|
|
||||||||
1From the Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas; and 2Alcon Research, Ltd., Fort Worth, Texas.
| Abstract |
|---|
|
|
|---|
METHODS. Human trabecular meshwork cells (GTM3 and TM5) and HeLa cells were treated with dexamethasone (DEX) and FK506 and transfected with GRβ and FKBP51 expression vectors. Coimmunoprecipitation and Western blot analyses were performed to study interactions of FKBP51 and FKBP52 with GR
, GRβ, Hsp90, or dynein. The cells were transfected with a GRE-luciferase reporter to evaluate the effects of DEX and FK506 and the overexpression of GRβ and FKBP51 on glucocorticoid-mediated gene expression.
RESULTS. FKBP51 was involved in constitutive nuclear transport of both GR
and -β in the absence of ligands. FKBP52 appeared to be solely responsible for the nuclear transport of ligand-activated GR
. DEX stimulated the translocation of GR
but not GRβ. Overexpression of either GRβ or FKBP51 stimulated GRβ translocation and reduced DEX-induced luciferase in HeLa cells. FK506 did not alter DEX-induced translocation of GR
. However, FK506 increased the association of FKBP51 with GRβ and stimulated DEX-induced translocation of GRβ in normal TM cells, but not in glaucoma TM cells. Increased nuclear GRβ significantly inhibited glucocorticoid responsiveness in TM cells.
CONCLUSIONS. Nuclear transport of GRβ represents a novel mechanism through which FKBP51 alters GC sensitivity. GRβ and FKBP51 may be responsible for increased responsiveness in steroid-induced ocular hypertensive individuals as well as in patients with glaucoma.
(GR
) and -β (GRβ), which differ only at their carboxyl terminus.4 5 GR
functions as a ligand-dependent transcription factor that regulates diverse effects of glucocorticoids.6 7 Clinically, the actions of exogenous glucocorticoids used in the treatment of a wide variety of diseases, including allergic and autoimmune diseases, are achieved by binding to and activating GR
. In contrast, the GRβ does not bind glucocorticoids and lacks transcriptional activity.8 9 However, GRβ suppresses GR
activity9 10 11 12 and has been implicated in several glucocorticoid resistance diseases, including asthma, arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease.13 In the eye, glucocorticoids have long been associated with the development of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and glaucoma.14 The elevated IOP associated with glaucoma and induced by glucocorticoids is due to increased aqueous outflow resistance in the trabecular meshwork (TM), a reticulated tissue located at the corneal–iridial junction that regulates aqueous outflow resistance. Whereas topical ocular administration of glucocorticoids causes measurably increased IOP in approximately 30% to 40% of the general population,15 a greater percentage of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG),16 17 and their descendants15 18 develop elevated IOP. Our laboratory has worked to elucidate the factors responsible for enhanced glucocorticoid responsiveness in glaucoma. In previous studies, we demonstrated relatively lower levels of GRβ in glaucomatous TM cell lines than in normal TM cell lines.19 GRβ acts as a dominant negative inhibitor in glucocorticoid action in regulation of gene transcription regulation and in suppression of phagocytotic function in TM.19 20 These data support a role for GRβ in the increased glucocorticoid responsiveness in patients with glaucoma and may explain the differences in steroid sensitivity among normal individuals and patients with glaucoma.21
In the classic paradigm of glucocorticoid action, ligand-induced nuclear translocation of GR
regulates gene transcription. In the absence of ligand, GR
resides in the cytoplasm as a multiprotein heterocomplex that contains heat shock protein (Hsp)90, Hsp70, and one of the immunophilins, such as the FK506-binding proteins FKBP51 and FKBP52.22 23 24 FKBP51 and FKBP52 possess peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase (PPIase) domains that bind immunosuppressant drugs such as FK50625 26 and tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) domains, which form binding sites for Hsp90.27 FKBP52 and FKBP51 share approximately 75% sequence similarity and an overall similar architecture. However, diverse orientations between different domains may be responsible for differences in Hsp90 binding and microtubule motor protein dynein association between these two proteins.28 29 30 31 Both FKBP51 and FKBP52 are found in mature GR
complexes. Hormone binding appears to induce switching of FKBP51 for FKBP52 GR
complex, and the GR
-Hsp90-FKBP52 heterocomplex recruits dynein, which shuttles the complex along microtubular tracks toward the nucleus. GR
is released into the nucleus,32 33 34 35 where it regulates the expression of target genes in concert with other transcription factors.36 37 We therefore posed the question as to whether the highly homologous FKBP51 also can shuttle GR
into the nucleus without ligand binding to the receptor, because FKBP51 directly interacts with Hsp90 and dynein.31 Moreover, the transport mechanism responsible for moving the non–ligand-binding isoform GRβ into the nucleus to inhibit GR
activity is largely unknown.
GRβ is present in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus11 38 39 and can complex with Hsp90.11 Previously, we demonstrated that Hsp90 was an essential molecular chaperone for the nuclear transport of GRβ. Inhibiting Hsp90 activity led to the exclusion of GRβ from the nucleus and subsequent GRβ degradation in proteasomes.39 However, the identity and potential role of immunophilins in GRβ translocation is currently unknown.
Of note, increased expression of FKBP51 causes glucocorticoid resistance in many New World primates.40 41 Indeed, many studies have shown that FKBP51 can inhibit FKBP52-mediated expression of hormone-dependent reporter and endogenous genes.27 31 41 42 43 Furthermore, the expression of FKBP51 is increased by glucocorticoids,44 45 46 suggesting that the regulation of FKBP51 levels represent a possible feedback mechanism for inhibiting prolonged glucocorticoid responses. The mechanism responsible for FKBP51 overexpression causing glucocorticoid resistance has focused exclusively on the GR
isoform. Increased expression of FKBP51 causes a lower hormone binding affinity to GR
,41 42 43 47 delaying the translocation and activation of GR
.31 Even at a maximum ligand concentration, overexpression of FKBP51 significantly decreases the maximum induction of GR
activity,31 suggesting FKBP51 involvement in additional steps in the glucocorticoid signaling pathway. GRβ and FKBP51 may concomitantly inhibit GR
activity through a novel mechanism involving FKBP51-mediated potentiation of GRβ nuclear translocation.
In the present study, we investigated the differential regulation of GR
and -β nuclear transport by FKBP51 and FKBP52 in trabecular meshwork (TM) cells. We found that FKBP51, but not FKBP52, is involved in constitutive nuclear transport of GR
and -β in the absence of ligand. The enhanced nuclear transport of GRβ by either overexpression of FKBP51 or treatment with FK506 reduced glucocorticoid responsiveness in both TM cells and HeLa cells. Chaperoning nuclear transport of GRβ may represent a novel mechanism through which FKBP51 causes glucocorticoid resistance. The differential distribution patterns of FKBP51 in glaucomatous TM cells could disrupt the constitutive nuclear import of GRβ and contribute to the low nuclear expression of GRβ and the increased responsiveness to glucocorticoids.
| Methods |
|---|
|
|
|---|
antibody and monoclonal antibodies to Hsp90, histone1 and β-tubulin were obtained from Santa Cruz Biotechnology (Santa Cruz, CA). Anti-FKBP52 antibody was purchased from Calbiochem (San Diego, CA). Anti-dynein intermediate chain antibody was purchased from Chemicon International, Inc (Temecula, CA). Alexa Fluor 633 goat anti-rabbit IgG, Alexa Fluor 488 goat anti-mouse IgG, and DAPI (4', 6'-diamidino-2-phenylindole) were from Invitrogen-Molecular Probes (Eugene, OR).
Cell Lines and Cell Culture
The human transformed normal NTM-5 cell line was derived from a donor with no reported history of glaucoma, and a human glaucoma GTM-3 cell line was generated from a donor with documented history of glaucoma.48 HeLa cells were purchased from ATCC (Manassas, VA). The cells were cultured in 37°C and 5% CO2 in Dulbeccos modified Eagles medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, penicillin and streptomycin, and glutamate (Invitrogen-Gibco, Grand Island, NY). Confluent cells were used in most studies. For transfection experiments or 24-hour drug treatment, the cells were treated when subconfluent as specified in each experiment, to achieve complete confluence at the end of the experiment.
Plasmid and Transfections
The GRβ expression vector pCMX-hGRβ has been described previously.19 An FKBP51 expression vector (a gift from Rein Theo, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Germany) was cloned downstream of the CMV promoter in the pRK5MCS vector.31 A mercury luciferase reporter, pGRE-Luc, was purchased from BD-Clontech (Palo Alto, CA). The cells were seeded on 100-mm culture dishes for immunoprecipitation or 12-well plates for luciferase assays. When the cells were approximately 60% confluent, they were transfected with the control pCMX, pCMX-hGRβ, or pCMV-FKBP51 expression vector, with or without cotransfection of pGRE-Luc with a lipophilic transfection reagent (Lipofectamine; BD Biosciences, San Jose, CA), in a ratio of 1 µg of DNA to 1.5 µL of transfection reagent in serum-free medium. Ten micrograms of expression vector or 1.5 µg of expression vector with 0.4 µg of pGRE-Luc per well was used in a 100-mm dish or 12-well plate, respectively. The cells were transfected for 9 hours, followed by a posttransfection incubation in serum-containing medium for 24 hours. For the luciferase assay, the cells were switched to serum-free medium and treated with vehicle or 100 nM DEX for another 24 hours.
Immunoblotting and Coimmunoprecipitation
Cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions or whole-cell lysates were isolated as described previously. We have shown that this method clearly separates the nuclear from the cytosolic fractions.19 34 Immunoprecipitation of 100 µg cytoplasmic or 50 µg nuclear fractions was performed with 4 µg of anti-FKBP51 or anti-FKBP52 antibodies, followed by a Western immunoblot analysis with anti-GR
, anti-GRβ, anti-Hsp90, or anti-dynein antibodies.
Luciferase Assays
The cells were transfected with the mercury luciferase reporter, pGRE-Luc (BD-Clontech), as described earlier, followed by 100 nM DEX treatment for 24 hours. Cell lysates were prepared, and luciferase assays were performed with a luminometer.19 Luciferase activity was normalized with 1 µg of protein for each sample.
Immunofluorescence Studies
Cells grown on glass coverslips were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde for 30 minutes, permeabilized in 0.2% Triton X-100 for 15 minutes, and incubated in 0.2 M glycine for 30 minutes. After the reaction was blocked for 20 minutes with 5% bovine serum albumin+5% normal goat serum, these cells were incubated overnight at 4°C with polyclonal anti-FKBP51+monoclonal anti-Hsp90 antibodies. Subsequently, the cells were treated for 1 hour with Alexa Fluor 633 goat anti-rabbit IgG and Alexa Fluor 488 goat anti-mouse IgG. To visualize the nuclei, the cells were incubated for 10 minutes with DAPI. Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy was then performed (model LSM-410; Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc., Dublin, CA).
Statistic Analyses
Where appropriate, for multiple group comparisons, results were analyzed with one-way ANOVA followed by a multiple-comparison test (Tukey). Differences between the results obtained from studying two different groups of subjects were analyzed with the two-sample Mann-Whitney t-test. Significance was defined as P
0.05.
| Results |
|---|
|
|
|---|
and GRβ
is complexed with heat shock proteins and immunophilins.22 23 24 49 We previously reported that Hsp90 was an essential molecular chaperone for nuclear transport of GRβ,39 and we wanted to know whether any immunophilin was also associated with the GRβ complex. Cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions were isolated from NTM-5 cells treated with vehicle (control) or 100 nM DEX for 2 hours. We have previously reported that the technique used clearly separates these fractions in NTM-5 cells.19 20 39 Immunoprecipitation was performed with anti-FKBP51 or anti-FKBP52 antibodies followed by Western immunoblotting with anti-GRβ antibody (Fig. 1A) . Anti-FKBP51 antibody pulled down both GR
and GRβ (Fig. 1A , lanes 1–4). In contrast, anti-FKBP52 antibody did not coimmunoprecipitate GRβ (Fig. 1A , lanes 5–8), indicating that FKBP51, but not FKBP52, complexed with GRβ. The GRβ-FKBP51 complex existed in both the cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions in the absence of DEX, and this association was not regulated by DEX treatment, suggesting that FKBP51 is involved in constitutive nuclear transport of GRβ in NTM-5 cells, independent of a glucocorticoid signal.
|
. Immunoprecipitation with anti-FKBP51 or anti-FKBP52 antibody and subsequent immunoblot analyses showed that both FKBP51 and FKBP52 complexed with GR
(Fig. 1B) . As expected, the FKBP52-GR
complex was located predominantly in the cytoplasmic fraction in the absence of ligand, and DEX treatment shifted the GR
-FKBP52 complex into the nuclear fraction (Fig. 1B , lanes 5–8). The decreased density of the GR
protein band reflected a downregulation of the GR
-FKBP52 complex after 2 hours of DEX treatment. In contrast, the FKBP51-GR
was present in both the cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions in the absence of ligand, and DEX treatment did not alter the subcellular levels or distribution of FKBP51-GR
complex (Fig. 1B , lanes 1–4). The distribution pattern of FKBP51-GR
appeared similar to that of FKBP51-GRβ without dependency on DEX, but distinct from FKBP52-GR
, which was regulated by hormone treatment, indicating different mechanisms of GR
and GRβ translocation.
FKBP51 Association with Hsp90 and Dynein in NTM-5 Cells
The selective association of GRβ with FKBP51 suggests a possible chaperone role of FKBP51 in GRβ translocation. To characterize the potential role of FKBP51 in nuclear translocation, the association of FKBP51 with Hsp90 and the microtubular retrograde motor protein dynein was investigated. Cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions were isolated from NTM-5 cells. Coimmunoprecipitation with anti-FKBP51 antibody followed by Western immunoblot analysis with anti-Hsp90 detected Hsp90 in the cytoplasmic fractions (Fig. 2A) . DEX treatment did not alter this subcellular distribution. Western immunoblot analysis of the anti-FKBP51-immunoprecipitated proteins also detected dynein in the cytoplasmic fractions that likewise was not regulated by DEX treatment (Fig. 2B) . These results demonstrate that FKBP51 formed a complex with both Hsp90 and dynein, essential characteristics for immunophilin chaperone function, and suggested that microtubules are involved in the nuclear transport of the FKBP51-Hsp90-GRβ complex in NTM-5 cells.
|
Overexpression of FKBP51 on the Nuclear Transport of GRβ
To support our contention that FKBP51 serves as a chaperone for GRβ nuclear translocation, we examined whether alteration of FKBP51 expression regulates GRβ transport. We overexpressed FKBP51 by transfecting NTM-5 cells with the FKBP51 expression construct pCMV-FKBP51 and then compared the nuclear distribution of the FKBP51-GRβ complex among transfected and control cells by using immunoprecipitation and subsequent Western immunoblot analysis. Induction of GRβ expression by transfecting with a GRβ expression vector pCMX-hGRβ was used as a positive control for increased accumulation of GRβ in the nucleus. Approximately 40% NTM-5 cells were typically transfected with pCMX-hGRβ or pCMV-FKBP51. FKBP51 or GRβ expression was increased in lysates from NTM-5 cells transfected with FKBP51 or GRβ expression vectors, respectively (Fig. 3A , right). The GRβ-FKBP51 complex existed in both cytoplasm and nuclear fractions. Overexpression of FKBP51 increased the amount of GRβ complex in the nucleus compared with empty vector–transfected cells (Fig. 3A , left). Increased expression of GRβ followed by immunoprecipitation with anti-FKBP51 also resulted in increased nuclear GRβ (Fig. 3A , left). These results further support the chaperone role of FKBP51 in the nuclear translocation of GRβ.
|
and -β and are frequently used for GR studies. HeLa cells were transiently transfected with pCMV-FKBP51 or pCMX-hGRβ expression vectors, and Western immunoblot analysis of whole-cell lysates detected increased expression of FKBP51 and GRβ, respectively (Fig. 3B , right). Immunoprecipitation with anti-FKBP51 also coprecipitated GRβ in both cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions in control (pCMX transfected) cells. Overexpression of FKBP51 increased levels of the GRβ-FKBP51 complex in both cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions (Fig. 3B , left). Likewise, transfection of GRβ increased the association of the GRβ-FKBP51 complex in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus (Fig. 3B , left panel). These results are consistent with the finding in NTM-5 cells and further support the general concept that FKBP51 serves as an essential chaperone for the nuclear translocation of GRβ. We have reported that increased GRβ expression negatively regulates glucocorticoid responses in TM cells.19 20 To determine whether this also occurs in HeLa cells, we overexpressed FKBP51 or GRβ and tested for glucocorticoid responsiveness. HeLa cells were transiently cotransfected with pGRE-Luc reporter vector and control, FKBP51, or GRβ expression vectors followed by glucocorticoid challenge. DEX treatment significantly increased the luciferase activity in control (PCMX transfected) cells (P < 0.05). Increased GRβ or FKBP51 expression significantly inhibited this DEX luciferase induction by 61% (P < 0.05) and 56% (P < 0.05), respectively (Fig. 3C) .
Differential Effects of FK506 on FKBP51-Chaperoned Nuclear Translocation of GRβ in Normal NTM-5 and Glaucomatous GTM-3 Cells
FK506 has diverse effects on GR
activity, including potentiation, no effect, and even inhibitory action.50 51 52 53 54 It differentially binds to FKBP51 and FKBP52, and its diverse effects on glucocorticoid activity may be determined by relative cellular levels of FKBP51 and FKBP52.22 55 Therefore, we examined the effect of FK506 on FKBP51- and FKBP52-chaperoned nuclear transport of GR
and GRβ in TM cells. NTM-5 cells were pretreated with 1 µM FK506 or vehicle control for 1 hour, followed by additional vehicle or DEX treatment for another 30 minutes. As seen earlier, GR
coprecipitated with FKBP52 in the cytoplasmic fraction in the absence of DEX, and DEX treatment caused the translocation of GR
-FKBP52 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus (Fig. 4A , lanes 1–4). FK506 treatment did not change the amount and cellular distribution of the GR
-FKBP52 complex and did not alter DEX-induced nuclear translocation of this complex (Fig. 4A , lanes 5–8). This is consistent with previous reports that FK506 binding to FKBP52 did not cause the activation or dissociation of GR
complex.55 56 In contrast, FKBP51 complexed with GRβ in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus, and DEX treatment had no effect on this complex (Fig. 4B , lanes 1–4). FK506 treatment increased the association of GRβ-FKBP51 in both the cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions. Of interest, in the presence of FK506, DEX treatment resulted in a rapid translocation of GRβ-FKBP51 complex from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in NTM-5 cells (Fig. 4B , lanes 5–8).
|
Differential Subcellular Distribution of FKBP51 in Normal NTM-5 and Glaucomatous GTM-3 Cells
The distribution of GRβ19 and sensitivity to FK506 differ between NTM-5 and GTM-3 cells, and so we investigated whether the expression profiles of FKBP51 also differ between NTM-5 and GTM-3 cells. In GTM-3 cells, FKBP51 was present only in the cytoplasmic fractions without detectable FKBP51 (50 kDa) bands in the nuclear fractions, and DEX treatment for 30 minutes did not alter this subcellular distribution (Fig. 5B , lanes 1–4). However, a lower molecular weight immunoreactive band (
20 kDa) was observed in both cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions and was more prominent in the nuclear fractions. FKBP51 was found in both the cytoplasm and nuclear fractions of NTM-5 cells and its distribution was not regulated by DEX treatment (Fig. 5B , lanes 5–8). In contrast, FKBP52 was distributed in the cytoplasm and the nucleus in both normal NTM-5 and glaucomatous GTM-3 cells (Fig. 5A) . The differences in FKBP51 subcellular distribution between GTM-3 and NTM-5 cells may account for the different distribution of GRβ in these cells, as well as the differential effects of FK506 on GRβ nuclear transport.
|
|
|
| Discussion |
|---|
|
|
|---|
. In contrast, less is understood about the mechanisms responsible for glucocorticoid resistance or enhanced glucocorticoid responsiveness in some physiological conditions and disease states.13 19 41 46 Several different mechanisms have been independently proposed to explain the cause of glucocorticoid resistance, including relative levels of GRβ expression,13 19 57 58 59 relative abundance of FKBP51,40 41 and expression of structurally different isoforms of GR
.60 61 In the present study, we explored the potential role of FKBP51 and FKBP52 in regulating nuclear translocation of GR
and GRβ. We have shown that immunophilin FKBP51 is a molecular chaperone for nuclear translocation of GRβ. This FKBP51-mediated transport of GRβ to the nucleus decreased glucocorticoid responsiveness (i.e., caused glucocorticoid resistance). These conclusions are drawn based on the following findings: (1) FKBP51 interacted with GRβ, Hsp90, dynein, and required Hsp90 activity for its chaperone function; (2) overexpression of FKBP51 increased nuclear accumulation of GRβ and reduced responsiveness to a glucocorticoid regulated reporter gene; (3) FK506 facilitated FKBP51-chaperoned nuclear transport of GRβ in NTM-5 cells and reduced the DEX-induction of luciferase, but FK506 had little effect on FKBP51-mediated GRβ translocation in GTM-3 cells and potentiated DEX induction of luciferase.
Unlike GR
and other steroid receptors, less is known about the nuclear translocation of GRβ. We have reported that Hsp90 serves as a chaperone for GRβ in TM cells,39 but other components may also be involved in this process. In the present study, FKBP51 also served as a chaperone for GRβ in TM cells. We detected the protein–protein interactions of FKBP51 with GRβ, Hsp90, and dynein. Inhibition of Hsp90 activity blocked the nuclear import of FKBP51. Similar in some ways to the previously reported transportosome concept for GR
,24 the heterocomplex involving Hsp90, FKBP51, and dynein guides GRβ along cytoskeletal tracts to the nucleus. Of interest, the interaction of FKBP51 with GRβ differed from the interaction of FKBP51 with Hsp90 or dynein, as the FKBP51-GRβ complex was present in both cytoplasm and nucleus, whereas the FKBP51-Hsp90 or FKBP51-dynein complexes were found only in the cytoplasm. We have reported that the Hsp90–GRβ complex resides in the cytoplasm.39 The association of FKBP51 with GRβ persisted in the nucleus even though Hsp90 and dynein dissociated from GRβ receptor. Based on these findings, we propose the following: FKBP51 binds to GRβ or the GRβ–Hsp90 complex in the cytoplasm and recruits the microtubule motor protein dynein to move this heteromeric complex through the cytoplasm to the nucleus along a microtubule track. On reaching the nucleus, Hsp90 and dynein disassociate from the complex, releasing GRβ-FKBP51 into the nucleus where GRβ can inhibit GR
transcriptional activity. How FKBP51 directly interacts with GRβ is unknown. Different regions of FKBP52 can determine its association with GR
, Hsp90, and dynein.62 FKBP51 is composed of two FKBP domains that bind immunosuppressant drugs such as FK50625 26 and TPR domains, which form binding sites for Hsp90.27 The arrangement of these domains allows possible interactions with some Hsp90 client proteins.28 29 30
We also found that the association of FKBP51 with GR
and -β was ligand independent and was not regulated by ligand treatment. This result suggests that FKBP51 is involved in constitutive, ligand-independent transport of both GR
and -β through the cytoplasmic compartment to the nucleus. In contrast, FKBP52 appears to be solely responsible for the nuclear transport of ligand-activated GR
. How FKBP51 and FKBP52 distinctly regulate the transport of GR
is not known. Although FKBP52 and FKBP51 share approximately 75% amino acid sequence similarity and similar architecture domains,28 the differences in orientation between the FK1 and FK2 domains in FKBP51 and FKBP52 can impact Hsp90 binding and dynein association,28 29 30 which could account for the different functions of FKBP51 and FKBP52 on GR
and -β translocation.
FK506 has diverse effects on GR
activity, with reports of potentiation, no effect, and even inhibitory action.50 51 52 53 54 FK506 differentially binds to FKBP51 and FKBP52, and its diverse effects on glucocorticoid activity may be determined by relative cellular levels of FKBP51 and FKBP52.22 55 Our data showed that FK506 had differential effects on GRβ nuclear transport in individual cell lines, which could also account for the diverse effects of FK506 on glucocorticoid activity reported in literature. FK506 differentially regulated the nuclear translocation of GRβ in normal NTM-5 and glaucomatous GTM-3 cells. FK506 potentiated the nuclear import of GRβ in NTM-5 cells, but had little effect in GTM-3 cells. Even more interesting is our finding that in the presence of FK506, DEX caused a rapid translocation of FKBP51-GRβ from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. GRβ has been reported to lack ligand-binding activity. The sequence of GRβ is identical with GR
through amino acid 727, where they diverge and have unique C termini. The C-terminal 50 amino acids of GR
encode the glucocorticoid binding domain, whereas the C-terminal 15 amino acids of GRβ lack a glucocorticoid binding domain.8 9 However, a recent study has shown that GRβ is capable of binding RU486, an anti-progestin and glucocorticoid antagonist, but not any of the numerous other steroids tested.63 RU486 binding caused the nuclear translocation of GRβ. Therefore, our unexpected finding of DEX-induced nuclear translocation of GRβ in the presence of FK506 could be due to an FK506-induced conformation change in FKBP51 or by other protein–protein interactions involving Hsp90 and/or GRβ.
The concomitant effects of FKBP51 on nuclear transport of GRβ and on inhibition of glucocorticoid responses suggest a novel pathway for FKBP51 to suppress glucocorticoid responses. FKBP51 chaperones the transport of GRβ through the cytoplasm into the nucleus where GRβ can antagonize transcriptionally active GR
. To prove this concept, we had to determine the relationship between the GRβ chaperone function of FKBP51 and the inhibitory activity of FKBP51 on the GR
-mediated glucocorticoid response. FK506 differentially regulated the FKBP51-chaperoned nuclear transport of GRβ in NTM-5 and GTM-3 cells, particularly in the presence of DEX, so comparing the effects of FK506 on DEX responses between NTM-5 and GTM-3 cells represented a unique opportunity to test this novel mechanism. Indeed, we detected differential effects of FK506 on DEX-induced luciferase between NTM-5 and GTM-3 cells with a reduction in DEX luciferase response by FK506 pretreatment in NTM-5 cells but a potentiation in DEX luciferase activity by FK506 in GTM-3. These differing effects on DEX-induced gene expression correlated nicely with FK506 effects on GRβ nuclear translocation. FK506 facilitated the nuclear transport of GRβ in NTM-5 cells, but FK506 failed to enhance the transport of GRβ in GTM-3 cells. The range of reduction or potentiation by FK506 of the DEX-induced reporter gene was relevant to the length of time of pretreatment of FK506: Longer pretreatment resulted in greater effects, further supporting a role for FK506 effects on the nuclear import of GRβ. These data indicate that FKBP51 suppresses glucocorticoid response by enhancing the transport of GRβ.
In agreement with our present study in TM cells, FK506 has diverse effects on glucocorticoid responses in other cell types, including potentiation, no effect, or inhibitory action.50 51 52 53 54 Furthermore, the FK506 effect on GR
was differentially regulated by the timing of glucocorticoid and FK506 treatment, leading to enhanced or inhibited glucocorticoid activity.54 The finding that FK506 enhanced glucocorticoid responsiveness by causing FKBP51 release and enhanced FKBP52 association with the GR
heterocomplex40 42 54 64 may not explain the diversity of the effects of FK506. In the present study, FK506 enhanced nuclear transport of GRβ, which could negatively regulate GR
activity. This novel mechanism of action should be considered when interpreting the actions of FK506 on glucocorticoid activities, as the FKBP51 dissociated from the GR
complex could facilitate GRβ nuclear translocation. Therefore, the effect of FK506 on GR activity may depend on the preexisting balance of cellular FKBP51 and FKBP52 levels.
Western blot analysis detected both cytoplasmic and nuclear distributions of FKBP51 protein in NTM-5 cells but solely cytoplasmic expression of FKBP51 in GTM-3 cells. Immunoblot analysis also detected a much smaller immunoreactive protein band predominantly in the nucleus in GTM-3 cells, which may be a degradation product of FKBP51. It is possible that amino acid or structure differences within its functional domains are responsible for the different distribution pattern of FKBP51 in GTM-3 cells, because potency-related sequence differences have been reported in squirrel monkey and human FKBP51.40 41 Previously, we reported that glaucomatous TM cell lines (including GTM-3) had lower levels of GRβ than did normal TM cell lines (including NTM-5).19 It is possible that FKBP51 structural differences in GTM-3 could affect its interaction with GRβ and Hsp90 complex, disrupt the constitutive nuclear transport of GRβ, and consequently decrease the amount of nuclear GRβ that we saw previously. It is also possible that FK506 interacts with FKBP51 in GTM-3 differently and fails to modulate FKBP51 chaperone function, as seen in this study. GRβ acts as a dominant negative regulator of GR
function. Increased expression of GRβ has been reported in several GC-resistant diseases including asthma,30 rheumatoid arthritis,25 and inflammatory bowel diseases.31 Higher efficiency of chaperoning nuclear transport of GRβ by FKBP51 in normal TM cells should increase the accumulation of GRβ in the nucleus and make them more resistant to the ocular hypertensive effects of GCs. Conversely, the deficiency in the chaperone function of FKBP51 in glaucomatous TM cells could result in the low cellular expression of GRβ and contribute to the elevated IOP in response to glucocorticoids in patients with glaucoma.
In summary, FKBP51 was identified as an essential molecular chaperone for the translocation of GRβ from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. This novel pathway involves FKBP51-mediated translocation of GRβ, which can antagonize the transcriptional activity of activated GR
, inhibiting cellular glucocorticoid responsiveness. The lack of nuclear entry of FKBP51 results in inefficient nuclear transport of GRβ and may contribute to the low expression of GRβ and enhanced glucocorticoid responsiveness. The roles of GRβ and FKBP51 in regulating glucocorticoid responsiveness in TM cells may provide a molecular explanation for the development of ocular hypertension and increased glucocorticoid sensitivity in individuals with POAG.
| Acknowledgements |
|---|
| Footnotes |
|---|
Submitted for publication October 1, 2007; revised November 20, 2007; accepted January 16, 2008.
Disclosure: X. Zhang, Alcon Research, Ltd. (E, F); A.F. Clark, Alcon Research, Ltd. (E, F); T. Yorio, Alcon Research, Ltd. (F), Kosan Biosciences, Inc. (F)
The publication costs of this article were defrayed in part by page charge payment. This article must therefore be marked "advertisement" in accordance with 18 U.S.C.
1734 solely to indicate this fact.
Corresponding author: Thomas Yorio, Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, UNT Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX 76107; yoriot{at}hsc.unt.edu.
| References |
|---|
|
|
|---|
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
T. G. Evans and G. N. Somero A microarray-based transcriptomic time-course of hyper- and hypo-osmotic stress signaling events in the euryhaline fish Gillichthys mirabilis: osmosensors to effectors J. Exp. Biol., November 15, 2008; 211(22): 3636 - 3649. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Y. He, J. Ge, and J. Tombran-Tink Mitochondrial Defects and Dysfunction in Calcium Regulation in Glaucomatous Trabecular Meshwork Cells Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., November 1, 2008; 49(11): 4912 - 4922. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |