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Phosphorylation site S122 in estrogen receptor α has a tissue‐dependent role in female mice
Author(s) -
Ohlsson Claes,
Gustafsson Karin L.,
Farman Helen H.,
Henning Petra,
Lionikaite Vikte,
MovérareSkrtic Sofia,
Sjögren Klara,
Törnqvist Anna E.,
Andersson Annica,
Islander Ulrika,
Bernardi Angelina I.,
Poutanen Matti,
Chambon Pierre,
Lagerquist Marie K.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fj.201901376rr
Subject(s) - phosphorylation , estrogen receptor , endocrinology , medicine , estrogen receptor alpha , transactivation , estrogen , adipose tissue , estrogen receptor beta , receptor , in vivo , biology , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , cancer , transcription factor , gene , breast cancer
Estrogen treatment increases bone mass and reduces fat mass but is associated with adverse effects in postmenopausal women. Knowledge regarding tissue‐specific estrogen signaling is important to aid the development of new tissue‐specific treatments. We hypothesized that the posttranslational modification phosphorylation in estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) may modulate ERα activity in a tissue‐dependent manner. Phosphorylation of site S122 in ERα has been shown in vitro to affect ERα activity, but the tissue‐specific role in vivo is unknown. We herein developed and phenotyped a novel mouse model with a point mutation at the phosphorylation site 122 in ERα (S122A). Female S122A mice had increased fat mass and serum insulin levels but unchanged serum sex steroid levels, uterus weight, bone mass, thymus weight, and lymphocyte maturation compared to WT mice. In conclusion, phosphorylation site S122 in ERα has a tissue‐dependent role with an impact specifically on fat mass in female mice. This study is the first to demonstrate in vivo that a phosphorylation site in a transactivation domain in a nuclear steroid receptor modulates the receptor activity in a tissue‐dependent manner.