Endogenous Purification of NR4A2 (Nurr1) Identified Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase 1 as a Prime Coregulator in Human Adrenocortical H295R Cells

Aldosterone is synthesized in zona glomerulosa of adrenal cortex in response to angiotensin II. This stimulation transcriptionally induces expression of a series of steroidogenic genes such as HSD3B and CYP11B2 via NR4A (nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A) nuclear receptors and ATF (activating transcription factor) family transcription factors. Nurr1 belongs to the NR4A family and is regarded as an orphan nuclear receptor. The physiological significance of Nurr1 in aldosterone production in adrenal cortex has been well studied. However, coregulators supporting the Nurr1 function still remain elusive. In this study, we performed RIME (rapid immunoprecipitation mass spectrometry of endogenous proteins), a recently developed endogenous coregulator purification method, in human adrenocortical H295R cells and identified PARP1 as one of the top Nurr1-interacting proteins. Nurr1-PARP1 interaction was verified by co-immunoprecipitation. In addition, both siRNA knockdown of PARP1 and treatment of AG14361, a specific PARP1 inhibitor suppressed the angiotensin II-mediated target gene induction in H295R cells. Furthermore, PARP1 inhibitor also suppressed the aldosterone secretion in response to the angiotensin II. Together, these results suggest PARP1 is a prime coregulator for Nurr1.