bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Heterozygous Orthodenticle Homeobox 2 Mutations Are Associated with Variable Pituitary Phenotype
Authors: Dateki Sumito , Kosaka Kitaro , Hasegawa Kosei , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Azuma Noriyuki , Yokoya Susumu , Muroya Koji , Adachi Masanori , Tajima Toshihiro , Motomura Katsuaki , Kinoshita Eiichi , Moriuchi Hiroyuki , Sato Naoko , Fukami Maki , Ogata Tsutomu 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACT

Context
Although recent studies have suggested a positive role of OTX2 in pituitary as well as ocular development and function, detailed pituitary phenotypes in OTX2 mutations and OTX2 target genes for pituitary function other than HESX1 and POU1F1 remain to be determined.

Objective
We aimed to examine such unresolved issues.

Subjects
We studied 94 Japanese patients with various ocular or pituitary abnormalities.

Results
We identified heterozygous p.K74fsX103 in case 1, p.A72fsX86 in case 2, p.G188X in two unrelated cases (3 and 4), and a 2,860,561-bp microdeletion involving OTX2 in case 5. Clinical studies revealed isolated GH deficiency in cases 1 and 5; combined pituitary hormone deficiency in case 3; abnormal pituitary structures in cases 1, 3, and 5; and apparently normal pituitary function in cases 2 and 4, together with ocular anomalies in cases 1-5. The wild-type Orthodenticle homeobox 2 (OTX2) protein transactivated the GNRH1 promoter as well as the HESX1, POU1F1, and IRBP (interstitial retinoid-binding protein) promoters, whereas the p.K74fsX103-OTX2 and p.A72fsX86-OTX2 proteins had no transactivation functions and the p.G188X-OTX2 protein had reduced (∼50%) transactivation functions for the four promoters, with no dominant-negative effect. cDNA screening identified positive OTX2 expression in the hypothalamus.

Conclusions
The results imply that OTX2 mutations are associated with variable pituitary phenotype, with no genotype-phenotype correlations, and that OTX2 can transactivate GNRH1 as well as HESX1 and POU1F1.
Dihydrotestosterone Suppresses Foam Cell Formation and Attenuates Atherosclerosis Development
Authors: Qiu Yang , Yanase Toshihiko , Hu Haidi , Tanaka Tomoko , Nishi Yoshihiro , Liu Min , Sueishi Katsuo , Sawamura Tatsuya , Nawata Hajime 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACT
The role of testosterone in atherosclerosis remains unclear because it is aromatized to estrogen. We investigated the effect of the nonaromatized natural androgen 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on the rabbit atherogenesis in relation to the proatherogenic molecule lectin-like oxidized-low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) and its downstream molecules. Thirty-nine male New Zealand white rabbits were divided into four groups: 1) noncastrated group with normal chow diet (n = 6); 2) noncastrated group with high-cholesterol diet (HCD) (n = 10); 3) castrated group with HCD plus sc placebo pellet (n = 11); and 4) castrated group with HCD plus sc 150 mg DHT pellet (n = 12). Implantation of sc DHT or placebo pellet was performed at the time of castration. After castration or sham operation, the rabbits were fed the HCD for 8 wk, and plaque areas were assessed in the entire aorta. The HCD-induced increase in plaque area, which was most aggravated in the castration plus placebo group, was attenuated in the castration plus DHT group. Microscopic examination of the proximal descending aorta revealed that DHT significantly reduced HCD-induced foam cell formation, which was mostly composed of macrophages in the intima layer, compared with the placebo group. The decreased accumulation of foam cells with DHT treatment was accompanied by a marked reduction in the expression of LOX-1 mRNA in these cells. In cultured macrophages prepared from male wild-type mice that express the androgen receptor (AR), 1 × 10−8m and 1 × 10−9m DHT inhibited the formation of foam cells induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein. Moreover, the expression of LOX-1 and inflammatory cytokines in the cultured macrophages was significantly suppressed by DHT. Such suppressive effects of DHT on foam cell formation and cytokine expression were not observed in cultured macrophages prepared from male AR-null mice, suggesting an involvement of AR in the mechanism. In conclusion, physiological levels of DHT attenuated the development of atherosclerosis in rabbits through the suppression of intimal foam cell formation of macrophage partly via the suppression of LOX-1 expression.
Absence of Thyroid Hormone Activation during Development Underlies a Permanent Defect in Adaptive Thermogenesis
Authors: Hall Jessica A. , Ribich Scott , Christoffolete Marcelo A. , Simovic Gordana , Correa-Medina Mayrin , Patti Mary Elizabeth , Bianco Antonio C. 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
Type 2 deiodinase (D2), which is highly expressed in brown adipose tissue (BAT), is an enzyme that amplifies thyroid hormone signaling in individual cells. Mice with inactivation of the D2 pathway (D2KO) exhibit dramatically impaired thermogenesis in BAT, leading to hypothermia during cold exposure and a greater susceptibility to diet-induced obesity. This was interpreted as a result of defective acute activation of BAT D2. Here we report that the adult D2KO BAT has a permanent thermogenic defect that stems from impaired embryonic BAT development. D2KO embryos have normal serum T3 but due to lack of D2-generated T3 in BAT, this tissue exhibits decreased expression of genes defining BAT identity [i.e. UCP1, PGC-1α and Dio2 (nonfunctional)], which results in impaired differentiation and oxidative capacity. Coinciding with a reduction of these T3-responsive genes, there is oxidative stress that in a cell model of brown adipogenesis can be linked to decreased insulin signaling and decreased adipogenesis. This discovery highlights the importance of deiodinase-controlled thyroid hormone signaling in BAT development, where it has important metabolic repercussions for energy homeostasis in adulthood.
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Regulates the Activities of the Orphan Nuclear Receptor Nur77 through Modulation of Phosphorylation*
Authors: Li Yanzhuang , Lau Lester F. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractACTH treatment of Y1 adrenocortical cells induces the synthesis of Nur77, an orphan nuclear receptor that can act as a potent trans-activator for such genes as 21-hydroxylase (CYP21). Nur77 has thus been proposed to be a mediator of ACTH action in activating the expression of genes that encode steroidogenic enzymes. Here we show that ACTH regulates the activity of Nur77 at the level of phosphorylation. ACTH induces the synthesis of transcriptionally active, DNA-binding Nur77 that is unphosphorylated at Ser354, which resides within the DNA-binding domain. By contrast, the Nur77 population that is constitutively present in Y1 cells is phosphorylated at Ser354 and does not bind DNA. Substitutions of Ser354 with negatively charged amino acids, such as Asp or Glu, dramatically decreased Nur77 DNA-binding and trans-activation activities, whereas mutation to the neutral Ala had no effect. Aside from phosphorylation within the DNA-binding domain, ACTH treatment does not induce modifications in the N- and C-terminal domains of Nur77 that significantly affect activity. Although the specific kinases that phosphorylate Nur77 in vivo are not known, the mitogen-activated protein kinase/pp90RSK pathway is not critical to Nur77 regulation. We propose that ACTH treatment of Y1 cells results in modulation of the activities of both kinases and phosphatases, which, in turn, regulate the activities of such transcription factors as Nur77.
Transforming Growth Factor-βs Inhibit Somatostatin Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Levels and Somatostatin Secretion in Hypothalamic Cells in Culture*
Authors: Quintela M. , SeñarÍs R. M. , Diéguez C. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractTreatment of hypothalamic cells in monolayer culture with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1) significantly reduced both basal and cAMP-induced somatostatin messenger RNA (mRNA) levels and somatostatin secretion. This inhibitory effect was dose- and time-dependent and not mediated by glial cells, as it was also observed in glial-free hypothalamic cell cultures treated with cytosine arabinonucleoside. TGFβ2 and -β3 mimicked the actions of TGFβ1, which indicated that the three isoforms of the TGFβ family expressed in the central nervous system displayed similar effects on the somatostatinergic neurons.The blockade of synthesis of proteins with either cycloheximide or puromycin for 24 h prevented the inhibitory effect of TGFβ1 on somatostatin mRNA. This implied that the reduction of this mRNA by TGFβ1 required de novo protein synthesis.We next studied whether TGFβ1 acted at the transcriptional or posttranscriptional level by altering the stability of somatostatin mRNA. Examination of the rate of disappearance of somatostatin mRNA by Northern blot, after inhibition of mRNA transcription with either actinomycin D (AcD) or 5,6-dichloro-1β-ribofuranosyl benzimidazole revealed that TGFβ1 did reduce the stability of somatostatin mRNA. This effect was observed when we pretreated the cultures with TGFβ1 4 h before the addition of AcD, but not when we administered TGFβ1 simultaneously with AcD or 5,6-dichloro-1β-ribofuranosyl benzimidazole.Altogether these results demonstrated that the treatment of hypothalamic cells in culture with TGFβ1, TGFβ2, or TGFβ3 resulted in a decrease in somatostatin mRNA levels and somatostatin secretion. TGFβ1 reduced the steady state levels of somatostatin mRNA by inducing the synthesis of a protein (s), that appears to accelerate the degradation of the mRNA of somatostatin. Whether TGFβ1 has additional effects on the transcription of the somatostatin gene will require further study.
Characterization of Soluble, Disulfide Bond-Stabilized, Prokaryotically Expressed Human Thyrotropin Receptor Ectodomain*
Authors: Bobovnikova Y. , Graves P. N. , Vlase H. , Davies T. F. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractTo study the interaction of TSH receptor (TSHR) autoantibodies with receptor protein, it is necessary first to express the receptor in the proper conformation including the formation of correct disulfide bridges. However, the reducing environment of the Escherichia coli (E. coli) cytoplasm prevents the generation of protein disulfide bonds and limits the solubility and immunoreactivity of recombinant human TSHR (hTSHR) products. To circumvent these limitations, hTSHR complementary DNA encoding the extracellular domain (hTSHR-ecd; amino acids 21–415) was inserted into the vector pGEX-2TK by directional cloning and used to transform the thioredoxin reductase mutant strain of E. coli (Ad494), which allowed formation of disulfide bonds in the cytoplasm. After induction, the expressed soluble hTSHR-ecd fusion protein was detected by Western blot analysis using a monoclonal antibody directed against hTSHR amino acids 21–35. This showed that over 50% of the expressed hTSHR-ecd was soluble in contrast to expression in a wild-type E. coli (strain αF′), where the majority of the recombinant receptor was insoluble. The soluble recombinant receptor was affinity purified and characterized. Under nonreducing SDS-PAGE conditions, the soluble hTSHR-ecd migrated as refolded, disulfide bond-stabilized, multimeric species, whose formation was independent of fusion partner protein. This product was found to be biologically active as evidenced by the inhibition of the binding of 125I-TSH to the full-length hTSHR expressed in transfected CHO cells and was used to develop a competitive capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for mapping of hTSHR antibody epitopes. Hence, hTSHR-ecd produced in bacteria with a thioredoxin reductase mutation was found to be highly soluble and biologically relevant.
In VivoEffects of Leptin-Related Synthetic Peptides on Body Weight and Food Intake in Female ob/obMice: Localization of Leptin Activity to Domains Between Amino Acid Residues 106–140*
Authors: Grasso Patricia , Leinung Matthew C. , Ingher Stacy P. , Lee Daniel W. 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
In C57BL/6J ob/ob mice, a single base mutation of the ob gene in codon 105 results in the replacement of arginine by a premature stop codon and production of a truncated inactive form of leptin. These observations suggest that leptin activity may be localized, at least in part, to domains distal to amino acid residue 104. To investigate this possibility, we synthesized six overlapping peptide amides corresponding to residues 106–167 of leptin, and examined their effects on body weight and food intake in female C57BL/6J ob/ob mice. When compared with vehicle-injected control mice, weight gain by mice receiving 28 daily 1-mg ip injections of LEP-(106–120), LEP-(116–130), or LEP-(126–140) was significantly (P &lt; 0.01) reduced with no apparent toxicity. Weight gain by mice receiving LEP-(136–150), LEP-(146–160), or LEP-(156–167) was not significantly different from that of vehicle-injected control mice. The effects of LEP-(106–120), LEP-(116–130), or LEP-(126–140) were most pronounced during the first week of peptide treatment. Within 7 days, mice receiving these peptides lost 12.3%, 13.8%, and 9.8%, respectively, of their initial body weights. After 28 days, mice given vehicle alone, LEP-(136–150), LEP-(146–160), or LEP-(156–167) were 14.7%, 20.3%, 25.0%, and 24.8% heavier, respectively, than they were at the beginning of the study. Mice given LEP-(106–120) or LEP-(126–140) were only 1.8% and 4.2% heavier, respectively, whereas mice given LEP-(116–130) were 3.4% lighter. Food intake by mice receiving LEP-(106–120), LEP-(116–130), or LEP-(126–140), but not by mice receiving LEP-(136–150), LEP-(146–160), or LEP-(156–167), was reduced by 15%. The results of this study indicate 1) that leptin activity is localized, at least in part, in domains between residues 106–140; 2) that leptin-related peptides have in vivo effects similar to those of native leptin; and 3) offer hope for development of peptide analogs of leptin having potential application in human or veterinary medicine.
Transcriptional Regulation of Sertoli Cell Immediate Early Genes by Interleukin-6 and Interferon-γ Is Mediated through Phosphorylation of STAT-3 and STAT-1 Proteins*
Authors: Jenab Shirzad , Morris Patricia L. 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
The immediate early genes are regulated by a variety of extracellular signals, including pleiotropic cytokines. The effects of the testicular cytokines, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), on signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 and 1 (STAT-3 and STAT-1) and on c-fos gene expression in primary Sertoli cells are suggestive of their roles in differential function. Using the tyrosine phosphorylation inhibitor, genistein, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay, we show that IL-6 and IFN-γ induce nuclear factor STAT-3 and STAT-1 DNA-binding activity to the sis-inducible element of c-fos in a genistein-dependent pathway. Quantitative solution hybridization, Northern blot, and nuclear run-on analysis show that differential induction of c-fos, junB, and c-myc messenger RNA (mRNA) by these cytokines occur at transcriptional levels. IL-6 stimulates c-fos mRNA levels by 6-fold while increasing junB levels by 2-fold. IFN-γ increases c-fos message 2-fold, but has no effect on junB mRNA levels. Furthermore, genistein treatment blocks the induction of c-fos and junB gene expression, demonstrating that tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT proteins is involved in the cytokine regulation of the Sertoli immediate early genes. H7, a serine/threonine phosphorylation inhibitor, also blocks c-fos gene induction by IL-6 and IFN-γ, but does not affect the DNA-binding activities of STAT-3 and STAT-1. Finally, IL-6 treatment of Sertoli cells (3–6 h) increases the amounts of activating protein-1 binding to activating protein-1 element and c-myc transcription.
Vectorial Production of Interleukin 1 and Interleukin 6 by Rat Sertoli Cells Cultured in a Dual Culture Compartment System*
Authors: Cudicini Corinne , Kercret Henri , Touzalin Anne-Marie , Ballet François , Jégou Bernard 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe bidirectional production of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-6 by Sertoli cells and its regulation by inflammatory and physiological stimuli has been studied using a dual compartment culture system allowing the study of Sertoli cell apical and basal secretory activities. Another Sertoli cell activity, the vectorial transferrin production was also studied in all culture conditions. A low constitutive IL-1 production appeared equally distributed between both poles, while IL-6 and transferrin constitutive production was predominantly directed apically. Two activators of macrophages, lipopolysaccharides and zymosan, were found to induce marked increases of IL-1 in the compartment where they had been added: basal if added to the lower compartment and vice versa. In contrast, after a basal stimulation, IL-6 production was mainly increased in the upper compartment that corresponds to a Sertoli cell apical flux. In this system, IL-1 and IL-6 levels were not modified by FSH; they were not also affected by residual bodies and latex beads, probably due to the fact that, in the bicameral system, phagocytosis is restricted to the Sertoli cells situated at the surface of the inner compartment. IL-1β, but not IL-1α, induced IL-6 secretion in the compartment of stimulation. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that vectorial secretory patterns of IL-1 and IL-6 production greatly differ and that these cytokines are also differently regulated. These results suggest that Sertoli IL-1 and IL-6 have different targets within the testis and that, in normal and pathophysiological conditions, both the tubular and the interstitial compartments may be influenced by the action of these paracrine factors.
Fetal Sheep Pituitary Proopiomelanocortin in Late Gestation: Effect of Bilateral Lesions of the Paraventricular Nucleus on Regional and Cellular Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Levels*
Authors: Bell M. E. , Myers T. R. , McDonald T. J. , Myers D. A. 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
Previous experiments have clearly indicated that the successful completion of ovine gestation is dependent upon fetal adrenocortical maturation and the associated preterm rise in fetal plasma cortisol. The purposes of this study were to: 1) examine pituitary POMC messenger RNA (mRNA) levels during normal fetal development; and 2) examine the effects of bilateral lesion of the fetal paraventricular nucleus (PVN) on levels and spatial distribution of pituitary POMC mRNA.
Pituitary glands were collected from intact fetal sheep of four gestational ages [100–107 days gestational age (dga), n = 8; 117–121 dga, n = 9; 126–130 dga, n = 9; 144–147 dga, n = 8]. Lesions of the PVN (PVN Lx; n = 4) or sham lesions (Sham; n = 5) were performed at 118–122 dga. Pituitary glands from PVN Lx and Sham fetuses were collected at 139–142 dga (term∼ 147 dga). POMC mRNA levels were determined by in situ hybridization. POMC transcript levels were determined by both regional analysis (20× magnification) and analysis of individual corticotropes (400× magnification).
There was no difference among gestational age groups in superior anterior pituitary (AP) POMC mRNA levels determined by regional or cellular analysis. POMC mRNA levels were significantly greater in the inferior AP at 144–147 dga, compared with other gestational ages, using regional analysis (P = 0.003) or analysis of individual corticotropes (P &lt; 0.01). POMC mRNA levels in the neurointermediate lobe in 126- to 130-dga fetuses were significantly greater than those in younger fetuses (P = 0.005) but not those in 144- to 147-dga fetuses.
There was no difference in POMC mRNA levels in the superior AP between PVN Lx and Sham, using regional analysis or analysis of individual corticotropes. In the inferior AP, there was a significant decrease in POMC mRNA levels in PVN Lx, compared with Sham, using both regional analysis (P &lt; 0.01) and cellular analysis (P &lt; 0.01). There was no difference in POMC mRNA levels in the neurointermediate lobe as the result of bilateral PVN Lx.
Our findings support that basal AP POMC mRNA levels are heterogenously distributed in the ovine fetal AP, with POMC mRNA levels in the inferior AP being significantly greater than in superior AP, by 144–147 dga. We further found that the higher POMC mRNA levels in the inferior AP reflect significantly higher corticotrope POMC transcripts and not simply a greater density of corticotropes in this AP region. The increase in POMC mRNA levels at 144–147 dga in the inferior AP seems unrelated to the onset of adrenocortical maturation (at∼ 125–130 dga). Finally, we report that increase in corticotrope POMC transcripts during late gestation in the inferior AP requires an intact PVN.
Attenuation of Calcitonin Gene Expression in Pregnant Rat Uterus Leads to a Block in Embryonic Implantation*
Authors: Zhu Li-Ji , Bagchi Milan K. , Bagchi Indrani C. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe peptide hormone calcitonin plays a key role in calcium homeostasis in many tissues, such as bone and kidney. Our previous studies revealed that the expression of calcitonin is dramatically induced in the glandular epithelium of rat uterus between days 3–5 of pregnancy before the onset of blastocyst implantation on day 5. Calcitonin expression is switched off once implantation has progressed to day 6. The coincidence in timing suggested that calcitonin may function as a regulatory signal in the uterus during the early events leading to implantation. Here we report that the implantation stage-specific expression of calcitonin can be specifically attenuated by administering antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) directed against exon IV of calcitonin messenger RNA into the uterine horns on day 2 of gestation. The loss of calcitonin messenger RNA and protein expression upon antisense ODN treatment is accompanied by a severe impairment in implantation of embryos. Based on the observations that 1) treatment with two different antisense ODNs possessing different base compositions produced similar phenotypes; and 2) treatment with the complementary sense ODNs did not affect either calcitonin expression or implantation, we conclude that the effects of antisense ODNs on calcitonin expression and implantation are specific and functionally linked. Our study strengthens the hypothesis that a transient expression of calcitonin in the preimplantation phase uterus is critical for blastocyst implantation.