# Sex Hormone Receptor Components and the Cell Genome

> **NIH NIH R01** · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 2020 · $650,560

## Abstract

Nothing short of defining the three-dimensional (3D) structure of the nuclear receptor (NR) and coregulator
(CoReg) containing transcriptional complex and its order of assembly will significantly advance our current
understanding of gene regulation by steroid hormones. Insights into the fundamental regulatory mechanisms
(both proximal and distal) of transcriptional initiation, elongation, and pausing are critical since steroid hormone
control of gene expression underpins a wide array of physiological and pathophysiological responses. Using
an innovative reconstitution assay of the transcriptional complex, we recently revealed that DNA-bound
progesterone receptor (PR) recruits the steroid receptor coactivator-2 (SRC-2) to the transcriptional complex to
drive target gene expression. This in vitro finding has in vivo significance since we have previously
demonstrated a pivotal role for SRC-2 in PR-dependent reproductive functions in the female mouse and more
recently in PR-driven mammary epithelial expansion and morphogenesis. These in vitro and in vivo findings
are the basis of the following hypothesis: The PR functions together with SRC-2 in a multi-subunit
transcriptional complex to drive transcriptional programs that underpin normal and abnormal mammary
epithelial expansion and morphogenesis. Implicit in this testable hypothesis is that deregulation of SRC-2
levels can derail normal PR mediated transcriptional output, which leads to abnormal hormone responsiveness
of the mammary epithelium, resulting in hyperplasia and cancer. The above hypothesis will be tested by the
following four specific aims: Specific Aim 1: To determine the 3D structure of DNA-bound PR/SRC-2/Co-
CoReg protein complexes on a progesterone response element via cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM);
Specific Aim 2: To codify the regulatory involvement of PR and SRC-2 in Growth Regulation by Estrogen in
Breast Cancer 1 (GREB 1) promoter/enhancer topology and transcriptional activity; Specific Aim 3: To dissect
the selective contributions of luminal epithelial and basal/myoepithelial derived SRC-2 to normal progesterone-
dependent mammary gland morphogenesis in vivo; and Specific Aim 4: To elucidate the role of SRC-2 in
hormone-dependent and -independent aberrant mammary epithelial expansion and morphogenesis. For these
innovative specific aims, forefront molecular and genetic mouse technologies—Cryo-EM, a cell-free
reconstitution assay to study transcriptional complex assembly, cell-type specific cre-mediated gene ablation or
induction in the mouse, and the integrative analysis of genome-wide datasets as a molecular phenotyping
tool—will be used to advance the above provocative hypothesis. The outcomes of this research program are
predicted not only to significantly expand our current understanding NR/CoReg control of gene expression but
will address the underexplored role of CoRegs in normal progesterone-dependent mammary epithelial
proliferation and morphogenesis as well as for...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9886080
- **Project number:** 5R01HD007857-49
- **Recipient organization:** BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** BERT W O'MALLEY
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $650,560
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1977-05-01 → 2022-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9886080

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9886080, Sex Hormone Receptor Components and the Cell Genome (5R01HD007857-49). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9886080. Licensed CC0.

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