Multiple Pit-1-binding sites facilitate estrogen responsiveness of the prolactin gene

Previous studies have shown that estrogen responsiveness of the rat PRL gene requires the presence of both the estrogen receptor and the tissue- specific transcription factor, Pit-1. To examine the contribution of individual Pit-1-binding sites in permitting an estrogen response, we mutated specific sites in both the proximal and distal regions of the rat PRL gene. The studies reveal that mutation of Pit-1-binding sites in either the proximal or the distal region can have an effect on estrogen responsiveness. The most important Pit-1-binding site appears to be the site in the distal enhancer, which is adjacent to the estrogen receptor-binding site. However, mutation of combinations of other Pit-1-binding sites reveals that these sites also contribute to the estrogen response of the PRL gene. The binding sequences for another transcription factor cannot substitute for Pit-1 sites in bringing about a wild-type estrogen response, as shown by replacement of Pit-1-binding sites with a consensus cAMP-responsive element. Conversion of the imperfect palindromic estrogen response element of the PRL gene to a perfect palindrome eliminated the positive effects of an intact 1D Pit-1- binding site. To examine potential physical interactions between the estrogen receptor and Pit-1, a protein interaction assay was performed. The results demonstrate that labeled estrogen receptor can bind to Pit-1 immobilized on glutathione agarose beads. However, most of the interaction between Pit-1 and the estrogen receptor appears to be DNA dependent. Overall, the results demonstrate a distributed role for multiple Pit-1 sites in permitting an estrogen response of the rat PRL gene.