Crosstalk interactions between transcription factors ERRalpha and PPARalpha assist PPARalpha-mediated gene expression

Abstract

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) is a crucial transcription factor governing genes associated with fatty acid {beta}-oxidation. How various interacting proteins modulate PPARs transcriptional function remains incompletely understood. Employing an unbiased mammalian protein-protein interaction trap with liganded PPAR as bait, we identified an interaction with the orphan nuclear receptor estrogen-related receptor (ERR). Random mutagenesis scanning of PPARs ligand-binding domain and coregulator profiling experiments implicated bridging coregulators, while in vitro studies suggested a trimeric interaction involving RXR. The PPAR{middle dot}ERR interaction, dependent on three C-terminal residues within ERRs helix 12, was reinforced by PGC1 and serum deprivation. Pharmacological inhibition of ERR reduced its interaction with ligand-activated PPAR, revealing a transcriptome indicative of ERR functioning as a transcriptional repressor on prototypical PPAR target genes. Intriguingly, ERR exhibited opposite behavior on other PPAR targets, including the isolated PDK4 enhancer. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses demonstrated PPAR ligand-dependent recruitment of ERR onto specific chromatin regions where PPAR binds in mouse livers. These findings highlight intricate transcriptional crosstalk mechanisms between PPAR and ERR, suggesting a multi-layered regulatory network fine-tuning PPARs activity as a nutrient-sensing transcription factor.