Biology subjects

Estebanez-Perpina, E.

Publications and source records attributed to Estebanez-Perpina, E..

6 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Bile acids target an exposed cavity in the glucocorticoid receptor modulating receptor self-assembly, chromatin binding and transcriptional activity

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is an essential transcription factor that controls metabolism and homeostasis. Glucocorticoids (GCs) activate the GR upon occupying the internal ligand-binding pocket (LBP) of its ligand-binding domain (GR-LBD), which has been the focus of most previous structure-function studies. Synthetic GCs such as dexamethasone are widely used to treat inflammatory diseases, but their chronic use results in major side effects, whose molecular underpinnings remain unresolved. Here we present a thorough analysis of the topography of GR-LBD and its ability to bind small-molecule compounds, especially cholesterol derivatives. We show that one important class of steroids, bile acids, bind to previously unidentified and highly conserved, surface-exposed cavities on GR-LBD. We show that bile acids affect GR turnover and self-assembly in living cells, modulating receptor transcriptional activity. These findings reveal a previously unrecognized mechanism of GR regulation, with implications for the design of GCs with novel mechanisms of action. TeaserBile acids modulate the activity of the glucocorticoid receptor upon binding to an exposed allosteric pocket thereby influencing transcriptional regulation and receptor self-assembly in living cells.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Polyglutamine expansion induced dynamic misfolding of Androgen Receptor

Spinal bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is caused by a polyglutamine expansion (pQe) in the N-terminal transactivation domain of human androgen receptor (AR-NTD), resulting in a combination of toxic gain- and loss-of-function mechanisms. The structural basis of these processes has not been resolved due to the disordered nature of the NTD, which hinders experimental analyses of its detailed conformations. Here, using extensive computational modelling, we show that AR-NTD forms dynamic compact regions, which upon pQe re-organize dynamically, mediated partly by direct pQ interaction with the Androgen N-Terminal Signature (ANTS) motif. The altered dynamics of the NTD result in a perturbation of interdomain interactions, with potential implications for binding of the receptor protein to its response element. Oligomeric aggregation of the dynamic misfolded NTD exposes pQe, but blocks tau-5 and the FQNLF motif, which could lead to aberrant receptor transcriptional activity. These observations suggest a structural mechanism for AR dysfunction in SBMA.

pathology↗

bioRxiv2024

The multimerization pathway of the glucocorticoid receptor

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a leading drug target due to its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive roles. The functional oligomeric conformation of full-length GR (FL-GR), which is key for its biological activity, remains disputed. Here we present a new crystal structure of agonist-bound GR ligand-binding domain (GR-LBD) comprising eight copies of a non-canonical dimer. The biological relevance of this dimer for receptor multimerization in living cells has been verified by studying single-and double-point mutants of FL-GR in fluorescence microscopy (Number & Brightness) and transcriptomic analysis. Self-association of this GR-LBD basic dimer in two mutually exclusive assemblies reveals clues for FL-GR multimerization and activity in cells. We propose a model for the structure of multidomain GR based on our new data and suggest a detailed oligomerization pathway. This model reconciles all currently available structural and functional information and provides a more comprehensive understanding of the rare glucocorticoid resistance disorder (Chrousos syndrome).

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2024

Transcription factors form a ternary complex with NIPBL/MAU2 to localize cohesin at enhancers

While the cohesin complex is a key player in genome architecture, how it localizes to specific chromatin sites is not understood. Recently, we and others have proposed that direct interactions with transcription factors lead to the localization of the cohesin-loader complex (NIPBL/MAU2) within enhancers. Here, we identify two clusters of LxxLL motifs within the NIPBL sequence that regulate NIPBL dynamics, interactome, and NIPBL-dependent transcriptional programs. One of these clusters interacts with MAU2 and is necessary for the maintenance of the NIPBL-MAU2 heterodimer. The second cluster binds specifically to the ligand-binding domains of steroid receptors. For the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), we examine in detail its interaction surfaces with NIPBL and MAU2. Using AlphaFold2 and molecular docking algorithms, we uncover a GR-NIPBL-MAU2 ternary complex and describe its importance in GR-dependent gene regulation. Finally, we show that multiple transcription factors interact with NIPBL-MAU2, likely using interfaces other than those characterized for GR.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2021

The multivalency of the glucocorticoid receptor ligand-binding domain explains its manifold physiological activities

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a ubiquitously expressed transcription factor that controls metabolic and homeostatic processes essential for life. Although numerous crystal structures of the GR ligand-binding domain (GR-LBD) have been reported, the functional oligomeric state of the full-length receptor, which is essential for its transcriptional activity, remains disputed. Here we present five new crystal structures of agonist-bound GR-LBD, along with a thorough analysis of previous structural work. Biologically relevant homodimers were identified by studying a battery of GR point mutants including crosslinking assays in solution and quantitative fluorescence microscopy in living cells. Our results highlight the relevance of non-canonical dimerization modes for GR, especially of contacts made by loop L1-3 residues such as Tyr545. Our work unveils likely pathophysiologically relevant quaternary assemblies of the nuclear receptor with important implications for glucocorticoid action and drug design.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2020

Oleic acid triggers hippocampal neurogenesis by binding to TLX/NR2E1

Adult hippocampal neurogenesis underpins learning, memory, and mood, but diminishes with age and illness. The orphan nuclear receptor TLX/NR2E1 is known to regulate neural stem and progenitor cell self-renewal and proliferation, but the precise mechanism by which it accomplishes this is unknown. We found that neural stem and progenitor cells require monounsaturated fatty acids to survive and proliferate. Specifically, oleic acid (18:1{omega}9) binds to TLX to convert it from a transcriptional repressor to a transcriptional activator of cell cycle and neurogenesis genes. We propose a model in which sufficient quantities of this endogenous ligand must bind to TLX to trigger the switch to proliferation. These findings pave the way for future therapeutic manipulations to counteract pathogenic impairments of neurogenesis.

neuroscience↗