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Understanding the regulation of the testicular endocrine function leading to testosterone production is a major objective as the alteration of endocrine function is associated with the development of many diseases such as infertility. In the last decades, it has been demonstrated that several endogenous molecules regulate the steroidogenic pathway. Among them, bile acids have recently emerged as local regulators of testicular physiology and particularly endocrine function. Bile acids act through the nuclear receptor FXRα (Farnesoid-X-receptor alpha; NR1H4) and the G-protein-coupled bile acid receptor (GPBAR-1; TGR5). While FXRα has been demonstrated to regulate testosterone synthesis within Leydig cells, no data are available regarding TGR5. Here, we investigated the potential role of TGR5 within Leydig cells using cell culture approaches combined with pharmacological exposure to the TGR5 agonist INT-777. The data show that activation of TGR5 results in a decrease in testosterone levels. TGR5 acts through the PKA pathway to regulate steroidogenesis. In addition, our data show that TGR5 activation leads to an increase in cholesterol ester levels. This suggests that altered lipid homeostasis may be a mechanism explaining the TGR5-induced decrease in testosterone levels. In conclusion, the present work highlights the impact of the TGR5 signaling pathway on testosterone production and reinforces the links between bile acid signaling pathways and the testicular endocrine function. The testicular bile acid pathways need to be further explored to increase our knowledge of pathologies associated with impaired testicular endocrine function, such as fertility disorders.

One of the most important but less understood step of epithelial tumourigenesis occurs when cells acquire the ability to leave their epithelial compartment. This phenomenon, described as basal epithelial cell extrusion (basal extrusion), represents the first step of tumour invasion. However, due to lack of adequate in vivo model, implication of emblematic signalling pathways such as Ras/Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling pathways, is scarcely described in this phenomenon. We have developed a unique model of basal extrusion in the Drosophila accessory gland. There, we demonstrate that both Ras/MAPK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways are necessary for basal extrusion. Furthermore, as in prostate cancer, we show that these pathways are co-activated. This occurs through set up of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and Insulin Receptor (InR) dependent autocrine loops, a phenomenon that, considering human data, could be relevant for prostate cancer., The molecular mechanisms leading to basal extrusion are unclear. Here, the authors use the Drosophila accessory gland to model human prostate acini and show that Ras/MAPK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways are co-activated in two autocrine loops by dEGF and dIGF, inducing basal extrusion and subsequent tumour formation.

International audience; The hypothalamic-pituitary axis exert a major control over endocrine and exocrine testicular functions. The hypothalamic-pituitary axis corresponds to a cascade with the Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone secreted by the hypothalamus, which stimulates the synthesis and the release of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone by the gonadotropic cells of the anterior pituitary. The LH signaling pathway controls the steroidogenic activity of the Leydig cells via the activation of the luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor. In order to avoid a runaway system, sex steroids exert a negative feedback within hypothalamus and pituitary. Testicular steroidogenesis is locally controlled within Leydig cells. The present work reviews some local regulations of steroidogenesis within the Leydig cells focusing mainly on the roles of the Farnesoid-X-Receptor-alpha and its interactions with several orphan members of the nuclear receptor superfamily. Further studies are required to reinforce our knowledge of the regulation of testicular endocrine function, which is necessary to ensure a better understanding of fertility disorders and then proposed an adequate treatment of the diseases.

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) plays essential roles in the regulation of growth-related processes such as protein synthesis, cell sizing and metabolism in both normal and pathological growing conditions. These functions of mTOR are thought to be largely a consequence of its cytoplasmic activity in regulating translation rate, but accumulating data highlight supplementary role(s) for this serine/threonine kinase within the nucleus. Indeed, the nuclear activities of mTOR are currently associated with the control of protein biosynthetic capacity through its ability to regulate the expression of gene products involved in the control of ribosomal biogenesis and proliferation. Using primary murine embryo fibroblasts (MEFs), we observed that cells with overactive mTOR signaling displayed higher abundance for the growth-associated Npm1 protein, in what represents a novel mechanism of Npm1 gene regulation. We show that Npm1 gene expression is dependent on mTOR as demonstrated by treatment of wild-type and Pten inactivated MEFs cultured with rapamycin or by transient transfections of small interfering RNA directed against mTOR. In accordance, the mTOR kinase localizes to the Npm1 promoter gene in vivo and it enhances the activity of a human NPM1-luciferase reporter gene providing an opportunity for direct control. Interestingly, rapamycin did not dislodge mTOR from the Npm1 promoter but rather strongly destabilized the Npm1 transcript by increasing its turnover. Using a prostate-specific Pten-deleted mouse model of cancer, Npm1 mRNA levels were found up-regulated and sensitive to rapamycin. Finally, we also showed that Npm1 is required to promote mTOR-dependent cell proliferation. We therefore proposed a model whereby mTOR is closely involved in the transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of Npm1 gene expression with implications in development and diseases including cancer.

International audience; Structural and functional studies have provided numerous insights over the past years on how members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily tightly regulate the expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters. Besides the role of the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) in the transcriptional control of bile acid transport and metabolism, this review provides an overview on how this metabolic sensor prevents the accumulation of toxic byproducts derived from endogenous metabolites, as well as of exogenous chemicals, in coordination with the pregnane X receptor (PXR) and the constitutive androstane receptor (CAR). Decrypting this network should provide cues to better understand how these metabolic nuclear receptors participate in physiologic and pathologic processes with potential validation as therapeutic targets in human disabilities and cancers.

International audience; Besides their well-known roles in digestion and fat solubilization, bile acids (BAs) have been described as signaling molecules activating the nuclear receptor Farnesoid-X-receptor (FXRα) or the G-protein-coupled bile acid receptor-1 (GPBAR-1 or TGR5). In previous reports, we showed that BAs decrease male fertility due to abnormalities of the germ cell lineage dependent on Tgr5 signaling pathways. In the presentstudy, we tested whether BA exposure could impact germ cell DNA integrity leading to potential implications for progeny. For that purpose, adult F0 male mice were fed a diet supplemented with cholic acid (CA) or the corresponding control diet during 3.5 months prior mating. F1 progeny from CA exposed founders showed higher perinatal lethality, impaired BA homeostasis and reduced postnatal growth, as well as altered glucose metabolism in later life. The majority of these phenotypic traits were maintained up to the F2 generation. In F0 sperm cells, differential DNA methylation associated with CA exposure may contribute to the initial programming of developmental and metabolic defects observed in F1 and F2 offspring. Tgr5 knock-out mice combined with in vitro strategies defined the critical role of paternal Tgr5 dependent pathways in the multigenerational impacts of ancestral CA exposure.

Radiotherapy is an essential component of glioma standard treatment. Glioblastomas (GBM), however, display an important radioresistance leading to tumor recurrence. To improve patient prognosis, there is a need to radiosensitize GBM cells and to circumvent the mechanisms of resistance caused by interactions between tumor cells and their microenvironment. STAT3 has been identified as a therapeutic target in glioma because of its involvement in mechanisms sustaining tumor escape to both standard treatment and immune control. Here, we studied the role of STAT3 activation on tyrosine 705 (Y705) and serine 727 (S727) in glioma radioresistance. This study explored STAT3 phosphorylation on Y705 (pSTAT3-Y705) and S727 (pSTAT3-S727) in glioma cell lines and in clinical samples. Radiosensitizing effect of STAT3 activation down-modulation by Go6976 was explored. In a panel of 15 human glioma cell lines, we found that the level of pSTAT3-S727 was correlated to intrinsic radioresistance. Moreover, treating GBM cells with Go6976 resulted in a highly significant radiosensitization associated to a concomitant pSTAT3-S727 down-modulation only in GBM cell lines that exhibited no or weak pSTAT3-Y705. We report the constitutive activation of STAT3-S727 in all GBM clinical samples. Targeting pSTAT3-S727 mainly in pSTAT3-Y705-negative GBM could be a relevant approach to improve radiation therapy.

We identified a ceftriaxone-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolate in a patient in Canada. This isolate carried the penA-60 allele, which differs substantially from its closest relative, mosaic penA XXVII (80% nucleotide identity). Epidemiologic and genomic data suggest spread from Asia. Antimicrobial susceptibility surveillance helps prevent spread of highly resistant N. gonorrhoeae strains.

International audience; Arboviruses are an expanding public health threat, with pregnant women facing unique complications from arbovirus infections. These infections, such as dengue and Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever, can be more severe in pregnant women than in the general population. Vertical transmission is reported for many arboviruses and can severely affect pregnancy outcome. Indeed, arboviruses—particularly flaviviruses and alphaviruses—are associated with increased risks of fetal loss and premature birth. Arboviruses can be teratogenic, as is the case for Zika virus and Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus. Finally, intrapartum transmission can result in severe neonatal infections, as is true for chikungunya virus. Although the global burden of arboviruses is well recognised, few studies have provided data on arbovirus infection specifically in the context of maternal and child health. Epidemiological and clinical studies are therefore needed to better assess the burden of arbovirus infections during pregnancy and to improve the prevention and clinical management of these viral infections. In this Review, we analyse the information available and identify gaps in knowledge that require further assessment.

Summary Spermatogenesis is the process by which spermatozoa are generated from spermatogonia. This cell population is heterogeneous, with self-renewing spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and progenitor spermatogonia that will continue on a path of differentiation. Only SSCs have the ability to regenerate and sustain spermatogenesis. This makes the testis a good model to investigate stem cell biology. The Farnesoid X Receptor alpha (FXRα) was recently shown to be expressed in the testis. However, its global impact on germ cell homeostasis has not yet been studied. Here, using a phenotyping approach in Fxrα−/− mice, we describe unexpected roles of FXRα on germ cell physiology independent of its effects on somatic cells. FXRα helps establish and maintain an undifferentiated germ cell pool and in turn influences male fertility. FXRα regulates the expression of several pluripotency factors. Among these, in vitro approaches show that FXRα controls the expression of the pluripotency marker Lin28 in the germ cells., Graphical Abstract, Highlights • FXRα regulated germ cell apoptotis independently of androgen homeostasis • FXRα controls germ cell differentiation • FXRα regulates the establishment and maintenance of undifferentiated germ cells • In germ cells, FXRα controls the expression of pluripotency markers such as Lin28, Martinot et al. report that FXRα controls the fate of undifferentiated spermatogonia.

International audience; Lysine Specific Demethylase 1 (LSD1) removes mono-and dimethyl groups from lysine 4 of histone H3 (H3K4) or H3K9, resulting in repressive or activating (respectively) transcriptional histone marks. The mechanisms that control the balance between these two antagonist activities are not understood. We here show that LSD1 and the orphan nuclear receptor estrogen-related receptor a (ERR alpha) display commonly activated genes. Transcriptional activation by LSD1 and ERR alpha involves H3K9 demethylation at the transcriptional start site (TSS). Strikingly, ERR alpha is sufficient to induce LSD1 to demethylate H3K9 in vitro. The relevance of this mechanism is highlighted by functional data. LSD1 and ERR alpha coregulate several target genes involved in cell migration, including the MMP1 matrix metallo-protease, also activated through H3K9 demethylation at the TSS. Depletion of LSD1 or ERR alpha reduces the cellular capacity to invade the extracellular matrix, a phenomenon that is rescued by MMP1 reexpression. Altogether our results identify a regulatory network involving a direct switch in the biochemical activities of a histone demethylase, leading to increased cell invasion.

Hantaviruspulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a rare illness in eastern Canada. We present three cases of HPS among military personnel in Quebec. The three cases shared a common exposure to mouse excreta while engaged in military training in Alberta, a western province of Canada.

The promotion and progression of prostate cancer (PCa) are associated with androgen receptor (AR) signalling. AR functions are modulated by a variety of co-factors amongst which we identified the nucleophosmin (NPM/B23), a member of the histone chaperone family. Here, we show that NPM is overexpressed in PCa compared to normal adjacent tissues. AR and NPM interact in vitro and in vivo, and NPM is critical for androgen-dependent transcriptional activation in LNCaP cells as an anti-NPM siRNA downregulates transcription of a transfected androgen response element (ARE)-containing reporter promoter as well as expression of the endogenous androgen responsive prostate-specific antigen (PSA) gene. By investigating the effect of NPM on AR, we have also observed that NPM enhances AR binding to an ARE in vitro in electrophoretic gel mobility-shift assay experiments. Chromatin immunoprecipitation studies further demonstrated that both AR and NPM associate with AREs of the PSA gene in vivo. Altogether, our data suggest that the molecular histone chaperone NPM could regulate AR functions by promoting assembly of AR-containing regulatory complexes and that high levels of NPM might alter AR functions in PCa.

The proto-oncoprotein Cbl is known to control several signaling processes. It is highly expressed in the testis, and because spermatogenesis is androgen dependent, we investigated the androgen dependency expression of Cbl through its testicular sublocalization and its expression levels in rats that were exposed to the antiandrogen flutamide or were hypophysectomized. We report the androgen dependency of Cbl as it localizes in pachytene spermatocytes during androgen-dependent stages, is down-regulated upon flutamide exposure, and is up-regulated with testosterone in hypophysectomized rats. Coculture experiments showed the key control exerted by the Sertoli cell on Cbl activity. As flutamide induces germ cell apoptosis, we investigate members of the Bcl-2 family upon flutamide exposure. We show that the proapoptotic Bcl-2 family member Bim mirrored Cbl expression through a posttranscriptional process. We also show that in Cbl knockout mouse testes, the imbalance between the high expression of Bim and Smac/Diablo and antiapoptotic factors such as cellular inhibitor of apoptosis 2 favors a survival process, which makes these mice unresponsive to androgen withdrawal and could explain their hypofertility.

A variety of transcription factors are post-translationally modified by SUMO, a 97-residue ubiquitin-like protein bound covalently to the targeted lysine. Here we describe SUMO modification of the Ets family member ERM at positions 89, 263, 293, and 350. To investigate how SUMO modification affects the function of ERM, Ets-responsive intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and E74 reporter plasmids were employed to demonstrate that SUMO modification causes inhibition of ERM-dependent transcription without affecting the subcellular localization, stability, or DNA-binding capacity of the protein. When the adenoviral protein Gam1 or the SUMO protease SENP1 was used to inhibit the SUMO modification pathway, ERM-dependent transcription was de-repressed. These results demonstrate that ERM is subject to SUMO modification and that this post-translational modification causes inhibition of transcription-enhancing activity.

The androgen receptor (AR) is a ligand-responsive transcription factor known to play a central role in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer. However, the regulation of AR gene expression in the normal and pathological prostate remains poorly understood. This study focuses on the effect of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase)/Akt axis on AR expression in vas deferens epithelial cells (VDEC), a suitable model to study androgen regulation of gene expression, and LNCaP cells (derived from a metastasis at the left supraclavicular lymph node from a 50-year-old patient with a confirmed diagnosis of metastatic prostate carcinoma). Taken together, our data show for the first time that the PI 3-kinase/Akt pathway is required for basal and dihydrotestosterone-induced AR protein expression in both VDEC and LNCaP. Inhibition of the PI 3-kinase/Akt pathway reduced AR expression and the decline in AR protein level correlated with a decrease in AR mRNA in VDEC but not in LNCaP. Since PI 3-kinase/Akt axis is active in prostate cancer, cross-talk between PI 3-kinase/Akt and AR signalling pathways may have implications for endocrine therapy.

Radiotherapy is an essential component of glioma standard treatment. Glioblastomas (GBM), however, display an important radioresistance leading to tumor recurrence. To improve patient prognosis, there is a need to radiosensitize GBM cells and to circumvent the mechanisms of resistance caused by interactions between tumor cells and their microenvironment. STAT3 has been identified as a therapeutic target in glioma because of its involvement in mechanisms sustaining tumor escape to both standard treatment and immune control. Here, we studied the role of STAT3 activation on tyrosine 705 (Y705) and serine 727 (S727) in glioma radioresistance. This study explored STAT3 phosphorylation on Y705 (pSTAT3‐Y705) and S727 (pSTAT3‐S727) in glioma cell lines and in clinical samples. Radiosensitizing effect of STAT3 activation down‐modulation by Gö6976 was explored. In a panel of 15 human glioma cell lines, we found that the level of pSTAT3‐S727 was correlated to intrinsic radioresistance. Moreover, treating GBM cells with Gö6976 resulted in a highly significant radiosensitization associated to a concomitant pSTAT3‐S727 down‐modulation only in GBM cell lines that exhibited no or weak pSTAT3‐Y705. We report the constitutive activation of STAT3‐S727 in all GBM clinical samples. Targeting pSTAT3‐S727 mainly in pSTAT3‐Y705‐negative GBM could be a relevant approach to improve radiation therapy.

19 NO UV EL LE S M AG AZ IN E NOUVELLE C. Beaudoin, S. Maquaire, J. Allemand, C. Lours-Calet, G. Veyssiere, M. Manin, L. Morel : CNRS UMR 6247/ Clermont Universite/INSERM U931, Campus Universitaire des Cezeaux, 24, avenue des Landais, 63177 Aubiere Cedex, France. Laurent.MOREL@univ-bpclermont.fr L. Leotoing : Departement d’Hematologie, Inserm U567, Institut Cochin, 24, rue du Faubourg Saint-Jacques, 75014 Paris, France. NPM : un nouvel acteur dans le cancer de la prostate ?

Although NHC-complexes are renowned for their catalytic properties, studies of their anti-cancer properties are scarce. In our search for new potent metal-based drugs, we envisioned that copper(I)-NHC could serve as a stable analogue of copper(I)-phenantroline. Herein, we report the results of the biological evaluation of the anticancer properties of [(SIMes)CuCl] 5. This complex showed impressive cytotoxicity against a panel of human tumor cell lines. Regarding IC50, up to 150 fold decrease is observed compared to cisplatin. Cellular effects of [(SIMes)CuCl] were evaluated at the cell cycle and the apoptotic levels. 5 causes cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase as demonstrated by the concomitant accumulation of protein p21 and the strong down-regulation of cyclin D1. Monitoring of poly-(ADP-ribose)-polymerase, implied in apoptosis response of cells, showed that [(SIMes)CuCl] induces apoptosis at low concentration. Finally, we showed that [(SIMes)CuCl] targets DNA by in vitro studies. When inducing aerobic DNA cleavage, [(SIMes)CuCl] behaves analogously to copper(I)-phenantroline. Thus, our experiments evidenced that employing NHC to deliver active copper(I) species in cellulo is a valuable strategy in anticancer research.

In the male, androgens promote growth and differentiation of sex reproductive organs through ligand activation of the androgen receptor (AR). Here, we show that androgens are not major actors of the cell cycle arrest associated with the differentiation process, and that the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-mediated signalling interferes with AR activities to regulate androgen response when epithelial cells are differentiated. Higher AR expression and enhanced androgen responsiveness correlate with reduction of phosphorylated ERK1/2 over differentiation. These modifications are associated with recruitment of cells in phase G(0)/G(1), up-regulation of p27(kip1), down-regulation of p21(Cip1) and p53 proteins, and accumulation of hypo-phosphorylated Rb. Exposure to EGF reduces AR expression levels and blocks androgen-dependent transcription in differentiated cells. It also restores p53 and p21(Cip1) levels, Rb hyper-phosphorylation, ERK1/2 activation and promotes cell cycle re-entry as p27(kip1) protein levels are decreased. Treatment with a MEK inhibitor reverses the EGF-mediated AR down-regulation in differentiated cells, thus suggesting the existence of an inverse correlation between EGF and androgen signalling in non-tumoural epithelia. Interestingly, when androgen signalling is set in differentiated cells, dihydrotestosterone exerts an inhibitory effect on ERK activity but paradoxically does not modify EGFR (ErbB1) phosphorylation, indicating that androgens are able to disrupt the EGFR-ERK cascade. Overall, our data demonstrate the existence of a balance between AR and mitogen-activated protein kinase activities that favours either the maintenance of differentiated conditions or the enhancement of cell proliferation capacities.

Nucleophosmin NPM1 is a molecular chaperone involved in many aspect of cellular physiology, eg. ribosomal biogenesis and cell cycle regulation. NPM1 is overexpressed in numerous types of solid tumors, including prostate cancer but the underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. Using both cell lines and transgenic mouse models, we show that NPM1 expression is significantly increased in cells where the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway is activated through PTEN deletion. This overexpression is reversed when cells are treated with the pharmacological inhibitor of mTOR rapamycin. In accordance, transfection of small interfering RNA (siRNA) directed against mTOR leads to mTOR and NPM1 downregulation in these cells. In vivo, we found that NPM1 is overexpressed in PTEN knock-out murine prostate, and a one week treatment of these mice with rapamycin leads to NPM1 downregulation. Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays show that mTOR is localized on NPM1 proximal promoter, close to a binding site for the transcription factor Ying-Yang 1 (YY1). mTOR binding on the chromatin seems to be constitutive, since rapamycin treatment did not alter its localization. mTOR could therefore regulates NPM1 expression by phosphorylating others factors involved in NPM1 gene expression, as previously described (Cunningham et al., 2007). We have previously shown that NPM1 overexpression enhance the migration and invasion abilities of prostate cancer cells (Loubeau et al., 2014). Moreover, NPM1 overexpression in mouse prostate epithelium leads to p27 protein downregulation and cyclin E upregulation, two molecular features of aggressive human prostate cancer. We thus propose that NPM1 could be a downstream effector of PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway, supporting prostate cancer progression by altering expression of a set of genes involved in cellular homeostasis and proliferation. Citation Format: Rafik Boudra, Gaelle Loubeau, Corinne Lours-Calet, Cyrille Dejoussineau, Laurent Morel, Claude Beaudoin. NPM1: A new downstream effector of PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway in prostate cancer? [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Targeting the PI3K-mTOR Network in Cancer; Sep 14-17, 2014; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2015;14(7 Suppl):Abstract nr B04.

Androgens are known to modulate many cellular processes such as cell growth and survival by binding to the androgen receptor (AR) and activating the transcription of target genes. Recent data suggested that AR can also mediate non-transcriptional actions outside the nucleus in addition to its ligand-inducible transcription factor function. Here, we describe a transcription-independent activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-OH kinase (PI3-K) signaling pathway by androgens. Using non-transformed androgen-sensitive epithelial cells, we show that androgens enhance the PI3-K activity by promoting accumulation of phosphoinositide-3-P phospholipids in vitro. This activation is found in conjunction with an increased time-dependent phosphorylation of the downstream kinase AKT/protein kinase B on both Ser(473) and Thr(308) residues. Hormone-stimulated phosphorylation of AKT requires AR since incubation with the anti-androgen bicalutamide completely abolishes the androgen-stimulated AKT phosphorylation. Accordingly, we show that androgens increase AKT phosphorylation level in prostatic carcinoma PC3 cells only once they have been transfected with AR. Downstream, androgens enhance phosphorylation of transcription factor FKHR (Forkhead in rhabdomyosarcoma)-L1 and proapoptotic Bad protein and promote cell survival as they can counteract an apoptotic process. We also report that non-genomic effects of androgens are based on direct interaction between AR and the p85alpha regulatory subunit of class I(A) PI3-K. Together, these novel findings point out an important and physiologically relevant link between androgens and the PI3-K/AKT signaling pathway in governing cell survival.

The chaperone nucleophosmin (NPM1) is over-expressed in the epithelial compartment of prostate tumours compared to adjacent healthy epithelium and may represent one of the key actors that support the neoplastic phenotype of prostate adenocarcinoma cells. Yet, the mechanisms that underlie NPM1 mediated phenotype remain elusive in the prostate. To better understand NPM1 functions in prostate cancer cells, we sought to characterize its impact on prostate cancer cells behaviour and decipher the mechanisms by which it may act. Here we show that NPM1 favors prostate tumour cell migration, invasion and colony forming. Furthermore, knockdown of NPM1 leads to a decrease in the growth of LNCaP-derived tumours grafted in Nude mice in vivo. Such oncogenic-like properties are found in conjunction with a positive regulation of NPM1 on the ERK1/2 (Extracellular signal-Regulated Kinases 1/2) kinase phosphorylation in response to EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor) stimulus, which is critical for prostate cancer progression following the setting of an autonomous production of the growth factor. NPM1 could then be a target to switch off specifically ERK1/2 pathway activation in order to decrease or inhibit cancer cell growth and migration.

The final step of the transduction pathway is the activation of gene transcription, which is driven by kinase cascades leading to changes in the activity of many transcription factors. Among these latter, PEA3/E1AF, ER81/ETV1, and ERM, members of the well conserved PEA3 group from the Ets family are involved in these processes. We show here that protein kinase A (PKA) increases the transcriptional activity of human ERM and human ETV1, through a Ser residue situated at the edge of the ETS DNA-binding domain. PKA phosphorylation does not directly affect the ERM transactivation domains but does affect DNA binding activity. Unphosphorylated wild-type ERM bound DNA avidly, whereas after PKA phosphorylation it did so very weakly. Interestingly, S367A mutation significantly reduced the ERM-mediated transcription in the presence of the kinase, and the DNA binding of this mutant, although similar to that of unphosphorylated wild-type protein, was insensitive to PKA treatment. Mutations, which may mimic a phosphorylated serine, converted ERM from an efficient DNA-binding protein to a poor DNA binding one, with inefficiency of PKA phosphorylation. The present data clearly demonstrate a close correlation between the capacity of PKA to increase the transactivation of ERM and the drastic down-regulation of the binding of the ETS domain to the targeted DNA. What we thus demonstrate here is a relatively rare transcription activation mechanism through a decrease in DNA binding, probably by the shift of a non-active form of an Ets protein to a PKA-phosphorylated active one, which should be in a conformation permitting a transactivation domain to be active.

Spermatogonial stem cells regenerate and maintain spermatogenesis throughout life, making testis a good model for studying stem cell biology. The effects of chemotherapy on fertility have been well-documented previously. This study investigates how busulfan, an alkylating agent that is often used for chemotherapeutic purposes, affects male fertility. Specifically, the role of the TGR5 pathway is investigated on spermatogonia homeostasis using in vivo, in vitro, and pharmacological methods. In vivo studies are performed using wild-type and Tgr5-deficient mouse models. The results clearly show that Tgr5 deficiency can facilitate restoration of the spermatogonia homeostasis and allow faster resurgence of germ cell lineage after exposure to busulfan. TGR5 modulates the expression of key genes of undifferentiated spermatogonia such as Gfra1 and Fgfr2. At the molecular level, the present data highlight molecular mechanisms underlying the interactions among the TGR5, GLIS2, and TP53 pathways in spermatogonia associated with germ cell apoptosis following busulfan exposure. This study makes a significant contribution to the literature because it shows that TGR5 plays key role on undifferentiated germ cell homeostasis and that modulating the TGR5 signaling pathway could be used as a potential therapeutic tool for fertility disorders.

The FXRα receptor, described in 4 forms in humans, acts as an inducible transcription factor capable of binding to DNA as a heterodimer with the RXRα (Retinoid X Receptor α) to regulate the expression of target genes. By controlling gene transcription, the FXRα receptor is involved not only in the regulation of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, but also in the synthesis, transport as well as detoxification of bile acids and their metabolites. This is an essential function since the loss of activity and/or expression of this receptor, as well as inappropriate increase in bile acid concentrations, are associated with proliferation and apoptosis disorders described to promote neoplastic transformation especially in the liver and colon. Recently, the work of our team and others has shown that the FXRα receptor is expressed in the human testis from the first trimester of pregnancy as well as in the mouse fetal testis, and that its activity controls the balance of germline stem cells in this tissue. The strong reduction of FXRα abundance in testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) samples highlighted by the team as well as the identification of a new FXRα isoform present in the liver and other tissues such as the testis, raise questions about the participation of this factor in the molecular etiology of the disease.These elements are the basis of the scientific project which aims to: i) study the function of a new FXRα variant produced by the alternative splicing of a part of its DNA binding domain, and ii) determine if the alterations in expression and/or function of FXRα proteins affect the biology of germline stem cells (GSC) and participate to the molecular etiology of TGT.The results of the thesis work show that the FXRα1 variant spliced for its exon 5 (ΔEx5) is expressed in several human tissues and cell lines as well as in mice in similar a pattern than those described of FXR proteins. By the absence of part of its DNA-binding domain, this variant is no longer able to bind to its target sequence at the DNA level or to activate FXRα-dependent transcriptional networks. Furthermore, this FXRα variant appears to exert a slightly dominant negative effect on the transcriptional activity of FXRα1 while exhibiting different interaction capabilities for its partner RXRα to lead to the loss of permissiveness of this dimer to transduce a signal via a yet unknown structural mechanism. Collectively, the results presented in this thesis have highlighted a novel FXRα variant that has yet to be informed for its ability to fine-tune the adaptive and/or metabolic response induced by bile acids. However, these data will contribute to further improve our knowledge of how splice variants can fit FXRα functions in tissues and then shed light on the contribution of this receptor in the control of GSC biology with an impact on fertility disorders and TGT development., Le récepteur FXRα, décrit sous 4 formes chez l’homme, agit comme un facteur de transcription inductible capable de se lier à l’ADN sous la forme d’un hétérodimère avec le récepteur RXRα (Retinoid X Receptor α) pour réguler l’expression de gènes cibles. En contrôlant la transcription génique, le récepteur FXRα participe non seulement à la régulation du métabolisme des lipides et des glucides, mais aussi à la synthèse, au transport ainsi qu’à la détoxication des acides biliaires et de leurs métabolites. Il s’agit d’une fonction essentielle puisque la perte d’activité et/ou d’expression de ce récepteur, tout comme la hausse inappropriée des concentrations en acides biliaires, sont associées à des troubles de la prolifération et de l’apoptose décrits pour favoriser la transformation néoplasique notamment dans le foie et le colon. Récemment, les travaux de l’équipe et ceux d’autres laboratoires ont montré que le récepteur FXRα est exprimé dans le testicule humain dès le premier trimestre de la grossesse ainsi que dans les testicules fœtaux de souris, puis que son activité contrôle l’équilibre des cellules souches germinales dans ce tissu. La forte réduction de l’abondance de FXRα dans les échantillons de tumeurs germino-testiculaires (TGT) mise en évidence par l’équipe ainsi que l’identification d’une nouvelle isoforme de FXRα présente dans le foie et d’autres tissus comme le testicule, interrogent sur la participation de ce facteur à l’étiologie moléculaire de la maladie. Ces éléments fondent le projet scientifique qui vise à : i) étudier la fonction d’un nouveau variant de FXRα produit par l’épissage alternatif d’une partie de son domaine de liaison à l’ADN, et ii) de déterminer si les altérations d’expression et/ou de fonction des protéines FXRα affectent la biologie des cellules souches germinales (CSG) et participent à l’étiologie moléculaire des TGT.Les résultats du travail de thèse montrent que le variant FXRα1 excisé de son exon 5 (ΔEx5) est exprimé dans plusieurs tissus et lignées cellulaires humaines ainsi que chez la souris selon un profil superposable à celui des autres protéines FXRα. Par l’absence d’une partie de son domaine de liaison à l’ADN, ce variant n’est plus en mesure de se lier à sa séquence cible au niveau de l’ADN ni d’activer les réseaux transcriptionnels dépendants de FXRα. De plus, ce variant de FXRα semble exercer un léger effet dominant négatif sur l’activité transcriptionnelle de FXRα1 tout en présentant des capacités d’interaction différentes pour son partenaire RXRα pour mener à la perte de permissivité de ce dimère à transduire un signal via un mécanisme structurel encore inconnu. Collectivement, les résultats présentés dans ce mémoire ont mis en évidence un nouveau variant de FXRα qui reste encore à renseigner pour sa capacité à affiner la réponse adaptative et/ou métabolique induit par les acides biliaires. Toutefois, ces données contribueront à approfondir nos connaissances sur la façon dont les variants d’épissage peuvent adapter la fonction de FXRα dans les tissus, puis éclairer la participation de ce récepteur au contrôle de la biologie des CSG en lien avec les troubles de la fertilité et le développement des TGT.

The FXRα receptor, described in 4 forms in humans, acts as an inducible transcription factor capable of binding to DNA as a heterodimer with the RXRα (Retinoid X Receptor α) to regulate the expression of target genes. By controlling gene transcription, the FXRα receptor is involved not only in the regulation of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, but also in the synthesis, transport as well as detoxification of bile acids and their metabolites. This is an essential function since the loss of activity and/or expression of this receptor, as well as inappropriate increase in bile acid concentrations, are associated with proliferation and apoptosis disorders described to promote neoplastic transformation especially in the liver and colon. Recently, the work of our team and others has shown that the FXRα receptor is expressed in the human testis from the first trimester of pregnancy as well as in the mouse fetal testis, and that its activity controls the balance of germline stem cells in this tissue. The strong reduction of FXRα abundance in testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) samples highlighted by the team as well as the identification of a new FXRα isoform present in the liver and other tissues such as the testis, raise questions about the participation of this factor in the molecular etiology of the disease.These elements are the basis of the scientific project which aims to: i) study the function of a new FXRα variant produced by the alternative splicing of a part of its DNA binding domain, and ii) determine if the alterations in expression and/or function of FXRα proteins affect the biology of germline stem cells (GSC) and participate to the molecular etiology of TGT.The results of the thesis work show that the FXRα1 variant spliced for its exon 5 (ΔEx5) is expressed in several human tissues and cell lines as well as in mice in similar a pattern than those described of FXR proteins. By the absence of part of its DNA-binding domain, this variant is no longer able to bind to its target sequence at the DNA level or to activate FXRα-dependent transcriptional networks. Furthermore, this FXRα variant appears to exert a slightly dominant negative effect on the transcriptional activity of FXRα1 while exhibiting different interaction capabilities for its partner RXRα to lead to the loss of permissiveness of this dimer to transduce a signal via a yet unknown structural mechanism. Collectively, the results presented in this thesis have highlighted a novel FXRα variant that has yet to be informed for its ability to fine-tune the adaptive and/or metabolic response induced by bile acids. However, these data will contribute to further improve our knowledge of how splice variants can fit FXRα functions in tissues and then shed light on the contribution of this receptor in the control of GSC biology with an impact on fertility disorders and TGT development., Le récepteur FXRα, décrit sous 4 formes chez l’homme, agit comme un facteur de transcription inductible capable de se lier à l’ADN sous la forme d’un hétérodimère avec le récepteur RXRα (Retinoid X Receptor α) pour réguler l’expression de gènes cibles. En contrôlant la transcription génique, le récepteur FXRα participe non seulement à la régulation du métabolisme des lipides et des glucides, mais aussi à la synthèse, au transport ainsi qu’à la détoxication des acides biliaires et de leurs métabolites. Il s’agit d’une fonction essentielle puisque la perte d’activité et/ou d’expression de ce récepteur, tout comme la hausse inappropriée des concentrations en acides biliaires, sont associées à des troubles de la prolifération et de l’apoptose décrits pour favoriser la transformation néoplasique notamment dans le foie et le colon. Récemment, les travaux de l’équipe et ceux d’autres laboratoires ont montré que le récepteur FXRα est exprimé dans le testicule humain dès le premier trimestre de la grossesse ainsi que dans les testicules fœtaux de souris, puis que son activité contrôle l’équilibre des cellules souches germinales dans ce tissu. La forte réduction de l’abondance de FXRα dans les échantillons de tumeurs germino-testiculaires (TGT) mise en évidence par l’équipe ainsi que l’identification d’une nouvelle isoforme de FXRα présente dans le foie et d’autres tissus comme le testicule, interrogent sur la participation de ce facteur à l’étiologie moléculaire de la maladie. Ces éléments fondent le projet scientifique qui vise à : i) étudier la fonction d’un nouveau variant de FXRα produit par l’épissage alternatif d’une partie de son domaine de liaison à l’ADN, et ii) de déterminer si les altérations d’expression et/ou de fonction des protéines FXRα affectent la biologie des cellules souches germinales (CSG) et participent à l’étiologie moléculaire des TGT.Les résultats du travail de thèse montrent que le variant FXRα1 excisé de son exon 5 (ΔEx5) est exprimé dans plusieurs tissus et lignées cellulaires humaines ainsi que chez la souris selon un profil superposable à celui des autres protéines FXRα. Par l’absence d’une partie de son domaine de liaison à l’ADN, ce variant n’est plus en mesure de se lier à sa séquence cible au niveau de l’ADN ni d’activer les réseaux transcriptionnels dépendants de FXRα. De plus, ce variant de FXRα semble exercer un léger effet dominant négatif sur l’activité transcriptionnelle de FXRα1 tout en présentant des capacités d’interaction différentes pour son partenaire RXRα pour mener à la perte de permissivité de ce dimère à transduire un signal via un mécanisme structurel encore inconnu. Collectivement, les résultats présentés dans ce mémoire ont mis en évidence un nouveau variant de FXRα qui reste encore à renseigner pour sa capacité à affiner la réponse adaptative et/ou métabolique induit par les acides biliaires. Toutefois, ces données contribueront à approfondir nos connaissances sur la façon dont les variants d’épissage peuvent adapter la fonction de FXRα dans les tissus, puis éclairer la participation de ce récepteur au contrôle de la biologie des CSG en lien avec les troubles de la fertilité et le développement des TGT.

Nucleophosmin (NPM1/B23) is a small molecular chaperone involved in a large array of cellular processes, including the regulation of gene expression and the control of the cell cycle. Several studies have reported the overexpression of NPM1 in solid tumors from various histological origin, including prostate cancer, and its proliferative impact on several human cancer cell line is being well described. The first part of our work aimed at assessing the NPM1 oncogenic properties in the prostate gland in vivo. To do so, we generated a new transgenic mouse model that overexpresses NPM1 specifically in the prostatic epithelium. These mice harbor prostatic hyperplasia associated with an increase of the ki67 proliferative index. Our molecular investigations revealed that NPM1 could be an inhibitor of the quiescent state of epithelial cells through a dysregulation of key cell-cycle controlers such as Cyclin E or p27kip1. Although these mice do not develop neoplastic lesions, our data suggest that NPM1 overexpression accelerate prostate cancer progression when associated with other oncogenic alterations. The second part of the work aimed at understanding the mechanisms underlying NPM1 overexpression in prostate tumors. The serine/threonine Kinase mTOR was recently shown to bind to the proximal promoter of NPM1 in the mouse liver. In order to characterize a fonctionnal link between NPM1 and mTOR, we took advantage of murine embryonic fibroblast (MEF) deleted for PTEN, since these cells display a constitutive mTOR activity. In such cells, NPM1 protein and mRNA levels are increased compared to wild type MEF. We also demonstrated that mTOR controls NPM1 expression i) through its binding to NPM1 promoter, thus stimulating NPM1 gene expression and ii) by stabilizing NPM1 mRNA. We have confirmed the functional link between NPM1 and mTOR in vivo in a mouse model deleted for PTEN specifically in the prostatic epithelium. Finally, we have shown that NPM1 expression is necessary for the proliferation of PTEN knock-out MEF. These data set NPM1 as a new downstream effector of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, and suggest that it could be a new potential therapeutic target in PTEN negative human prostate cancer., La Nucléophosmine (NPM1/B23) est une petite chaperonne moléculaire impliquée dans de nombreux processus cellulaires, tels que la régulation de l’expression génique ou le contrôle du cycle cellulaire. De nombreuses études rapportent une surexpression de NPM1 dans divers types de tumeurs solides incluant les cancers de la prostate, et son rôle proH prolifératif dans des lignées cellulaires tumorales d’origines variées est bien établi. La première partie de notre travail s’est attaché à évaluer le potentiel oncogénique de NPM1 dans l’épithélium prostatique in vivo. Pour cela, nous avons généré un modèle de souris transgéniques qui surexpriment NPM1 spécifiquement dans l’épithélium de la prostate. Ces animaux présentent une hyperplasie prostatique associée à une augmentation de l’index prolifératif de l’épithélium. Nos expériences révèlent que NPM1 pourrait lever la quiescence des cellules épithéliales différenciées en dérégulant l’expression de gènes clés de la régulation du cycle cellulaire, comme la Cycline E ou p27kip1. Bien que ces souris ne développent pas de lésions néoplasiques, ces données suggèrent que NPM1 participe à la carcinogenèse prostatique en association avec d’autres lésions oncogéniques. La seconde partie du travail visait à comprendre la nature des mécanismes qui supportent la surexpression de NPM1 dans les tumeurs prostatiques. Des données récentes de la littérature indiquent un enrichissement de la protéine kinase mTOR au niveau du promoteur proximal de NPM1 dans des foies de souris. Pour déterminer s’il existe un lien fonctionnel entre mTOR et NPM1, nous avons tiré parti d’un modèle de fibroblastes embryonnaires de souris invalidés pour le suppresseur de tumeur PTEN dont l’inactivation mène à une hyperactivité de mTOR. Dans ce contexte, les taux d’ARNm et de protéines NPM1 sont augmentés par rapport aux cellules sauvages. Nos résultats montrent également que mTOR contrôle l’expression de NPM1 i) en se fixant sur son promoteur et en stimulant l’expression du gène et ii) en stabilisant l’ARNm de NPM1. Nous avons confirmé le lien entre NPM1 et mTOR in vivo grâce à notre modèle de souris invalidées pour PTEN dans l’épithélium prostatique. Enfin, nous avons montré que l’expression de NPM1 est nécessaire pour transduire les effets prolifératifs de la voie PI3K/AKT/mTOR. Ces données placent donc NPM1 comme nouvel effecteur en aval de cette voie de signalisation, faisant de cette protéine une potentielle cible thérapeutique dans les tumeurs présentant une perte de PTEN.

Nucleophosmin (NPM1/B23) is a small molecular chaperone involved in a large array of cellular processes, including the regulation of gene expression and the control of the cell cycle. Several studies have reported the overexpression of NPM1 in solid tumors from various histological origin, including prostate cancer, and its proliferative impact on several human cancer cell line is being well described. The first part of our work aimed at assessing the NPM1 oncogenic properties in the prostate gland in vivo. To do so, we generated a new transgenic mouse model that overexpresses NPM1 specifically in the prostatic epithelium. These mice harbor prostatic hyperplasia associated with an increase of the ki67 proliferative index. Our molecular investigations revealed that NPM1 could be an inhibitor of the quiescent state of epithelial cells through a dysregulation of key cell-cycle controlers such as Cyclin E or p27kip1. Although these mice do not develop neoplastic lesions, our data suggest that NPM1 overexpression accelerate prostate cancer progression when associated with other oncogenic alterations. The second part of the work aimed at understanding the mechanisms underlying NPM1 overexpression in prostate tumors. The serine/threonine Kinase mTOR was recently shown to bind to the proximal promoter of NPM1 in the mouse liver. In order to characterize a fonctionnal link between NPM1 and mTOR, we took advantage of murine embryonic fibroblast (MEF) deleted for PTEN, since these cells display a constitutive mTOR activity. In such cells, NPM1 protein and mRNA levels are increased compared to wild type MEF. We also demonstrated that mTOR controls NPM1 expression i) through its binding to NPM1 promoter, thus stimulating NPM1 gene expression and ii) by stabilizing NPM1 mRNA. We have confirmed the functional link between NPM1 and mTOR in vivo in a mouse model deleted for PTEN specifically in the prostatic epithelium. Finally, we have shown that NPM1 expression is necessary for the proliferation of PTEN knock-out MEF. These data set NPM1 as a new downstream effector of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, and suggest that it could be a new potential therapeutic target in PTEN negative human prostate cancer., La Nucléophosmine (NPM1/B23) est une petite chaperonne moléculaire impliquée dans de nombreux processus cellulaires, tels que la régulation de l’expression génique ou le contrôle du cycle cellulaire. De nombreuses études rapportent une surexpression de NPM1 dans divers types de tumeurs solides incluant les cancers de la prostate, et son rôle proH prolifératif dans des lignées cellulaires tumorales d’origines variées est bien établi. La première partie de notre travail s’est attaché à évaluer le potentiel oncogénique de NPM1 dans l’épithélium prostatique in vivo. Pour cela, nous avons généré un modèle de souris transgéniques qui surexpriment NPM1 spécifiquement dans l’épithélium de la prostate. Ces animaux présentent une hyperplasie prostatique associée à une augmentation de l’index prolifératif de l’épithélium. Nos expériences révèlent que NPM1 pourrait lever la quiescence des cellules épithéliales différenciées en dérégulant l’expression de gènes clés de la régulation du cycle cellulaire, comme la Cycline E ou p27kip1. Bien que ces souris ne développent pas de lésions néoplasiques, ces données suggèrent que NPM1 participe à la carcinogenèse prostatique en association avec d’autres lésions oncogéniques. La seconde partie du travail visait à comprendre la nature des mécanismes qui supportent la surexpression de NPM1 dans les tumeurs prostatiques. Des données récentes de la littérature indiquent un enrichissement de la protéine kinase mTOR au niveau du promoteur proximal de NPM1 dans des foies de souris. Pour déterminer s’il existe un lien fonctionnel entre mTOR et NPM1, nous avons tiré parti d’un modèle de fibroblastes embryonnaires de souris invalidés pour le suppresseur de tumeur PTEN dont l’inactivation mène à une hyperactivité de mTOR. Dans ce contexte, les taux d’ARNm et de protéines NPM1 sont augmentés par rapport aux cellules sauvages. Nos résultats montrent également que mTOR contrôle l’expression de NPM1 i) en se fixant sur son promoteur et en stimulant l’expression du gène et ii) en stabilisant l’ARNm de NPM1. Nous avons confirmé le lien entre NPM1 et mTOR in vivo grâce à notre modèle de souris invalidées pour PTEN dans l’épithélium prostatique. Enfin, nous avons montré que l’expression de NPM1 est nécessaire pour transduire les effets prolifératifs de la voie PI3K/AKT/mTOR. Ces données placent donc NPM1 comme nouvel effecteur en aval de cette voie de signalisation, faisant de cette protéine une potentielle cible thérapeutique dans les tumeurs présentant une perte de PTEN.

Androgens are heavily involved in developing and maintaining the functions of their target organs by controlling the processes of survival, apoptosis, proliferation or cell differentiation. The action of these hormones is relayed by the androgen receptor (AR) whose activity is highly regulated by its interaction with protein partners. In epithelial cell proliferation in androgen-sensitive, we identified the nucléophosmine/B23.1 (NPM) as a new partner of the androgen receptor. We have shown that NPM is overexpressed in prostate tumor tissue compared to healthy tissue at biopsy, and it controls the level of accumulation of AR and androgen-dependent transcription in prostate cancer cells. These arguments suggest that NPM may be the cause of an expression and an altered activity of AR, and thus participate in prostate tumorigenesis, Les androgènes sont largement impliqués dans le développement et le maintien des fonctions de leurs organes cibles en contrôlant les processus de survie, d'apoptose, de prolifération ou encore de différenciation cellulaire. L'action de ces hormones est relayée par le récepteur des androgènes (AR) dont l'activité est hautement régulée par son interaction avec des partenaires protéiques. Dans des cellules épithéliales androgéno-sensibles en prolifération, nous avons identifié la nucléophosmine/B23.1 (NPM) comme un nouveau partenaire du récepteur des androgènes. Nous avons montré que NPM est surexprimée dans le tissu tumoral prostatique par rapport au tissu sain au niveau de biopsies, et qu'elle contrôle le niveau d'accumulation de AR et la transcription dépendante des androgènes dans des cellules prostatiques cancéreuses. Ces arguments suggèrent que NPM pourrait être à l'origine d'une expression et d'une activité altérées de AR, et ainsi participer à la tumorigenèse prostatique