title: The NGFI-B family of transcription factors regulates expression of 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 in the human ovary.
abstract: The nerve growth factor-induced clone B (NGFI-B) family of transcription factors are orphan members of the steroid hormone receptor superfamily. The NGFI-B expression was recently shown in the rat ovarian tissue and appears to be regulated by gonadotrophins. The purpose of our study was to investigate the role of the three members of this family [NGFI-B, Nur-related factor 1 (NURR1) and neuron derived orphan receptor 1 (NOR-1)] in the transcription of genes that encode key steroidogenic enzymes and examine expression in the human ovary. Real-time RT-PCR was used to quantify mRNA expression levels of the NGFI-B family members in human ovarian follicles, corpora lutea and in human granulosa cells after FSH, phorbol ester (TPA) and forskolin treatment. NGFI-B was expressed at higher levels than both NURR1 and NOR-1 in both ovarian follicles and corpora lutea. In human granulosa tumour (HGT) cells, the NGFI-B expression increased after TPA, and to a lesser extent, after forskolin treatment. Treatment of primary cultures of human granulosa cells with forskolin and FSH rapidly increased the NGFI-B mRNA levels followed by an increase in 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (HSD3B2). Transcription of HSD3B2 was studied by transfecting NGFI-B and steroidogenic factor 1 (SF1) expression vectors with reporter constructs prepared with human steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, cholesterol side-chain cleavage, and HSD3B2 genes. NGFI-B increased the transcription of HSD3B2 in HGT cells which is significantly more than SF1. Mutation or deletion of the NGFI-B response element in the HSD3B2 promoter significantly reduced the NGFI-B-mediated transcription of HSD3B2. Therefore, our data suggest that the NGFI-B may play a significant role in up-regulation of HSD3B2 that leads to the increase in progesterone production that is seen in granulosa cells at ovulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA.
authors.forename: Jon C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Havelock
authors.forename: Allison L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Jeremiah B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Seely
authors.forename: Christina A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Dooley
authors.forename: Raymond J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Rodgers
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Rainey
authors.forename: Bruce R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Carr
mesh_terms: D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000235:genetics*; D001483:Base Sequence; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005576:Colforsin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D057105:Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1; D057126:Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011987:Receptors, Steroid / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011988:Receptors, Thyroid Hormone; D054339:Steroidogenic Factor 1; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C539821:NR4A1 protein, human; C539882:NR4A2 protein, human; C490412:NR4A3 protein, human; C515057:NR5A1 protein, human; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C539820:Nr4a1 protein, rat; C539884:Nr4a2 protein, rat; D057105:Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1; D057126:Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D011987:Receptors, Steroid; D011988:Receptors, Thyroid Hormone; D054339:Steroidogenic Factor 1; D014157:Transcription Factors; C515060:steroidogenic factor 1, rat; D005576:Colforsin; D011374:Progesterone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases