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Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Detecting the Ligand-binding Domain Dimerization Activity of Estrogen Receptor Alpha Using the Mammalian Two-Hybrid Assay
Published on: December 19, 2018
Switching of chromatin-remodelling complexes for oestrogen receptor-alpha
Maiko Okada1, Shin-ichiro Takezawa, Yoshihiro Mezaki
1The Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan.
Abstract:
The female sex steroid hormone oestrogen stimulates both cell proliferation and cell differentiation in target tissues. These biological actions are mediated primarily through nuclear oestrogen receptors (ERs). The ligand-dependent transactivation of ERs requires several nuclear co-regulator complexes; however, the cell-cycle-dependent associations of these complexes are poorly understood. By using a synchronization system, we found that the transactivation function of ERalpha at G2/M was lowered. Biochemical approaches showed that ERalpha associated with two discrete classes of ATP-dependent chromatin-remodelling complex in a cell-cycle-dependent manner. The components of the NuRD-type complex were identified as G2/M-phase-specific ERalpha co-repressors. Thus, our results indicate that the transactivation function of ERalpha is cell-cycle dependent and is coupled with a cell-cycle-dependent association of chromatin-remodelling complexes.
Insights
Oestrogen
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology and Molecular Biology
Background:
- Oestrogen (estrogen) is a key hormone regulating cell growth and differentiation via nuclear oestrogen receptors (ERs).
- Ligand-dependent ER transactivation relies on nuclear co-regulator complexes, but their cell-cycle dynamics are unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cell-cycle dependency of ERalpha transactivation and its association with co-regulator complexes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a cell synchronization system to analyze ERalpha function across the cell cycle.
- Employed biochemical approaches to identify ERalpha-associated protein complexes.
Main Results:
- ERalpha transactivation function is reduced during the G2/M phase of the cell cycle.
- ERalpha interacts with distinct ATP-dependent chromatin-remodelling complexes in a cell-cycle-specific manner.
- NuRD complex components act as G2/M-phase-specific co-repressors for ERalpha.
Conclusions:
- ERalpha's transcriptional activity is modulated by the cell cycle.
- Cell-cycle-dependent recruitment of chromatin-remodelling complexes, like NuRD, regulates ERalpha function.
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