Androgen receptor (AR)3 is a hormone-induced transcription factor that controls male sexual development and other important physiologies. Similar to other members of the nuclear receptor family (1, 2), AR has three major functional domains: an N-terminal transactivation domain, a DNA-binding domain, and a C-terminal ligand-binding domain (3-5). Mutations found in each of these domains lead to a series of AR functional defects associated with androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) or partial AIS in humans (6, 7). The majority of AIS and partial AIS patients have developmental defects in the male reproductive system. Loss-of-function AR mutations in mice recapitulate many of the reproductive defects found in AIS patients. For example, the AR-deficient (androgen receptor knock-out; ARKO) mouse (8) and the tfm (testicular feminization mutant) mouse (9) both develop severe defects of testicular development and an overall lack of male sexual differentiation, including hypospadias and penile agenesis. The tfm male mouse demonstrates many female secondary structures, including vagina and teats (10).Molecular regulation of AR function can be achieved at several levels, such as spatial-temporal expression of the receptor, modulation of ligand binding, cytoplasm to nucleus translocation, and DNA binding and transcriptional activities (11,12). Prior to hormone binding, steroid receptors form large protein complexes containing the molecular chaperone heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) as well as various co-chaperone tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) proteins (13-15). These co-chaperones include Fkbp52 and Fkbp51 (FK506-binding protein 52 and 51, respectively), Cyp40 (cyclophilin 40), and PP5 (protein phosphatase 5). Fkbp52 and Fkbp51 are ubiquitously expressed proteins with peptidyl prolyl cis/trans-isomerase activity that is inhibited by the binding of . Each TPR protein enters into steroid receptor complexes through a direct and competitive binding at the C terminus of Hsp90 via its essential TPR domain (19 -21). Although Fkbp52 and Fkbp51 share a similar domain structure, as well as 60% sequence identity and 75% similarity, they do differ in that Fkbp51 is missing a C-terminal calmodulin-binding domain.To date, most studies on TPR control of the steroid receptor (SR) action have been done using conventional molecular and cellular approaches and using the glucocorticoid (GR) and progesterone (PR) receptors as models. It has been shown that Fkbp52 is localized to both cytoplasm and nucleus but that the cytoplasmic fraction co-localizes with microtubules in a complex containing dynein (22, 23). For these reasons, it was pro-

Glucocorticoid action in cells is mediated by a specific receptor protein, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). GR is a member of a superfamily of ligand-inducible transcription factors that control a variety of physiological functions; such as, metabolism, development, and reproduction. Unliganded GR is predominantly localized within the cytoplasm but rapidly and efficiently translocates to the nucleus following hormone binding. This review will focus on the intracellular signaling pathway utilized by the GR including the mechanisms that control its intracellular trafficking, hormone binding and transcriptional regulation. Many receptor-interacting proteins are involved in distinct steps in GR signal transduction, each with a unique mechanism to regulate receptor action and providing potential drug targets for the manipulation of cellular responses to glucocorticoids.

FK506-binding protein 52 (FKBP52) is a tetratricopeptide repeat protein that associates with steroid receptors in complexes containing heat shock protein 90. To investigate the role of FKBP52 in steroid-regulated physiology, we generated FKBP52-deficient mice. FKBP52 (-/-) females are sterile due to a complete failure of implantation, a process that requires estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR). Because the uterus expresses two forms of PR, PR-A and PR-B, we investigated all three receptors as potential targets of FKBP52 action. FKBP52 (-/-) uteri showed a normal growth response to estradiol, and unaltered expression of genes controlled by ER and PR-B. In contrast, FKBP52 (-/-) uteri were neither able to express two PR-A-regulated genes, nor undergo decidualization in response to progesterone, suggesting that FKBP52 specifically regulates PR-A at this organ. Analysis of uterine PR heterocomplexes showed preferential association of FKBP52 with PR-A compared with PR-B. Loss of FKBP52 neither disrupted the PR-A/heat shock protein 90 interaction, nor impaired uterine PR-A hormone-binding function, demonstrating the essential role of FKBP52 in PR-A action to be downstream of the hormone-binding event. Transcription studies in +/+ and -/- mouse embryonic fibroblast cells showed a near-complete loss of PR-A activity at mouse mammary tumor virus and synthetic progesterone response element promoters, although partial reductions of ER and PR-B were also observed. Partial disruptions of ovulation and mammary development were also found in FKBP52 (-/-) females. Taken as a whole, our results show FKBP52 to be an essential regulator of PR-A action in the uterus, while being a nonessential but contributory regulator of steroid receptors in the mammary and ovary. These data may now provide the basis for selective targeting of steroid-regulated physiology through tetratricopeptide repeat proteins.

The TPR proteins FKBP52, FKBP51, Cyp40 and PP5 are found in steroid receptor (SR) complexes but their receptor-specific preferences and roles remain unresolved. We have undertaken a systematic approach to this problem by examining the contribution of all four TPRs to the localization properties of glucocorticoid (GR) and progesterone (PR) receptors. The GR of L929 cells was found in the cytoplasm in a complex containing PP5 and FKBP51, while GR of WCL2 cells was nuclear and contained PP5 and FKBP52. Cyp40 did not interact with GR in either cell line. To test whether FKBP interaction determined localization, we over-expressed Flag-tagged FKBP51 in WCL2 cells and Flag-FKBP52 in L929 cells. In WCL2 cells, GR showed a shift to greater cytoplasmic localization that correlated with recruitment of Flag-FKBP51. In contrast, Flag-FKBP52 was not recruited to GR of L929 cells and no change in localization was observed, suggesting that both cell-type specific mechanisms and TPR abundance contribute to the SR/TPR interaction. As a further test, GR-GFP and PR-GFP constructs were expressed in COS cells. GR-GFP localized to the cytoplasm, while PR-GFP was predominantly nuclear. Similar to L929 cells, GR in COS interacted with PP5 and FKBP51, while PR interacted with FKBP52. Analysis of GR/PR chimeric constructs revealed that the ligand-binding domain of each receptor determines both TPR specificity and localization. Lastly, we analyzed GR and PR localization in cells completely lacking TPR. PR in FKBP52 KO cells showed a complete shift to the cytoplasm, while GR in FKBP51 KO and PP5 KO cells showed a moderate shift to the nucleus, indicating that both TPRs contribute to GR localization. Our results demonstrate that SRs have distinct preferences for TPR proteins -a property that resides in the LBD and which can now explain long-standing differences in receptor subcellular localization. NIH Public Access Author ManuscriptBiochemistry. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2011 February 26. NIH-PA Author ManuscriptNIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author ManuscriptSteroidal control of physiology requires the activation of steroid receptors (SR) 1 , which serve as regulators of differential gene expression (1,2). Prior to hormone binding, all members of the SR family are known to enter into large heteromeric complexes containing the molecular chaperone HSP90 and the co-chaperone p23 (3). However, a number of additional co-chaperones have been identified that seem to variably interact with SR complexes (4,5). These are FK506-binding protein 52 (FKBP52), the closely related FK506-binding protein 51 (FKBP51), cyclosporin A-binding protein (Cyp40) and protein phosphatase 5 (PP5). A common feature of these proteins is the presence of imperfect tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) motifs that serve as protein-protein interaction domains (6). Indeed, TPR proteins enter into SR complexes through a direct binding to HSP90 at its Cterminal TPR acceptor site (7-9). Interestingly, most studies suggest that the TPR acceptor site of HSP90 can ac...

A variety of coregulator proteins serve as partners for nuclear receptors orchestrating the molecular events required for receptor-dependent transcriptional regulation. Some coregulators directly interact with nuclear receptors and provide a platform for recruitment of other factors that provide distinct biochemical activities that influence transcriptional efficiency. Coregulators can influence chromatin structure and activity via direct modification of histone proteins or by facilitating ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling. They also have the capacity to impact multiple steps in the transcription process including initiation, elongation, and mRNA splicing. Genetic analysis in humans and animal models are revealing the important cell and tissue-type specific actions of nuclear receptor coregulators as well and their role in human physiology and disease.

FKBP52 is a tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) protein with peptidyl-prolyl isomerase activity and is found in steroid receptor complexes, including glucocorticoid receptor (GR). It is generally accepted that FKBP52 has a stimulatory effect on GR transcriptional activity. However, the mechanism by which FKBP52 controls GR is not yet clear, with reports showing effects on GR hormone-binding affinity and/or hormone-induced nuclear translocation. To address this issue, we have generated mice with targeted ablation of the FKBP52 gene. To date, no overt defects of GR-regulated physiology have been found in these animals, demonstrating that FKBP52 is not an essential regulator of global GR activity. To better assess the impact of FKBP52 on GR, mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) were generated from wild-type (WT) and FKBP52-deficient (KO) animals. Analysis of GR activity at reporter genes showed an approximate 70% reduction of activity in 52KO MEF cells, with no effect of FKBP52 loss on thyroid receptor. Interestingly, GR activity at endogenous genes was not globally affected in 52KO cells, with reduced activity at GILZ and FKBP51, but not at SGK and p21. Thus, FKBP52 appears to be a gene-specific modulator of GR. To investigate the mechanism of this action, analyses of GR heterocomplex composition, hormone-binding affinity, and ability to undergo hormone-induced nuclear translocation and DNA-binding were performed. Interestingly, no effect of FKBP52 loss was found for any of these GR properties, suggesting that the main function of FKBP52 is a heretofore-unknown ability to control GR activity at target genes. Lastly, loss of FKBP52 did not affect the ability of GR to undergo hormone-induced autologous down-regulation, showing that FKBP52 does not contribute to all branches of GR signaling. The implications of these results to the potential actions of FKBP52 on GR activity in vivo are discussed.

Background/Aims: The diagnostic criteria for critical illness-related corticoid insufficiency (CIRCI) are not well established, particularly for children. In addition to alterations in adrenal function, cellular resistance to glucocorticoid action could contribute to CIRCI due to alterations in the functioning of the intracellular receptor protein for corticosteroids, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Methods: We have therefore undertaken a pilot, prospective study to assess whether cellular GR activity can be measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from critically ill children. Results: Total and cytoplasmic, but not nuclear GR levels were significantly lower in PBMCs from critically ill children (i.e. sepsis/septic shock and traumatic brain injury) compared to healthy controls. While total cortisol concentrations did not differ between test groups, salivary and serum-free cortisol concentrations were significantly greater in both groups of children with critical illness. Cortisol-binding globulin levels were significantly lower in patients with sepsis/septic shock. Conclusions: The lower total and cytoplasmic receptor levels in critically ill children suggest that the GR-mediated response to exogenous glucocorticoid therapy may be limited. However, the nuclear transport of GR in critically ill patients suggests that residual receptors in these patients retain functionality and may be accessible to therapeutic treatments that maximize their activity.

To further define the role of heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) in the stress potentiation of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) activity, we placed a constitutively active mutant of human HSF1 (hHSF1-E189) under the control of a doxycycline (DOX)-inducible vector. In mouse L929 cells, DOX-induced expression of hHSF1-E189 correlated with in vivo occupancy of the human heat shock protein 70 (hHsp70) promoter (chromatin-immunoprecipitation assay) and with increased activity under nonstress conditions at the hHsp70 promoter controlling expression of chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) (p2500-CAT). Comparison of hHSF1-E189 against stress-activated, endogenous HSF1 for DNA-binding, p2500-CAT, and Hsp70 protein expression activities showed the mutant factor to have lower, but clearly detectable, activities as compared with wild-type factor. Thus, the hHSF1-E189 mutant is capable of replicating these key functions of endogenous HSF1, albeit at reduced levels. To assess the involvement of hHSF1-E189 in GR activity, DOX-induced expression of hHSF1-E189 was performed in L929 cells expressing the minimal pGRE(2)E1B-CAT reporter. hHSF1-E189 protein expression in these cells was maximal at 24 h of DOX and remained constant up to 72 h. hHSF1-E189 expressed under these conditions was found both in the cytosolic and nuclear compartments, in a state capable of binding DNA. More importantly, GR activity at the pGRE(2)E1B-CAT promoter was found to increase after DOX-induced expression of hHSF1-E189. The potentiation of GR by hHSF1-E189 occurred at saturating concentrations of hormone and was dependent on at least 48 h of hHSF1-E189 up-regulation, suggesting that time was needed for an HSF1-induced factor to accumulate to a threshold level. Initial efforts to characterize how hHSF1-E189 controls GR signaling showed that it does not occur through alterations of GR protein levels or changes in GR hormone binding capacity. In summary, our observations provide the first molecular evidence for the existence of HSF1-regulated genes that serve to elevate the response of steroid receptors under stress conditions.