Androgen responsiveness of the pituitary gonadotrope cell line L T2 M A Lawson, D Li, C A Glidewell-Kenney and F J López Department of Pharmacology, Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc., 10275 Science Center Drive, San Diego, California 92121, USA
(Requests for offprints should be addressed to F J López)
(M A Lawson is now at Department of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla,
(C A Glidewell-Kenney is now at CLONTECH Laboratories, Inc., 1020 East Meadow Circle, Palo Alto, California 94303, USA)
Abstract
Androgens have a profound effect on the hypothalamic–
(MMTV) promoter, showed that a functional AR is also
pituitary axis by reducing the synthesis and release of the
pituitary gonadotropin LH. The effect on LH is partly a
(DHT), 7 -methyl-19-nortestosterone (MENT), and
consequence of a direct, steroid-dependent action on
fluoxymesterone (FLUOXY) increased reporter gene
pituitary function. Although androgen action has been
activity in the rank order of potencies MENT>DHT>
well studied in vivo, in vitro cell models of androgen action
TEST>FLUOXY. Additionally, activation of MMTV
on pituitary gonadotropes have been scarce. Recently, an
promoter activity by DHT in L T2 cells was diminished
LH-expressing cell line, L T2, was generated by tumori-
by the AR antagonists casodex and 2-hydroxy-flutamide,
genesis targeted to the LH-producing cells of the mouse
indicating that the effects of DHT are mediated through
pituitary. The purpose of these studies was to determine
AR. In summary, these studies showed that the L T2
the presence of androgen receptor (AR) and establish its
cell line is a useful model for the evaluation and
function in this cell line. RT-PCR analysis indicated that
molecular characterization of androgen action in pituitary
the L T2 cell line expresses AR mRNA. Transient
transfection assays, using the mouse mammary tumor virus
Journal of Endocrinology (2001) 170, 601–607 Introduction
hormone, the secretagogue of the gonadotropins, as well asto estrogen (Turgeon et al. 1996, Schreihofer et al. 2000).
Androgen action is mediated by the androgen receptor
In these studies, we have investigated the potential use of
(AR) which modulates activation of specific genes by
this cell line as a model to evaluate androgen action at the
homodimeric AR bound to DNA, or by interactions with
molecular level in pituitary gonadotropes. We have
other transcription factors. Both positive and negative
identified the presence of endogenous AR in the L T2
regulation of target genes is a characteristic mode of action
cell line. We have also defined the response to various
for steroid receptors (Beato et al. 1995). Androgens are
androgens and assessed receptor specificity using AR
clearly involved in reproductive tissue development,
antagonists. These studies have demonstrated the presence
muscle and bone homeostasis, sex behavior, metabolism,
of a functional AR in the L T2 cell line and establish these
etc. (see Mooradian et al. 1987 for a review). In the
cells as a model for the evaluation of the molecular
hypothalamic–pituitary axis, androgens negatively regulate
mechanisms of androgen action in pituitary gonadotropes.
gonadotropin secretion (Kalra & Kalra 1983, Gharib et al. 1990) and, consequently, reproductive function. Materials and Methods
Existing models for the in vitro analysis of steroid action
on reproductive endocrine tissues are either laborious or of
limited availability. Recently, a number of pituitary celllines have been developed using targeted tumorigenesis of
L T2 cells were licensed from the University of
pituitary gonadotropes in transgenic mice (Alarid et al.
California, San Diego (La Jolla, CA, USA). Cells were
1996, 1998). One of these cell lines, L T2, expresses
cultured in high glucose, HEPES-buffered Dulbecco’s
luteinizing hormone (LH) (Turgeon et al. 1996) and
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (Graham et al. 1999)
Walkersville, MD, USA) supplemented with 2 mM
under specific culture conditions. It has been reported
-glutamine and 10% fetal bovine serum (Hyclone, Logan,
that this cell line is responsive to gonadotropin-releasing
UT, USA), penicillin and streptomycin (Gibco BRL,
Journal of Endocrinology (2001) 170, 601–607
Online version via http://www.endocrinology.org
0022–0795/01/0170–601 2001 Society for Endocrinology Printed in Great Britain
602 M A LAWSON and others · Androgen responsiveness of L T2 cells
Grand Island, NY, USA). Cells were grown at 37 C in a
humidified incubator in an atmosphere of 5% CO :95%
L T2 cells were plated on Falcon primaria plates (Becton
air. Subculture of L T2 cells was accomplished by gentle
Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA) at a density of
trypsinization when they approached 80% confluence.
50 000 cells/cm2 in phenol red-free, high glucose DMEM
Subcultivation ratios of 1:5 to 1:20 were routinely used.
supplemented with 2 mM -glutamine and 10% charcoal/dextran-stripped fetal bovine serum (Hyclone), penicillin
and streptomycin (GIBCO/BRL). After growth over-night, the cell medium was replaced with fresh medium
L T2 cells were cultured to confluency and, after washing
containing either vehicle or test compounds. Cells
the monolayer with phosphate-buffered saline, total RNA
were immediately transfected with the reporter plasmid
was extracted by lysis in TRIzol reagent according to the
pGL3-MMTV (mouse mammary tumor virus; 10 µg/ml),
manufacturer’s instructions. Total RNA from mouse
consisting of the firefly luciferase reporter gene from the
prostate was also isolated and served as a positive control
pGL3-basic reporter plasmid (Promega, Madison, WI,
for AR mRNA. After alcohol precipitation, total RNA
USA) under the transcriptional control of the androgen-
pellets were dissolved in water and absorbance was
sensitive MMTV LTR promoter element. As an internal
measured at 260 and 280 nm. One microgram of total
control, cells were co-transfected with the pCMV- -
RNA from L T2 cells and mouse prostate was DNase
galactosidase reporter plasmid (1 µg/ml) (CLONTECH
treated and reverse transcribed using the superscript II kit
Laboratories, Inc., Palo Alto, CA, USA). The FuGENE 6
(Gibco BRL) and priming with oligo-dT, following the
manufacturer’s recommendations. cDNAs (equivalent to
Indianapolis, IN, USA) was used for the transfection
1 µg reverse transcribed total RNA) were PCR amplified
experiments following the manufacturer’s recommen-
using a hot-start PCR protocol and AmpliTaq Gold
dations. Cells were treated with vehicle or the various
(PE Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA). The
reactions were carried out in 100 µl volume of 1
(5 µl/well) and were incubated for 24 h. Thereafter, cells
AmpliGold buffer II containing 1 mM MgCl
were lysed with phosphate-buffered saline containing
400 nM of each primer. Samples were heated at 94 C for
14 min followed by successive heating steps at 94 C for
activity were measured in the same aliquot using the dual
30 s, 52·5 C for 30 s and 72 C for 45 s. Thirty-five cycles
light assay system (Tropix, Bedford, MA, USA) in a
were used for amplification followed by a final extension
LB96V luminometer (EG&G Berthold, Bad Wildbad,
period at 72 C for 10 min. Primers for mouse AR
Germany) controlled by the WinGlow software (EG&G
(accession number M37890) (Gaspar et al. 1990, 1991, He
Berthold). Luciferase reporter gene activity normalized to
et al. 1990, Faber et al. 1991) used in the RT-PCR
paradigm were as follows: forward primer: 5 -AACAACA
GCAGCAGCACC-3 (bases 530 to 547), reverse primer5 -GGATTGGAAGGTGAGAGAGCTT-3 (bases 953to 934).
samples per group. The results were analyzed forstatistically significant differences by a one-way analysis
Amplification products (1/10th of the PCR reaction)
of variance and Dunnett’s post-hoc test on data either
were resolved by electrophoresis through a 1% agarose gel
untransformed or optimally transformed by the method of
and transferred to a nylon membrane (Hybond-N+;
Box–Cox (Box & Cox 1964) using the JMP statistical
Amersham, Arlington Heights, IL, USA) using a trans-Vac
analysis software (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). Specific
data transformations are mentioned in the figure legends.
Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA). The identity of the
amplification products was confirmed by hybridization
the four-parameter logistic equation on either untrans-
using an oligonucleotide probe specific to the mouse AR
formed or Box–Cox-transformed data by a previously
described method (Ghosh et al. 1998). A P<0·05 was
AAACA-3 ). The oligonucleotide was labeled with 32P
designated as the minimum criterion for declaring
using terminal transferase and the resulting probe was
statistically significant differences.
diluted in Rapid-Hyb solution (Amersham). The blot washybridized to the diluted probe for 2 h at 42 C andwashed once at room temperature with 50 ml 5
0·1% SDS. Two additional stringency washes were per-formed at 42 C utilizing 1
To determine whether the pituitary cell line L T2
expresses the AR gene, RT-PCR was conducted on total
Journal of Endocrinology (2001) 170, 601–607 Androgen responsiveness of L T2 cells · M A LAWSON and others 603
Although direct activation of AR leads to transcriptional
responses dependent on the interaction of ligand-bound AR with a competent promoter element, othermechanisms for AR-dependent activation of transcriptionhave been reported that are resistant to inhibition by theandrogen receptor antagonists 2-hydroxy-flutamide andcasodex (Peterziel et al. 1999). Therefore, to establish thatthe androgen responsiveness of pGL3-MMTV is depen-dent on the transcription activation properties of ligand-bound AR, we tested the ability of the AR antagonists2-hydroxy-flutamide and casodex to block the DHT-
Figure 1 L T2 cells express AR mRNA. Primers specific for mouse
evoked response of the reporter gene in L T2 cells. Cells
AR were used to amplify reverse transcribed mouse AR cDNA
were treated with vehicle, 2 nM DHT (EC ) or 2 nM
from L T2 cells or mouse prostate total RNA. Amplification
DHT and increasing concentrations of 2-hydroxy-
products were resolved by electrophoresis through a 1% agarosegel and Southern blotted with an oligonucleotide probe
flutamide or casodex concurrently with transfection. Both
corresponding to a sequence internal to the amplification primer
2-hydroxy-flutamide and casodex blocked DHT-induced
symbols indicate the inclusion or omission of
response of the reporter gene, indicating AR-dependent
RT in the reverse transcription step prior to amplification. Size
activity. In addition, both compounds demonstrated full
indication is derived from a 100 bp ladder included in the agarose
fficacy, since they suppressed DHT-mediated reporter
gene response to levels equivalent to the untreated vehiclecontrols (Fig. 3). Although both AR antagonists were fullyefficacious, they exhibited a marked difference in potency
RNA isolated from L T2 cells. Amplification products of
(56 nM for 2-hydroxy-flutamide versus 1·2 µM for
predicted mobility were identified in RT-PCR reactions
that included reverse transcriptase in L T2 and prostatetotal RNA samples (Fig. 1; left panel). Reactions notcontaining reverse transcriptase did not yield any amplifi-
Discussion
cation product (Fig. 1; left panel). These data indicate thatthe source for the target sequence is mRNA rather than
The results of these studies indicate that the gonadotrope
contaminating genomic DNA. As an additional verifi-
cell line L T2 represents a valuable model for the analysis
cation of RT-PCR fidelity, PCR products were blotted
of androgen action in the pituitary that would facilitate the
and probed with a radiolabeled oligonucleotide derived
dissection of the molecular mechanisms involved in the
from AR sequence internal to the primer sequences used
regulation of gonadotropin production and secretion. Our
in the PCR reaction. A correctly migrating band contain-
data demonstrate that L T2 cells express AR mRNA and
ing appropriate AR-derived sequences was observed (Fig.
functional protein as determined by activation of the
1; right panel). Thus, the L T2 cell line clearly expresses
androgen-sensitive MMTV promoter in a transient trans-
fection paradigm. DHT, FLUOXY, MENT and TEST
The presence of functional AR in L T2 cells was
elicit robust, two- to fourfold increases in reporter gene
evaluated in transient transfection assays using an
activity with the following rank of potencies: MENT>
androgen-sensitive reporter. The pGL3-MMTV reporter
DHT>TEST>FLUOXY. This response is AR depen-
plasmid used in these studies containing the MMTV
dent as evidenced by the blockade of DHT-evoked
long terminal repeat (LTR) promoter driving luciferase
activity of the reporter gene by the well-characterized AR
gene expression was chosen because of the well-
antagonists 2-hydroxy-flutamide and casodex. Our obser-
documented sensitivity of the promoter to direct
vations reinforce the notion that the gonadotrope itself
AR action at the level of transcription (Beato et al.
represents a potential site for androgen action in regulating
gonadotropin synthesis and secretion.
(FLUOXY), 7 -methyl-19-nortestosterone (MENT), or
Androgens are the predominant peripheral signal regu-
testosterone (TEST) caused a dose-dependent increase in
lating LH secretion by acting at both the hypothalamus
pGL3-MMTV reporter gene activity in the L T2 cells
(Damassa et al. 1976, Clayton et al. 1982) and pituitary
(Fig. 2). The rank potencies for the compounds tested
(Kingsley & Bogdanove 1973, Drouin & Labrie 1976,
were MENT>DHT>TEST> FLUOXY and are sum-
Giguere et al. 1981, Kotsuji et al. 1988) sites, although
marized in Table 1. Induction of reporter activity at
their mechanism of action in either tissue is not well
maximal doses ranged approximately two- to fourfold.
defined. Some evidence has been presented to suggest that
The dose-dependent increase in pGL3-MMTV reporter
the hypothalamus alone is the site of androgen feedback
gene expression in androgen-treated cells indicated that
(Dubey et al. 1987, Tilbrook et al. 1991). With respect to
the pituitary site of action, AR is expressed in the anterior
Journal of Endocrinology (2001) 170, 601–607
604 M A LAWSON and others · Androgen responsiveness of L T2 cellsFigure 2 DHT, FLUOXY, MENT and TEST activate the pGL3-MMTV reporter transfected into L T2 cells. Luciferase values are reported relative to -galactosidase activity as an internal control. The open bar represents the vehicle-treated group for each treatment. Results from one of three independent experiments are presented. Data for each group correspond to the means
S.E.M. of six wells. Asterisks denote statistically significant
differences versus the respective vehicle-treated groups. For statistical analysis, data wereconverted to the natural logarithm.
pituitary (Naess et al. 1975, Sar & Stumpf 1977, Thieulant
1999, Pelletier et al. 2000). In particular, AR-like
& Pelletier 1979, Schanbacher et al. 1984, Bonsall et al.
immunoreactivity has been identified in secretory cells of
1985, Sar et al. 1990, Kimura et al. 1993, Abdelgadir et al.
the anterior pituitary (Sar et al. 1990, Pelletier et al. 2000)
Table 1 Summary of potencies for androgens and antiandrogens when tested in multiple experiments 95% Confidence Interassay estimate coefficients of variation (%) Compound Dihydrotestosterone
Data denote the results of (n) independent experiments using six replicates per group. The means arecalculated as the average potency estimate for each experiment weighted by the variance of eachexperiment. The first four compounds were tested alone, the last two were tested in the presence of anEC75 of DHT (2 nM). Weighted mean potency is reported
Journal of Endocrinology (2001) 170, 601–607 Androgen responsiveness of L T2 cells · M A LAWSON and others 605
Figure 3 AR antagonists 2-hydroxy-flutamide and casodex block DHT-induced reporter gene expression in L T2 cells. Cells were co-transfected with the pGL3-MMTV and pCMV- -galactosidase reporter genes. Transfected cells were concurrently treated with vehicle (open bars), an EC75 dose of DHT (2 nM; solid bars) or DHT plus increasing
concentrations of 2-hydroxy-flutamide (2HO-FLUTAMIDE) or casodex (symbols andcurves). Results from one of two independent experiments are presented. Data for eachgroup are represented as the mean
S.E.M. of six wells. Asterisks denote statistically
significant differences versus the DHT-treated groups. For statistical evaluation, data wereelevated to
and AR-positive staining has been described in human
respectively (Drouin & Labrie 1976). In L T2 cells, DHT
pituitary FSH- and LH-producing cells (Kimura et al.
was also approximately 2·5 times more potent than TEST
1993). Similarly, morphological/biochemical studies have
in inducing activation of the reporter gene, indicating that
shown abundant androgen-binding sites in rat pituitary
in these immortalized cells both steroids behave as
gonadotropes (Sar & Stumpf 1977). Our data demonstrate
observed in primary cultures of pituitary cells. In addition,
the presence of AR mRNA and protein in immortalized
it has been shown that MENT is 12–25 times more potent
LH-secreting cells. The L T2 cell line therefore appears to
than TEST in reducing orchidectomy-induced elevation
have retained the ability to express AR as observed in the
of LH secretion (Kumar et al. 1992). This difference in
pituitary in vivo. The presence of functional AR in an
potency is also observed in immortalized gonadotropes,
immortalized, yet highly differentiated, cell line such as
since MENT has an approximately tenfold lower ED50
L T2 cells provides a model system for addressing issues of
than TEST in L T2 cells. Overall, these observations
direct androgen action at the level of the pituitary. This
support the notion that the L T2 cell line represents a
model offers a simpler system where the confounding
relevant model to assess androgen action in pituitary
influence of other endocrine effectors normally found
in vivo or in primary cultures of gonadotropes is absent.
The establishment of an in vitro cell model of gonado-
Functional studies suggest profound effects of androgens
trope function such as the L T2 cell line that is androgen
in the modulation of LH secretion in primary cultures of
responsive represents an important addition to the models
pituitary cells. Both TEST and DHT have been shown to
used to evaluate tissue-selective actions of androgens.
readily suppress LH-releasing hormone (LHRH)-induced
Synthetic androgens and antiandrogens exhibit tissue sel-
LH release from anterior pituitary cells in either static
ectivity that results in different physiological consequences
or dynamic culture conditions (Drouin & Labrie 1976,
when administered in vivo. For example, both 2-hydroxy-
Kotsuji et al. 1988). DHT is approximately three times
flutamide and casodex cause the regression of seminal
more potent than TEST in inhibiting LHRH-induced LH
vesicles and ventral prostate in intact mature rats treated
for 14 days; however, casodex does not cause significant
Journal of Endocrinology (2001) 170, 601–607
606 M A LAWSON and others · Androgen responsiveness of L T2 cells
changes in circulating levels of LH or TEST, whereas
transcription factors binding to their own regulatory se-
2-hydroxy-flutamide does (Furr et al. 1987). In a pituitary
quences in the promoters. Further examination of the
cell background, casodex appears 20-fold less potent than
flutamide in blocking DHT-induced MMTV promoter
promoters is necessary to determine the mechanism by
activity in L T2 cells. However, when tested in a
which androgens inhibit transcriptional activity.
co-transfection assay in CV1 cells, Hamann et al. (1998)
In summary, we have demonstrated that the L T2 cell
line is a useful model for the study of androgen action in
casodex respectively. This difference in activity may be
the anterior pituitary. The availability of a highly differ-
dependent on the cell background, suggesting that casodex
entiated cell line with a consistent gonadotrope phenotype
may be less effective in pituitary gonadotropes than
facilitates the study of the mechanisms of androgen action
flutamide in blocking androgen action. Our observations
in the gonadotrope. The L T2 cells provide a consistent
suggest that the interaction of AR with intracellular
source of material for detailed examination of the tran-
molecular targets may differ between the two antiandro-
scriptional mechanisms of androgen action. Further study
gens tested, leading to a decreased potency of the com-
of AR action on endogenously expressed genes, as well as
pound. Precedence for such an effect is found in the
study of antiandrogen action via ARE-dependent and
analysis of co-factor interaction of estrogen receptor with
non-ARE, protein–protein interaction-dependent mech-
estrogen receptor modulators (Wijayaratne et al. 1999).
anisms will lead to a better mechanistic understanding of
In the case of the estrogen receptor, altered activity of
AR as a modulator of reproductive functions.
the ligand-bound estrogen receptor can be correlatedto altered conformation of the receptor. Furthermore,
Acknowledgements
degradation of AR, thereby exerting antiandrogen activity
A portion of this work was supported by NIH grants
by reducing receptor content (Veldscholte et al. 1992,
R01HD-37568 and U54HD-12303 to M A L. We would
Kemppainen & Wilson 1996, Waller et al. 2000). More
like to thank Drs William Chang, Patricia Finn, William
studies evaluating non-androgen response element (ARE)-
Schrader, Tom Spady and Humberto Viveros for review
dependent AR activity on the LH promoter are required
Androgen-dependent reduction of LH secretion via
direct action at the pituitary, rather than at the hypothal-
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Neuromuscular Disorders 15 (2005) 498–512126th International Workshop: Congenital Myasthenic Syndromes,24–26 September 2004, Naarden, The NetherlandsDavid Beesona, Daniel Hantaı¨b, Hanns Lochmu¨llerc,*, Andrew G. EngeldaNeurosciences Group, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, The John Radcliff, Oxford, UKbINSERM U582, Institut de Myologie, Hoˆpital de la Salpeˆtrie`re, Pa