Objective The nuclear receptor PPARγ is the master regulator of adipocyte differentiation, distribution, and function. In addition, PPARγ induces terminal differentiation of several epithelial cell lineages, including colon epithelia. Loss-of-function mutations in PPARG result in familial partial lipodystrophy subtype 3 (FPDL3), a rare condition characterized by aberrant adipose tissue distribution and severe metabolic complications, including diabetes. Mutations in PPARG have also been reported in sporadic colorectal cancers, but the significance of these mutations is unclear. Studying these natural PPARG mutations provides valuable insights into structure-function relationships in the PPARγ protein. We functionally characterized a novel FPLD3-associated PPARγ L451P mutation in helix 9 of the ligand binding domain (LBD). Interestingly, substitution of the adjacent amino acid K450 was previously reported in a human colon carcinoma cell line. Methods We performed a detailed side-by-side functional comparison of these two PPARγ mutants. Results PPARγ L451P shows multiple intermolecular defects, including impaired cofactor binding and reduced RXRα heterodimerisation and subsequent DNA binding, but not in DBD-LBD interdomain communication. The K450Q mutant displays none of these functional defects. Other colon cancer-associated PPARγ mutants displayed diverse phenotypes, ranging from complete loss of activity to wildtype activity. Conclusions Amino acid changes in helix 9 can differently affect LBD integrity and function. In addition, FPLD3-associated PPARγ mutations consistently cause intra- and/or intermolecular defects; colon cancer-associated PPARγ mutations on the other hand may play a role in colon cancer onset and progression, but this is not due to their effects on the most well-studied functional characteristics of PPARγ.
Natural helix 9 mutants of PPARγ differently affect its transcriptional activity
M. Broekema,Maarten Massink,Cinzia Donato,J. de Ligt,J. Schaarschmidt,Anouska Borgman,M. G. Schooneman,D. Melchers,M. Gerding,R. Houtman,A. Bonvin,Amit R. Majithia,H. Monajemi,G. van Haaften,M. Soeters,E. Kalkhoven
Published 2018 in Molecular Metabolism
ABSTRACT
PUBLICATION RECORD
- Publication year
2018
- Venue
Molecular Metabolism
- Publication date
2018-12-16
- Fields of study
Biology, Medicine, Chemistry
- Identifiers
- External record
- Source metadata
Semantic Scholar, PubMed
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