1
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Johnson MJ, Wasmuth EV. Structural perspectives on the androgen receptor, the elusive shape-shifter. Steroids 2024; 211:109501. [PMID: 39208923 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2024.109501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2024] [Revised: 08/21/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
The androgen receptor (AR) is a type I nuclear receptor and master transcription factor responsible for development and maintenance of male secondary sex characteristics. Aberrant AR activity is associated with numerous diseases, including prostate cancer, androgen insensitivity syndrome, spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy, and androgenic alopecia. Recent studies have shown that AR adopts numerous conformations that can modulate its ability to bind and transcribe its target DNA substrates, a feature that can be hijacked in the context of cancer. Here, we summarize a series of structural observations describing how this elusive shape-shifter binds to multiple partners, including self-interactions, DNA, and steroid and non-steroidal ligands. We present evidence that AR's pervasive structural plasticity confers an ability to broadly bind and transcribe numerous ligands in the normal and disease state, and explain the structural basis for adaptive resistance mutations to antiandrogen treatment. These evolutionary features are integral to receptor function, and are commonly lost in androgen insensitivity syndrome, or reinforced in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madisyn J Johnson
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Elizabeth V Wasmuth
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
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2
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Ren L, Zhang T, Zhang J. Recent advances in dietary androgen receptor inhibitors. Med Res Rev 2024; 44:1446-1500. [PMID: 38279967 DOI: 10.1002/med.22019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
As a nuclear transcription factor, the androgen receptor (AR) plays a crucial role not only in normal male sexual differentiation and growth of the prostate, but also in benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis, and prostate cancer. Multiple population-based epidemiological studies demonstrated that prostate cancer risk was inversely associated with increased dietary intakes of green tea, soy products, tomato, and so forth. Therefore, this review aimed to summarize the structure and function of AR, and further illustrate the structural basis for antagonistic mechanisms of the currently clinically available antiandrogens. Due to the limitations of these antiandrogens, a series of natural AR inhibitors have been identified from edible plants such as fruits and vegetables, as well as folk medicines, health foods, and nutritional supplements. Hence, this review mainly focused on recent experimental, epidemiological, and clinical studies about natural AR inhibitors, particularly the association between dietary intake of natural antiandrogens and reduced risk of prostatic diseases. Since natural products offer multiple advantages over synthetic antiandrogens, this review may provide a comprehensive and updated overview of dietary-derived AR inhibitors, as well as their potential for the nutritional intervention against prostatic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Ren
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Tiehua Zhang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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3
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Zhang D, Ma B, Liu D, Wu W, Zhou T, Gao Y, Yang C, Jian Y, Fan Y, Qian Y, Ma J, Gao Y, Chen Y, Xu S, Li L. Discovery of a peptide proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) drug of p300 for prostate cancer therapy. EBioMedicine 2024; 105:105212. [PMID: 38954976 PMCID: PMC11261775 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The E1A-associated protein p300 (p300) has emerged as a promising target for cancer therapy due to its crucial role in promoting oncogenic signaling pathways in various cancers, including prostate cancer. This need is particularly significant in prostate cancer. While androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has demonstrated promising efficacy in prostate cancer, its long-term use can eventually lead to the development of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC). Notably, p300 has been identified as an important co-activator of the androgen receptor (AR), highlighting its significance in prostate cancer progression. Moreover, recent studies have revealed the involvement of p300 in AR-independent oncogenes associated with NEPC. Therefore, the blockade of p300 may emerge as an effective therapeutic strategy to address the challenges posed by both CRPC and NEPC. METHODS We employed AI-assisted design to develop a peptide-based PROTAC (proteolysis-targeting chimera) drug that targets p300, effectively degrading p300 in vitro and in vivo utilizing nano-selenium as a peptide drug delivery system. FINDINGS Our p300-targeting peptide PROTAC drug demonstrated effective p300 degradation and cancer cell-killing capabilities in both CRPC, AR-negative, and NEPC cells. This study demonstrated the efficacy of a p300-targeting drug in NEPC cells. In both AR-positive and AR-negative mouse models, the p300 PROTAC drug showed potent p300 degradation and tumor suppression. INTERPRETATION The design of peptide PROTAC drug targeting p300 is feasible and represents an efficient therapeutic strategy for CRPC, AR-negative prostate cancer, and NEPC. FUNDING The funding details can be found in the Acknowledgements section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dize Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Bohan Ma
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
| | - Donghua Liu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wei Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Tianyang Zhou
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yibo Gao
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Cunli Yang
- Department of the Operating Theater, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yanlin Jian
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yizeng Fan
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yuchen Qian
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jian Ma
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yang Gao
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yule Chen
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Shan Xu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
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4
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Pathak RK, Jung DW, Shin SH, Ryu BY, Lee HS, Kim JM. Deciphering the mechanisms and interactions of the endocrine disruptor bisphenol A and its analogs with the androgen receptor. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 469:133935. [PMID: 38442602 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) and its various forms used as BPA alternatives in industries are recognized toxic compounds and antiandrogenic endocrine disruptors. These chemicals are widespread in the environment and frequently detected in biological samples. Concerns exist about their impact on hormones, disrupting natural biological processes in humans, together with their negative impacts on the environment and biotic life. This study aims to characterize the interaction between BPA analogs and the androgen receptor (AR) and the effect on the receptor's normal activity. To achieve this goal, molecular docking was conducted with BPA and its analogs and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) as a reference ligand. Four BPA analogs exhibited higher affinity (-10.2 to -8.7 kcal/mol) for AR compared to BPA (-8.6 kcal/mol), displaying distinct interaction patterns. Interestingly, DHT (-11.0 kcal/mol) shared a binding pattern with BPA. ADMET analysis of the top 10 compounds, followed by molecular dynamics simulations, revealed toxicity and dynamic behavior. Experimental studies demonstrated that only BPA disrupts DHT-induced AR dimerization, thereby affecting AR's function due to its binding nature. This similarity to DHT was observed during computational analysis. These findings emphasize the importance of targeted strategies to mitigate BPA toxicity, offering crucial insights for interventions in human health and environmental well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh Kumar Pathak
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Da-Woon Jung
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Hee Shin
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Buom-Yong Ryu
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Seok Lee
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do 17546, Republic of Korea; Department of Food Safety and Regulatory Science, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do 17546, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jun-Mo Kim
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do 17546, Republic of Korea.
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5
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Chen H, Zhou Y, Wang X, Chai X, Wang Z, Wang E, Xu L, Hou T, Li D, Duan M. Discovery of Novel Anti-Resistance AR Antagonists Guided by Funnel Metadynamics Simulation. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2309261. [PMID: 38481034 PMCID: PMC11109662 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202309261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
Androgen receptor (AR) antagonists are widely used for the treatment of prostate cancer (PCa), but their therapeutic efficacy is usually compromised by the rapid emergence of drug resistance. However, the lack of the detailed interaction between AR and its antagonists poses a major obstacle to the design of novel AR antagonists. Here, funnel metadynamics is employed to elucidate the inherent regulation mechanisms of three AR antagonists (hydroxyflutamide, enzalutamide, and darolutamide) on AR. For the first time it is observed that the binding of antagonists significantly disturbed the C-terminus of AR helix-11, thereby disrupting the specific internal hydrophobic contacts of AR-LBD and correspondingly the communication between AR ligand binding pocket (AR-LBP), activation function 2 (AF2), and binding function 3 (BF3). The subsequent bioassays verified the necessity of the hydrophobic contacts for AR function. Furthermore, it is found that darolutamide, a newly approved AR antagonist capable of fighting almost all reported drug resistant AR mutants, can induce antagonistic binding structure. Subsequently, docking-based virtual screening toward the dominant binding conformation of AR for darolutamide is conducted, and three novel AR antagonists with favorable binding affinity and strong capability to combat drug resistance are identified by in vitro bioassays. This work provides a novel rational strategy for the development of anti-resistant AR antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyi Chen
- College of Pharmaceutical SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310058China
- National Centre for Magnetic Resonance in WuhanState Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular PhysicsInnovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and TechnologyChinese Academy of SciencesWuhanHubei430071China
- Liangzhu LaboratoryZhejiang University Medical CenterHangzhouZhejiang311121China
| | - Yuxin Zhou
- College of Pharmaceutical SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310058China
| | - Xinyue Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310058China
| | - Xin Chai
- College of Pharmaceutical SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310058China
- Liangzhu LaboratoryZhejiang University Medical CenterHangzhouZhejiang311121China
| | - Zhe Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310058China
| | | | - Lei Xu
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Medical EngineeringSchool of Electrical and Information EngineeringJiangsu University of TechnologyChangzhou213001China
| | - Tingjun Hou
- College of Pharmaceutical SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310058China
| | - Dan Li
- College of Pharmaceutical SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310058China
| | - Mojie Duan
- National Centre for Magnetic Resonance in WuhanState Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular PhysicsInnovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and TechnologyChinese Academy of SciencesWuhanHubei430071China
- NMR and Molecular Sciences, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, The State Key Laboratory of Refractories and MetallurgyWuhan University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430081China
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6
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Hong JY, Wang JY, Yue HW, Zhang XL, Zhang SX, Jiang LL, Hu HY. Coaggregation of polyglutamine (polyQ) proteins is mediated by polyQ-tract interactions and impairs cellular proteostasis. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2023. [PMID: 37171184 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2023081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Nine polyglutamine (polyQ) proteins have already been identified that are considered to be associated with the pathologies of neurodegenerative disorders called polyQ diseases, but whether these polyQ proteins mutually interact and synergize in proteinopathies remains to be elucidated. In this study, 4 polyQ-containing proteins, androgen receptor (AR), ataxin-7 (Atx7), huntingtin (Htt) and ataxin-3 (Atx3), are used as model molecules to investigate their heterologous coaggregation and consequent impact on cellular proteostasis. Our data indicate that the N-terminal fragment of polyQ-expanded (PQE) Atx7 or Htt can coaggregate with and sequester AR and Atx3 into insoluble aggregates or inclusions through their respective polyQ tracts. In vitro coprecipitation and NMR titration experiments suggest that this specific coaggregation depends on polyQ lengths and is probably mediated by polyQ-tract interactions. Luciferase reporter assay shows that these coaggregation and sequestration effects can deplete the cellular availability of AR and consequently impair its transactivation function. This study provides valid evidence supporting the viewpoint that coaggregation of polyQ proteins is mediated by polyQ-tract interactions and benefits our understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying the accumulation of different polyQ proteins in inclusions and their copathological causes of polyQ diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Ye Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jian-Yang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hong-Wei Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiang-Le Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shu-Xian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lei-Lei Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Hong-Yu Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
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7
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Doamekpor SK, Peng P, Xu R, Ma L, Tong Y, Tong L. A partially open conformation of an androgen receptor ligand-binding domain with drug-resistance mutations. Acta Crystallogr F Struct Biol Commun 2023; 79:95-104. [PMID: 36995121 PMCID: PMC10071832 DOI: 10.1107/s2053230x23002224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the androgen receptor (AR) ligand-binding domain (LBD) can cause resistance to drugs used to treat prostate cancer. Commonly found mutations include L702H, W742C, H875Y, F877L and T878A, while the F877L mutation can convert second-generation antagonists such as enzalutamide and apalutamide into agonists. However, pruxelutamide, another second-generation AR antagonist, has no agonist activity with the F877L and F877L/T878A mutants and instead maintains its inhibitory activity against them. Here, it is shown that the quadruple mutation L702H/H875Y/F877L/T878A increases the soluble expression of AR LBD in complex with pruxelutamide in Escherichia coli. The crystal structure of the quadruple mutant in complex with the agonist dihydrotestosterone (DHT) reveals a partially open conformation of the AR LBD due to conformational changes in the loop connecting helices H11 and H12 (the H11-H12 loop) and Leu881. This partially open conformation creates a larger ligand-binding site for AR. Additional structural studies suggest that both the L702H and F877L mutations are important for conformational changes. This structural variability in the AR LBD could affect ligand binding as well as the resistance to antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selom K. Doamekpor
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Panfeng Peng
- Suzhou Kintor Pharmaceuticals Inc, No. 20 Songbei Road, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ruo Xu
- Suzhou Kintor Pharmaceuticals Inc, No. 20 Songbei Road, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, People’s Republic of China
| | - Liandong Ma
- Suzhou Kintor Pharmaceuticals Inc, No. 20 Songbei Road, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, People’s Republic of China
| | - Youzhi Tong
- Suzhou Kintor Pharmaceuticals Inc, No. 20 Songbei Road, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, People’s Republic of China
| | - Liang Tong
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
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8
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Guo X, Xu Y, Sun J, Wang Q, Kong H, Zhong Z. Exploring the Mechanism of Wenshen Huatan Quyu Decotion for PCOS Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Verification. Stem Cells Int 2022; 2022:3299091. [PMID: 36071733 PMCID: PMC9441343 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3299091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To identify the active chemical in Wenshen Huatan Quyu Decotion (WHQD) and to explore its possible network interactions with the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systematic Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and the Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular Mechanisms in Chinese Medicine (BATMAN-TCM) were used to decompose compound formulations, detect active chemicals and their corresponding target genes, and then convert them into UniProt gene symbols. Meanwhile, PCOS-related target genes were collected from GeneCards to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, which was further analyzed by STRING online database. Gene Ontology (GO) functional analysis was also performed afterwards to construct the component-target gene-disease network to visualize the correlation between WHQD and PCOS. We then performed an in silico molecular docking study to validate the predicted relationships. Results WHQD consists of 14 single drugs containing a total of 67 chemical components. 216 genes were predicted as possible targets. 123 of the 216 target genes overlapped with PCOS. GO annotation analysis revealed that 1968 genes were associated with biological processes, 145 with molecular functions, and 71 with cellular components. KEGG analysis revealed 146 pathways involved PPI, and chemical-target gene-disease networks suggest that PGR, AR, ADRB2, IL-6, MAPK1/8, ESR1/2, CHRM3, RXRA, PPARG, BCL2/BAX, GABRA1, and NR3C2 may be key genes for the pharmacological effects of WHQD on PCOS. Molecular docking analysis confirmed that hydrogen bonding was the main interaction between WHQD and its targets. Conclusion WHQD exerts its pharmacological effects by improving insulin sensitivity, subfertility, and hormonal imbalance, increasing ovulation rates, which in turn may increase pregnancy rates in patients with significant efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Guo
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Yunyi Xu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 310053, China
| | - Juan Sun
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Qianqian Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Haibo Kong
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Zixing Zhong
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
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9
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Conformational dynamics of androgen receptors bound to agonists and antagonists. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15887. [PMID: 34354111 PMCID: PMC8342701 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94707-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The androgen receptor (AR) is critical in the progression of prostate cancer (PCa). Small molecule antagonists that bind to the ligand binding domain (LBD) of the AR have been successful in treating PCa. However, the structural basis by which the AR antagonists manifest their therapeutic efficacy remains unclear, due to the lack of detailed structural information of the AR bound to the antagonists. We have performed accelerated molecular dynamics (aMD) simulations of LBDs bound to a set of ligands including a natural substrate (dihydrotestosterone), an agonist (RU59063) and three antagonists (bicalutamide, enzalutamide and apalutamide) as well as in the absence of ligand (apo). We show that the binding of AR antagonists at the substrate binding pocket alter the dynamic fluctuations of H12, thereby disrupting the structural integrity of the agonistic conformation of AR. Two antagonists, enzalutamide and apalutamide, induce considerable structural changes to the agonist conformation of LBD, when bound close to H12 of AR LBD. When the antagonists bind to the pocket with different orientations having close contact with H11, no significant conformational changes were observed, suggesting the AR remains in the functionally activated (agonistic) state. The simulations on a drug resistance mutant F876L bound to enzalutamide demonstrated that the mutation stabilizes the agonistic conformation of AR LBD, which compromises the efficacy of the antagonists. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the structural fluctuations shows that the binding of enzalutamide and apalutamide induce conformational fluctuations in the AR, which are markedly different from those caused by the agonist as well as another antagonist, bicalutamide. These fluctuations could only be observed with the use of aMD.
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10
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Ahmed J, Meszaros A, Lazar T, Tompa P. DNA-binding domain as the minimal region driving RNA-dependent liquid-liquid phase separation of androgen receptor. Protein Sci 2021; 30:1380-1392. [PMID: 33938068 PMCID: PMC8197421 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Androgen receptor (AR) is a nuclear hormone receptor that regulates the transcription of genes involved in the development of testis, prostate and the nervous system. Misregulation of AR is a major driver of prostate cancer (PC). The primary agonist of full-length AR is testosterone, whereas its splice variants, for example, AR-v7 implicated in cancer may lack a ligand-binding domain and are thus devoid of proper hormonal control. Recently, it was demonstrated that full-length AR, but not AR-v7, can undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) in a cellular model of PC. In a detailed bioinformatics and deletion analysis, we have analyzed which AR region is responsible for LLPS. We found that its DNA-binding domain (DBD) can bind RNA and can undergo RNA-dependent LLPS. RNA regulates its LLPS in a reentrant manner, that is, it has an inhibitory effect at higher concentrations. As RNA binds DBD more weakly than DNA, while both RNA and DNA localizes into AR droplets, its LLPS depends on the relative concentration of the two nucleic acids. The region immediately preceding DBD has no effect on the LLPS propensity of AR, whereas the functional part of its long N-terminal disordered transactivation domain termed activation function 1 (AF1) inhibits AR-v7 phase separation. We suggest that the resulting diminished LLPS tendency of AR-v7 may contribute to the misregulation of the transcription function of AR in prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junaid Ahmed
- VIB‐VUB Center for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor BiotechnologyBrusselsBelgium
- Structural Biology Brussels (SBB), Bioengineering Sciences DepartmentVrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)BrusselsBelgium
| | - Attila Meszaros
- VIB‐VUB Center for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor BiotechnologyBrusselsBelgium
- Structural Biology Brussels (SBB), Bioengineering Sciences DepartmentVrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)BrusselsBelgium
| | - Tamas Lazar
- VIB‐VUB Center for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor BiotechnologyBrusselsBelgium
- Structural Biology Brussels (SBB), Bioengineering Sciences DepartmentVrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)BrusselsBelgium
| | - Peter Tompa
- VIB‐VUB Center for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor BiotechnologyBrusselsBelgium
- Structural Biology Brussels (SBB), Bioengineering Sciences DepartmentVrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)BrusselsBelgium
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural SciencesBudapestHungary
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11
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Kong X, Xing E, Zhuang T, Li PK, Cheng X. Mechanistic Insights into the Allosteric Inhibition of Androgen Receptors by Binding Function 3 Antagonists from an Integrated Molecular Modeling Study. J Chem Inf Model 2021; 61:3477-3494. [PMID: 34165949 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
An androgen receptor (AR) is an intensively studied treatment target for castration-resistant prostate cancer that is irresponsive to conventional antiandrogen therapeutics. Binding function 3 (BF3) inhibitors with alternative modes of action have emerged as a promising approach to overcoming antiandrogen resistance. However, how these BF3 inhibitors modulate AR function remains elusive, hindering the development of BF3-targeting agents. Here, we performed an integrated computational study to interrogate the binding mechanism of several known BF3 inhibitors with ARs. Our results show that the inhibitory effect of the BF3 antagonists arises from their allosteric modulation of the activation function (AF2) site, which alters the dynamic coupling between the BF3 and AF2 sites as well as the AF2-coactivator (SRC2-3) interaction. Moreover, the per-residue binding energy analyses reveal the "anchor" role of the linker connecting the phenyl ring and benzimidazole/indole in these BF3 inhibitors. Furthermore, the allosteric driver-interacting residues are found to include both "positive", e.g., Phe673 and Asn833, and "negative" ones, e.g., Phe826, and the differential interactions with these residues provide an explanation why stronger binding does not necessarily result in higher inhibitory activities. Finally, our allosteric communication pathway analyses delineate how the allosteric signals triggered by BF3 binding are propagated to the AF2 pocket through multiple short- and/or long-ranged transmission pathways. Collectively, our combined computational study provides a comprehensive structural mechanism underlying how the selected set of BF3 inhibitors modulate AR function, which will help guide future development of BF3 antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Kong
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Enming Xing
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Tony Zhuang
- J. Willis Hurst Internal Medicine Program, Department of Medicine, Emory University, 100 Woodruff Circle, Atlanta, Georgia 30329, United States
| | - Pui-Kai Li
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Xiaolin Cheng
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
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12
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Waddell AR, Huang H, Liao D. CBP/p300: Critical Co-Activators for Nuclear Steroid Hormone Receptors and Emerging Therapeutic Targets in Prostate and Breast Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:2872. [PMID: 34201346 PMCID: PMC8229436 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13122872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The CREB-binding protein (CBP) and p300 are two paralogous lysine acetyltransferases (KATs) that were discovered in the 1980s-1990s. Since their discovery, CBP/p300 have emerged as important regulatory proteins due to their ability to acetylate histone and non-histone proteins to modulate transcription. Work in the last 20 years has firmly established CBP/p300 as critical regulators for nuclear hormone signaling pathways, which drive tumor growth in several cancer types. Indeed, CBP/p300 are critical co-activators for the androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptor (ER) signaling in prostate and breast cancer, respectively. The AR and ER are stimulated by sex hormones and function as transcription factors to regulate genes involved in cell cycle progression, metabolism, and other cellular functions that contribute to oncogenesis. Recent structural studies of the AR/p300 and ER/p300 complexes have provided critical insights into the mechanism by which p300 interacts with and activates AR- and ER-mediated transcription. Breast and prostate cancer rank the first and forth respectively in cancer diagnoses worldwide and effective treatments are urgently needed. Recent efforts have identified specific and potent CBP/p300 inhibitors that target the acetyltransferase activity and the acetytllysine-binding bromodomain (BD) of CBP/p300. These compounds inhibit AR signaling and tumor growth in prostate cancer. CBP/p300 inhibitors may also be applicable for treating breast and other hormone-dependent cancers. Here we provide an in-depth account of the critical roles of CBP/p300 in regulating the AR and ER signaling pathways and discuss the potential of CBP/p300 inhibitors for treating prostate and breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron R. Waddell
- UF Health Cancer Center, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Florida College of Medicine, 2033 Mowry Road, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA;
| | - Haojie Huang
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Urology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
| | - Daiqing Liao
- UF Health Cancer Center, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Florida College of Medicine, 2033 Mowry Road, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA;
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13
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Branch JR, Bush TL, Pande V, Connolly PJ, Zhang Z, Hickson I, Ondrus J, Jaensch S, Bischoff JR, Habineza G, Van Hecke G, Meerpoel L, Packman K, Parrett CJ, Chong YT, Gottardis MM, Bignan G. Discovery of JNJ-63576253, a Next-Generation Androgen Receptor Antagonist Active Against Wild-Type and Clinically Relevant Ligand Binding Domain Mutations in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer. Mol Cancer Ther 2021; 20:763-774. [PMID: 33649102 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-20-0510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Numerous mechanisms of resistance arise in response to treatment with second-generation androgen receptor (AR) pathway inhibitors in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Among these, point mutations in the ligand binding domain can transform antagonists into agonists, driving the disease through activation of AR signaling. To address this unmet need, we report the discovery of JNJ-63576253, a next-generation AR pathway inhibitor that potently abrogates AR signaling in models of human prostate adenocarcinoma. JNJ-63576253 is advancing as a clinical candidate with potential effectiveness in the subset of patients who do not respond to or are progressing while on second-generation AR-targeted therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tammy L Bush
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania
| | - Vineet Pande
- Janssen Research and Development, Beerse, Belgium
| | | | - Zhuming Zhang
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania
| | - Ian Hickson
- Cancer Research UK Newcastle Drug Discovery Unit, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom
| | - Janine Ondrus
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania
| | | | - James R Bischoff
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Molecular Targeted Therapies (Oncology), Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Gilles Bignan
- Janssen Research and Development, Raritan, New Jersey.
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14
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Hage M, Drui D, Francou B, Mercier S, Guiochon-Mantel A, Belaisch-Allart J, Péréon Y, Cazabat L, De Mazancourt P, Raffin-Sanson ML. Structural analysis of the impact of a novel androgen receptor gene mutation in two adult patients with mild androgen insensitivity syndrome. Andrologia 2020; 53:e13865. [PMID: 33108824 DOI: 10.1111/and.13865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Androgen receptor gene (AR) mutations are responsible for androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) presenting with a clinical phenotype that ranges from gynaecomastia and/ or infertility in mild AIS (MAIS) to complete testicular feminisation in complete AIS. We report a novel AR gene mutation in two unrelated adult patients with MAIS and we studied its functional impact using 3D modelling. Patient 1, referred for infertility, presented with gynaecomastia, mild hypospadias and bilateral testicular hypotrophy contrasting with high testosterone levels, an elevated FSH, an elevated androgen sensitivity index (ASI) and oligoasthenoteratospermia. In vitro fertilisation and intracytoplasmic sperm injection resulted in a successful twin pregnancy. Patient 2 referred for a decrease in athletic performance had surgically treated gynaecomastia, oligoasthenospermia, high testosterone levels and an elevated ASI. Despite his impaired spermogram, he fathered two children without assisted reproductive technology. AR gene sequencing in the two patients revealed a common novel missense mutation, Ala699Thr, in exon 4 within the ligand-binding domain. 3D modelling studies showed that this mutation may impact dimer stability upon ligand binding or may affect allosteric changes upon dimerisation. This study illustrates the value of structural analysis for the functional study of mutations and expands the database of AR gene mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirella Hage
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Ambroise Paré, Service d'Endocrinologie Diabétologie et Nutrition, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Boulogne Billancourt, France
| | - Delphine Drui
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Nantes, Service d'Endocrinologie, L'institut du Thorax, Nantes, France
| | - Bruno Francou
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Bicêtre, Service de Génétique Moléculaire, Pharmacogénétique et Hormonologie, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Sandra Mercier
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Nantes, Service de Génétique Médicale, L'institut du Thorax, Nantes, France
| | - Anne Guiochon-Mantel
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Bicêtre, Service de Génétique Moléculaire, Pharmacogénétique et Hormonologie, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.,Inserm UMR 1185, Faculté de médecine Paris Saclay, Université Paris-Saclay, le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Joelle Belaisch-Allart
- Centre Hospitalier des Quatre Villes, Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique et Médecine de la Reproduction, Sèvres, France
| | - Yann Péréon
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Nantes, Centre de Référence Maladies Neuromusculaires Nantes-Angers, Hôtel-Dieu, Nantes, France
| | - Laure Cazabat
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Ambroise Paré, Service d'Endocrinologie Diabétologie et Nutrition, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Boulogne Billancourt, France.,EA4340, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, UFR des sciences de la santé Simone Veil, Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
| | - Philippe De Mazancourt
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Ambroise Paré, Laboratoire de Biochimie-Génétique Moléculaire, UMR1179, Boulogne Billancourt, France
| | - Marie Laure Raffin-Sanson
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Ambroise Paré, Service d'Endocrinologie Diabétologie et Nutrition, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Boulogne Billancourt, France.,EA4340, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, UFR des sciences de la santé Simone Veil, Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
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15
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Han W, Shi Y, Su J, Zhao Z, Wang X, Li J, Liu H. Virtual Screening and Bioactivity Evaluation of Novel Androgen Receptor Antagonists From Anti-PCa Traditional Chinese Medicine Prescriptions. Front Chem 2020; 8:582861. [PMID: 33094102 PMCID: PMC7528374 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.582861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa), a type of malignancy that arises in the prostate gland, is the most commonly diagnosed neoplasm and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men. Acquisition of resistance to conventional therapy is a major problem for PCa patient treatment. Androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway is necessary in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer, and there is a heightened interest in finding novel AR antagonists that target AR and its regulatory pathways. In our search for novel androgen receptor antagonists, we focus on the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which has been used for thousands of years to prove effective in the treatment of cancer. In this study, we collected 653 traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions that have certain therapeutic effect to prostate cancer, including the prescriptions and even the folk prescriptions. After summarizing the frequency of herbs and gathering the natural products contained in these prescriptions, we built a natural products database to do computer-aided virtual screening and drug-like evaluation to find potential AR antagonists. Totally 25 compounds were submitted to experimental biological activity tests. Through the MTT cell proliferation experiment, 5 chemicals were found to inhibit the proliferation of LNCaP cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Especially, MoL_11 was found to have good antagonistic activity and significantly inhibit fluorescence enzyme activity by the AR reporter gene experiment. Finally, the molecular dynamics simulation method was used to study the interaction between the most active compound MoL_11 and the wild-type and F876L mutant androgen receptor (WT/F876L AR), and it was found that F876L AR could not cause resistance to MoL_11.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenya Han
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yuqi Shi
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jie Su
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhennan Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xin Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jiazhong Li
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Huanxiang Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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16
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Modulation of androgen receptor DNA binding activity through direct interaction with the ETS transcription factor ERG. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:8584-8592. [PMID: 32220959 PMCID: PMC7165421 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1922159117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Progress in studying the androgen receptor (AR), the primary drug target in prostate cancer, has been hampered by challenges in expressing and purifying active multidomain AR for use in cell-free biochemical reconstitution assays. Here we successfully express full-length and truncated AR variants and demonstrate that the oncogenic ETS protein ERG, responsible for half of all prostate cancers, enhances the ability of AR to bind DNA through direct interaction with AR. In addition to providing a biochemical system to evaluate AR activity on different DNA templates, our findings provide insight into why ERG-positive prostate cancers have an expanded AR cistrome. The androgen receptor (AR) is a type I nuclear hormone receptor and the primary drug target in prostate cancer due to its role as a lineage survival factor in prostate luminal epithelium. In prostate cancer, the AR cistrome is reprogrammed relative to normal prostate epithelium and particularly in cancers driven by oncogenic ETS fusion genes. The molecular basis for this change has remained elusive. Using purified proteins, we report a minimal cell-free system that demonstrates interdomain cooperativity between the ligand (LBD) and DNA binding domains (DBD) of AR, and its autoinhibition by the N terminus of AR. Furthermore, we identify ERG as a cofactor that activates AR’s ability to bind DNA in both high and lower affinity contexts through direct interaction within a newly identified AR-interacting motif (AIM) in the ETS domain, independent of ERG’s own DNA binding ability. Finally, we present evidence that this interaction is conserved among ETS factors whose expression is altered in prostate cancer. Our work highlights, at a biochemical level, how tumor-initiating ETS translocations result in reprogramming of the AR cistrome.
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17
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Lin JP, Wei Y, Fan XJ, Zhang MH, Wu MQ, Li W, Wang P, Xiong W. The mechanisms of pei-yuan-tong-nao capsule as a therapeutic agent against cerebrovascular disease. WORLD JOURNAL OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE 2020. [DOI: 10.4103/wjtcm.wjtcm_45_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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18
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Wen S, Niu Y, Huang H. Posttranslational regulation of androgen dependent and independent androgen receptor activities in prostate cancer. Asian J Urol 2019; 7:203-218. [PMID: 33024699 PMCID: PMC7525085 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajur.2019.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in western countries. Androgen receptor (AR) signaling plays key roles in the development of PCa. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) remains the standard therapy for advanced PCa. In addition to its ligand androgen, accumulating evidence indicates that posttranscriptional modification is another important mechanism to regulate AR activities during the progression of PCa, especially in castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). To date, a number of posttranscriptional modifications of AR have been identified, including phosphorylation (e.g. by CDK1), acetylation (e.g. by p300 and recognized by BRD4), methylation (e.g. by EZH2), ubiquitination (e.g. by SPOP), and SUMOylation (e.g. by PIAS1). These modifications are essential for the maintenance of protein stability, nuclear localization and transcriptional activity of AR. This review summarizes posttranslational modifications that influence androgen-dependent and -independent activities of AR, PCa progression and therapy resistance. We further emphasize that in addition to androgen, posttranslational modification is another important way to regulate AR activity, suggesting that targeting AR posttranslational modifications, such as proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) of AR, represents a potential and promising alternate for effective treatment of CRPC. Potential areas to be investigated in the future in the field of AR posttranslational modifications are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simeng Wen
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Institute of Urology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, USA
| | - Yuanjie Niu
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Institute of Urology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Haojie Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, USA.,Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, USA.,Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, USA
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19
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Fancher AT, Hua Y, Strock CJ, Johnston PA. Assays to Interrogate the Ability of Compounds to Inhibit the AF-2 or AF-1 Transactivation Domains of the Androgen Receptor. Assay Drug Dev Technol 2019; 17:364-386. [PMID: 31502857 DOI: 10.1089/adt.2019.940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer and second leading cause of cancer-related death in men in the United States. Twenty percent of patients receiving the standard of care androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) eventually progress to metastatic and incurable castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Current FDA-approved drugs for CRPC target androgen receptor (AR) binding or androgen production, but only provide a 2- to 5-month survival benefit due to the emergence of resistance. Overexpression of AR coactivators and the emergence of AR splice variants, both promote continued transcriptional activation under androgen-depleted conditions and represent drug resistance mechanisms that contribute to CRPC progression. The AR contains two transactivation domains, activation function 2 (AF-2) and activation function 1 (AF-1), which serve as binding surfaces for coactivators involved in the transcriptional activation of AR target genes. Full-length AR contains both AF-2 and AF-1 surfaces, whereas AR splice variants only have an AF-1 surface. We have recently prosecuted a high-content screening campaign to identify hit compounds that can inhibit or disrupt the protein-protein interactions (PPIs) between AR and transcriptional intermediary factor 2 (TIF2), one of the coactivators implicated in CRPC disease progression. Since an ideal inhibitor/disruptor of AR-coactivator PPIs would target both the AF-2 and AF-1 surfaces, we describe here the development and validation of five AF-2- and three AF-1-focused assays to interrogate and prioritize hits that disrupt both transactivation surfaces. The assays were validated using a test set of seven known AR modulator compounds, including three AR antagonists and one androgen synthesis inhibitor that are FDA-approved ADTs, two investigational molecules that target the N-terminal domain of AR, and an inhibitor of the Hsp90 (heat shock protein) molecular chaperone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley T Fancher
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Yun Hua
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Paul A Johnston
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Head and Neck Cancer, and Skin Cancer Specialized Programs of Research Excellence, University of Pittsburgh Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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20
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A Structure-Activity Relationship Study of Bis-Benzamides as Inhibitors of Androgen Receptor-Coactivator Interaction. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24152783. [PMID: 31370197 PMCID: PMC6696232 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24152783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The interaction between androgen receptor (AR) and coactivator proteins plays a critical role in AR-mediated prostate cancer (PCa) cell growth, thus its inhibition is emerging as a promising strategy for PCa treatment. To develop potent inhibitors of the AR-coactivator interaction, we have designed and synthesized a series of bis-benzamides by modifying functional groups at the N/C-terminus and side chains. A structure-activity relationship study showed that the nitro group at the N-terminus of the bis-benzamide is essential for its biological activity while the C-terminus can have either a methyl ester or a primary carboxamide. Surveying the side chains with various alkyl groups led to the identification of a potent compound 14d that exhibited antiproliferative activity (IC50 value of 16 nM) on PCa cells. In addition, biochemical studies showed that 14d exerts its anticancer activity by inhibiting the AR-PELP1 interaction and AR transactivation.
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21
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Han W, Li J. Structure-activity relationship analysis of 3-phenylpyrazole derivatives as androgen receptor antagonists. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2019; 38:2582-2591. [DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2019.1635913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wenya Han
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jiazhong Li
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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22
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Dellafiora L, Galaverna G, Cruciani G, Dall'Asta C. A computational study toward the "personalized" activity of alternariol - Does it matter for safe food at individual level? Food Chem Toxicol 2019; 130:199-206. [PMID: 31128219 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2019.05.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 05/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Mycotoxins in food may threat public health at a global scale. However, for most of them, the current body of knowledge does not support a proper risk assessment and more data are needed to clarify their toxicity. In particular, the assessment of "personalized" action may succeed in understanding and counteracting the effects of many toxicants. Therefore, the assessment of "personalized" toxicology of mycotoxins might deserve attention to foster the understanding of their mechanisms of toxicity and to eventually improve the assessment of risk. This work dealt with the early warning analysis of possible differences in eliciting androgenic stimuli by alternariol, a widespread mycotoxin produce by Alternaria species, when mutations on the androgen receptor occur. It was applied a computational study based on docking simulations, pharmacophore modeling and molecular dynamics to assess the capability of alternariol to interact with the androgen receptor bearing the M749I substitution - which confers insensitivity to androgens stimulation. The results collected pointed to possible "protective" effects against alternariol suggesting: i) the likely existence of inter-individual responses to alternariol stimulation; ii) the meaningfulness of collecting data on "personalized" response to mycotoxins toward a more precise paradigm addressing the risk assessment at the individual level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Dellafiora
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Area Parco delle Scienze 27/A, 43124, Parma, Italy.
| | - Gianni Galaverna
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Area Parco delle Scienze 27/A, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Gabriele Cruciani
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, via Elce di Sotto, 8, 06123, Perugia, Italy
| | - Chiara Dall'Asta
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Area Parco delle Scienze 27/A, 43124, Parma, Italy
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23
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Monczor F, Chatzopoulou A, Zappia CD, Houtman R, Meijer OC, Fitzsimons CP. A Model of Glucocorticoid Receptor Interaction With Coregulators Predicts Transcriptional Regulation of Target Genes. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:214. [PMID: 30930776 PMCID: PMC6425864 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory factors that control gene transcription in multicellular organisms are assembled in multicomponent complexes by combinatorial interactions. In this context, nuclear receptors provide well-characterized and physiologically relevant systems to study ligand-induced transcription resulting from the integration of cellular and genomic information in a cell- and gene-specific manner. Here, we developed a mathematical model describing the interactions between the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and other components of a multifactorial regulatory complex controlling the transcription of GR-target genes, such as coregulator peptides. We support the validity of the model in relation to gene-specific GR transactivation with gene transcription data from A549 cells and in vitro real time quantification of coregulator-GR interactions. The model accurately describes and helps to interpret ligand-specific and gene-specific transcriptional regulation by the GR. The comprehensive character of the model allows future insight into the function and relative contribution of the molecular species proposed in ligand- and gene-specific transcriptional regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Monczor
- Laboratorio de Farmacología de Receptores, Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Antonia Chatzopoulou
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Carlos Daniel Zappia
- Laboratorio de Farmacología de Receptores, Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - René Houtman
- PamGene International B.V., 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands
| | - Onno C Meijer
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Carlos P Fitzsimons
- Neuroscience Collaboration, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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24
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Jin Y, Duan M, Wang X, Kong X, Zhou W, Sun H, Liu H, Li D, Yu H, Li Y, Hou T. Communication between the Ligand-Binding Pocket and the Activation Function-2 Domain of Androgen Receptor Revealed by Molecular Dynamics Simulations. J Chem Inf Model 2019; 59:842-857. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.8b00796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ye Jin
- Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Mojie Duan
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Xuwen Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Xiaotian Kong
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Wenfang Zhou
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Huiyong Sun
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Hui Liu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Dan Li
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Huidong Yu
- Rongene Pharma Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, Guangdong 518054, China
| | - Youyong Li
- Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Tingjun Hou
- Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
- State Key Lab of CAD&CG, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
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25
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Sakkiah S, Kusko R, Pan B, Guo W, Ge W, Tong W, Hong H. Structural Changes Due to Antagonist Binding in Ligand Binding Pocket of Androgen Receptor Elucidated Through Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:492. [PMID: 29867496 PMCID: PMC5962723 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
When a small molecule binds to the androgen receptor (AR), a conformational change can occur which impacts subsequent binding of co-regulator proteins and DNA. In order to accurately study this mechanism, the scientific community needs a crystal structure of the Wild type AR (WT-AR) ligand binding domain, bound with antagonist. To address this open need, we leveraged molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to construct a structure of the WT-AR ligand binding domain bound with antagonist bicalutamide. The structure of mutant AR (Mut-AR) bound with this same antagonist informed this study. After molecular docking analysis pinpointed the suitable binding orientation of a ligand in AR, the model was further optimized through 1 μs of MD simulations. Using this approach, three molecular systems were studied: (1) WT-AR bound with agonist R1881, (2) WT-AR bound with antagonist bicalutamide, and (3) Mut-AR bound with bicalutamide. Our structures were very similar to the experimentally determined structures of both WT-AR with R1881 and Mut-AR with bicalutamide, demonstrating the trustworthiness of this approach. In our model, when WT-AR is bound with bicalutamide, Val716/Lys720/Gln733, or Met734/Gln738/Glu897 move and thus disturb the positive and negative charge clumps of the AF2 site. This disruption of the AF2 site is key for understanding the impact of antagonist binding on subsequent co-regulator binding. In conclusion, the antagonist induced structural changes in WT-AR detailed in this study will enable further AR research and will facilitate AR targeting drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sugunadevi Sakkiah
- Division of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, United States
| | - Rebecca Kusko
- Immuneering Corporation, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Bohu Pan
- Division of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, United States
| | - Wenjing Guo
- Division of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, United States
| | - Weigong Ge
- Division of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, United States
| | - Weida Tong
- Division of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, United States
| | - Huixiao Hong
- Division of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, United States
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26
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Matsushima A. A Novel Action of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals on Wildlife; DDT and Its Derivatives Have Remained in the Environment. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E1377. [PMID: 29734751 PMCID: PMC5983739 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19051377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Huge numbers of chemicals are released uncontrolled into the environment and some of these chemicals induce unwanted biological effects, both on wildlife and humans. One class of these chemicals are endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which are released even though EDCs can affect not only the functions of steroid hormones but also of various signaling molecules, including any ligand-mediated signal transduction pathways. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), a pesticide that is already banned, is one of the best-publicized EDCs and its metabolites have been considered to cause adverse effects on wildlife, even though the exact molecular mechanisms of the abnormalities it causes still remain obscure. Recently, an industrial raw material, bisphenol A (BPA), has attracted worldwide attention as an EDC because it induces developmental abnormalities even at low-dose exposures. DDT and BPA derivatives have structural similarities in their chemical features. In this short review, unclear points on the molecular mechanisms of adverse effects of DDT found on alligators are summarized from data in the literature, and recent experimental and molecular research on BPA derivatives is investigated to introduce novel perspectives on BPA derivatives. Especially, a recently developed BPA derivative, bisphenol C (BPC), is structurally similar to a DDT derivative called dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayami Matsushima
- Laboratory of Structure-Function Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan.
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27
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de Jesus Cortez F, Nguyen P, Truillet C, Tian B, Kuchenbecker KM, Evans MJ, Webb P, Jacobson MP, Fletterick RJ, England PM. Development of 5N-Bicalutamide, a High-Affinity Reversible Covalent Antiandrogen. ACS Chem Biol 2017; 12:2934-2939. [PMID: 28981251 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.7b00702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Resistance to clinical antiandrogens has plagued the evolution of effective therapeutics for advanced prostate cancer. As with the first-line therapeutic bicalutamide (Casodex), resistance to newer antiandrogens (enzalutamide, ARN-509) develops quickly in patients, despite the fact that these drugs have ∼10-fold better affinity for the androgen receptor than bicalutamide. Improving affinity alone is often not sufficient to prevent resistance, and alternative strategies are needed to improve antiandrogen efficacy. Covalent and reversible covalent drugs are being used to thwart drug resistance in other contexts, and activated aryl nitriles are among the moieties being exploited for this purpose. We capitalized on the presence of an aryl nitrile in bicalutamide, and the existence of a native cysteine residue (Cys784) in the androgen receptor ligand binding pocket, to develop 5N-bicalutamide, a cysteine-reactive antiandrogen. 5N-bicalutamide exhibits a 150-fold improvement in Ki and 20-fold improvement in IC50 over the parent compound. We attribute the marked improvement in affinity and activity to the formation of a covalent adduct with Cys784, a residue that is not among the more than 160 androgen receptor point mutations associated with prostate cancer. Increasing the residence time of bound antiandrogen via formation of a covalent adduct may forestall the drug resistance seen with current clinical antiandrogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe de Jesus Cortez
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, 600 16th Street, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Phuong Nguyen
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, 600 16th Street, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Charles Truillet
- Department
of Radiology, University of California San Francisco, 185 Berry
Street, San Francisco, California 94107, United States
| | - Boxue Tian
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, 600 16th Street, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Kristopher M. Kuchenbecker
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, 600 16th Street, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Michael J. Evans
- Department
of Radiology, University of California San Francisco, 185 Berry
Street, San Francisco, California 94107, United States
| | - Paul Webb
- California Institute of Regenerative Medicine Therapeutics Program, Lake Merritt Plaza, 1999 Harrison
Street, Suite #1650, Oakland, California 94612, United States
| | - Matthew P. Jacobson
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, 600 16th Street, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Robert J. Fletterick
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, 600 16th Street, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Pamela M. England
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, 600 16th Street, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
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28
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Structure of the homodimeric androgen receptor ligand-binding domain. Nat Commun 2017; 8:14388. [PMID: 28165461 PMCID: PMC5303882 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The androgen receptor (AR) plays a crucial role in normal physiology, development and metabolism as well as in the aetiology and treatment of diverse pathologies such as androgen insensitivity syndromes (AIS), male infertility and prostate cancer (PCa). Here we show that dimerization of AR ligand-binding domain (LBD) is induced by receptor agonists but not by antagonists. The 2.15-Å crystal structure of homodimeric, agonist- and coactivator peptide-bound AR-LBD unveils a 1,000-Å2 large dimerization surface, which harbours over 40 previously unexplained AIS- and PCa-associated point mutations. An AIS mutation in the self-association interface (P767A) disrupts dimer formation in vivo, and has a detrimental effect on the transactivating properties of full-length AR, despite retained hormone-binding capacity. The conservation of essential residues suggests that the unveiled dimerization mechanism might be shared by other nuclear receptors. Our work defines AR-LBD homodimerization as an essential step in the proper functioning of this important transcription factor. The androgen receptor is crucial for the development and physiology of reproductive organs. Here the authors present the structure of the androgen receptor ligand-binding domain bound to dihydrotestosterone, identifying a homodimerization interface that is crucial for receptor activity in vivo.
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29
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Jadhavar PS, Ramachandran SA, Riquelme E, Gupta A, Quinn KP, Shivakumar D, Ray S, Zende D, Nayak AK, Miglani SK, Sathe BD, Raja M, Farias O, Alfaro I, Belmar S, Guerrero J, Bernales S, Chakravarty S, Hung DT, Lindquist JN, Rai R. Targeting prostate cancer with compounds possessing dual activity as androgen receptor antagonists and HDAC6 inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2016; 26:5222-5228. [PMID: 27717544 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2016.09.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2016] [Revised: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
While enzalutamide and abiraterone are approved for treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), approximately 20-40% of patients have no response to these agents. It has been stipulated that the lack of response and the development of secondary resistance to these drugs may be due to the presence of AR splice variants. HDAC6 has a role in regulating the androgen receptor (AR) by modulating heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) acetylation, which controls the nuclear localization and activation of the AR in androgen-dependent and independent scenarios. With dual-acting AR-HDAC6 inhibitors it should be possible to target patients who don't respond to enzalutamide. Herein, we describe the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of dual-acting compounds which target AR and are also specific towards HDAC6. Our efforts led to compound 10 which was found to have potent dual activity (HDAC6 IC50=0.0356μM and AR binding IC50=<0.03μM). Compound 10 was further evaluated for antagonist and other cell-based activities, in vitro stability and pharmacokinetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradeep S Jadhavar
- Integral BioSciences Pvt. Ltd, C-64, Hosiery Complex Phase II Extension, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201306, India
| | - Sreekanth A Ramachandran
- Integral BioSciences Pvt. Ltd, C-64, Hosiery Complex Phase II Extension, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201306, India
| | - Eduardo Riquelme
- Fundación Ciencia y Vida, Avenida Zañartu 1482, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7780272, Chile
| | - Ashu Gupta
- Integral BioSciences Pvt. Ltd, C-64, Hosiery Complex Phase II Extension, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201306, India
| | - Kevin P Quinn
- Medivation, 525 Market Street, 36th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA
| | | | | | - Dnyaneshwar Zende
- Integral BioSciences Pvt. Ltd, C-64, Hosiery Complex Phase II Extension, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201306, India
| | - Anjan K Nayak
- Integral BioSciences Pvt. Ltd, C-64, Hosiery Complex Phase II Extension, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201306, India
| | - Sandeep K Miglani
- Integral BioSciences Pvt. Ltd, C-64, Hosiery Complex Phase II Extension, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201306, India
| | - Balaji D Sathe
- Integral BioSciences Pvt. Ltd, C-64, Hosiery Complex Phase II Extension, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201306, India
| | - Mohd Raja
- Integral BioSciences Pvt. Ltd, C-64, Hosiery Complex Phase II Extension, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201306, India
| | - Olivia Farias
- Fundación Ciencia y Vida, Avenida Zañartu 1482, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7780272, Chile
| | - Ivan Alfaro
- Fundación Ciencia y Vida, Avenida Zañartu 1482, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7780272, Chile
| | - Sebastián Belmar
- Fundación Ciencia y Vida, Avenida Zañartu 1482, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7780272, Chile
| | - Javier Guerrero
- Fundación Ciencia y Vida, Avenida Zañartu 1482, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7780272, Chile
| | | | | | - David T Hung
- Medivation, 525 Market Street, 36th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA
| | | | - Roopa Rai
- Medivation, 525 Market Street, 36th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA.
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30
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Duan M, Liu N, Zhou W, Li D, Yang M, Hou T. Structural Diversity of Ligand-Binding Androgen Receptors Revealed by Microsecond Long Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Enhanced Sampling. J Chem Theory Comput 2016; 12:4611-9. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.6b00424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mojie Duan
- Key
Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key
Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics,
National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of
Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Na Liu
- Key
Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key
Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics,
National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of
Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Wenfang Zhou
- College
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, P. R. China
| | - Dan Li
- College
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, P. R. China
| | - Minghui Yang
- Key
Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key
Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics,
National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of
Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Tingjun Hou
- College
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, P. R. China
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31
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Biron E, Bédard F. Recent progress in the development of protein-protein interaction inhibitors targeting androgen receptor-coactivator binding in prostate cancer. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2016. [PMID: 26196120 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2015.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The androgen receptor (AR) is a key regulator for the growth, differentiation and survival of prostate cancer cells. Identified as a primary target for the treatment of prostate cancer, many therapeutic strategies have been developed to attenuate AR signaling in prostate cancer cells. While frontline androgen-deprivation therapies targeting either the production or action of androgens usually yield favorable responses in prostate cancer patients, a significant number acquire treatment resistance. Known as the castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), the treatment options are limited for this advanced stage. It has been shown that AR signaling is restored in CRPC due to many aberrant mechanisms such as AR mutations, amplification or expression of constitutively active splice-variants. Coregulator recruitment is a crucial regulatory step in AR signaling and the direct blockade of coactivator binding to AR offers the opportunity to develop therapeutic agents that would remain effective in prostate cancer cells resistant to conventional endocrine therapies. Structural analyses of the AR have identified key surfaces involved in protein-protein interaction with coregulators that have been recently used to design and develop promising AR-coactivator binding inhibitors. In this review we will discuss the design and development of small-molecule inhibitors targeting the AR-coactivator interactions for the treatment of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Biron
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Centre de recherche en endocrinologie moléculaire et oncologique et génomique humaine, Université Laval, Canada; Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, CHU de Québec Research Centre, G1 V 4G2, Québec, QC, Canada.
| | - François Bédard
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Centre de recherche en endocrinologie moléculaire et oncologique et génomique humaine, Université Laval, Canada; Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, CHU de Québec Research Centre, G1 V 4G2, Québec, QC, Canada
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32
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Bryce AH, Antonarakis ES. Androgen receptor splice variant 7 in castration-resistant prostate cancer: Clinical considerations. Int J Urol 2016; 23:646-53. [PMID: 27255944 DOI: 10.1111/iju.13134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Constitutively-active ligand-independent splice variants of the androgen receptor are an adaptive response by prostate cancer cells to escape androgen deprivation therapy and novel androgen receptor-directed treatments. Androgen receptor splice variant 7 is the most common splice variant detected in clinical biospecimens, and emerging data now suggest that the presence of tumoral androgen receptor splice variant 7 might be indicative of primary and acquired resistance to next-generation androgen pathway inhibitors, such as abiraterone and enzalutamide. At the same time, taxane chemotherapy might retain its efficacy regardless of androgen receptor splice variant 7 status, thus suggesting the potential for a predictive biomarker guiding treatment selection in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Herein, we review the preclinical data elucidating the structure and function of androgen receptor splice variant 7, we describe the existing clinical data using this biomarker in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, and we highlight potential therapeutic strategies to target androgen receptor splice variant 7-expressing prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan H Bryce
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Emmanuel S Antonarakis
- Departments of Oncology and Urology, Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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33
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Benod C, Villagomez R, Webb P. TLX: An elusive receptor. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2016; 157:41-7. [PMID: 26554934 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2015.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Revised: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 11/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
TLX (tailless receptor) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily and belongs to a class of nuclear receptors for which no endogenous or synthetic ligands have yet been identified. TLX is a promising therapeutic target in neurological disorders and brain tumors. Thus, regulatory ligands for TLX need to be identified to complete the validation of TLX as a useful target and would serve as chemical probes to pursue the study of this receptor in disease models. It has recently been proved that TLX is druggable. However, to identify potent and specific TLX ligands with desirable biological activity, a deeper understanding of where ligands bind, how they alter TLX conformation and of the mechanism by which TLX mediates the transcription of its target genes is needed. While TLX is in the process of escaping from orphanhood, future ligand design needs to progress in parallel with improved understanding of (i) the binding cavity or surfaces to target with small molecules on the TLX ligand binding domain and (ii) the nature of the TLX coregulators in particular cell and disease contexts. Both of these topics are discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Benod
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute (HMRI), 6670 Bertner Avenue, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Rosa Villagomez
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute (HMRI), 6670 Bertner Avenue, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Paul Webb
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute (HMRI), 6670 Bertner Avenue, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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34
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Suh JH, Chattopadhyay A, Sieglaff DH, Storer Samaniego C, Cox MB, Webb P. Similarities and Distinctions in Actions of Surface-Directed and Classic Androgen Receptor Antagonists. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0137103. [PMID: 26332122 PMCID: PMC4557941 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The androgen receptor (AR) surface-directed antagonist MJC13 inhibits AR function and proliferation of prostate cancer (PC) cells. These effects are related to arrest of an AR/chaperone complex in the cytoplasm. Here, we compared MJC13 and classic AR antagonists such as flutamide and bicalutamide. Microarray analysis and confirmatory qRT-PCR reveals that MJC13 and flutamide inhibit dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-dependent genes in LNCaP PC cells. Both compounds are equally effective on a genome wide basis and as effective as second generation AR antagonists (MDV3100, ARN-509) at selected genes. MJC13 inhibits AR binding to the prostate specific antigen (PSA) promoter more strongly than flutamide, consistent with different mechanisms of action. Examination of efficacy of MJC13 in conditions that reflect aspects castrate resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) reveals that it inhibits flutamide activation of an AR mutant (ART877A) that emerges during flutamide withdrawal syndrome, but displays greatly restricted gene-specific activity in 22Rv1 cells that express a constitutively active truncated AR and is inactive against glucocorticoid receptor (GR), which can co-opt androgen-dependent signaling networks in CRPC. Importantly, MJC13 inhibits AR interactions with SRC2 and β-catenin in the nucleus and, unlike flutamide, strongly inhibits amplification of AR activity obtained with transfected SRC2 and β-catenin. MJC13 also inhibits DHT and β-catenin-enhanced cell division in LNCaP cells. Thus, a surface-directed antagonist can block AR activity in some conditions in which a classic antagonist fails and may display utility in particular forms of CRPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Ho Suh
- Genomic Medicine Program, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 66670 Bertner Avenue, R8-114, Houston, Texas, 77030, United States of America
| | - Arundhati Chattopadhyay
- Genomic Medicine Program, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 66670 Bertner Avenue, R8-114, Houston, Texas, 77030, United States of America
| | - Douglas H. Sieglaff
- Genomic Medicine Program, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 66670 Bertner Avenue, R8-114, Houston, Texas, 77030, United States of America
| | - Cheryl Storer Samaniego
- Border Biomedical Research Center, Dept. of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, Texas, 79902, United States of America
| | - Marc B. Cox
- Border Biomedical Research Center, Dept. of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, Texas, 79902, United States of America
| | - Paul Webb
- Genomic Medicine Program, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 66670 Bertner Avenue, R8-114, Houston, Texas, 77030, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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35
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Mazaira GI, Camisay MF, De Leo S, Erlejman AG, Galigniana MD. Biological relevance of Hsp90-binding immunophilins in cancer development and treatment. Int J Cancer 2015; 138:797-808. [PMID: 25754838 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.29509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2014] [Accepted: 02/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Immunophilins are a family of intracellular receptors for immunosuppressive drugs. Those immunophilins that are related to immunosuppression are the smallest proteins of the family, i.e., FKBP12 and CyPA, whereas the other members of the family have higher molecular weight because the show additional domains to the drug-binding site. Among these extra domains, the TPR-domain is perhaps the most relevant because it permits the interaction of high molecular weight immunophilins with the 90-kDa heat-shock protein, Hsp90. This essential molecular chaperone regulates the biological function of several protein-kinases, oncogenes, protein phosphatases, transcription factors and cofactors . Hsp90-binding immunophilins where first characterized due to their association with steroid receptors. They regulate the cytoplasmic transport and the subcellular localization of these and other Hsp90 client proteins, as well as transcriptional activity, cell proliferation, cell differentiation and apoptosis. Hsp90-binding immunophilins are frequently overexpressed in several types of cancers and play a key role in cell survival. In this article we analyze the most important biological actions of the best characterized Hsp90-binding immunophilins in both steroid receptor function and cancer development and discuss the potential use of these immunophilins for therapeutic purposes as potential targets of specific small molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisela I Mazaira
- Departamento De Química Biológica, Facultad De Ciencias Exactas Y Naturales, Universidad De Buenos Aires and IQUIBICEN-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María F Camisay
- Departamento De Química Biológica, Facultad De Ciencias Exactas Y Naturales, Universidad De Buenos Aires and IQUIBICEN-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sonia De Leo
- Departamento De Química Biológica, Facultad De Ciencias Exactas Y Naturales, Universidad De Buenos Aires and IQUIBICEN-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandra G Erlejman
- Departamento De Química Biológica, Facultad De Ciencias Exactas Y Naturales, Universidad De Buenos Aires and IQUIBICEN-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mario D Galigniana
- Departamento De Química Biológica, Facultad De Ciencias Exactas Y Naturales, Universidad De Buenos Aires and IQUIBICEN-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto De Biología Y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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36
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Brooke GN, Powell SM, Lavery DN, Waxman J, Buluwela L, Ali S, Bevan CL. Engineered repressors are potent inhibitors of androgen receptor activity. Oncotarget 2015; 5:959-69. [PMID: 24659630 PMCID: PMC4011597 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.1360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer growth is dependent upon the Androgen Receptor (AR) pathway, hence therapies for this disease often target this signalling axis. Such therapies are successful in the majority of patients but invariably fail after a median of 2 years and tumours progress to a castrate resistant stage (CRPC). Much evidence exists to suggest that the AR remains key to CRPC growth and hence remains a valid therapeutic target. Here we describe a novel method to inhibit AR activity, consisting of an interaction motif, that binds to the AR ligand-binding domain, fused to repression domains. These ‘engineered repressors’ are potent inhibitors of AR activity and prostate cancer cell growth and importantly inhibit the AR under circumstances in which conventional therapies would be predicted to fail, such as AR mutation and altered cofactor levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greg N Brooke
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, W12 0NN, UK
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Brooke GN, Gamble SC, Hough MA, Begum S, Dart DA, Odontiadis M, Powell SM, Fioretti FM, Bryan RA, Waxman J, Wait R, Bevan CL. Antiandrogens act as selective androgen receptor modulators at the proteome level in prostate cancer cells. Mol Cell Proteomics 2015; 14:1201-16. [PMID: 25693800 PMCID: PMC4424393 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m113.036764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Current therapies for prostate cancer include antiandrogens, inhibitory ligands of the androgen receptor, which repress androgen-stimulated growth. These include the selective androgen receptor modulators cyproterone acetate and hydroxyflutamide and the complete antagonist bicalutamide. Their activity is partly dictated by the presence of androgen receptor mutations, which are commonly detected in patients who relapse while receiving antiandrogens, i.e. in castrate-resistant prostate cancer. To characterize the early proteomic response to these antiandrogens we used the LNCaP prostate cancer cell line, which harbors the androgen receptor mutation most commonly detected in castrate-resistant tumors (T877A), analyzing alterations in the proteome, and comparing these to the effect of these therapeutics upon androgen receptor activity and cell proliferation. The majority are regulated post-transcriptionally, possibly via nongenomic androgen receptor signaling. Differences detected between the exposure groups demonstrate subtle changes in the biological response to each specific ligand, suggesting a spectrum of agonistic and antagonistic effects dependent on the ligand used. Analysis of the crystal structures of the AR in the presence of cyproterone acetate, hydroxyflutamide, and DHT identified important differences in the orientation of key residues located in the AF-2 and BF-3 protein interaction surfaces. This further implies that although there is commonality in the growth responses between androgens and those antiandrogens that stimulate growth in the presence of a mutation, there may also be influential differences in the growth pathways stimulated by the different ligands. This therefore has implications for prostate cancer treatment because tumors may respond differently dependent upon which mutation is present and which ligand is activating growth, also for the design of selective androgen receptor modulators, which aim to elicit differential proteomic responses dependent upon cellular context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greg N Brooke
- From the ‡Androgen Signalling Laboratory, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK; §Molecular Oncology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Simon C Gamble
- From the ‡Androgen Signalling Laboratory, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Michael A Hough
- §Molecular Oncology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Shajna Begum
- ¶Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Imperial College London, London W6 8LH, UK
| | - D Alwyn Dart
- From the ‡Androgen Signalling Laboratory, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK; ‖Cardiff University Peking University Cancer Institute, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Michael Odontiadis
- From the ‡Androgen Signalling Laboratory, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Sue M Powell
- From the ‡Androgen Signalling Laboratory, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Flavia M Fioretti
- From the ‡Androgen Signalling Laboratory, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Rosie A Bryan
- §Molecular Oncology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Jonathan Waxman
- From the ‡Androgen Signalling Laboratory, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Robin Wait
- ¶Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Imperial College London, London W6 8LH, UK
| | - Charlotte L Bevan
- From the ‡Androgen Signalling Laboratory, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK;
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Androgen receptor: structure, role in prostate cancer and drug discovery. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2015; 36:3-23. [PMID: 24909511 PMCID: PMC4571323 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2014.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 541] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2014] [Accepted: 03/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Androgens and androgen receptors (AR) play a pivotal role in expression of the male phenotype. Several diseases, such as androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) and prostate cancer, are associated with alterations in AR functions. Indeed, androgen blockade by drugs that prevent the production of androgens and/or block the action of the AR inhibits prostate cancer growth. However, resistance to these drugs often occurs after 2–3 years as the patients develop castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). In CRPC, a functional AR remains a key regulator. Early studies focused on the functional domains of the AR and its crucial role in the pathology. The elucidation of the structures of the AR DNA binding domain (DBD) and ligand binding domain (LBD) provides a new framework for understanding the functions of this receptor and leads to the development of rational drug design for the treatment of prostate cancer. An overview of androgen receptor structure and activity, its actions in prostate cancer, and how structural information and high-throughput screening have been or can be used for drug discovery are provided herein.
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39
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Screening of synthetic and natural product databases: Identification of novel androgens and antiandrogens. Eur J Med Chem 2015; 90:267-79. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2014.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2014] [Revised: 10/20/2014] [Accepted: 11/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Petit-Topin I, Fay M, Resche-Rigon M, Ulmann A, Gainer E, Rafestin-Oblin ME, Fagart J. Molecular determinants of the recognition of ulipristal acetate by oxo-steroid receptors. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2014; 144 Pt B:427-35. [PMID: 25204619 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2014.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2014] [Revised: 07/31/2014] [Accepted: 08/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The human progesterone receptor (PR) plays a key role in reproductive function in women. PR antagonists have numerous applications in female health care including regular and emergency contraception, and treatment of hormone-related pathological conditions such as breast cancer, endometriosis, and leiomyoma. The main factor limiting their long-term administration is the fact that they cross-bind to other oxo-steroid receptors. Ulipristal acetate (UPA), a highly potent PR antagonist, has recently come onto the market and is much more selective for PR than the other oxo-steroid receptors (androgen, AR, glucocorticoid, GR, and mineralocorticoid, MR receptors) and, remarkably, it displays lower GR-inactivating potency than RU486. We adopted a structural approach to characterizing the binding of UPA to the oxo-steroid receptors at the molecular level. We solved the X-ray crystal structure of the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of the human PR complexed with UPA and a peptide from the transcriptional corepressor SMRT. We used the X-ray crystal structure of the GR in its antagonist conformation to dock UPA within its ligand-binding cavity. Finally, we generated three-dimensional models of the LBD of androgen and mineralocorticoid receptors (AR and MR) in an antagonist conformation and docked UPA within them. Comparing the structures revealed that the network of stabilizing contacts between the UPA C11 aryl group and the LBD is responsible for its high PR antagonist potency. It also showed that it is the inability of UPA to contact Gln642 in GR that explains why it has lower potency in inactivating GR than RU486. Finally, we found that the binding pockets of AR and MR are too small to accommodate UPA, and allowed us to propose that the extremely low sensitivity of MR to UPA is due to inappropriate interactions with the C11 substituent. All these findings open new avenues for designing new PR antagonist compounds displaying greater selectivity.
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MESH Headings
- Binding Sites
- Crystallography, X-Ray
- HEK293 Cells
- Hormone Antagonists/pharmacology
- Humans
- Models, Molecular
- Norpregnadienes/pharmacology
- Protein Conformation
- Receptors, Androgen/chemistry
- Receptors, Androgen/metabolism
- Receptors, Mineralocorticoid/chemistry
- Receptors, Mineralocorticoid/metabolism
- Receptors, Progesterone/agonists
- Receptors, Progesterone/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Progesterone/chemistry
- Receptors, Progesterone/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- I Petit-Topin
- Inserm U773, Centre de Recherche Biomédicale Bichat-Beaujon CRB3, Paris, France; Université Denis Diderot, Site Bichat, Paris, France
| | - M Fay
- Inserm U773, Centre de Recherche Biomédicale Bichat-Beaujon CRB3, Paris, France; Université Denis Diderot, Site Bichat, Paris, France
| | | | - A Ulmann
- Laboratoire HRA Pharma, Paris, France
| | - E Gainer
- Laboratoire HRA Pharma, Paris, France
| | - M-E Rafestin-Oblin
- Inserm U773, Centre de Recherche Biomédicale Bichat-Beaujon CRB3, Paris, France; Université Denis Diderot, Site Bichat, Paris, France
| | - J Fagart
- Inserm U773, Centre de Recherche Biomédicale Bichat-Beaujon CRB3, Paris, France; Université Denis Diderot, Site Bichat, Paris, France; Inserm U693, Le Kremlin - Bicêtre F94276, France; Faculté de Médecine Paris-Sud, Univ Paris-Sud, UMR-S693, Le Kremlin - Bicêtre F94276, France.
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41
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Kattoula SR, Baker ME. Structural and evolutionary analysis of the co-activator binding domain in vertebrate progesterone receptors. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2014; 141:7-15. [PMID: 24388949 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2013.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2013] [Revised: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 12/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Biochemical studies show that binding of co-activators to the progesterone receptor [PR] is an important mechanism for regulating of PR-mediated gene transcription. Unfortunately, unlike other steroid receptors, the PR has not been crystalized with a co-activator. Fortunately, the PR has strong structural similarity to the mineralocorticoid receptor [MR] and glucocorticoid receptor [GR], which have been crystalized with co-activators. This similarity allowed us to construct 3D models of the PR with steroid co-activator 1-Box 4 [SRC1-4] and transcriptional intermediary factor 2-Box 3 [TIF2-3], which were extracted from the crystal structures of human MR and GR, respectively. Comparisons of 3D models of human PR with SRC1-4 and TIF2-3 and human MR with SRC1-4 and GR with TIF2-3 identified some unique interactions between the PR and SRC1-4 and TIF2-3. An evolutionary analysis of the sequence of the co-activator binding groove in human PR found strong conservation in terrestrial vertebrates. However, there are some differences between human PR and the PRs in lamprey, shark and fishes. These differences among the PRs and between the PR, MR and GR may have contributed to the evolution of specificity for progestins, mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids in vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie R Kattoula
- Department of Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0693, United States
| | - Michael E Baker
- Department of Medicine, 0693, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0693, United States.
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42
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Jehle K, Cato L, Neeb A, Muhle-Goll C, Jung N, Smith EW, Buzon V, Carbó LR, Estébanez-Perpiñá E, Schmitz K, Fruk L, Luy B, Chen Y, Cox MB, Bräse S, Brown M, Cato ACB. Coregulator control of androgen receptor action by a novel nuclear receptor-binding motif. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:8839-51. [PMID: 24523409 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.534859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The androgen receptor (AR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that is essential for prostate cancer development. It is activated by androgens through its ligand-binding domain (LBD), which consists predominantly of 11 α-helices. Upon ligand binding, the last helix is reorganized to an agonist conformation termed activator function-2 (AF-2) for coactivator binding. Several coactivators bind to the AF-2 pocket through conserved LXXLL or FXXLF sequences to enhance the activity of the receptor. Recently, a small compound-binding surface adjacent to AF-2 has been identified as an allosteric modulator of the AF-2 activity and is termed binding function-3 (BF-3). However, the role of BF-3 in vivo is currently unknown, and little is understood about what proteins can bind to it. Here we demonstrate that a duplicated GARRPR motif at the N terminus of the cochaperone Bag-1L functions through the BF-3 pocket. These findings are supported by the fact that a selective BF-3 inhibitor or mutations within the BF-3 pocket abolish the interaction between the GARRPR motif(s) and the BF-3. Conversely, amino acid exchanges in the two GARRPR motifs of Bag-1L can impair the interaction between Bag-1L and AR without altering the ability of Bag-1L to bind to chromatin. Furthermore, the mutant Bag-1L increases androgen-dependent activation of a subset of AR targets in a genome-wide transcriptome analysis, demonstrating a repressive function of the GARRPR/BF-3 interaction. We have therefore identified GARRPR as a novel BF-3 regulatory sequence important for fine-tuning the activity of the AR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Jehle
- From the Institute of Toxicology and Genetics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
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43
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Peptidomimetic targeting of critical androgen receptor-coregulator interactions in prostate cancer. Nat Commun 2013; 4:1923. [PMID: 23715282 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms2912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2012] [Accepted: 04/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The growth of advanced prostate cancer depends on androgen receptor signalling, however treatment options are limited. Here we report the disruption of specific protein-protein interactions involving LXXLL motifs in androgen receptor-coregulator proteins such as PELP1 using a novel, small molecule peptidomimetic (D2). D2 is stable, non-toxic and efficiently taken up by prostate cancer cells. Importantly, D2 blocks androgen-induced nuclear uptake and genomic activity of the androgen receptor. Furthermore, D2 abrogates androgen-induced proliferation of prostate cancer cells in vitro with an IC50 of 40 nM, and inhibits tumour growth in a mouse xenograft model. D2 also disrupts androgen receptor-coregulator interactions in ex vivo cultures of primary human prostate tumours. These findings provide evidence that targeting androgen receptor-coregulator interactions using peptidomimetics may be a viable therapeutic approach for patients with advanced prostate cancer.
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44
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Fayne D. De-peptidising protein-protein interactions - big jobs for small molecules. DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY. TECHNOLOGIES 2013; 10:e467-e474. [PMID: 24451636 DOI: 10.1016/j.ddtec.2013.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Virtually all biological processes rely on protein-protein interactions (PPIs) for signal propagation, therefore representing a vast array of potentially viable therapeutic intervention points. Targeting PPIs is a relatively novel drug development strategy so computational approaches towards analysing the interface between protein partners and predicting the likelihood of developing a small molecule inhibitor are still progressing. This review provides an overview of recent successful examples of computational methodologies used to predict druggable PPIs and small molecules designed to inhibit them.
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45
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van der Steen T, Tindall DJ, Huang H. Posttranslational modification of the androgen receptor in prostate cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:14833-59. [PMID: 23863692 PMCID: PMC3742275 DOI: 10.3390/ijms140714833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2013] [Revised: 07/01/2013] [Accepted: 07/03/2013] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The androgen receptor (AR) is important in the development of the prostate by regulating transcription, cellular proliferation, and apoptosis. AR undergoes posttranslational modifications that alter its transcription activity, translocation to the nucleus and stability. The posttranslational modifications that regulate these events are of utmost importance to understand the functional role of AR and its activity. The majority of these modifications occur in the activation function-1 (AF1) region of the AR, which contains the transcriptional activation unit 1 (TAU1) and 5 (TAU5). Identification of the modifications that occur to these regions may increase our understanding of AR activation in prostate cancer and the role of AR in the progression from androgen-dependent to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Most of the posttranslational modifications identified to date have been determined using the full-length AR in androgen dependent cells. Further investigations into the role of posttranslational modifications in androgen-independent activation of full-length AR and constitutively active splicing variants are warranted, findings from which may provide new therapeutic options for CRPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis van der Steen
- Department of Urology Research, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; E-Mails: (T.V.S.); (D.J.T.)
| | - Donald J. Tindall
- Department of Urology Research, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; E-Mails: (T.V.S.); (D.J.T.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Haojie Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +1-507-284-0020; Fax: +1-507-293-3071
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46
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Benod C, Carlsson J, Uthayaruban R, Hwang P, Irwin JJ, Doak AK, Shoichet BK, Sablin EP, Fletterick RJ. Structure-based discovery of antagonists of nuclear receptor LRH-1. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:19830-44. [PMID: 23667258 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.411686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver receptor homolog 1 (nuclear receptor LRH-1, NR5A2) is an essential regulator of gene transcription, critical for maintenance of cell pluripotency in early development and imperative for the proper functions of the liver, pancreas, and intestines during the adult life. Although physiological hormones of LRH-1 have not yet been identified, crystallographic and biochemical studies demonstrated that LRH-1 could bind regulatory ligands and suggested phosphatidylinositols as potential hormone candidates for this receptor. No synthetic antagonists of LRH-1 are known to date. Here, we identify the first small molecule antagonists of LRH-1 activity. Our search for LRH-1 modulators was empowered by screening of 5.2 million commercially available compounds via molecular docking followed by verification of the top-ranked molecules using in vitro direct binding and transcriptional assays. Experimental evaluation of the predicted ligands identified two compounds that inhibit the transcriptional activity of LRH-1 and diminish the expression of the receptor's target genes. Among the affected transcriptional targets are co-repressor SHP (small heterodimer partner) as well as cyclin E1 (CCNE1) and G0S2 genes that are known to regulate cell growth and proliferation. Treatments of human pancreatic (AsPC-1), colon (HT29), and breast adenocarcinoma cells T47D and MDA-MB-468 with the LRH-1 antagonists resulted in the receptor-mediated inhibition of cancer cell proliferation. Our data suggest that specific antagonists of LRH-1 could be used as specific molecular probes for elucidating the roles of the receptor in different types of malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Benod
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, USA
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47
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Discovery of non-LBD inhibitor for androgen receptor by structure-guide design. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2013; 23:3887-90. [PMID: 23727044 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2013.04.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2013] [Revised: 04/11/2013] [Accepted: 04/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we synthesized the BF-3 binding small molecules, a series of pyridazinone-based compounds, as a novel class of non-LBP antiandrogens for treating prostate cancer by inhibiting androgen receptor. The new class compound was discovered to inhibitor the viability of AR-dependent human prostate LNCap cells and AR activity combining with the computational method. It showed a good physicochemical and PK property.
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48
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Hsu WL, Oldfield CJ, Xue B, Meng J, Huang F, Romero P, Uversky VN, Dunker AK. Exploring the binding diversity of intrinsically disordered proteins involved in one-to-many binding. Protein Sci 2013; 22:258-73. [PMID: 23233352 DOI: 10.1002/pro.2207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2012] [Revised: 12/01/2012] [Accepted: 12/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Molecular recognition features (MoRFs) are intrinsically disordered protein regions that bind to partners via disorder-to-order transitions. In one-to-many binding, a single MoRF binds to two or more different partners individually. MoRF-based one-to-many protein-protein interaction (PPI) examples were collected from the Protein Data Bank, yielding 23 MoRFs bound to 2-9 partners, with all pairs of same-MoRF partners having less than 25% sequence identity. Of these, 8 MoRFs were bound to 2-9 partners having completely different folds, whereas 15 MoRFs were bound to 2-5 partners having the same folds but with low sequence identities. For both types of partner variation, backbone and side chain torsion angle rotations were used to bring about the conformational changes needed to enable close fits between a single MoRF and distinct partners. Alternative splicing events (ASEs) and posttranslational modifications (PTMs) were also found to contribute to distinct partner binding. Because ASEs and PTMs both commonly occur in disordered regions, and because both ASEs and PTMs are often tissue-specific, these data suggest that MoRFs, ASEs, and PTMs may collaborate to alter PPI networks in different cell types. These data enlarge the set of carefully studied MoRFs that use inherent flexibility and that also use ASE-based and/or PTM-based surface modifications to enable the same disordered segment to selectively associate with two or more partners. The small number of residues involved in MoRFs and in their modifications by ASEs or PTMs may simplify the evolvability of signaling network diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Lun Hsu
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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49
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Lonergan PE, Tindall DJ. Truncated Androgen Receptor Splice Variants in Prostate Cancer. Prostate Cancer 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-6828-8_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
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50
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Caboni L, Lloyd DG. Beyond the ligand-binding pocket: targeting alternate sites in nuclear receptors. Med Res Rev 2012; 33:1081-118. [PMID: 23344935 DOI: 10.1002/med.21275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear receptors (NRs) are a family of ligand-modulated transcription factors with significant therapeutic relevance from metabolic disorders and inflammation to cancer, neurodegenerative, and psychiatric disorders. Drug discovery efforts are typically concentrated on modulating the natural ligand action within the ligand-binding pocket (LBP) in the C-terminal ligand-binding domain (LBD). Drawbacks of LBP-based strategies include physiological alterations due to disruption of ligand binding and difficulties in achieving tissue specificity. Furthermore, the lack of a "pure" and predictable mechanism of action predisposes such intervention toward drug resistance. Recent outstanding progress in our understanding of NR biology has shifted the focus of drug discovery efforts from inside to outside the LBP, affording consideration to the interaction between NRs and coactivator proteins, the interaction between NRs and DNA and the NRs' ligand-independent functions. This review encompasses such currently available NR non-LBP-based interventions and their potential application in therapy or as specific tools to probe NR biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Caboni
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
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