title: A DNA binding mutation in estrogen receptor-α leads to suppression of Wnt signaling via β-catenin destabilization in osteoblasts.
abstract: Estrogen receptors (ERs) play vital roles in the function and remodeling of bone. Their cellular mechanisms can broadly be categorized into those involving direct DNA binding (classical) or indirect DNA binding (non-classical). The generation of non-classical ER knock-in (ERα(-/NERKI) ) mice provides a unique opportunity to define these pathways in bone. We previously demonstrated that ERα(-/NERKI) mice exhibit an osteoporotic phenotype; however, the mechanism(s) for this remain unresolved. Gene expression analyses of cortical bone from ERα(-/NERKI) mice revealed suppression of lymphoid enhancer factor-1 (Lef1), a classic Wnt-responsive transcription factor that associates with β-catenin. Since Wnt signaling is generally considered bone anabolic, this observation leads to the hypothesis that NERKI-induced suppression of Wnt signaling may contribute to the low bone mass phenotype. We generated ERα(-/NERKI) mice crossed with the Wnt-responsive TOPGAL transgenic mouse model and observed significantly less β-galactosidase activity in ERα(-/NERKI) mice, confirming suppression of Wnt activity in vivo. Adenoviral expression of the NERKI receptor using an in vitro cell system resulted in the induction of several secreted antagonists of Wnt signaling. Furthermore, expression of NERKI abrogated Wnt10b-dependent Wnt activation using a lentiviral-mediated reporter assay. Finally, expression of NERKI destabilized β-catenin cellular protein levels and disrupted ER/β-catenin interactions. Collectively, these data suggest the osteoporotic phenotype of ERα(-/NERKI) mice may involve the suppression of Lef1-mediated Wnt signaling through both the stimulation of secreted Wnt inhibitors and/or disruption of normal β-catenin function.
authors.affiliation: Endocrine Research Unit, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Ulrike I
authors.initials: UI
authors.lastname: Mödder
authors.forename: Volha
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rudnik
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Sundeep
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khosla
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Monroe
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D051821:Lymphoid Enhancer-Binding Factor 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009154:Mutation; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D060449:Wnt Signaling Pathway; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; C497574:Lef1 protein, mouse; D051821:Lymphoid Enhancer-Binding Factor 1; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D051176:beta Catenin; D004247:DNA