Two domains of the progesterone receptor interact with the estrogen receptor and are required for progesterone activation of the c-Src/Erk pathway in mammalian cells

Mol Cell Biol. 2003 Mar;23(6):1994-2008. doi: 10.1128/MCB.23.6.1994-2008.2003.

Abstract

In breast cancer cells, estrogens activate the Src/Erk pathway through an interaction of the estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) with the SH2 domain of c-Src. Progestins have been reported to activate also this pathway either via an interaction of the progesterone receptor isoform B (PRB) with ERalpha, which itself activates c-Src, or by direct interaction of PRB with the SH3 domain of c-Src. Here we identify two domains of PRB, ERID-I and -II, mediating a direct interaction with the ligand-binding domain of ERalpha. ERID-I and ERID-II flank a proline cluster responsible for binding of PRB to c-Src. In mammalian cells, the interaction of PRB with ERalpha and the progestin activation of the Src/Erk cascade are abolished by deletion of either ERID-I or ERID-II. These regions are not required for transactivation of a progesterone-responsive reporter gene. Mutations in the proline cluster of PRB that prevent a direct interaction with c-Src do not affect the strong activation of c-Src by progestins in the presence of ERalpha. Thus, in cells with ERalpha, ERID-I and ERID-II are necessary and sufficient for progestin activation of the endogenous Src/Erk pathway.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • COS Cells
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Enzyme Activation / drug effects
  • Estrogen Receptor alpha
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / physiology*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / physiology*
  • Progesterone / pharmacology*
  • Protein Interaction Mapping
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins pp60(c-src) / metabolism
  • Receptors, Estrogen / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Progesterone / chemistry*
  • Receptors, Progesterone / drug effects
  • Receptors, Progesterone / metabolism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Transcriptional Activation
  • Transfection
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques
  • src Homology Domains

Substances

  • Estrogen Receptor alpha
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Receptors, Progesterone
  • progesterone receptor B
  • Progesterone
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins pp60(c-src)
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases