dependent processes such as steroid synthesis and, perhaps, cell proliferation. This review analyzes the participation of these tyrosine phosphates in the ACTH signaling pathway and the action of kinases and phosphatases in the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics and steroid production. In addition, the participation of kinases and phosphatases in the signal cascade triggered by different stimuli in other steroidogenic tissues is also compared to adrenocortical cell/ACTH and discussed.

Acyl-CoA synthetase-4, a new regulator of mTOR and a potential therapeutic target for enhanced estrogen receptor function in receptor-positive and -negative breast cancer.

Although the role of acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (ACSL4) in mediating an aggressive phenotype is well accepted, there is little evidence as to the early steps through which ACSL4 increases tumor growth and progression. In this study, and by means of the stable transfection of MCF-7 cells with ACSL4 using the tetracycline Tet-Off system (MCF-7 Tet-Off/ACSL4), we identify the mTOR pathway as one of the main specific signatures of ACSL4 expression and demonstrate the partial involvement of the lipoxygenase pathway in the activation of mTOR. The specificity of ACSL4 action on mTOR signaling is also determined by doxycycline inhibition of ACSL4 expression in MCF-7 Tet-Off/ACSL4 cells, by the expression of ACSL4 in the non-aggressive T47D breast cancer cell line and by knocking down this enzyme expression in the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, which constitutively express ACSL4. ACSL4 regulates components of the two complexes of the mTOR pathway (mTORC1/2), along with upstream regulators and substrates.We show that mTOR inhibitor rapamycin and ACSL4 inhibitor rosiglitazone can act in combination to inhibit cell growth. In addition, we demonstrate a synergistic effect on cell growth inhibition by the combination of rosiglitazone and tamoxifen, an estrogen receptor α (ERα) inhibitor. Remarkably, this synergistic effect is also evident in the triple negative MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro and in vivo.These results suggest that ACSL4 could be a target to restore tumor hormone dependence in tumors with poor prognosis for disease-free and overall survival, in which no effective specifically targeted therapy is readily available.

The novel desmopressin analogue [V4Q5]dDAVP inhibits angiogenesis, tumour growth and metastases in vasopressin type 2 receptor-expressing breast cancer models.

Desmopressin (dDAVP) is a safe haemostatic agent with previously reported antitumour activity. It acts as a selective agonist for the V2 vasopressin membrane receptor (V2r) present on tumour cells and microvasculature. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the novel peptide derivative [V4Q5]dDAVP in V2r-expressing preclinical mouse models of breast cancer. We assessed antitumour effects of [V4Q5]dDAVP using human MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma cells, as well as the highly metastatic mouse F3II cell line. Effect on in vitro cancer cell growth was evaluated by cell proliferation and clonogenic assays. Cell cycle distribution was analysed by flow cytometry. In order to study the effect of intravenously administered [V4Q5]dDAVP on tumour growth and angiogenesis, breast cancer xenografts were generated in athymic mice. F3II cells were injected into syngeneic mice to evaluate the effect of [V4Q5]dDAVP on spontaneous and experimental metastatic spread. In vitro cytostatic effects of [V4Q5]dDAVP against breast cancer cells were greater than those of dDAVP, and associated with V2r-activated signal transduction and partial cell cycle arrest. In MDA-MB-231 xenografts, [V4Q5]dDAVP (0.3 µg/kg, thrice a week) reduced tumour growth and angiogenesis. Treatment of F3II mammary tumour-bearing immunocompetent mice resulted in complete inhibition of metastatic progression. [V4Q5]dDAVP also displayed greater antimetastatic efficacy than dDAVP on experimental lung colonisation by F3II cells. The novel analogue was well tolerated in preliminary acute toxicology studies, at doses ≥ 300-fold above that required for anti-angiogenic/antimetastatic effects. Our data establish the preclinical activity of [V4Q5]dDAVP in aggressive breast cancer, providing the rationale for further clinical trials.

The role of mitochondrial fusion and StAR phosphorylation in the regulation of StAR activity and steroidogenesis.

The steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein regulates the rate-limiting step in steroidogenesis, i.e. the delivery of cholesterol from the outer (OMM) to the inner (IMM) mitochondrial membrane. StAR is a 37-kDa protein with an N-terminal mitochondrial targeting sequence that is cleaved off during mitochondrial import to yield 30-kDa intramitochondrial StAR. StAR acts exclusively on the OMM and its activity is proportional to how long it remains on the OMM. However, the precise fashion and the molecular mechanism in which StAR remains on the OMM have not been elucidated yet. In this work we will discuss the role of mitochondrial fusion and StAR phosphorylation by the extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) as part of the mechanism that regulates StAR retention on the OMM and activity.

Mitochondrial fusion and ERK activity regulate steroidogenic acute regulatory protein localization in mitochondria.

The rate-limiting step in the biosynthesis of steroid hormones, known as the transfer of cholesterol from the outer to the inner mitochondrial membrane, is facilitated by StAR, the Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory protein. We have described that mitochondrial ERK1/2 phosphorylates StAR and that mitochondrial fusion, through the up-regulation of a fusion protein Mitofusin 2, is essential during steroidogenesis. Here, we demonstrate that mitochondrial StAR together with mitochondrial active ERK and PKA are necessary for maximal steroid production. Phosphorylation of StAR by ERK is required for the maintenance of this protein in mitochondria, observed by means of over-expression of a StAR variant lacking the ERK phosphorylation residue. Mitochondrial fusion regulates StAR levels in mitochondria after hormone stimulation. In this study, Mitofusin 2 knockdown and mitochondrial fusion inhibition in MA-10 Leydig cells diminished StAR mRNA levels and concomitantly mitochondrial StAR protein. Together our results unveil the requirement of mitochondrial fusion in the regulation of the localization and mRNA abundance of StAR. We here establish the relevance of mitochondrial phosphorylation events in the correct localization of this key protein to exert its action in specialized cells. These discoveries highlight the importance of mitochondrial fusion and ERK phosphorylation in cholesterol transport by means of directing StAR to the outer mitochondrial membrane to achieve a large number of steroid molecules per unit of StAR.

MAPK phosphatase-2 (MKP-2) is induced by hCG and plays a role in the regulation of CYP11A1 expression in MA-10 Leydig cells.

MAPKs such as ERK1/2 are dephosphorylated, and consequently inactivated, by dual specificity phosphatases (MKPs). In Leydig cells, LH triggers ERK1/2 phosphorylation through the action of protein kinase A. We demonstrate that, in MA-10 Leydig cells, LH receptor activation by human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) up-regulates MKP-2, a phosphatase that dephosphorylates ERK1/2, among other MAPKs. After 2 hours, hCG and 8-bromo-cAMP (8Br-cAMP) significantly increased MKP-2 mRNA levels (3-fold), which declined to basal levels after 6 hours. MKP-2 protein accumulation exhibited a similar kinetic profile. In cells transiently expressing flag-MKP-2 protein, hCG/8Br-cAMP stimulation promoted the accumulation of the chimera (2.5-fold after 3 h of stimulation). Pharmacologic and biochemical approaches showed that the accumulation of flag-MKP-2 involves a posttranslational modification that increases MKP-2 half-life. MKP-2 down-regulation by a short hairpin RNA (MKP-2 shRNA) raised the levels of phosphorylated ERK1/2 reached by 8Br-cAMP stimulation. This effect was evident after 180 min of stimulation, which suggests that MKP-2 down-regulates the late phase of cAMP-induced ERK1/2 activity. Also, MKP-2 down-regulation by MKP-2 shRNA increased the stimulatory effect of 8Br-cAMP on both promoter activity and messenger levels of CYP11A1, which encodes for the steroidogenic enzyme P450scc and is induced by LH/hCG through protein kinase A and ERK1/2 activities. Our findings demonstrate, for the first time, that LH/hCG tightly regulates MKP-2 expression, which modulates the induction of CYP11A1 by 8Br-cAMP. MKP-2 up-regulation might control ERK1/2 activity in a specific temporal frame to modulate the expression of a finite repertory of ERK-dependent genes.

Characterization of the mouse promoter region of the acyl-CoA synthetase 4 gene: role of Sp1 and CREB.

Acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (Acsl4) is involved in several cellular functions including steroidogenesis, synaptic development and cancer metastasis. Although the expression of Acsl4 seems to be regulated by tissue- and cell-specific factors as well as pituitary hormones and growth factors, the transcriptional mechanisms involved remain unknown. We demonstrated hCG and cAMP regulation of Acsl4 mRNA in mouse steroidogenic MA-10 Leydig cells. We characterized the transcription initiation site and promoter of the Acsl4 mouse gene and identified three alternative splice variants present in MA-10 cells. Sequence analysis of a 1.5-kb fragment of the Acsl4 promoter revealed the absence of a TATA box and the presence of many putative binding sites for transcription factors including Sp1 and CREB. Functional characterization revealed that the specificity protein/Krüppel-like factor Sp1 binding site in the proximal promoter is involved in basal activity and that the cAMP response element-binding site is involved in cAMP stimulation of Acsl4 transcription.

The spatial and temporal regulation of the hormonal signal. Role of mitochondria in the formation of a protein complex required for the activation of cholesterol transport and steroids synthesis.

The mitochondria are critical for steroidogenesis since the ability of cholesterol to move into mitochondria to be available for cytochrome P450, CYP11A1, determines the efficacy of steroid production. Several proteins kinases, such as PKA, MEK and ERK which are essential to complete steroidogenesis, form a mitochondria-associated complex. The protein-protein interactions between kinases and key factors during the transport of cholesterol takes place in the contact sites between the two mitochondrial membranes; however, no mitochondrial targeting sequence has been described for these kinases. Here we discuss the possibility that mitochondrial reorganization may be mediating a compartmentalized cellular response. This reorganization could allow the physical interaction between the hormone-receptor complex and the enzymatic and lipidic machinery necessary for the complete steroid synthesis and release. The movement of organelles in specialized cells could impact on biological processes that include, but are not limited to, steroid synthesis.

Mitochondrial fusion is essential for steroid biosynthesis.

Although the contribution of mitochondrial dynamics (a balance in fusion/fission events and changes in mitochondria subcellular distribution) to key biological process has been reported, the contribution of changes in mitochondrial fusion to achieve efficient steroid production has never been explored. The mitochondria are central during steroid synthesis and different enzymes are localized between the mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum to produce the final steroid hormone, thus suggesting that mitochondrial fusion might be relevant for this process. In the present study, we showed that the hormonal stimulation triggers mitochondrial fusion into tubular-shaped structures and we demonstrated that mitochondrial fusion does not only correlate-with but also is an essential step of steroid production, being both events depend on PKA activity. We also demonstrated that the hormone-stimulated relocalization of ERK1/2 in the mitochondrion, a critical step during steroidogenesis, depends on mitochondrial fusion. Additionally, we showed that the SHP2 phosphatase, which is required for full steroidogenesis, simultaneously modulates mitochondrial fusion and ERK1/2 localization in the mitochondrion. Strikingly, we found that mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) expression, a central protein for mitochondrial fusion, is upregulated immediately after hormone stimulation. Moreover, Mfn2 knockdown is sufficient to impair steroid biosynthesis. Together, our findings unveil an essential role for mitochondrial fusion during steroidogenesis. These discoveries highlight the importance of organelles' reorganization in specialized cells, prompting the exploration of the impact that organelle dynamics has on biological processes that include, but are not limited to, steroid synthesis.

The functional interaction between Acyl-CoA synthetase 4, 5-lipooxygenase and cyclooxygenase-2 controls tumor growth: a novel therapeutic target.

The acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (ACSL4), which esterify mainly arachidonic acid (AA) into acyl-CoA, is increased in breast, colon and hepatocellular carcinoma. The transfection of MCF-7 cells with ACSL4 cDNA transforms the cells into a highly aggressive phenotype and controls both lipooxygenase-5 (LOX-5) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) metabolism of AA, suggesting a causal role of ACSL4 in tumorigenesis. We hypothesized that ACSL4, LOX-5 and COX-2 may constitute potential therapeutic targets for the control of tumor growth. Therefore, the aim of this study was to use a tetracycline Tet-Off system of MCF-7 xenograft model of breast cancer to confirm the effect of ACSL4 overexpression on tumor growth in vivo. We also aim to determine whether a combinatorial inhibition of the ACSL4-LOX-COX-2 pathway affects tumor growth in vivo using a xenograft model based on MDA-MB-231 cells, a highly aggressive breast cancer cell line naturally overexpressing ACSL4. The first novel finding is that stable transfection of MCF-7 cells with ACSL4 using the tetracycline Tet-Off system of MCF-7 cells resulted in development of growing tumors when injected into nude mice. Tumor xenograft development measured in animals that received doxycycline resulted in tumor growth inhibition. The tumors presented marked nuclear polymorphism, high mitotic index and low expression of estrogen and progesterone receptor. These results demonstrate the transformational capacity of ACSL4 overexpression. We examined the effect of a combination of inhibitors of ACSL4, LOX-5 and COX-2 on MDA-MB-231 tumor xenografts. This treatment markedly reduced tumor growth in doses of these inhibitors that were otherwise ineffective when used alone, indicating a synergistic effect of the compounds. Our results suggest that these enzymes interact functionally and form an integrated system that operates in a concerted manner to regulate tumor growth and consequently may be potential therapeutic targets for the control of proliferation as well as metastatic potential of cancer cells.

Role of intramitochondrial arachidonic acid and acyl-CoA synthetase 4 in angiotensin II-regulated aldosterone synthesis in NCI-H295R adrenocortical cell line.

Although the role of arachidonic acid (AA) in angiotensin II (ANG II)- and potassium-stimulated steroid production in zona glomerulosa cells is well documented, the mechanism responsible for AA release is not fully described. In this study we evaluated the mechanism involved in the release of intramitochondrial AA and its role in the regulation of aldosterone synthesis by ANG II in glomerulosa cells. We show that ANG II and potassium induce the expression of acyl-coenzyme A (CoA) thioesterase 2 and acyl-CoA synthetase 4, two enzymes involved in intramitochondrial AA generation/export system well characterized in other steroidogenic systems. We demonstrate that mitochondrial ATP is required for AA generation/export system, steroid production, and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein induction. We also demonstrate the role of protein tyrosine phosphatases regulating acyl-CoA synthetase 4 and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein induction, and hence ANG II-stimulated aldosterone synthesis.

Phytoestrogens enhance the vascular actions of the endocannabinoid anandamide in mesenteric beds of female rats.

In rat isolated mesenteric beds that were contracted with NA as an in vitro model of the vascular adrenergic hyperactivity that usually precedes the onset of primary hypertension, the oral administration (3 daily doses) of either 10 mg/kg genistein or 20 mg/kg daidzein potentiated the anandamide-induced reduction of contractility to NA in female but not in male rats. Oral treatment with phytoestrogens also restored the vascular effects of anandamide as well as the mesenteric content of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) that were reduced after ovariectomy. The enhancement of anandamide effects caused by phytoestrogens was prevented by the concomitant administration of the estrogen receptor antagonist fulvestrant (2.5 mg/kg, s.c., 3 daily doses). It is concluded that, in the vasculature of female rats, phytoestrogens produced an estrogen-receptor-dependent enhancement of the anandamide-vascular actions that involves the modulation of CGRP levels and appears to be relevant whenever an adrenergic hyperactivity occurs.

Tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 regulates the expression of acyl-CoA synthetase ACSL4.

Acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (ACSL4) is implicated in fatty acid metabolism with marked preference for arachidonic acid (AA). ACSL4 plays crucial roles in physiological functions such as steroid synthesis and in pathological processes such as tumorigenesis. However, factors regulating ACSL4 mRNA and/or protein levels are not fully described. Because ACSL4 protein expression requires tyrosine phosphatase activity, in this study we aimed to identify the tyrosine phosphatase involved in ACSL4 expression. NSC87877, a specific inhibitor of the tyrosine phosphatase SHP2, reduced ACSL4 protein levels in ACSL4-rich breast cancer cells and steroidogenic cells. Indeed, overexpression of an active form of SHP2 increased ACSL4 protein levels in MA-10 Leydig steroidogenic cells. SHP2 has to be activated through a cAMP-dependent pathway to exert its effect on ACSL4. The effects could be specifically attributed to SHP2 because knockdown of the phosphatase reduced ACSL4 mRNA and protein levels. Through the action on ACSL4 protein levels, SHP2 affected AA-CoA production and metabolism and, finally, the steroidogenic capacity of MA-10 cells: overexpression (or knockdown) of SHP2 led to increased (or decreased) steroid production. We describe for the first time the involvement of SHP2 activity in the regulation of the expression of the fatty acid-metabolizing enzyme ACSL4.

Hormone-dependent expression of a steroidogenic acute regulatory protein natural antisense transcript in MA-10 mouse tumor Leydig cells.

Cholesterol transport is essential for many physiological processes, including steroidogenesis. In steroidogenic cells hormone-induced cholesterol transport is controlled by a protein complex that includes steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR). Star is expressed as 3.5-, 2.8-, and 1.6-kb transcripts that differ only in their 3'-untranslated regions. Because these transcripts share the same promoter, mRNA stability may be involved in their differential regulation and expression. Recently, the identification of natural antisense transcripts (NATs) has added another level of regulation to eukaryotic gene expression. Here we identified a new NAT that is complementary to the spliced Star mRNA sequence. Using 5' and 3' RACE, strand-specific RT-PCR, and ribonuclease protection assays, we demonstrated that Star NAT is expressed in MA-10 Leydig cells and steroidogenic murine tissues. Furthermore, we established that human chorionic gonadotropin stimulates Star NAT expression via cAMP. Our results show that sense-antisense Star RNAs may be coordinately regulated since they are co-expressed in MA-10 cells. Overexpression of Star NAT had a differential effect on the expression of the different Star sense transcripts following cAMP stimulation. Meanwhile, the levels of StAR protein and progesterone production were downregulated in the presence of Star NAT. Our data identify antisense transcription as an additional mechanism involved in the regulation of steroid biosynthesis.