Estrogen Receptor 1 (ESR1) Enhances Slc2a4 /GLUT4 Expression by a SP1 Cooperative Mechanism

Estrogens are involved in glycemic regulation, playing an important role in the development and/or progression of insulin resistance. For that, estrogens regulate the expression of the glucose transporter protein GLUT4 (codified by the solute carrier family 2 member 4 gene, ), thus modulating adipose and muscle glucose disposal. This regulation is a balance between ESR1-mediated enhancer effect and ESR2-mediated repressor effect on gene. However, molecular mechanisms involved in these effects are poorly understood. Since the specificity protein 1 (SP1) participates in several ESR-mediated genomic regulations, the aim of the present study is to investigate the participation of SP1 in the ESR1/2-mediated regulation of gene. Differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes were 24-hour challenged with 10 nM estradiol (E2) and 10 nM ESR1 agonist (PPT) or 100 nM ESR2 agonist (DPN), added or not with E2. and mRNAs (RT-qPCR), total GLUT4 and nuclear ESR1, ESR2 and SP1 proteins (Western blotting), SP1 binding activity into promoter (EMSA), and nuclear complexation of SP1/ESR1 (immunoprecipitation) were analyzed. E2 and PPT increased (25-50%) whereas DPN reduced (20-45%) and GLUT4 expression. Nuclear content of ESR1 and ESR2 remained unchanged. Nuclear content of SP1 increased (50 to 90%) by PPT and DPN added or not with E2; the highest effect observed with PPT alone. PPT also increased the nuclear content of SP1/ESR1 complex and the SP1 binding into the promoter. ESR1 activation in adipocytes increased the nuclear content of SP1 protein, the SP1/ESR1 interaction and SP1 binding into the gene promoter, culminating with increased /GLUT4 expression. No involvement of SP1 seems to occur in ESR2-mediated repressor effect on . We expect that this ESR1/SP1 cooperative effect can contribute to the development of new approaches for prevention or treatment of insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus.