PMID: 19270714

Authors:

le Maire A, Grimaldi M, Roecklin D, Dagnino S, Vivat-Hannah V, Balaguer P, Bourguet W

Title:

Activation of RXR-PPAR heterodimers by organotin environmental endocrine disruptors.

Journal:

EMBO Rep. 2009 Apr;10(4):367-73. Epub 2009 Mar 6.

Abstract:

The nuclear receptor retinoid X receptor-alpha (RXR-alpha)-peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) heterodimer was recently reported to have a crucial function in mediating the deleterious effects of organotin compounds, which are ubiquitous environmental contaminants. However, because organotins are unrelated to known RXR-alpha and PPAR-gamma ligands, the mechanism by which these compounds bind to and activate the RXR-alpha-PPAR-gamma heterodimer at nanomolar concentrations has remained elusive. Here, we show that tributyltin (TBT) activates all three RXR-PPAR-alpha, -gamma, -delta heterodimers, primarily through its interaction with RXR. In addition, the 1.9 A resolution structure of the RXR-alpha ligand-binding domain in complex with TBT shows a covalent bond between the tin atom and residue Cys 432 of helix H11. This interaction largely accounts for the high binding affinity of TBT, which only partly occupies the RXR-alpha ligand-binding pocket. Our data allow an understanding of the binding and activation properties of the various organotins and suggest a mechanism by which these tin compounds could affect other nuclear receptor signalling pathways.