Search

Forkhead box, class O (FOXO) family proteins are widely expressed and highly conserved transcriptional regulators that modulate cellular fuel metabolism, stress resistance and cell death. FOXO target genes include genes encoding antioxidant proteins, thus likely contributing to the key role FOXOs play in the cellular response to oxidative stress and supporting the cellular strategies of antioxidant defense, that is, prevention (of the formation of reactive oxygen species), interception (of reactive species prior to their reaction with cellular components), repair (of damaged biomolecules), and adaptation (i.e., the stimulation of signaling pathways allowing for the expression of protective proteins). FOXOs themselves are regulated by redox processes at several levels, including expression of FOXO genes and enzymatic as well as nonenzymatic posttranslational modifications of FOXO proteins. The latter include modifications of FOXO cysteine residues. Here, an overview is provided on (i) the contribution of FOXO target genes to cellular antioxidative strategies, and (ii) on the impact of thiol homeostasis and thiol modification on FOXO activity., (© 2021 The Authors. IUBMB Life published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.)

Cells adapt to an exposure to xenobiotics by upregulating the biosynthesis of proteins involved in xenobiotic metabolism. This is achieved largely via activation of cellular xenosensors that modulate gene expression. Biotransformation of xenobiotics frequently comes with the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS, in turn, are known modulators of signal transduction processes. FOXO (forkhead box, class O) transcription factors are among the proteins deeply involved in the cellular response to stress, including oxidative stress elicited by the formation of ROS. On the one hand, FOXO activity is modulated by ROS, while on the other, FOXO target genes include many that encode antioxidant proteins - thereby establishing a regulatory circuit. Here, the role of ROS and of FOXOs in the regulation of xenosensor transcriptional activities will be discussed. Constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), pregnane X receptor (PXR), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), arylhydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) all interact with FOXOs and/or ROS. The two latter not only fine-tune the activities of xenosensors but also mediate interactions between them. As a consequence, the emerging picture of an interplay between xenosensors, ROS and FOXO transcription factors suggests a modulatory role of ROS and FOXOs in the cellular adaptive response to xenobiotics., (Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Transcription factors of the forkhead box, class O (FoxO) family are important regulators of the cellular stress response and promote the cellular antioxidant defense. On one hand, FoxOs stimulate the transcription of genes coding for antioxidant proteins located in different subcellular compartments, such as in mitochondria (i.e. superoxide dismutase-2, peroxiredoxins 3 and 5) and peroxisomes (catalase), as well as for antioxidant proteins found extracellularly in plasma (e.g., selenoprotein P and ceruloplasmin). On the other hand, reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as other stressful stimuli that elicit the formation of ROS, may modulate FoxO activity at multiple levels, including posttranslational modifications of FoxOs (such as phosphorylation and acetylation), interaction with coregulators, alterations in FoxO subcellular localization, protein synthesis and stability. Moreover, transcriptional and posttranscriptional control of the expression of genes coding for FoxOs is sensitive to ROS. Here, we review these aspects of FoxO biology focusing on redox regulation of FoxO signaling, and with emphasis on the interplay between ROS and FoxOs under various physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Of particular interest are the dual role played by FoxOs in cancer development and their key role in whole body nutrient homeostasis, modulating metabolic adaptations and/or disturbances in response to low vs. high nutrient intake. Examples discussed here include calorie restriction and starvation as well as adipogenesis, obesity and type 2 diabetes., (Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

FoxO transcription factors and their regulators in the phosphoinositide 3'-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway play an important role in the control of cellular processes involved in carcinogenesis, such as proliferation and apoptosis. We have previously demonstrated that physiologically relevant heavy metal ions, such as copper or zinc ions, can stimulate this pathway, triggering phosphorylation and nuclear export of FoxO transcription factors. The present study aims at investigating the effect of arsenite on FoxO transcription factors and the role of PI3K/Akt signaling therein. Exposure of HaCaT human keratinocytes to arsenite resulted in a distinct decrease of glutathione levels only at cytotoxic concentrations. In contrast, a strong phosphorylation of FoxO1a/FoxO3a and Akt was observed at subcytotoxic concentrations of arsenite in HaCaT human keratinocytes. A time- and concentration-dependent increase in phosphorylation of FoxO1a and FoxO3a at sites known to be phosphorylated by Akt as well as phosphorylation of Akt at Ser-473 was detected. These phosphorylations were blunted in the presence of wortmannin, pointing to the involvement of PI3K.

FHRE-Luc is a promoter reporter construct that is widely used to assess the activity of FoxO (forkhead box, class O) transcription factors. We here demonstrate that this promoter construct responds to exposure of HepG2 human hepatoma cells to known agonists of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), 3-methylcholanthrene, benzo(a)pyrene, and 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole. However, FHRE-Luc activation did not coincide with FoxO DNA binding or changes in Akt-induced FoxO phosphorylation after treatment with AhR agonists. Testing FHRE-Luc deletion constructs and using AhR-deficient cells, we found that FHRE-Luc activation by AhR agonists is due to a functional xenobiotic-response element (XRE) spanning the backbone/insert border of the reporter plasmid. In conclusion, care must be taken when using FHRE-Luc to assess FoxO activity in response to stimuli that potentially interfere with xenobiotic signaling., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The green tea flavonoid epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is demonstrated in this study to modulate FoxO transcription factors in human skin fibroblasts in culture. EGCG at 1 microM stimulated FoxO transcription factor nuclear accumulation and DNA binding activity. This effect was masked at higher EGCG concentrations (100 microM) by EGCG-derived hydrogen peroxide generated in cell culture media that stimulates phosphoinositide-3'-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling to attenuate FoxO activity, involving FoxO phosphorylation, nuclear exclusion and attenuation of DNA binding activity. Like low concentrations of EGCG, harmine, an inhibitor of the FoxO kinase DYRK1a, stimulated FoxO nuclear accumulation and DNA binding activity. Exposure of Caenorhabditis elegans worms to EGCG caused nuclear accumulation of the FoxO ortholog, DAF-16, and enhanced expression of the DAF-16 target gene, sod-3. In line with the role of FoxO/DAF-16 in the control of life span, C. elegans mean and maximum life span were enhanced by 20% and 13%, respectively, by EGCG., (2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Unlabelled: Selenoprotein P (SeP), the major selenoprotein in plasma, is produced mainly by the liver, although SeP expression is detected in many organs. Recently, we reported stimulation of SeP promoter activity by the forkhead box transcription factor FoxO1a in hepatoma cells and its attenuation by insulin. Here, we demonstrate that this translates into fine-tuning of SeP production and secretion by insulin. Overexpression of peroxisomal proliferator activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1alpha (PGC-1alpha) enhanced the stimulatory effect of FoxO1a on SeP promoter activity. We identified a novel functional binding site for hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)-4alpha, termed hepatocyte nuclear factor binding element 1, in the human SeP promoter directly upstream of the FoxO-responsive element daf16-binding element 2 (DBE2). Point mutations in hepatocyte nuclear factor binding element 1 alone or together with DBE2 decreased basal activity and responsiveness of the SeP promoter to PGC-1alpha. Moreover, the PGC-1alpha-inducing glucocorticoid dexamethasone strongly enhanced SeP messenger RNA levels and protein secretion in cultured rat hepatocytes, whereas insulin suppressed the stimulation of both PGC-1alpha and SeP caused by dexamethasone treatment. In a brain-derived neuroblastoma cell line with low basal SeP expression, SeP transcription was stimulated by PGC-1alpha together with FoxO1a, and overexpression of HNF-4alpha potentiated this effect., Conclusion: High-level expression of SeP in liver is ensured by concerted action of the coactivator PGC-1alpha and the transcription factors FoxO1a and HNF-4alpha. Hence, the production of SeP is regulated similarly to that of the gluconeogenic enzyme glucose-6-phosphatase. As hepatic SeP production is crucial for selenium distribution throughout the body, the present study establishes PGC-1alpha as a key regulator of selenium homeostasis.

Selenoprotein P (SeP) is the major selenoprotein in human plasma, acting as an antioxidant and serving the transport of selenium from the liver to extrahepatic tissues. We here demonstrate that the human SeP promoter responds to overexpression of FoxO1a as well as of a constitutively active form of FoxO1a. Two FoxO-responsive elements were identified and characterized by generation of point mutation and deletion constructs. Similarly, SeP mRNA was upregulated in response to activation of FoxO1a in rat hepatoma cells stably transfected with a hydroxytamoxifen-regulatable form of FoxO1a. Insulin, stimulating the phosphorylation and inactivation of FoxO1a via phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and Akt, suppressed SeP promoter activity and mRNA synthesis. This suppressive effect of insulin on SeP expression was attenuated by inhibitors of PI3K. In conclusion, the selenoprotein P promoter is a target of the Akt/FoxO signal transduction cascade and SeP expression is regulated at the level of transcription by the forkhead box protein FoxO1a in human and rat hepatoma cells.

Cells respond to heavy metal stress by activating signaling cascades regulating cellular proliferation and survival. We here demonstrate that the anti-apoptotic kinase Akt is activated in HepG2 human hepatoma cells exposed to copper or zinc ions. Cu2+- and Zn2+-induced phosphorylation of Akt was blocked by phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors, wortmannin and LY294002. Moreover, several endogenous Akt substrates were phosphorylated, including glycogen synthase kinase-3 and transcription factors of the FoxO family, FoxO1a and FoxO4. Exposure to Cu2+ or Zn2+ elicited the subcellular redistribution of an overexpressed FoxO1a-EGFP fusion protein from nucleus to cytoplasm, which was not seen with a mutant FoxO1a form devoid of Akt phosphorylation sites. Both FoxO phosphorylation and nuclear exclusion were blocked by wortmannin. Likewise, the subcellular translocation from nucleus to cytoplasm of the Caenorhabditis elegans FoxO ortholog, DAF-16, was caused in starved worms exposed to copper ions. Activity of the promoter of the human glucose 6-phosphatase gene, known to be regulated by insulin and FoxO1a, was demonstrated in reporter gene assays to be attenuated in hepatoma cells exposed to Cu2+. However, this suppression of glucose 6-phosphatase promoter activity was independent of modulation of the PI3K/Akt pathway. In summary, the PI3K/Akt pathway is activated in human hepatoma cells exposed to Cu2+ or Zn2+, resulting in the phosphorylation and subcellular relocalisation of transcription factor FoxO1a. Furthermore, copper is demonstrated to exert an insulin-mimetic effect also independently of the PI3K/Akt/FoxO pathway.

Background The ubiquitously expressed forkhead box, class O (FoxO) transcription factors act as signaling integrators in extensive transcriptional networks, ensuring maintenance of cell and tissue homeostasis over time and in response to environmental challenges. Proteins whose biosynthesis is controlled through FoxOs fulfil key functions in antioxidant defense, metabolism, cell cycle regulation and apoptosis. Scope of review All four mammalian FoxO isoforms (FoxO1, FoxO3, FoxO4 and FoxO6) are expressed in skin but functions have been specified only for FoxO1 and FoxO3. This review provides an overview on the roles of FoxO1 and FoxO3 in the major types of skin cells: fibroblasts, keratinocytes and melanocytes. Major conclusions As expected because of their target genes, FoxOs are involved in counter-acting oxidative stress and in decisions on cell fate regarding apoptosis or senescence. However, their role in skin surpasses these rather obvious tasks: FoxO1 is part of signaling axes related to the control of epidermal morphogenesis and the pathogenesis of acne. FoxO3 dampens the biosynthesis of melanin in melanocytes; on the other hand, FoxO3 suppression in melanoma is associated with impaired apoptosis and increased metastatic potential of melanoma cells. Upon skin injury, a well-balanced and -timed up-regulation of FoxOs appears to support the healing process through affecting proliferation, migration and apoptosis of keratinocytes, fibroblasts and other cells accumulating at the wounded site. General significance FoxO1 and FoxO3 are discussed as homeostatic factors that influence morphogenesis, maintenance and repair processes in skin as well as the pathogenesis of disorders such as acne and skin cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]