Rational design and synthesis of a novel thyroid hormone antagonist that blocks coactivator recruitment

Quantification of ligand-regulated nuclear receptor corepressor and coactivator binding, key interactions determining ligand potency and efficacy for the thyroid hormone receptor

The potency and efficacy of ligands for nuclear receptors (NR) result both from the affinity of the ligand for the receptor and from the affinity that various coregulatory proteins have for ligand-receptor complexes; the latter interaction, however, is rarely quantified. To understand the molecular basis for ligand potency and efficacy, we developed dual time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (tr-FRET) assays and quantified binding of both ligand and coactivator or corepressor to the thyroid hormone receptor (TR). Promoter-bound TR exerts dual transcriptional regulatory functions, recruiting corepressor proteins and repressing transcription in the absence of thyroid hormones (THs) and shedding corepressors in favor of coactivators upon binding agonists, activating transcription. Our tr-FRET assays involve a TRE sequence labeled with terbium (fluorescence donor), TRbeta.RXRalpha heterodimer, and fluorescein-labeled NR interaction domains of coactivator SRC3 or corepressor NCoR (fluorescence acceptors). Through coregulator titrations, we could determine the affinity of SRC3 or NCoR for TRE-bound TR.RXR heterodimers, unliganded or saturated with different THs. Alternatively, through ligand titrations, we could determine the relative potencies of different THs. The order of TR agonist potencies is as follows: GC-1 approximately T 3 approximately TRIAC approximately T 4 >> rT 3 (for both coactivator recruitment and corepressor dissociation); the affinities of SRC3 binding to TR-ligand complexes followed a similar trend. This highlights the fact that the low activity of rT 3 is derived both from its low affinity for TR and from the low affinity of SRC for the TR-rT 3 complex. The TR antagonist NH-3 failed to induce SRC3 recruitment but did effect NCoR dissociation. These assays provide quantitative information about the affinity of two key interactions that are determinants of NR ligand potency and efficacy.

Development of a thyroid hormone receptor targeting conjugate

Molecular conjugates of hormone receptor-ligands with molecular probes or functional domains are finding diverse applications in chemical biology. Whereas many examples of hormone conjugates that target steroid hormone receptors have been reported, practical ligand conjugates that target the nuclear thyroid hormone receptor (TRbeta) are lacking. TR-targeting conjugate scaffolds based on the ligands GC-1 and NH-2 and the natural ligand triiodothyronine (T3) were synthesized and evaluated in vitro and in cellular assays. Whereas the T3 or GC-1 based conjugates did not bind TRbeta with high affinity, the NH-2 inspired fluorescein-conjugate JZ01 showed low nanomolar affinity for TRbeta and could be used as a nonradiometric probe for ligand binding. A related analogue JZ07 was a potent TR antagonist that is 13-fold selective for TRbeta over TRalpha. JZ01 localizes in the nuclei of TRbeta expressing cells and may serve as a prototype for other TR-targeting conjugates.

3D-QSAR and molecular docking studies of selective agonists for the thyroid hormone receptor beta

Three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) models were developed using comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity analysis (CoMSIA) on a series of agonists of thyroid hormone receptor beta (TRbeta), which may lead to safe therapies for non-thyroid disorders while avoiding the cardiac side effects. The reasonable q(2) (cross-validated) values 0.600 and 0.616 and non-cross-validated r(2) values of 0.974 and 0.974 were obtained for CoMFA and CoMSIA models for the training set compounds, respectively. The predictive ability of two models was validated using a test set of 12 molecules which gave predictive correlation coefficients (r(pred)(2)) of 0.688 and 0.674, respectively. The Lamarckian Genetic Algorithm (LGA) of AutoDock 4.0 was employed to explore the binding mode of the compound at the active site of TRbeta. The results not only lead to a better understanding of interactions between these agonists and the thyroid hormone receptor beta but also can provide us some useful information about the influence of structures on the activity which will be very useful for designing some new agonist with desired activity.

Potential therapeutic applications of thyroid hormone analogs

Thyroid hormone (T3 and T4) has many beneficial effects including enhancing cardiac function, promoting weight loss and reducing serum cholesterol. Excess thyroid hormone is, however, associated with unwanted effects on the heart, bone and skeletal muscle. We therefore need analogs that harness the beneficial effects of thyroid hormone without the untoward effects. Such work is largely based on understanding the cellular mechanisms of thyroid hormone action, specifically the crystal structure of the nuclear receptor proteins. In clinical studies, use of naturally occurring thyroid hormone analogs can suppress TSH levels in patients with thyroid cancer without producing tachycardia. Many thyromimetic compounds have been tested in animal models and shown to increase total body oxygen consumption, and to lower weight and serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels while having minor effects on heart rate. Alternatively, analogs that specifically enhance both systolic and diastolic function are potentially useful in the treatment of chronic congestive heart failure. In addition to analogs that are thyroid hormone receptor agonists, several compounds that are thyroid hormone receptor antagonists have been identified and tested. This Review discusses the potential application of thyroid hormone analogs (both agonists and antagonists) in a variety of human disease states.

General background on the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis

This article reviews the thyroid system, mainly from a mammalian standpoint. However, the thyroid system is highly conserved among vertebrate species, so the general information on thyroid hormone production and feedback through the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis should be considered for all vertebrates, while species-specific differences are highlighted in the individual articles. This background article begins by outlining the HPT axis with its components and functions. For example, it describes the thyroid gland, its structure and development, how thyroid hormones are synthesized and regulated, the role of iodine in thyroid hormone synthesis, and finally how the thyroid hormones are released from the thyroid gland. It then progresses to detail areas within the thyroid system where disruption could occur or is already known to occur. It describes how thyroid hormone is transported in the serum and into the tissues on a cellular level, and how thyroid hormone is metabolized. There is an in-depth description of the alpha and beta thyroid hormone receptors and their functions, including how they are regulated, and what has been learned from the receptor knockout mouse models. The nongenomic actions of thyroid hormone are also described, such as in glucose uptake, mitochondrial effects, and its role in actin polymerization and vesicular recycling. The article discusses the concept of compensation within the HPT axis and how this fits into the paradigms that exist in thyroid toxicology/endocrinology. There is a section on thyroid hormone and its role in mammalian development: specifically, how it affects brain development when there is disruption to the maternal, the fetal, the newborn (congenital), or the infant thyroid system. Thyroid function during pregnancy is critical to normal development of the fetus, and several spontaneous mutant mouse lines are described that provide research tools to understand the mechanisms of thyroid hormone during mammalian brain development. Overall this article provides a basic understanding of the thyroid system and its components. The complexity of the thyroid system is clearly demonstrated, as are new areas of research on thyroid hormone physiology and thyroid hormone action developing within the field of thyroid endocrinology. This review provides the background necessary to review the current assays and endpoints described in the following articles for rodents, fishes, amphibians, and birds.

Novel thyroid hormone receptor antagonists with an N-alkylated diphenylamine skeleton

Thyroid hormones play important roles in growth, development and homeostasis, and disruption of their functions induces serious disease, so novel synthetic thyroid hormone analogues are candidates for clinical application. We designed and synthesized novel diphenylamine derivatives with a thiazolidinedione moiety as the terminal polar group as thyroid hormone receptor (TR) antagonists. Compounds bearing an appropriately sized N-alkyl group showed antagonistic activities towards both the hTRalpha1 and hTRbeta1 subtypes.

Pharmacological Profile of the Thyroid Hormone Receptor Antagonist NH3 in Rats

NH3 is a thyroid hormone receptor (TR) antagonist that inhibits binding of thyroid hormones to their receptor and that inhibits cofactor recruitment. It was active in a tadpole tail resorption assay, with partial agonist activity at high concentrations. We determined the effect of NH3 on the cholesterol-lowering, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)-lowering, and tachycardic action of thyroid hormone (T(3)) in rats. Cholesterol-fed, euthyroid rats were treated for 7 days with NH3, and a dose response (46.2-27,700 nmol/kg/day) was determined. We also determined the effect of two doses of T(3) on the NH3 dose-response curve. NH3 decreased heart rate modestly starting at 46.2 nmol/kg/day, but the effect was lost at >2920 nmol/kg/day. At 27,700 nmol/kg/day, tachycardia was seen, suggesting partial agonist activity. NH3 increased plasma cholesterol to a maximum of 27% at 462 nmol/kg/day. At higher doses, cholesterol was reduced, suggesting partial agonist activity. Plasma TSH was increased from 46.2 to 462 nmol/kg/day NH3, but at higher doses, this effect was lost, and partial agonist effects were apparent. T(3) at 15.4 and 46.2 nmol/kg/day increased heart rate, reduced cholesterol, and reduced plasma TSH. NH3 inhibited the cholesterol-lowering, TSH-lowering and tachycardic effects of 15.4 nmol/kg/day T(3), but much of the effect was lost at >924 nmol/kg/day doses. NH3 had no effect on the cholesterol-lowering action of 46.2 nmol/kg/day T(3), but it inhibited the tachycardic and TSH suppressant effects up to the 924 nmol/kg/day dose. Single doses of 462 and 27,700 nmol/kg caused no TR inhibitory effects. In conclusion, NH3 has TR antagonist properties on T(3)-responsive parameters, but it has partial agonist properties at higher doses.

Thyroid receptor ligands. Part 7: Indirect antagonists of the thyroid hormone receptor with improved affinity

Based on the concept of 'indirect antagonism' of nuclear receptors, a series of thyroid hormone receptor (TR) antagonists were prepared with improved affinity compared with what was previously described. The results of a binding assay for the human TR and reporter cell assay revealed, within this series, that an m-bromobenzoyl substituent (11f) was optimal in terms of affinity and antagonist activity. Compared with already reported TR antagonists, their affinities are within the same range, thus potentially representing useful approach to novel and high-affinity TR-antagonists.

A phosphorimager-based filter binding thyroid hormone receptor competition assay for chemical screening

INTRODUCTION

A phosphorimager-based filter binding thyroid hormone receptor (THR) competition assay has been developed for use in verifying hits from compound library screens.

METHODS

This method employs in vitro translated ligand binding domains (LBDs) of THRalpha and THRbeta, separation through nitrocellulose via a 96-well vacuum manifold, and analysis of receptor-bound radioactivity by phosphorimaging.

RESULTS

A standard curve of [I(125)]T3 showed a linear response over the dynamic range of a competition assay, and a comparison of Sephadex G-25 column separation and gamma counting with en masse filtration and phosphorimaging revealed similar IC(50) and K(i) values when using unlabeled T3 as competitor. In addition, this method produced IC(50) and K(i) values for the known T3 competitors [3,5-Dimethyl-4-(4'-hydoxy-3'-isopropylbenzyl) phenoxy] acetic acid (GC-1) and 3,5-diiodothyropropionic acid (DITPA) similar to those reported elsewhere.

DISCUSSION

These data suggest that filtration and phosphorimaging adequately and properly reproduces binding values associated with THR competition. Further, this method gave a 3-fold reduction in time and a 40-fold reduction in radioactive waste over the column-based method. These reductions allow for a substantial increase in assay throughput. Taken together, these data suggest that en masse filtration and phosphorimaging is an efficient and tractable method for verifying large groups of putative T3 competitors in vitro.

Design and characterization of a thyroid hormone receptor alpha (TRalpha)-specific agonist

Thyroid hormone is a classical endocrine signaling molecule that regulates a diverse array of physiological processes ranging from energy metabolism to cardiac performance. The active form of thyroid hormone, 3,5,3'-triiodo- l -thyronine or T 3 , exerts many of its actions through its receptor, the thyroid hormone receptor (TR), of which there are two subtypes for two isoforms: TRalpha 1 , TRalpha 2 , TRbeta 1 , and TRbeta 2 . Although TR isoforms, with the exception of TRbeta 2 , are expressed in all tissues, they display different patterns of expression in different tissues, giving rise to tissue-specific isoform actions. Currently, several TRbeta-selective agonists have been developed; however, TRalpha-selective agonists have remained elusive. Herein, we report the synthesis and biological evaluation of CO23, the first potent thyromimetic with TRalpha-specific effects in vitro and in vivo .

Unliganded thyroid hormone receptor is essential for Xenopus laevis eye development

Thyroid hormone receptors generally activate transcription of target genes in the presence of thyroid hormone (T(3)) and repress their transcription in its absence. Here, we investigated the role of unliganded thyroid hormone receptor (TR) during vertebrate development using an amphibian model. Previous studies led to the hypothesis that before production of endogenous T(3), the presence of unliganded receptor is essential for premetamorphic tadpole growth. To test this hypothesis, we generated a Xenopus laevis TR beta mutant construct ineffective for gene repression owing to impaired corepressor NCoR recruitment. Overexpression by germinal transgenesis of the mutant receptor leads to lethality during early development with numerous defects in cranio-facial and eye development. These effects correlate with TR expression profiles at these early stages. Molecular analysis of transgenic mutants reveals perturbed expression of genes involved in eye development. Finally, treatment with iopanoic acid or NH-3, modulators of thyroid hormone action, leads to abnormal eye development. In conclusion, the data reveal a role of unliganded TR in eye development.

Rapid nongenomic actions of thyroid hormone

The binding of thyroid hormone to the thyroid hormone receptor (TR) mediates important physiological effects. However, the transcriptional effects of TR mediated by the thyroid response element (TRE) cannot explain many actions of thyroid hormone. We postulate that TR can initiate rapid, non-TRE-mediated effects in the cardiovascular system through cross-coupling to the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase)/protein kinase Akt pathway. In vascular endothelial cells, the predominant TR isoform is TRalpha1. Treatment of endothelial cells with L-3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) increased the association of TRalpha1 with the p85alpha subunit of PI3-kinase, leading to the phosphorylation and activation of Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). The activation of Akt and eNOS by T3 was abolished by the PI3-kinase inhibitors, LY294002 and wortmannin, but not by the transcriptional inhibitor, actinomycin D. To determine the physiological relevance of this PI3-kinase/Akt pathway, we administered T3 to mice undergoing transient focal cerebral ischemia. Compared with vehicle, a single bolus infusion of T3 rapidly increased Akt activity in the brain, decreased mean blood pressure, reduced cerebral infarct volume, and improved neurological deficit score. These neuroprotective effects of T3 were greatly attenuated or absent in eNOS-/- and TRalpha1-/-beta-/- mice and were completely abolished in WT mice pretreated with LY294002 or a T3 antagonist, NH-3. These findings indicate that the activation of PI3-kinase/Akt pathways can mediate some of the rapid, non-TRE effects of TR and suggest that the activation of Akt and eNOS contributes to some of the acute vasodilatory and neuroprotective effects of thyroid hormone.

A developmental switch induced by thyroid hormone: Xenopus laevis metamorphosis

Thyroid hormone induces the complete metamorphosis of anuran tadpoles into juvenile frogs. Arguably, anuran metamorphosis is the most dramatic effect of a hormone in any vertebrate. Recent advances in pharmacology and molecular biology have made the study of this remarkable process in the frog Xenopus laevis attractive to developmental biologists and endocrinologists alike. In particular, the availability of a straightforward transgenesis assay and the near completion of the Xenopus tropicalis genome are enabling significant advances to be made in our understanding of the major remaining problems of metamorphosis: the extraordinary tissue specificity of responses, the precise timing of morphological changes, the degree of cell autonomy of hormone responses and developmental competence. We argue that X. laevis metamorphosis presents an exciting opportunity for understanding the role of thyroid hormone in vertebrate development.

Molecular dynamics simulations reveal multiple pathways of ligand dissociation from thyroid hormone receptors

Nuclear receptor (NR) ligands occupy a pocket that lies within the core of the NR ligand-binding domain (LBD), and most NR LBDs lack obvious entry/exit routes upon the protein surface. Thus, significant NR conformational rearrangements must accompany ligand binding and release. The precise nature of these processes, however, remains poorly understood. Here, we utilize locally enhanced sampling (LES) molecular dynamics computer simulations to predict molecular motions of x-ray structures of thyroid hormone receptor (TR) LBDs and determine events that permit ligand escape. We find that the natural ligand 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine (T(3)) dissociates from the TRalpha1 LBD along three competing pathways generated through i), opening of helix (H) 12; ii), separation of H8 and H11 and the Omega-loop between H2 and H3; and iii), opening of H2 and H3, and the intervening beta-strand. Similar pathways are involved in dissociation of T(3) and the TRbeta-selective ligand GC24 from TRbeta; the TR agonist IH5 from the alpha- and beta-TR forms; and Triac from two natural human TRbeta mutants, A317T and A234T, but are detected with different frequencies in simulations performed with the different structures. Path I was previously suggested to represent a major pathway for NR ligand dissociation. We propose here that Paths II and III are also likely ligand escape routes for TRs and other NRs. We also propose that different escape paths are preferred in different situations, implying that it will be possible to design NR ligands that only associate stably with their cognate receptors in specific cellular contexts.

Analysis of thyroid hormone receptor betaA mRNA expression in Xenopus laevis tadpoles as a means to detect agonism and antagonism of thyroid hormone action

Amphibian metamorphosis represents a unique biological model to study thyroid hormone (TH) action in vivo. In this study, we examined the utility of thyroid hormone receptors alpha (TRalpha) and betaA (TRbetaA) mRNA expression patterns in Xenopus laevis tadpoles as molecular markers indicating modulation of TH action. During spontaneous metamorphosis, only moderate changes were evident for TRalpha gene expression whereas a marked up-regulation of TRbetaA mRNA occurred in hind limbs (prometamorphosis), head (late prometamorphosis), and tail tissue (metamorphic climax). Treatment of premetamorphic tadpoles with 1 nM 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) caused a rapid induction of TRbetaA mRNA in head and tail tissue within 6 to 12 h which was maintained for at least 72 h after initiation of T3 treatment. Developmental stage had a strong influence on the responsiveness of tadpole tissues to induce TRbetaA mRNA during 24 h treatment with thyroxine (0, 1, 5, 10 nM T4) or T3 (0, 1, 5, 10 nM). Premetamorphic tadpoles were highly sensitive in their response to T4 and T3 treatments, whereas sensitivity to TH was decreased in early prometamorphic tadpoles and strongly diminished in late prometamorphic tadpoles. To examine the utility of TRbetaA gene expression analysis for detection of agonistic and antagonistic effects on T3 action, mRNA expression was assessed in premetamorphic tadpoles after 48 h of treatment with the synthetic agonist GC-1 (0, 10, 50, 250 nM), the synthetic antagonist NH-3 (0, 40, 200, 1000 nM), and binary combinations of NH-3 (0, 40, 200, 1000 nM) and T3 (1 nM). All tested concentrations of GC-1 as well as the highest concentration of NH-3 caused an up-regulation of TRbetaA expression. Co-treatment with NH-3 and T3 revealed strong antagonistic effects by NH-3 on T3-induced TRbetaA mRNA up-regulation. Results of this study suggest that TRbetaA mRNA expression analysis could serve as a sensitive molecular testing approach to study effects of environmental compounds on the thyroid system in X. laevis tadpoles.

Polychlorinated biphenyls disturb differentiation of normal human neural progenitor cells: clue for involvement of thyroid hormone receptors

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitous environmental chemicals that accumulate in adipose tissues over the food chain. Epidemiologic studies have indicated that PCBs influence brain development. Children who are exposed to PCBs during development suffer from neuropsychologic deficits such as a lower full-scale IQ (intelligence quotient), reduced visual recognition memory, and attention and motor deficits. The mechanisms leading to these effects are not fully understood. It has been speculated that PCBs may affect brain development by interfering with thyroid hormone (TH) signaling. Because most of the data are from animal studies, we established a model using primary normal human neural progenitor (NHNP) cells to determine if PCBs interfere with TH-dependent neural differentiation. NHNP cells differentiate into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes in culture, and they express a variety of drug metabolism enzymes and nuclear receptors. Like triiodothyronine (T3), treatment with the mono-ortho-substituted PCB-118 (2,3',4,4 ,5-pentachlorobiphenyl; 0.01-1 microM) leads to a dose-dependent increase of oligodendrocyte formation. This effect was congener specific, because the coplanar PCB-126 (3,3',4,4 ,5-pentachlorobiphenyl) had no effect. Similar to the T3 response, the PCB-mediated effect on oligodendrocyte formation was blocked by retinoic acid and the thyroid hormone receptor antagonist NH-3. These results suggest that PCB-118 mimics T3 action via the TH pathway.

Conformational adaptation of nuclear receptor ligand binding domains to agonists: potential for novel approaches to ligand design

Ligands occupy the core of nuclear receptor (NR) ligand binding domains (LBDs) and modulate NR function. X-ray structures of NR LBDs reveal most NR agonists fill the enclosed pocket and promote packing of C-terminal helix 12 (H12), whereas the pockets of unliganded NR LBDs differ. Here, we review evidence that NR pockets rearrange to accommodate different agonists. Some thyroid hormone receptor (TR) ligands with 5' extensions designed to perturb H12 act as antagonists, but many are agonists. One mode of adaptation is seen in a TR/thyroxine complex; the pocket expands to accommodate a 5' iodine extension. Crystals of other NR LBDs reveal that the pocket can expand or contract and some agonists do not fill the pocket. A TRbeta structure in complex with an isoform selective drug (GC-24) reveals another mode of adaptation; the LBD hydrophobic interior opens to accommodate a bulky 3' benzyl extension. We suggest that placement of extensions on NR agonists will highlight unexpected areas of flexibility within LBDs that could accommodate extensions; thereby enhancing the selectivity of agonist binding to particular NRs. Finally, agonists that induce similar LBD structures differ in their activities and we discuss strategies to reveal subtle structural differences responsible for these effects.

Thyroxine-thyroid hormone receptor interactions

Thyroid hormone (TH) actions are mediated by nuclear receptors (TRs alpha and beta) that bind triiodothyronine (T(3), 3,5,3'-triiodo-l-thyronine) with high affinity, and its precursor thyroxine (T(4), 3,5,3',5'-tetraiodo-l-thyronine) with lower affinity. T(4) contains a bulky 5' iodine group absent from T(3). Because T(3) is buried in the core of the ligand binding domain (LBD), we have predicted that TH analogues with 5' substituents should fit poorly into the ligand binding pocket and perhaps behave as antagonists. We therefore examined how T(4) affects TR activity and conformation. We obtained several lines of evidence (ligand dissociation kinetics, migration on hydrophobic interaction columns, and non-denaturing gels) that TR-T(4) complexes adopt a conformation that differs from TR-T(3) complexes in solution. Nonetheless, T(4) behaves as an agonist in vitro (in effects on coregulator and DNA binding) and in cells, when conversion to T(3) does not contribute to agonist activity. We determined x-ray crystal structures of the TRbeta LBD in complex with T(3) and T(4) at 2.5-A and 3.1-A resolution. Comparison of the structures reveals that TRbeta accommodates T(4) through subtle alterations in the loop connecting helices 11 and 12 and amino acid side chains in the pocket, which, together, enlarge a niche that permits helix 12 to pack over the 5' iodine and complete the coactivator binding surface. While T(3) is the major active TH, our results suggest that T(4) could activate nuclear TRs at appropriate concentrations. The ability of TR to adapt to the 5' extension should be considered in TR ligand design.

Selective activators of thyroid hormone receptors

An excess of thyroid hormone (TH) leads to a mix of deleterious (increased heart rate, muscle wasting and osteoporosis) and beneficial effects (reduced serum cholesterol and lipoprotein A and weight loss). All of these actions are mediated by nuclear thyroid hormone receptors (TRs), however, genetic evidence suggests that different TR isoforms do not contribute equally to individual TH effects. Thus, TR isoform selective activators could mimic the beneficial aspects of TH excess while avoiding the harmful effects. This article reviews new selective TR activators, their mechanism of action (they work by targeting the TR-beta isoform) and their actions in animal models. It is clear that these compounds represent a promising new avenue for the treatment of lipid disorders and obesity.

Thyroid receptor ligands. Part 2: Thyromimetics with improved selectivity for the thyroid hormone receptor beta

A set of thyromimetics having improved selectivity for TR-beta1 were prepared by replacing the 3'-isopropyl group of 2 and 3 with substituents having increased steric bulk. From this limited SAR study, the most potent and selective compounds identified were derived from 2 and contained a 3'-phenyl moiety bearing small hydrophobic groups meta to the biphenyl link. X-ray crystal data of 15c complexed with TR-beta1 LBD shows methionine 442 to be displaced by the bulky R3' phenyl ethyl amide side chain. Movement of this amino acid side chain provides an expanded pocket for the bulky side chain while the ligand-receptor complex retains full agonist activity.

Quantitative Proteomics of the Thyroid Hormone Receptor-Coregulator Interactions

The thyroid hormone receptor regulates a diverse set of genes that control processes from embryonic development to adult homeostasis. Upon binding of thyroid hormone, the thyroid receptor releases corepressor proteins and undergoes a conformational change that allows for the interaction of coactivating proteins necessary for gene transcription. This interaction is mediated by a conserved motif, termed the NR box, found in many coregulators. Recent work has demonstrated that differentially assembled coregulator complexes can elicit specific biological responses. However, the mechanism for the selective assembly of these coregulator complexes has yet to be elucidated. To further understand the principles underlying thyroid receptor-coregulator selectivity, we designed a high-throughput in vitro binding assay to measure the equilibrium affinity of thyroid receptor to a library of potential coregulators in the presence of different ligands including the endogenous thyroid hormone T3, synthetic thyroid receptor beta-selective agonist GC-1, and antagonist NH-3. Using this homogenous method several coregulator NR boxes capable of associating with thyroid receptor at physiologically relevant concentrations were identified including ones found in traditional coactivating proteins such as SRC1, SRC2, TRAP220, TRBP, p300, and ARA70; and those in coregulators known to repress gene activation including RIP140 and DAX-1. In addition, it was discovered that the thyroid receptor-coregulator binding patterns vary with ligand and that this differential binding can be used to predict biological responses. Finally, it is demonstrated that this is a general method that can be applied to other nuclear receptors and can be used to establish rules for nuclear receptor-coregulator selectivity.

Towards selectively modulating mineralocorticoid receptor function: lessons from other systems

Although there is clinical utility in blocking mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) action, the usefulness of available MR antagonists is limited because of cross-reactivity with the androgen and progesterone receptors (spironolactone) or possibly by low affinity for MR (eplerenone). MR binds aldosterone and physiologic glucocorticoids, such as cortisol, which both can act as MR agonists in epithelial tissues. However, in preliminary studies aldosterone and cortisol appear to induce different conformations in non-epithelial tissues; in the cardiomyocyte, cortisol usually acts as an MR antagonist, whereas in vascular smooth muscle cortisol mimics aldosterone actions if it can access MR, just as it does in the kidney. Thus, there are needs for improved MR antagonists with higher selectivity and potency and, if possible, for compounds that lock MR into specific desirable conformations. Efforts are underway to modulate selectively the action of many nuclear receptors, and insights from one nuclear receptor may be applicable to others given the similarities in structure and function. We have used traditional approaches aided by X-ray crystallography to obtain several classes of selective ligands that modulate thyroid receptor (TR) action. We describe the properties of these selective TR modulators here, and discuss the possibility that similar approaches to ligand design may yield MR interacting compounds with improved specificity and, possibly, tissue specificity.

Differential SERM effects on corepressor binding dictate ERalpha activity in vivo

Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) show differential effects upon ERalpha activation function 1 (AF-1). Tamoxifen allows strong ERalpha AF-1 activity, whereas raloxifene allows less and ICI 182,780 (ICI) allows none. Here, we show that blockade of corepressor histone de-acetylase (HDAC) activity reverses the differential inhibitory effect of SERMs upon AF-1 activity in MCF-7 cells. This suggests that differential SERM repression of AF-1 involves HDAC-dependent corepressors. Consistent with this, ICI and raloxifene are more potent than tamoxifen in promoting ERalpha-dependent sequestration of progesterone receptor-associated corepressors. Moreover, ICI and raloxifene are more efficient than tamoxifen in promoting ERalpha binding to the corepressor N-CoR in vivo and in vitro. An ERalpha mutation (537X) that increases N-CoR binding in the presence of all SERMs blocks AF-1 activity. An ERalpha mutation (L379R) that decreases N-CoR binding increases AF-1 activity in the presence of ICI and raloxifene and reverses the effect of the 537X mutation. The 537X and L379R mutations also alter the ligand preference of ERalpha action at AP-1 sites and C3 complement, an action that also involves AF-1. Together, our results suggest that differential SERM effects on corepressor binding can explain differences in SERM effects on ERalpha activity. We propose a model for differential effects of SERMs on N-CoR binding.

Design of thyroid hormone receptor antagonists from first principles

It is desirable to obtain TR antagonists for treatment of hyperthyroidism and other conditions. We have designed TR antagonists from first principles based on TR crystal structures. Since agonist ligands are buried in the fold of the TR ligand binding domain (LBD), we reasoned that ligands that resemble agonists with large extensions should bind the LBD, but would prevent its folding into an active conformation. In particular, we predicted that extensions at the 5' aryl position of ligand should reposition helix (H) 12, which forms part of the co-activator binding surface, and thereby inhibit TR activity. We have found that some synthetic ligands with 5' aryl ring extensions behave as antagonists (DIBRT, NH-3), or partial antagonists (GC-14, NH-4). Moreover, one compound (NH-3) represents the first potent TR antagonist with nanomolar affinity that also inhibits TR action in an animal model. However, the properties of the ligands also reveal unexpected aspects of TR behavior. While nuclear receptor antagonists generally promote binding of co-repressors, NH-3 blocks co-activator binding and also prevents co-repressor binding. More surprisingly, many compounds with extensions behave as full or partial agonists. We present hypotheses to explain both behaviors in terms of dynamic equilibrium of H12 position.

A thyroid hormone antagonist that inhibits thyroid hormone action in vivo

We have characterized the newly developed thyroid hormone antagonist NH-3 in both cell culture and in vivo model systems. NH-3 binds Xenopus laevis thyroid hormone receptors directly in vitro and induces a conformation distinct from agonist-bound receptors. Transcriptional activation of a thyroid hormone response element-containing reporter gene is strongly inhibited by NH-3 in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, NH-3 prevents X. laevis thyroid hormone receptors from binding to the p160 family of co-activators GRIP-1 and SRC-1 in a two-hybrid assay. To assess the potency of the compound in vivo, we used induced and spontaneous X. laevis tadpole metamorphosis, a thyroid hormone-dependent developmental process. NH-3 inhibits thyroid hormone-induced morphological changes in a dose-dependent manner and inhibits the up-regulation of endogenous thyroid hormone-responsive genes. Spontaneous metamorphosis is efficiently and reversibly arrested by NH-3 with at least the same effectiveness as the thyroid hormone synthesis inhibitor methimazole. Therefore, NH-3 is the first thyroid hormone antagonist to demonstrate potent inhibition of thyroid hormone action in both cell culture- and whole animal-based assays.