ESR1
Estrogen receptor (ER) (ER-alpha) (Estradiol receptor) (Nuclear receptor subfamily 3 group A member 1) [ESR] [NR3A1]
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Tissue-specific effects of 17β-estradiol are delivered via both estrogen receptors and microRNAs (miRs). Menopause is known to affect the whole-body fat distribution in women. This investigation aimed at identifying menopause- and hormone replacement therapy (HRT)-associated miR profiles and miR targets in subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue and serum from the same women. A discovery phase using array technology was performed in 13 women, including monozygotic twin pairs discordant for HRT and premenopausal young controls. Seven miRs, expressed in both adipose tissue and serum, were selected for validation phase in 34 women from a different cohort. An age/menopause-related increase of miRs-16-5p, -451a, -223-3p, -18a-5p, -19a-3p,-486-5p and -363-3p was found in the adipose tissue, but not in serum. MiR-19a-3p, involved in adipocyte development and estrogen signaling, resulted to be higher in HRT users in comparison with non-users. Among the identified targets, AKT1, BCL-2 and BRAF proteins showed lower expression in both HRT and No HRT users in comparison with premenopausal women. Unexpectedly, ESR1 protein expression was not modified although its mRNA was lower in No HRT users compared to premenopausal women and HRT users. Thus, both HRT and menopause appear to affect adipose tissue homeostasis via miR-mediated mechanism.
Keywords
- adipose tissue
- aging
- estrogen therapy
- miR-19a-3p
- microRNAs
Age-related decreases in cortical thickness observed during adolescence may be related to fluctuations in sex and stress hormones. We examine this possibility by relating inter-regional variations in age-related cortical thinning (data from the Saguenay Youth Study) to inter-regional variations in expression levels of relevant genes (data from the Allen Human Brain Atlas); we focus on genes coding for glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1), androgen receptor (AR), progesterone receptor (PGR), and estrogen receptors (ESR1 and ESR2). Across 34 cortical regions (Desikan-Killiany parcellation), age-related cortical thinning varied as a function of mRNA expression levels of NR3C1 in males (R2 = 0.46) and females (R2 = 0.30) and AR in males only (R2 = 0.25). Cortical thinning did not vary as a function of expression levels of PGR, ESR1, or ESR2 in either sex; this might be due to the observed low consistency of expression profiles of these 3 genes across donors. Inter-regional levels of the NR3C1 and AR expression interacted with each other vis-à-vis cortical thinning: age-related cortical thinning varied as a function of NR3C1 mRNA expression in brain regions with low (males: R2 = 0.64; females: R2 = 0.58) but not high (males: R2 = 0.0045; females: R2 = 0.15) levels of AR mRNA expression. These results suggest that glucocorticoid and androgen receptors contribute to cortical maturation during adolescence.
MeSH Terms
- Adolescent
- Aging
- Cerebral Cortex
- Child
- Female
- Gene Expression
- Humans
- Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Male
- RNA, Messenger
- Receptors, Androgen
- Receptors, Estrogen
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid
- Receptors, Progesterone
- Sex Factors
- Transcriptome
Changes in estrogen receptor (ER) expression likely underlie differential metabolic effects of estrogen in pre- and postmenopausal women. The aim of the current study was to determine whether ER gene expression in abdominal and femoral subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) was associated with age, menopause, or regional adiposity. We studied pre- and post-menopausal (n=23 and 22, respectively; age 35-65y) normal weight (mean±SD; BMI 23.7±2.5kg/m ) women with similar total fat mass. Abdominal and femoral SAT ERα (ESR1) and ERβ (ESR2) mRNA expression was determined by qPCR. Total fat mass did not differ between pre- and postmenopausal women (22.7±5.3vs. 21.7±5.3kg). Compared to premenopausal women, ESR1 and the ratio of ESR1 to ESR2 were lower (p≤0.05) in postmenopausal abdominal and femoral SAT. ESR1 and ESR1:ESR2 were inversely associated with age in abdominal SAT (r=-0.380 and r=-0.463, respectively; p<0.05) and femoral SAT (r=-0.353 and r=-0.472, respectively; p<0.05). ESR2 was not related to age or menopause. The inverse association between ESR1 and age persisted after adjusting for trunk fat mass, estradiol, or leptin. Among healthy pre- and postmenopausal women, increased age was associated with a decreased balance of ERα to ERβ in abdominal and femoral subcutaneous adipose tissue.
MeSH Terms
- Adipose Tissue
- Adiposity
- Adult
- Aged
- Aging
- Estradiol
- Female
- Humans
- Menopause
- Middle Aged
- RNA, Messenger
- Receptors, Estrogen
Keywords
- Adipose tissue
- Aging
- Estrogen receptor gene expression
- Menopause
Estrogen is a steroidal hormone involved in several physiological functions in the female body including regulation of serum lipid metabolism and breast cancer (BC). Estrogen actions on serum lipids mostly occur through its binding to intracellular Estrogen Receptor alpha (ERalpha) isoform, expressed in most of tissues. This gene (ESR1) exhibit many polymorphic sites (SNPs) located either on translated and non-translated regions that regulate ERalpha protein expression and function. This paper aimed to investigate the association of two intronic SNPs of ESR1 gene, namely c454-397T>C (PvuII) and c454-351A>G (XbaI) to alterations in serum levels of total cholesterol (T-chol), total lipid (TL), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), and triglycerides (TG) in a cohort of post-menopausal women. In addition, we aimed to associate presence of these SNPs to development of BC along 5 years period. To do so, a group of healthy 499, highly miscigenated, post-menopausal Brazilian women, were carried using PCR-FRLP technique and further confirmed by automatic sequence analysis as well followed through 5 years for BC incidence. Measurements of serum lipid profile by standard commercial methods were carried individually whereas Dual Energy X-ray Absorciometry (DXA) measured Body Mass Indexes (BMI), Fat Mass (FM), Lean Body Mass (LBM), and Body Water Content (BWC). No effects of PvuII SNP on ESR1 gene were observed on patient´s serum T-chol, TL, LDL, HDL, and TG. However, c454-397T>C PvuII SNP is associated to lower body fat and higher levels of lean mass and body water and lower incidence of BC. On the other hand, statistically significant effect of XbaI c454-351A>G SNP on serum TG and TL levels. Patients homozygous for X allele were followed up from 2010-2015. They showed higher incidence of breast cancer (BC) when compared to either heterozygous and any P allele combination. Moreover, the increasing of TG and TL serum concentrations associated to SNP XbaI c454-351A>G on ESR1 gene is enhanced in both obese (higher BMI) and elder women. Taken together, these results suggested that XbaI c454-351A>G SNP is associated to changes in lipid profile, particularly in serum TG and TL, in this cohort of post-menopausal woman. Also, this paper shows another link between obesity and BC corroborating the current thesis that both diseases are interlinked.
MeSH Terms
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Aging
- Body Mass Index
- Breast Neoplasms
- Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific
- Estrogen Receptor alpha
- Female
- Humans
- Incidence
- Lipids
- Middle Aged
- Obesity
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
- Postmenopause
Estrogens, through their receptors, play an important role in regulation of spermatogenesis. However, the precise role of the estrogen receptors (ESR1 and ESR2) has been difficult to determine as in vivo estradiol treatment would signal through both the ESRs. Hence we had developed in vivo selective ESR agonist administration models in adult male rats to decipher the individual roles of the ESRs. Treatment with both ESR1 and ESR2 agonists decreased sperm counts after 60 days of treatment. The present study aimed to delineate the precise causes of decreased sperm counts following treatment with the two ESR agonists. Treatment with ESR1 agonist causes an arrest in differentiation of round spermatids into elongated spermatids, mainly due to down-regulation of genes involved in spermiogenesis. ESR2 agonist administration reduces sperm counts due to spermiation failure and spermatocyte apoptosis. Spermiation failure observed is due to defects in tubulobulbar complex formation because of decrease in expression of genes involved in actin remodelling. The increase in spermatocyte apoptosis could be due to increase in oxidative stress and decrease in transcripts of anti-apoptotic genes. Our results suggest that the two ESRs regulate distinct aspects of spermatogenesis. ESR1 is mainly involved with regulation of spermiogenesis, while ESR2 regulates spermatocyte apoptosis and spermiation. Activation of estrogen signaling through either of the receptors can affect their respective processes during spermatogenesis and lead to low sperm output. Since many environmental estrogens can bind to the two ESRs with different affinities, these observations can be useful in understanding their potential effects on spermatogenesis.
MeSH Terms
- Aging
- Animals
- Apoptosis
- Cell Count
- Cell Polarity
- Cell Shape
- Cells, Cultured
- Down-Regulation
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone
- Male
- Nitriles
- Oxidative Stress
- Phenols
- Pyrazoles
- Rats
- Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Receptors, Estrogen
- Seminiferous Tubules
- Signal Transduction
- Spermatids
- Spermatogenesis
- Testis
- Testosterone
Keywords
- Estrogen receptors
- Germ cell apoptosis
- Spermatogenesis
- Spermiation
- Spermiogenesis
Structural imaging studies suggest gender differences in brain volumes; however, whether hormone treatment (HT) can protect against age-related structural changes remains unknown, and no prior neuroimaging study has investigated potential interactions between HT and estrogen receptor (ESR) polymorphisms. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure gray and white matter, hippocampal volume, corpus callosum, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), total intracranial volume (ICV) and white matter lesions (WML) in 582 non-demented older adults. In multivariable analysis, when compared to women who had never used HT, men and women currently on treatment, but not past users, had significantly smaller ratios of gray matter to ICV and increased atrophy (CSF/ICV ratio). Hippocampal and white matter volume as well as the corpus callosum area were not significantly different across groups. ESR2 variants were not significantly associated with brain measures, but women with the ESR1 rs2234693 C allele had significantly smaller WML. Furthermore this association was modified by HT use. Our results do not support a beneficial effect of HT on brain volumes in older women, but suggest the potential involvement of ESR1 in WML.
MeSH Terms
- Aged
- Aging
- Alleles
- Atrophy
- Brain
- Estradiol
- Estrogen Receptor alpha
- Estrogen Receptor beta
- Estrogen Replacement Therapy
- Female
- Humans
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Male
- Polymorphism, Genetic
- Progesterone
- Sex Characteristics
Keywords
- Estrogen receptor polymorphisms
- Gender differences
- Gray matter
- Hormone treatment
- Imaging
- White matter
- White matter lesions
A plethora of data suggests a role for estrogen in cognitive function and genetic variants in the estrogen receptors ESR1 and ESR2 have been implicated in a range of hormone-sensitive diseases. It remains unknown however, whether ESR polymorphisms are associated with the risk of decline in specific domains of cognitive function. Data came from 3799 non-demented, community-dwelling elderly women recruited in France to the 3C Study. A short cognitive test battery was administered at baseline and 2, 4 and 7 years follow-up to assess global function, verbal fluency, visual memory, psychomotor speed and executive function. Detailed socio-demographic, behavioral, physical and mental health information was also gathered and genotyping of five common ESR1 and ESR2 polymorphisms was also performed. In multivariable-adjusted Cox analysis, ESR1 rs2234693 and rs9340799 were not significantly associated with the risk of decline on any of the cognitive tasks. However, significant associations with ESR2 polymorphisms were identified. The A allele of rs1256049 was associated with an increased risk of substantial decline in visual memory (HR:1.64, 95% CI: 1.23-2.18, p=0.0007), psychomotor speed (HR:1.43, 95% CI: 1.12-1.83, p=0.004), and on the incidence of Mild Cognitive Impairment (HR:1.31, 95% CI: 1.05-1.64, p=0.02). There was also a weaker association between the A allele of rs4986938 and a decreased risk of decline in psychomotor speed. Our large multicentre prospective study provides preliminary evidence that ESR2 genetic variants may be associated with specific cognitive domains and suggests that further examination of the role of this gene in cognitive function is warranted.
MeSH Terms
- Aged
- Aging
- Cognition Disorders
- Estrogen Receptor alpha
- Estrogen Receptor beta
- Female
- Genetic Association Studies
- Genotype
- Humans
- Longitudinal Studies
- Mental Status Schedule
- Neuropsychological Tests
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
- Proportional Hazards Models
- Retrospective Studies
Keywords
- Cognition
- Cognitive decline
- Estrogen receptor
- Estrogen receptor polymorphisms
- Women
Estradiol (E2) is, apart from its role as a reproductive hormone, also important for cardiac function and bone maturation in both genders. It has also been shown to play a role in insulin production, energy expenditure and in inducing lipolysis. The aim of the study was to investigate if low circulating testosterone or E2 levels in combination with variants in the estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) and estrogen receptor beta (ESR2) genes were of importance for the risk of type-2 diabetes. The single nucleotide polymorphisms rs2207396 and rs1256049, in ESR1 and ESR2, respectively, were analysed by allele specific PCR in 172 elderly men from the population-based Tromsø study. The results were adjusted for age. In individuals with low total (≤11 nmol/L) or free testosterone (≤0.18 nmol/L) being carriers of the variant A-allele in ESR1 was associated with 7.3 and 15.9 times, respectively, increased odds ratio of being diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type 2 (p = 0.025 and p = 0.018, respectively). Lower concentrations of E2 did not seem to increase the risk of being diagnosed with diabetes. In conclusion, in hypogonadal men, the rs2207396 variant in ESR1 predicts the risk of type 2 diabetes.
MeSH Terms
- Age Distribution
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Aging
- Alleles
- Cohort Studies
- Confidence Intervals
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
- Estrogen Receptor alpha
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Humans
- Hypogonadism
- Incidence
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Odds Ratio
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
- Predictive Value of Tests
- Retrospective Studies
- Risk Assessment
- Testosterone
To prospectively examine the influence of the oestrogen-α receptor (ESR1)PvuII polymorphism on changes in memory performance over a 2-year period among 80 midlife postmenopausal Australian women. Healthy women aged 56-67 years were administered a battery of four memory (verbal and non-verbal) tasks at baseline and 2 years later. Carriers of the ESR1 p allele had significantly greater declines in logical memory compared to participants with the PP genotype, independent of demographic characteristics (e.g. age), chronic illness (e.g. hypertension), sleep aid usage, hormone levels, apolipoprotein E e4 status and prospective changes in mood, smoking and alcohol consumption. These findings provide preliminary evidence for larger and longer prospective trials that will be able to determine if the p allele of the ESR1PvuII polymorphism is a potential biomarker of logical memory decline among aging women.
MeSH Terms
- Aging
- Alleles
- Apolipoproteins E
- Australia
- Estrogen Receptor alpha
- Female
- Genetic Predisposition to Disease
- Humans
- Memory Disorders
- Middle Aged
- Neuropsychological Tests
- Polymorphism, Genetic
- Risk Factors
Aromatase (CYP19) and estrogen receptor-alpha (ESR1) are involved in the metabolism of estrogens, which have a relevant role in female and male aging. Moreover, due to their influence on fertility, both genes may be part of the longevity-fertility trade-off mechanism. This investigation examines the association of ESR1 (PvuII and XbaI) and CYP19 (rs4646) polymorphisms with longevity. A sample of 258 individuals (mean age = 83.1 ± 5.7 years) was recruited in 2000. Based on mortality data collected in 2009, the sample was divided into two groups of participants surviving more than 90 years or not. The analysis showed that ESR1 PP (odds ratio = 2.2) and CYP19 genotypes carrying the T allele (odds ratio = 1.9) were significantly associated with longevity (survival to age more than 90 years). As the ESR1 PP genotypes were found associated with reduced fertility in the same sample, we may infer that ESR1 genotypes could exert an antagonistic pleiotropic effect on longevity and fertility.
MeSH Terms
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Aromatase
- Estrogen Receptor alpha
- Female
- Fertility
- Genetic Pleiotropy
- Genotype
- Humans
- Logistic Models
- Longevity
- Male
- Polymorphism, Genetic
Women live longer than men. Some possible reasons for this advantage are the protection provided by high concentrations of 17β-estradiol (E2) during the premenopausal period and polymorphic variants of the estrogen receptors (ERs), which mediate various cardiovascular functions of E2. We tested whether the -351A/G and -397T/C polymorphisms of the ERα-encoding ESR1 were associated with extreme longevity. The genomic DNA of 148 centenarians (C), 414 young controls (Y), and 208 myocardial infarction patients (MI) was analyzed by RFLP-PCR. Both polymorphisms were equally distributed in the Y, C, and in centenarians never diagnosed with MI (HC). In centenarians, none of these polymorphisms was associated with a particular lipid profile. The AA genotype of the -351A/G polymorphism was less frequent in the C, HC and Y groups than in MI patients (p=0.058, p=0.021, and p=0.004, respectively). In MI patients, the GG genotype of the -351A/G polymorphism was associated with significantly lower mean total cholesterol, LDL, and HDL levels compared to the AG (p=0.0194, p=0.0213, and p=0.0367, respectively) and AA genotypes (p=0.0014, p=0.0078, and p=0.0448, respectively). The -351A/G ESR1 polymorphism might be associated with MI, but not with extreme longevity.
MeSH Terms
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged, 80 and over
- Case-Control Studies
- Estrogen Receptor alpha
- Female
- Genetic Predisposition to Disease
- Humans
- Longevity
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Myocardial Infarction
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
- Young Adult
Spermatogenesis is a complex and coordinated process leading to the formation of spermatozoa. This event, which is under the control of numerous endocrine and paracrine factors, seems to also be controlled by estrogens which exert their effects via nuclear estrogen receptors (ESRs) ESR1 and ESR2. Estrogens are synthesized by aromatase which is biologically expressed in the rat testis. The objective of our study was to clarify the gene expression patterns of aromatase and ESRs according to age and in the two compartments of the adult rat testis. In the adult, transcripts of aromatase vary according to the germ cell type and to the stages of seminiferous epithelium, a maximum being observed at stage I. The ESR1 gene is highly expressed in the adult testis and in stages from VIIc-d to XIV. Moreover, both ESR mRNA levels are higher in purified round spermatids than in pachytene spermatocytes, suggesting a putative role of estrogens in the haploid steps of spermatogenesis. The variability of the results in the expression of both ESRs led us to explore the putative presence of variants in the rat testis. Concerning ESR1, we have shown the presence of the full-length form and of one isoform with exon 4 deleted. For ESR2, besides the wild type, three isoforms were observed: one with exon 3 deleted, another with an insertion of 54 nucleotides, and the last one with both modifications. Therefore, the stage-regulated expression of aromatase and ESR1 genes in the rat testis suggests a likely role of estrogens in spermatogenesis.
MeSH Terms
- Aging
- Animals
- Aromatase
- Cell Compartmentation
- Evolution, Molecular
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
- Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic
- Male
- Organ Specificity
- Protein Isoforms
- RNA, Messenger
- Rats
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Receptors, Estrogen
- Sertoli Cells
- Testis
Residual feed intake (RFI) is a measure of feed efficiency, in which low RFI denotes improved feed efficiency. Caloric restriction (CR) is associated with feed efficiency in livestock species and to human health benefits, such as longevity and cancer prevention. We have developed pig lines that differ in RFI, and we are interested in identifying the genes and pathways that underlie feed efficiency. Prepubertal Yorkshire gilts with low RFI (n = 10) or high RFI (n = 10) were fed ad libitum or fed at restricted intake of 80% of maintenance energy requirements for 8 days. We measured serum metabolites and hormones and generated transcriptional profiles of liver and subcutaneous adipose tissue on these animals. Overall, 6,114 genes in fat and 305 genes in liver were differentially expressed (DE) in response to CR, and 311 genes in fat and 147 genes in liver were DE due to RFI differences. Pathway analyses of CR-induced DE genes indicated a dramatic switch to a conservation mode of energy usage by down-regulating lipogenesis and steroidogenesis in both liver and fat. Interestingly, CR altered expression of genes in immune and cell cycle/apoptotic pathways in fat, which may explain part of the CR-driven lifespan enhancement. In silico analysis of transcription factors revealed ESR1 as a putative regulator of the adaptive response to CR, as several targets of ESR1 in our DE fat genes were annotated as cell cycle/apoptosis genes. The lipid metabolic pathway was overrepresented by down-regulated genes due to both CR and low RFI. We propose a common energy conservation mechanism, which may be controlled by PPARA, PPARG, and/or CREB in both CR and feed-efficient pigs.
MeSH Terms
- Adaptation, Physiological
- Adipose Tissue
- Adiposity
- Animal Feed
- Animals
- Body Weight
- Caloric Restriction
- Eating
- Gene Expression Profiling
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Liver
- Longevity
- Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
- RNA
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Species Specificity
- Swine
- Transcription, Genetic
- Weight Gain
The promoter region of estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) has been shown to be methylated in normal colorectal mucosa in an age-dependent manner. However, the methylation of this region in colorectal tumors has not sufficiently been investigated. The methylation status of ESR1 in 105 colorectal adenoma tissues was examined by MethyLight and presented as the percentage of methylated references (PMR). Factors that affect the PMR of ESR1 in adenomas were determined using parameters including patient age, sex, past history of malignancy, family history of colorectal cancer, smoking and drinking habits, clinical characteristics of adenomas (location, size, macroscopic appearance, and histology), and K-ras mutation. Multiple linear regression revealed that the PMR was not correlated with patient age. K-ras mutation was significantly correlated with the higher methylation status of ESR1 in adenoma (t-value = 3.21, P = 0.0018), whereas alcohol exposure was significantly correlated with lower methylation status (t-value = -2.37, P = 0.02). Because methylation of O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) has been reported to be correlated with K-ras G-to-A transition, methylation of ESR1 was compared with that of MGMT with regard to K-ras mutation. Contrary to expectations, methylation of MGMT was not significantly correlated with K-ras G-to-A transition, but that of ESR1 was strongly correlated with K-ras G-to-A transition. Thus, the methylation status of ESR1 in adenomas was not correlated with patient age, but was associated with K-ras mutation, suggesting that methylation of ESR1 in tumors functions differently from that in normal colon mucosa.
MeSH Terms
- Adenoma
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Aging
- Codon
- Colorectal Neoplasms
- DNA Primers
- Estrogen Receptor alpha
- Female
- Genes, ras
- Humans
- Male
- Methylation
- Middle Aged
- Mutation
- Smoking
Steroid hormones play an important role in reproduction and the receptors through which they signal change in a developmental time, follicle stage, and cell-specific manner. Disruption in steroid receptor expression affects follicle formation and differentiation. In this study, using prenatal testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-treated female sheep as model systems, we tested the hypothesis that prenatal androgen excess disrupts the developmental ontogeny of ovarian steroid receptor protein expression. Pregnant Suffolk ewes were injected twice weekly with T propionate or DHT propionate (a non-aromatizable androgen) in cottonseed oil from days 30 to 90 of gestation. Changes in ovarian estrogen receptors (ER; ESR1, ESR2), androgen receptor (AR) and progesterone receptor (PGR) proteins were determined at fetal (days 90 and 140), postpubertal (10 months), and adult (21 months; only prenatal T-treated sheep studied) ages by immunohistochemistry. Prenatal T and DHT treatment induced selective increase in AR but not ER or PGR expression in the stroma and granulosa cells of fetal days 90 and 140 ovaries. An increase in ESR1 and decrease in ESR2 immunostaining coupled with increased AR expression were evident in granulosa cells of antral follicles of 10- and 21-month-old prenatal T but not DHT-treated females (analyzed only at 10 months). These findings provide evidence that an early increase in ovarian AR is the first step in the altered ovarian developmental trajectory of prenatal T-treated females, and manifestations of postnatal ovarian dysfunction are likely facilitated via altered equilibrium of antral follicular granulosa cell ER/AR protein expression.
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Aging
- Animals
- Blotting, Western
- Dihydrotestosterone
- Estrogen Receptor alpha
- Estrogen Receptor beta
- Female
- Gestational Age
- Immunohistochemistry
- Ovary
- Pregnancy
- Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
- Receptors, Androgen
- Receptors, Progesterone
- Receptors, Steroid
- Sheep
- Testosterone Propionate
To examine the difference in the methylation status in normal colon mucosa between the proximal and distal colon, in relation to the correlation between the methylation status of normal mucosa and characteristics of neoplasia. Paired biopsy specimens of normal mucosa from the proximal and distal colon of 82 patients who underwent colonoscopy were obtained. The methylation status of the promoter region of estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) and myogenic differentiation 1 (MYOD1) was examined. Normal mucosa was more highly methylated in the distal than in the proximal colon in both ESR1 and MYOD1 loci (p<0.0001 and p=0.0009, respectively). Advanced characteristics of polyps in the distal colon were frequently observed in patients with lower methylation of ESR1 in the distal colon normal mucosa. Methylation levels in normal mucosa differ between the proximal and distal colon, and lower methylation of ESR1 in the distal colon normal mucosa may correlate with advanced features of neoplasia in the distal colon.
MeSH Terms
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Aging
- Colon
- Colonic Polyps
- Colonoscopy
- Colorectal Neoplasms
- Estrogen Receptor alpha
- Female
- Humans
- Intestinal Mucosa
- Male
- Methylation
- Middle Aged
- MyoD Protein
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- Statistics as Topic
Genes involved in sex hormone pathways are candidates for influencing bone strength. Polymorphisms in these genes were tested for association with heel quantitative ultrasound (QUS) parameters in middle-aged and elderly European men. Men 40-79 yr of age were recruited from population registers in eight European centers for the European Male Aging Study (EMAS). Polymorphisms were genotyped in AR, ESR1, ESR2, CYP19A1, CYP17A1, SHBG, SRD5A2, LHB, and LHCGR. QUS parameters broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and speed of sound (SOS) were measured in the heel and used to derive BMD. The relationships between QUS parameters and polymorphisms were assessed using linear regression adjusting for age and center. A total of 2693 men, with a mean age of 60.1 /- 11.1 (SD) yr were included in the analysis. Their mean BUA was 80.0 /- 18.9 dB/Mhz, SOS was 1550.2 /- 34.1 m/s, and BMD was 0.542 /- 0.141 g/cm(2). Significant associations were observed between multiple SNPs in a linkage disequilibrium (LD) block within CYP19A1, peaking at the TCT indel with the deletion allele associating with reduced ultrasound BMD in heterozygotes (beta =-0.016, p = -0.005) and homozygotes (beta = -0.029, p = 0.001). The results for BUA and SOS were similar. Significant associations with QUS parameters were also observed for the CAG repeat in AR and SNPs in CYP17A1, LHCGR, and ESR1. Our data confirm evidence of association between bone QUS parameters and polymorphisms in CYP19A1, as well as modest associations with polymorphisms in CYP17A1, ESR1, LHCGR, and AR in a population sample of European men; this supports a role for genetically determined sex hormone actions in influencing male bone health.
MeSH Terms
- Aged
- Aging
- Aromatase
- Bone Density
- Calcaneus
- European Continental Ancestry Group
- Genetic Variation
- Genotype
- Gonadal Steroid Hormones
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Polymorphism, Genetic
- Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid
- Ultrasonography
In the present study, the authors look at an association of genetic variants within estrogen synthesis and signaling pathways and age at menarche (AAM) in Spanish women. They analyzed 9 polymorphisms in 6 different genes in 714 well-characterized postmenopausal women from Spain. They performed a quantitative trait locus study of these markers individually or in digenic combinations in relation to AAM. None of the studied markers, with the exception of the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (P = .013), were significantly associated with AAM in the Spanish population, and no marker demonstrated an association of statistical significance after multiple testing corrections (P > .0055). In contrast, linear regression analysis suggests epistatic interactions including ESR1 and ESR2 loci in relation to AAM in the series (P = .003). The results suggest that epistatic interactions of ESR1 and ESR2 alleles could be associated with advancing AAM among Spanish women.
MeSH Terms
- Adolescent
- Age Factors
- Aged
- Aging
- Child
- Epistasis, Genetic
- Estrogen Receptor alpha
- Estrogen Receptor beta
- Estrogens
- Female
- Gene Frequency
- Genotype
- Humans
- Logistic Models
- Menarche
- Middle Aged
- Phenotype
- Polymorphism, Genetic
- Postmenopause
- Signal Transduction
- Spain
Prior evidence suggests an important role for estrogen in the regulation of endothelium-dependent vasodilation, but the mechanisms modulating this are not known. Our aim was to examine the relations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the estrogen receptor alpha gene (ESR1) to endothelium-dependent vasodilation. We evaluated 959 70-year-old participants (51% men) of the Prospective Study of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) study, using invasive forearm technique with intra-brachial infusion of acetylcholine (EDV; reflecting vasodilation in resistance arteries), and brachial artery ultrasound to assess flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD; reflecting vasodilation in conduit arteries). We genotyped 25 common SNPs in the ESR1 gene, and related them to EDV and FMD using multivariable linear regression, adjusting for sex and other potential confounders, such as major cardiovascular risk factors and medications. Haplotypes were estimated using the PHASE software. We observed an association between rs1709183 in the ESR1 gene and EDV (nominal P=0.0012), with a lower EDV in carriers of the minor allele (C). This association remained significant after adjustment for multiple testing (empirical P=0.031, obtained using bootstrap re-sampling). Two ESR1 haplotypes in the block containing rs1709183 were associated with EDV (individual haplotype P=0.0015 and P=0.025); the directions of effect were consistent with individual SNP analyses. FMD was not associated with any of the ESR1 SNPs. In our community-based study of elderly, a polymorphism in the estrogen receptor alpha gene was associated with endothelium-dependent vasodilation in resistance, but not conduit arteries. Our findings should stimulate further exploration in other settings.
MeSH Terms
- Acetylcholine
- Aged
- Aging
- Brachial Artery
- Cardiovascular Diseases
- Endothelium, Vascular
- Estrogen Receptor alpha
- Female
- Genetic Variation
- Haplotypes
- Humans
- Male
- Phenotype
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
- Prospective Studies
- Risk Factors
- Sweden
- Ultrasonography
- Vasodilation
- Vasodilator Agents
To determine whether variants in the estrogen receptors 1 (alpha) and 2 (beta) (ESR1 and ESR2) genes are associated with cognitive impairment in non-demented elderly men and women. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on ESR1 and ESR2 genes have been associated with a range of hormone sensitive diseases such as breast cancer and osteoporosis. Genetic variations in ESR may also influence cognitive aging but are less studied, especially among men. We studied 2527 participants enrolled in an ongoing prospective study of community-dwelling elders. Four SNPs from ESR1 and four from ESR2 were analyzed. We measured cognitive function with the Modified Mini-Mental Status Examination (3MS) at baseline and biannually; cognitive impairment was defined as a decline of five or more points over 4 years. We calculated odds of developing cognitive impairment across SNPs using gender-stratified logistic regression and adjusted analyses for age, education, baseline 3MS score and in addition for race. One thousand three hundred and forty-three women (mean age 73.4) and 1184 men (mean age 73.7) comprised our cohort. Among women, after multivariate adjustment, two of the ESR1 SNPs (rs8179176, rs9340799) and two of the ESR2 SNPs (rs1256065, rs1256030) were associated with likelihood of developing cognitive impairment, although the association for rs8179176 was of trend level significance. In men, one of the ESR1 SNPs (rs728524) and two of the ESR2 (rs1255998, rs1256030) were associated with cognitive impairment. Further adjustment for race attenuated the results somewhat. There was no association between any ESR SNP and level of bioavailable estradiol but testosterone level did vary among two of the SNPs (p<0.05). We found that among non-demented community elders, several SNPs in the ESR1 and ESR2 genes were associated with risk of developing cognitive impairment. These findings suggest that estrogen receptor genetic variants may play a role in cognitive aging.
MeSH Terms
- Aged
- Aging
- Brain
- Cognition Disorders
- Cohort Studies
- Cytoprotection
- DNA Mutational Analysis
- Estrogen Receptor beta
- Estrogens
- Female
- Genetic Predisposition to Disease
- Genetic Testing
- Genotype
- Humans
- Male
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
- Predictive Value of Tests
- Prognosis
- Prospective Studies
- Receptors, Estrogen
- Risk Factors
Age is one of the most important risk factors for human malignancies, including breast cancer; in addition, age at diagnosis has been shown to be an independent indicator of breast cancer prognosis. Except for inherited forms of breast cancer, however, there is little genetic or epigenetic understanding of the biological basis linking aging with sporadic breast cancer incidence and its clinical behavior. DNA and RNA samples from matched estrogen receptor (ER)-positive sporadic breast cancers diagnosed in either younger (age <or= 45 years) or older (age >or= 70 years) Caucasian women were analyzed by array comparative genomic hybridization and by expression microarrays. Array comparative genomic hybridization data were analyzed using hierarchical clustering and supervised age cohort comparisons. Expression microarray data were analyzed using hierarchical clustering and gene set enrichment analysis; differential gene expression was also determined by conditional permutation, and an age signature was derived using prediction analysis of microarrays. Hierarchical clustering of genome-wide copy-number changes in 71 ER-positive DNA samples (27 younger women, 44 older women) demonstrated two age-independent genotypes; one with few genomic changes other than 1q gain/16q loss, and another with amplifications and low-level gains/losses. Age cohort comparisons showed no significant differences in total or site-specific genomic breaks and amplicon frequencies. Hierarchical clustering of 5.1 K genes variably expressed in 101 ER-positive RNA samples (53 younger women, 48 older women) identified six transcriptome subtypes with an apparent age bias (P < 0.05). Samples with higher expression of a poor outcome-associated proliferation signature were predominantly (65%) younger cases. Supervised analysis identified cancer-associated genes differentially expressed between the cohorts; with younger cases expressing more cell cycle genes and more than threefold higher levels of the growth factor amphiregulin (AREG), and with older cases expressing higher levels of four different homeobox (HOX) genes in addition to ER (ESR1). An age signature validated against two other independent breast cancer datasets proved to have >80% accuracy in discerning younger from older ER-positive breast cancer cases with characteristic differences in AREG and ESR1 expression. These findings suggest that epigenetic transcriptome changes, more than genotypic variation, account for age-associated differences in sporadic breast cancer incidence and prognosis.
MeSH Terms
- Adult
- Aged
- Aging
- Biomarkers, Tumor
- Breast Neoplasms
- Female
- Gene Expression Profiling
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Genome, Human
- Humans
- Middle Aged
- Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent
- Nucleic Acid Hybridization
- Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
- Prognosis
- Receptor, ErbB-2
- Receptors, Estrogen
Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer death among the aging male population but the mechanism underlying this association is unclear. Aberrant methylation of promoter CpG islands is associated with silencing of genes and age-dependent methylation of several genes has been proposed as a risk factor for sporadic cancer. We examined the extent of gene methylation in pathologically normal human prostate as a function of age. We used pyrosequencing to quantitatively analyze the methylation status of nine CpG islands in normal prostate tissue DNA from 45 organ donors and 45 patients who had undergone cystoprostatectomy for bladder cancer. We also analyzed 12 pairs of matched benign and prostate cancer tissue DNA from patients with prostate cancer. Linear regression analysis revealed a significant increase in promoter methylation levels correlating with age for CpG islands at RARbeta2 (r = 0.4; P < 0.0001), RASSF1A (r = 0.27; P = 0.01), GSTP1 (r = 0.59; P < 0.0001), NKX2-5 (r = 0.27; P = 0.008), and ESR1 (r = 0.244; P = 0.023) in the normal prostate tissue samples studied. A calculated average methylation (z score) at all nine CpG loci analyzed in the normal prostate tissues showed a strong correlation with age (r = 0.6; P < 0.001). Comparison of the methylation level for the matched benign and prostate cancer tissues from individual patients with prostate cancer showed significantly higher methylation in the prostate cancer tissue samples for RARbeta2 (P < 0.001), RASSF1A (P = 0.005), GSTP1 (P < 0.001), NKX2-5 (P = 0.003), ESR1 (P = 0.016), and CLSTN1 (P = 0.01). Our findings show aberrant hypermethylation as a function of age in the normal prostate tissues. Such age-related methylation may precede and predispose to full-blown malignancy.
MeSH Terms
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Aging
- CpG Islands
- DNA Methylation
- DNA Primers
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Prostate
- Prostatic Neoplasms
- Regression Analysis
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
The possibility of genotype-environment interaction for memory performance and change was examined in 150 monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs from the Swedish Adoption Twin Study of Aging (SATSA). We used an MZ twin pair difference approach to examine the possibility that genotype was associated with intrapair variability and thus suggestive of genotype-nonshared environment interactions. Multiple 'variability genes' were found for longitudinal change in a semantic memory task including candidates coding for apolipoprotein E (APOE) and estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) as well as serotonin candidates (HTR2A and 5HTT). One candidate also related to variability in change in episodic memory (5HTT). Of the significant associations observed, generally results indicated that MZ pairs who carry putative risk alleles were less variable than noncarriers, suggesting that noncarriers may be more sensitive to environmental contexts. We sought to 'contextualize' the possible nonshared environmental influences for found gene-environment (G x E) effects by considering intrapair differences in measured social and stress factors, including social support, life events and depressive symptoms. Results suggested that nonshared environmental influences associated with depressive symptoms may moderate the G x E relationship observed for ESR1 and APOE and longitudinal semantic memory change whereby noncarriers of putative risk alleles may be relatively more sensitive to depressionevoking environmental contexts than carriers of the risk allele. Thus, the contexts that facilitate or reduce depressive symptoms may affect semantic memory resiliency dependent on genotype. Further work ought to consider larger sample sizes as well as consider additional social and contextual factors.
MeSH Terms
- Aged
- Aging
- Cognition
- Depression
- Female
- Genetics, Behavioral
- Genotype
- Humans
- Life Change Events
- Male
- Memory
- Social Environment
- Social Support
- Stress, Physiological
- Twins, Monozygotic
Left ventricular (LV) mass and other LV measures have been shown to be heritable. In this study we hypothesized that functional variation in the gene coding for estrogen receptor-alpha (ESR1), known for mediating the effect of estrogens on myocardium, is associated with age-related changes in LV structure. Four genetic markers (ESR1 TA repeat; rs2077647, or 30T>C; rs2234693, or PvuII; and rs9340799, or XbaI) were genotyped in 847 unrelated individuals (488 women) from the Framingham Offspring Study, who attended 2 examination cycles 16 years apart (mean ages at first examination: 43 /-9 years; at follow-up: 59 /-9 years). ANCOVA was used to assess the association of polymorphisms and their haplotypes with cross-sectional measurements and longitudinal changes in LV mass, wall thickness, end-diastolic and end-systolic internal diameter, and fractional shortening after adjustment for factors known to influence these variables. Changes over time were detected for all of the LV measurements (P ranging from <0.0001 to 0.02), except for fractional shortening in men. The SS genotype of the ESR1 TA repeat polymorphism in the promoter region was associated with longitudinal changes in LV mass and LV wall thickness (P ranging from 0.0006 to 0.01). Moreover, the TA[S]- 30[T]-PvuII[T]-XbaI[A] haplotype (frequency: 47.5%) was associated with greater LV changes as compared with the TA[L]- 30[C]-PvuII[C]-XbaI[G] haplotype (frequency: 31.8%). Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that common ESR1 polymorphisms are significantly associated with age-related changes in LV structure. Understanding the mechanisms predisposing to unfavorable LV remodeling of the heart with advancing age may aid in the discovery of new therapeutic targets for the prevention of heart failure.
MeSH Terms
- Adenine
- Adult
- Aging
- Cohort Studies
- Dinucleotide Repeats
- Echocardiography
- Estrogen Receptor alpha
- Female
- Genetic Variation
- Genotype
- Haplotypes
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- Sex Factors
- Thymine
- Ventricular Remodeling
Reducing endogenous estrogen leads to increased proliferation of porcine Sertoli cells during the first 2 months of life. The resulting increase in porcine Sertoli cell numbers is maintained through puberty. The reduced estrogen appears to be the direct hormonal mediator because essentially no changes are observed in other hormones. However, the mechanism for this effect on Sertoli cell proliferation is unknown. The objective of these studies was to evaluate estrogen receptors alpha and beta (ESR1 and ESR2) in conjunction with androgen receptor (AR) on Sertoli cells and other testicular cell types, as an initial step toward understanding how reduced estrogen leads to increased Sertoli cell numbers. Testis sections from treated animals (aromatase inhibition to decrease endogenous estrogen beginning at 1 week of age) and from littermate controls treated with vehicle were subjected to immunocytochemical labeling for ESR1, ESR2, and AR. Three observers scored Sertoli cells, interstitial cells, peritubular myoid cells, and germ cells for intensity of labeling (0: absent; 1 : weak; 2 : moderate; or 3 : strong labeling). AR in Sertoli cells was readily detected at 1 week of age, was very faint in 2-month vehicle controls, and labeling appeared to increase in 3-month vehicle controls. AR in Sertoli cells, interstitial cells, and apparently germ cells was increased in treated animals at 2 months of age compared with the vehicle controls. This increase was confirmed in western blots. ESR1 and ESR 2 were clearly present in Sertoli cells from 1-week-old animals; ESR in Sertoli cells generally decreased with age with the decrease more apparent for ESR2. ESR1 in Sertoli cells and peritubular myoid cells exhibited some treatment-related effects but reduction of endogenous estrogen did not appear to affect ESR2 in the boar testis. The observed alterations in AR and ESR1 may mediate the increases in Sertoli cell proliferation following inhibition of endogenous estrogen production or may reflect the altered function of the Sertoli cells and peritubular myoid cells.
MeSH Terms
- Aging
- Animals
- Aromatase Inhibitors
- Blotting, Western
- Estrogen Receptor alpha
- Estrogen Receptor beta
- Estrogens
- Immunohistochemistry
- Letrozole
- Male
- Nitriles
- Receptors, Androgen
- Sertoli Cells
- Swine
- Testis
- Triazoles
We related variation in 4 sex steroid genes to 3 phenotypic indicators of ovarian aging, including no evidence of luteal activity as a marker of anovulatory cycles, shorter or longer menstrual cycle lengths, and the profiles of metabolites of estrogens, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone measured in urine samples collected daily across a menstrual cycle in women aged 43 to 53 years. The study sample included 485 menstruating women without hormone therapy who had collected daily urine hormone samples across 1 menstrual cycle or 50 days, whichever occurred first. There were 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms from 4 genes, including estrogen receptor-alpha (ESR1), estrogen receptor-beta, aromatase, and 17beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1, related to ovarian aging phenotypes that include the presence or absence of luteal activity, menstrual cycle lengths < or > 24 to 31 days, and profiles of urinary hormone metabolites. Women with the TT genotype of ESR1 rs3798577 have evidence of advanced ovarian aging compared with women with the CT or CC genotypes, after adjustment for race/ethnicity, chronologic age, and race/ethnicity-specific body mass index. Further, women with the TC and CC genotypes of ESR1 rs2234693 may have a greater likelihood of more advanced ovarian aging than do women with the TT genotype, adjusting for covariates. Using a candidate gene approach, 2 ESR1 polymorphisms are related to 3 phenotypic markers of ovarian aging, suggesting a possible role for the ESR1 gene in the timing of the menopausal transition.
MeSH Terms
- 17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases
- Adult
- Aging
- Aromatase
- Biomarkers
- Continental Population Groups
- Corpus Luteum
- Estrogen Receptor alpha
- Estrogen Receptor beta
- Estrogens
- Female
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone
- Genotype
- Gonadal Steroid Hormones
- Humans
- Luteinizing Hormone
- Menstrual Cycle
- Middle Aged
- Ovary
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
- Progesterone
ESR1 is frequently silenced by CGI (CpG island) methylation, both in human colorectal tumours and, in an age-dependent manner, in healthy mucosa. It is not clear, however, whether methylation of individual cytosines occurs randomly within the epithelial genome, or preferentially within individual cells as an 'all-or-nothing' phenomenon. CGI methylation can be quantified in human DNA residues recovered from faecal samples. We used bisulphite genomic sequencing of human DNA from this source and from a colorectal cancer cell line (SW48) to show that the ESR1 CGI is methylated in an allele-specific manner. This provides support for the 'all or none' mechanism for methylation of this gene, and shows how age-dependent methylation of the ESR1 CGI leads rapidly to silencing of the gene within the cells, and hence the colonic crypt within which it occurs. Preliminary studies with a rodent model suggest the rate of age-dependent methylation of ESR1 is modifiable by dietary folate.
MeSH Terms
- Aging
- Animals
- DNA Methylation
- Dietary Supplements
- Dinucleoside Phosphates
- Estrogen Receptor alpha
- Folic Acid
- Gene Silencing
- Humans
- Intestinal Mucosa
- Mice
The incidence of prostate cancer increases dramatically with age and the mechanism underlying this association is unclear. Age-dependent methylation of estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) gene has been previously implicated in other cancerous and benign diseases. We evaluated the age-dependent methylation of ESR1 in prostate cancer. The methylation status of ESR1 in 83 prostate cancer samples from patients aged 49 to 77 years (mean age at 67.4 years) was examined using the bisulfite genomic sequencing technique. The samples were divided into three age groups: men aged 60 years and under (n = 14), men aged 61-70 years (n = 40), and men aged over 70 years (n = 29). Overall, ESR1 promoter methylation was detected in 54 out of 83 (65.1%) prostate samples. The methylation rate of ESR1 increased dramatically with age from 50.0% in patients aged 60 years and under to 89.7% for patients aged 70 years and over. Logistic regression analyses revealed that age and Gleason score were the only variables that affect incidence of ESR1 methylation; other clinical factors such as prostate-specific antigen level and clinical stage did not. We also calculated ESR1 methylation density (the percentage of methylated CpGs among all CpGs within the analyzed region) and severity (the percentage of methylated CpG alleles) for each sample analyzed. Multiple regression analyses showed a positive correlation between age and methylation density (beta, 0.35; P, 0.012; 95% CI, 0.26-2.01); while Gleason score was positively associated with methylation severity (beta, 0.45; P, 0.018; 95% CI, 1.04-4.26). These findings suggest that methylation of ESR1 is both age-dependent and tumor differentiation-dependent and age-dependent methylation of ESR1 may represent a mechanism linking aging and prostate cancer.
MeSH Terms
- Aged
- Aging
- Base Sequence
- DNA Methylation
- Estrogen Receptor alpha
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Neoplasm Staging
- Prostatic Neoplasms
- Receptors, Estrogen