Selective disruption of ER{alpha} DNA-binding activity alters uterine responsiveness to estradiol

Mol Endocrinol. 2009 Dec;23(12):2111-6. doi: 10.1210/me.2009-0356. Epub 2009 Oct 7.

Abstract

In vitro models have been used to demonstrate that estrogen receptors (ERs) can regulate estrogen-responsive genes either by directly interacting with estrogen-responsive element (ERE) DNA motifs or by interacting with other transcription factors such as AP1. In this study, we evaluated estrogen (E(2))-dependent uterine gene profiles by microarray in the KIKO mouse, an in vivo knock-in mouse model that lacks the DNA-binding function of ERalpha and is consequently restricted to non-ERE-mediated responses. The 2- or 24-h E(2)-mediated uterine gene responses were distinct in wild-type (WT), KIKO, and alphaERKO genotypes, indicating that unique sets of genes are regulated by ERE and non-ERE pathways. After 2 h E(2) treatment, 38% of the WT transcripts were also regulated in the KIKO, demonstrating that the tethered mechanism does operate in this in vivo model. Surprisingly, 1438 E(2)-regulated transcripts were unique in the KIKO mouse and were not seen in either WT or alphaERKO. Pathway analyses revealed that some canonical pathways, such as the Jak/Stat pathway, were affected in a similar manner by E(2) in WT and KIKO. In other cases, however, the WT and KIKO differed. One example is the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway; this pathway was impacted, but different members of the pathway were regulated by E(2) or were regulated in a different manner, consistent with differences in biological responses. In summary, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of uterine genes regulated by E(2) via ERE and non-ERE pathways.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA / metabolism*
  • Estradiol / pharmacology*
  • Estrogen Receptor alpha / genetics
  • Estrogen Receptor alpha / metabolism*
  • Estrogens / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Mice
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • Ovariectomy
  • Point Mutation
  • Protein Binding / genetics
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Uterus / drug effects*
  • Uterus / metabolism*
  • Wnt Proteins / genetics
  • beta Catenin / genetics
  • beta Catenin / metabolism

Substances

  • Estrogen Receptor alpha
  • Estrogens
  • Wnt Proteins
  • beta Catenin
  • Estradiol
  • DNA