1
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Lee MS, Bunin DI, Furimsky AM, Nguyen D, Parman T, Kim K, Rausch L, Lin MT, Gupta P, Brown JE, Kroopnick JM, Blithe DL. Novel progestogenic androgens for male contraception: design, synthesis, and activity of C7 α-substituted testosterone†. Biol Reprod 2023; 109:851-863. [PMID: 37669128 PMCID: PMC10724455 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad111] [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: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Male contraceptive development has included use of testosterone (T) with or without a progestin or the use of a single molecule such as progestogenic androgens (PA) for suppression of testicular T production. Expanding upon the vast amount of data accumulated from nortestosterone (NT), NT analogs, and their prodrugs, a new series of PA, the C7 methyl, and ethyl α-substituted T analogs 7α-Methyltestosterone (7α-MT) and 7α-Ethyltestosterone (7α-ET), respectively, were hypothesized and designed to have superior androgenic and progestogenic activities when compared with parent T. Results from androgen receptor and progesterone receptor competitive binding and transcriptional activation assays showed favorable activities for these T analogs. Additionally, 7α-MT and 7α-ET were shown to be active substrates for aromatase in vitro, mitigating a potential negative impact on bone mineral density with long-term use. In conjunction with this observation, the diminished metabolism of these T analogs by 5α-reductase may reduce potential concerns for prostatic growth. In the Hershberger in vivo rat bioassay, 7α-MT and 7α-ET showed superior androgenic and anabolic activities as compared with T. These C7 α-substituted T analogs also showed clear progestogenic activity in the McPhail bioassay which evaluated endometrial glandular arborization in a rabbit model. The discovery of aromatizable molecules with reduced metabolism by 5α-reductase that have androgenic, anabolic, and progestogenic properties indicates that the core and/or prodrugs of 7α-MT and 7α-ET are promising molecules for further development as male contraceptive PAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min S Lee
- Contraceptive Development Program, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Deborah I Bunin
- Biosciences Division, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Anna M Furimsky
- Biosciences Division, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Donna Nguyen
- Biosciences Division, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | | | - Kyuri Kim
- Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Linda Rausch
- Biosciences Division, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Jill E Brown
- Department of Gynecologic Surgery & Obstetrics, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Kroopnick
- Contraceptive Development Program, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Diana L Blithe
- Contraceptive Development Program, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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2
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Eissa MA, Gohar EY. Aromatase enzyme: Paving the way for exploring aromatization for cardio-renal protection. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 168:115832. [PMID: 37931519 PMCID: PMC10843764 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115832] [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: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Documented male-female differences in the risk of cardiovascular and chronic kidney diseases have been largely attributed to estrogens. The cardiovascular and renal protective effects of estrogens are mediated via the activation of estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor, and involve interactions with the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Aromatase, also called estrogen synthase, is a cytochrome P-450 enzyme that plays a pivotal role in the conversion of androgens into estrogens. Estrogens are biosynthesized in gonadal and extra-gonadal sites by the action of aromatase. Evidence suggests that aromatase inhibitors, which are used to treat high estrogen-related pathologies, are associated with the development of cardiovascular events. We review the potential role of aromatization in providing cardio-renal protection and highlight several meta-analysis studies on cardiovascular events associated with aromatase inhibitors. Overall, we present the potential of aromatase enzyme as a fundamental contributor to cardio-renal protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manar A Eissa
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Merit University, New Sohag, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Eman Y Gohar
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States.
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3
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Zhang C, Gilardi G, Di Nardo G. Depicting the proton relay network in human aromatase: New insights into the role of the alcohol‐acid pair. Protein Sci 2022; 31:e4389. [PMID: 36040260 PMCID: PMC9366932 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Human aromatase is the cytochrome P450 catalyzing the conversion of androgens into estrogens in a three steps reaction essential to maintain steroid hormones balance. Here we report the capture and spectroscopic characterization of its compound I (Cpd I), the main reactive species in cytochromes P450. The typical spectroscopic transitions indicating the formation of Cpd I are detected within 0.8 s when mixing aromatase with meta‐chloroperoxybenzoic acid. The estrogen product is obtained from the same reaction mixture, demonstrating the involvement of Cpd I in aromatization reaction. Site‐directed mutagenesis is applied to the acid‐alcohol pair D309 and T310 and to R192, predicted to be part of the proton relay network. Mutants D309N and R192Q do not lead to Cpd I with an associated loss of activity, confirming that these residues are involved in proton delivery for Cpd I generation. Cpd I is captured for T310A mutant and shows 2.9‐ and 4.4‐fold faster rates of formation and decay, respectively, compared to wild‐type (WT). However, its activity is lower than the WT and a larger amount of H2O2 is produced during catalysis, indicating that T310 has an essential role in proton gating for generation of Cpd 0 and Cpd I and for their stabilization. The data provide new evidences on the role of threonine belonging to the conserved “acid‐alcohol” pair and known to be crucial for oxygen activation in cytochromes P450.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Zhang
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology University of Turin Turin 10123 Italy
| | - Gianfranco Gilardi
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology University of Turin Turin 10123 Italy
| | - Giovanna Di Nardo
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology University of Turin Turin 10123 Italy
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4
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Di Nardo G, Di Venere A, Zhang C, Nicolai E, Castrignanò S, Di Paola L, Gilardi G, Mei G. Polymorphism on human aromatase affects protein dynamics and substrate binding: spectroscopic evidence. Biol Direct 2021; 16:8. [PMID: 33902660 PMCID: PMC8073906 DOI: 10.1186/s13062-021-00292-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Human aromatase is a member of the cytochrome P450 superfamily, involved in steroid hormones biosynthesis. In particular, it converts androgen into estrogens being therefore responsible for the correct sex steroids balance. Due to its capacity in producing estrogens it has also been considered as a promising target for breast cancer therapy. Two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (R264C and R264H) have been shown to alter aromatase activity and they have been associated to an increased or decreased risk for estrogen-dependent pathologies. Here, the effect of these mutations on the protein dynamics is investigated by UV/FTIR and time resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. H/D exchange rates were measured by FTIR for the three proteins in the ligand-free, substrate- and inhibitor-bound forms and the data indicate that the wild-type enzyme undergoes a conformational change leading to a more compact tertiary structure upon substrate or inhibitor binding. Indeed, the H/D exchange rates are decreased when a ligand is present. In the variants, the exchange rates in the ligand-free and -bound forms are similar, indicating that a structural change is lacking, despite the single amino acid substitution is located in the peripheral shell of the protein molecule. Moreover, the fluorescence lifetimes data show that the quenching effect on tryptophan-224 observed upon ligand binding in the wild-type, is absent in both variants. Since this residue is located in the catalytic pocket, these findings suggest that substrate entrance and/or retention in the active site is partially compromised in both mutants. A contact network analysis demonstrates that the protein structure is organized in two main clusters, whose connectivity is altered by ligand binding, especially in correspondence of helix-G, where the amino acid substitutions occur. Our findings demonstrate that SNPs resulting in mutations on aromatase surface modify the protein flexibility that is required for substrate binding and catalysis. The cluster analysis provides a rationale for such effect, suggesting helix G as a possible target for aromatase inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Di Nardo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e Biologia dei Sistemi, Università di Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123, Turin, Italy
| | - Almerinda Di Venere
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Chao Zhang
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e Biologia dei Sistemi, Università di Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123, Turin, Italy
| | - Eleonora Nicolai
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Castrignanò
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e Biologia dei Sistemi, Università di Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123, Turin, Italy
| | - Luisa Di Paola
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Unità di Fondamenti Chimico-Fisici dell'Ingegneria Chimica, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, via Álvaro del Portillo 21, 00128, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Gilardi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e Biologia dei Sistemi, Università di Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123, Turin, Italy.
| | - Giampiero Mei
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy.
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5
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Di Nardo G, Zhang C, Marcelli AG, Gilardi G. Molecular and Structural Evolution of Cytochrome P450 Aromatase. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:E631. [PMID: 33435208 PMCID: PMC7827799 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Aromatase is the cytochrome P450 enzyme converting androgens into estrogen in the last phase of steroidogenesis. As estrogens are crucial in reproductive biology, aromatase is found in vertebrates and the invertebrates of the genus Branchiostoma, where it carries out the aromatization reaction of the A-ring of androgens that produces estrogens. Here, we investigate the molecular evolution of this unique and highly substrate-selective enzyme by means of structural, sequence alignment, and homology modeling, shedding light on its key role in species conservation. The alignments led to the identification of a core structure that, together with key and unique amino acids located in the active site and the substrate recognition sites, has been well conserved during evolution. Structural analysis shows what their roles are and the reason why they have been preserved. Moreover, the residues involved in the interaction with the redox partner and some phosphorylation sites appeared late during evolution. These data reveal how highly substrate-selective cytochrome P450 has evolved, indicating that the driving forces for evolution have been the optimization of the interaction with the redox partner and the introduction of phosphorylation sites that give the possibility of modulating its activity in a rapid way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Di Nardo
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, via Accademia Albertina 13, 1023 Torino, Italy; (C.Z.); (A.G.M.)
| | | | | | - Gianfranco Gilardi
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, via Accademia Albertina 13, 1023 Torino, Italy; (C.Z.); (A.G.M.)
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6
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Adhikari N, Baidya SK, Jha T. Effective anti-aromatase therapy to battle against estrogen-mediated breast cancer: Comparative SAR/QSAR assessment on steroidal aromatase inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 208:112845. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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7
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Caciolla J, Bisi A, Belluti F, Rampa A, Gobbi S. Reconsidering Aromatase for Breast Cancer Treatment: New Roles for an Old Target. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25225351. [PMID: 33207783 PMCID: PMC7696276 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25225351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The current therapeutic approach for the treatment of hormone dependent breast cancer includes interference with estrogen receptors via either selective modulators or estrogens deprivation, by preventing their biosynthesis with aromatase inhibitors. Severe side effects and acquired resistance are drawbacks of both drug classes, and the efforts to overcome these issues still allow for research in this field to be animated. This review reports on recent findings that have opened new avenues for reconsidering the role of aromatase enzymes (and estrogen receptors) leading to the possibility of looking at well-known targets in a new perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Caciolla
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandra Bisi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Federica Belluti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Angela Rampa
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Silvia Gobbi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
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8
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Verma SK, Ratre P, Jain AK, Liang C, Gupta GD, Thareja S. De novo designing, assessment of target affinity and binding interactions against aromatase: Discovery of novel leads as anti-breast cancer agents. Struct Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11224-020-01673-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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9
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Ratre P, Mishra K, Dubey A, Vyas A, Jain A, Thareja S. Aromatase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Breast Cancer: A Journey from the Scratch. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2020; 20:1994-2004. [DOI: 10.2174/1871520620666200627204105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Background:
Estrogens are essential for the growth of breast cancer in the case of premenopausal as
well as in postmenopausal women. However, most of the breast cancer incidences are reported in postmenopausal
women and the concurrent risk surges with an increase in age. Since the enzyme aromatase catalyses
essential steps in estrogen biosynthesis, Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs) are effective targeted therapy in patients
with Estrogen Receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer. AIs are more effective than Selective Estrogen Receptor
Modulators (SERMs) because they block both the genomic and nongenomic activities of ER. Till date, first,
second and third-generation AIs have been approved by the FDA. The third-generation AIs, viz. Letrozole,
Anastrozole, Exemestane, are currently used in the standard treatment for postmenopausal breast cancer.
Methods:
Data were collected from Medline, PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct through searching of
keywords: ‘aromatase’, ‘aromatase inhibitors’, ‘breast cancer’, ‘steroidal aromatase inhibitors’, ‘non-steroidal
inhibitors’ and ‘generations of aromatase inhibitors’.
Results:
In the current scenario of breast cancer chemotherapy, AIs are the most widely used agents which reveal
optimum efficacy along with the least side effects. Keeping in view the prominence of AIs in breast cancer
therapy, this review covered the detailed description of aromatase including its role in the biosynthesis of estrogen,
biochemistry, gene expression, 3D-structure, and information of reported AIs along with their role in breast
cancer treatment.
Conclusion:
AIs are the mainstream solution of the ER+ breast cancer treatment regimen with the continuous
improvement of human understanding of the importance of a healthy life of women suffering from breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Ratre
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Ghasidas Central University, Bilaspur-495 009 (C.G.), India
| | - Keerti Mishra
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Ghasidas Central University, Bilaspur-495 009 (C.G.), India
| | - Amit Dubey
- Chhattisgarh Council of Science and Technology, Raipur-492 014 (C.G.), India
| | - Amber Vyas
- University Institute of Pharmacy, Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur-492 010 (C.G.), India
| | - Akhlesh Jain
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Ghasidas Central University, Bilaspur-495 009 (C.G.), India
| | - Suresh Thareja
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Ghasidas Central University, Bilaspur-495 009 (C.G.), India
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10
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Molecular Basis for Endocrine Disruption by Pesticides Targeting Aromatase and Estrogen Receptor. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17165664. [PMID: 32764486 PMCID: PMC7459580 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17165664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The intensive use of pesticides has led to their increasing presence in water, soil, and agricultural products. Mounting evidence indicates that some pesticides may be endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), being therefore harmful for the human health and the environment. In this study, three pesticides, glyphosate, thiacloprid, and imidacloprid, were tested for their ability to interfere with estrogen biosynthesis and/or signaling, to evaluate their potential action as EDCs. Among the tested compounds, only glyphosate inhibited aromatase activity (up to 30%) via a non-competitive inhibition or a mixed inhibition mechanism depending on the concentration applied. Then, the ability of the three pesticides to induce an estrogenic activity was tested in MELN cells. When compared to 17β-estradiol, thiacloprid and imidacloprid induced an estrogenic activity at the highest concentrations tested with a relative potency of 5.4 × 10−10 and 3.7 × 10−9, respectively. Molecular dynamics and docking simulations predicted the potential binding sites and the binding mode of the three pesticides on the structure of the two key targets, providing a rational for their mechanism as EDCs. The results demonstrate that the three pesticides are potential EDCs as glyphosate acts as an aromatase inhibitor, whereas imidacloprid and thiacloprid can interfere with estrogen induced signaling.
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11
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Zhang C, Catucci G, Di Nardo G, Gilardi G. Effector role of cytochrome P450 reductase for androstenedione binding to human aromatase. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 164:510-517. [PMID: 32698066 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.07.163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Cytochromes P450 constitute a large superfamily of monooxygenases involved in many metabolic pathways. Most of them are not self-sufficient and need a reductase protein to provide the electrons necessary for catalysis. It was shown that the redox partner plays a role in the modulation of the structure and function of some bacterial P450 enzymes. Here, the effect of NADPH-cytochrome reductase (CPR) on human aromatase (Aro) is studied for what concerns its role in substrate binding. Pre-steady-state kinetic experiments indicate that both the substrate binding rates and the percentage of spin shift detected for aromatase are increased when CPR is present. Moreover, aromatase binds the substrate through a conformational selection mechanism, suggesting a possible effector role of CPR. The thermodynamic parameters for the formation of the CPR-Aro complex were studied by isothermal titration calorimetry. The dissociation constant of the complex formation is 4.5 folds lower for substrate-free compared to the substrate-bound enzyme. The enthalpy change observed when the CPR-Aro complex forms in the absence of the substrate are higher than in its presence, indicating that more interactions are formed/broken in the former case. Taken together, our data confirm that CPR has a role in promoting aromatase conformation optimal for substrate binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Zhang
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, Torino 10123, Italy
| | - Gianluca Catucci
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, Torino 10123, Italy
| | - Giovanna Di Nardo
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, Torino 10123, Italy.
| | - Gianfranco Gilardi
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, Torino 10123, Italy.
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12
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Vegeto E, Villa A, Della Torre S, Crippa V, Rusmini P, Cristofani R, Galbiati M, Maggi A, Poletti A. The Role of Sex and Sex Hormones in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Endocr Rev 2020; 41:5572525. [PMID: 31544208 PMCID: PMC7156855 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnz005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are a wide class of disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) with unknown etiology. Several factors were hypothesized to be involved in the pathogenesis of these diseases, including genetic and environmental factors. Many of these diseases show a sex prevalence and sex steroids were shown to have a role in the progression of specific forms of neurodegeneration. Estrogens were reported to be neuroprotective through their action on cognate nuclear and membrane receptors, while adverse effects of male hormones have been described on neuronal cells, although some data also suggest neuroprotective activities. The response of the CNS to sex steroids is a complex and integrated process that depends on (i) the type and amount of the cognate steroid receptor and (ii) the target cell type-either neurons, glia, or microglia. Moreover, the levels of sex steroids in the CNS fluctuate due to gonadal activities and to local metabolism and synthesis. Importantly, biochemical processes involved in the pathogenesis of NDs are increasingly being recognized as different between the two sexes and as influenced by sex steroids. The aim of this review is to present current state-of-the-art understanding on the potential role of sex steroids and their receptors on the onset and progression of major neurodegenerative disorders, namely, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and the peculiar motoneuron disease spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy, in which hormonal therapy is potentially useful as disease modifier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Vegeto
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche (DiSFarm), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Alessandro Villa
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute (DiSS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Sara Della Torre
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche (DiSFarm), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Valeria Crippa
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Eccellenza di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Paola Rusmini
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Eccellenza di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Riccardo Cristofani
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Eccellenza di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Mariarita Galbiati
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Eccellenza di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Adriana Maggi
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche (DiSFarm), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Angelo Poletti
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Eccellenza di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
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13
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Praveen VP, Ladjouze A, Sauter KS, Pulickal A, Katharopoulos E, Trippel M, Perren A, Pandey AV, Flück CE. Novel CYP19A1 Mutations Extend the Genotype-Phenotype Correlation and Reveal the Impact on Ovarian Function. J Endocr Soc 2020; 4:bvaa030. [PMID: 32318648 PMCID: PMC7159065 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvaa030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Context The steroidogenic enzyme aromatase (CYP19A1) is required for estrogen biosynthesis from androgen precursors in the ovary and extragonadal tissues. The role of aromatase, and thus estrogens, is best illustrated by genetic variations of the CYP19A1 gene leading to aromatase deficiency or excess. Objective The objective of this work is to characterize novel CYP19A1 variants. Design setting and patients Variants causing aromatase deficiency were suspected in four 46,XX children of African and Indian origin by careful clinical phenotyping. Sequencing of the CYP19A1 gene identified novel variants. Minigene experiments, aromatase activity assay, and computational, and histological analysis were used to characterize the variants. Main outcome measure and results CYP19A1 variants were found in all patients: a deletion in intron 9 leading to p.P423_H503del, a delins variant at p.P154, and point variants p.V161D, p.R264C, p.R375C. Except for R264C, all variants showed a loss of function. Protein structure and dynamics studies were in line with functional assays. The 2 female patients with delins variants manifested with ambiguous genitalia at birth. Histologic investigation revealed normal ovarian tissue on one side and a streak gonad on the other. Two female patients presented with abnormal pubertal development and polycystic ovaries. Conclusion In girls, aromatase deficiency usually manifests at birth, but diagnosis may also be made because of abnormal pubertal development or ovarian torsion due to (poly)cystic ovaries. The ovary harboring CYP19A1 variants may present as streak gonad or appears normal at birth, but is then at very high risk to produce cysts with aging and is therefore prone to ovarian torsion.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kay-Sara Sauter
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism University Children's Hospital Bern, Switzerland, and Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Annie Pulickal
- Department of Endocrinology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, Kerala, India
| | - Efstathios Katharopoulos
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism University Children's Hospital Bern, Switzerland, and Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Mafalda Trippel
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Aurel Perren
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Amit V Pandey
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism University Children's Hospital Bern, Switzerland, and Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Christa E Flück
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism University Children's Hospital Bern, Switzerland, and Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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14
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Handelsman DJ, Desai R, Seibel MJ, Le Couteur DG, Cumming RG. Circulating Sex Steroid Measurements of Men by Mass Spectrometry Are Highly Reproducible after Prolonged Frozen Storage. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 197:105528. [PMID: 31712118 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2019.105528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Long-term studies investigating hormone-dependent cancers and reproductive health often require prolonged frozen storage of serum which assumes that the steroid molecules and measurements are stable over that time. Previous studies of reproducibility of circulating steroids have relied upon flawed historical rather than contemporaneous controls. We measured serum testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), estradiol (E2) and estrone (E1) in 150 randomly selected serum samples by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) from men 70 years or older (mean age 77 years) in the CHAMP study. The original measurements in 2009 were repeated 10 years later using the identical serum aliquot (having undergone 2-4 freeze-thaw cycles in the interim) in 2019 together with another never-thawed aliquot of the same serum sample. The results of all three sets of measurements were evaluated by Passing-Bablok regression and Bland-Altman difference analysis. Serum androgens (T, DHT) and estrogens (E2, E1) measured by LC-MS display excellent reproducibility when stored for 10 years at -80 C without thawing. Serum T and DHT displayed high level of reproducibility across all three sets of measurements. Multiple freeze-thaw cycles over those storage conditions do not significantly affect serum T, DHT and E1 concentrations but produce a modest increase (21%) in serum E2 measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Handelsman
- Andrology Laboratory, ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Australia.
| | - R Desai
- Andrology Laboratory, ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Australia
| | - M J Seibel
- Andrology Laboratory, ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Australia
| | - D G Le Couteur
- Andrology Laboratory, ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Australia
| | - R G Cumming
- Andrology Laboratory, ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Australia
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15
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Parween S, DiNardo G, Baj F, Zhang C, Gilardi G, Pandey AV. Differential effects of variations in human P450 oxidoreductase on the aromatase activity of CYP19A1 polymorphisms R264C and R264H. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 196:105507. [PMID: 31669572 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2019.105507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2019] [Revised: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Aromatase (CYP19A1) converts androgens into estrogens and is required for female sexual development and growth and development in both sexes. CYP19A1 is a member of cytochrome P450 family of heme-thiolate monooxygenases located in the endoplasmic reticulum and depends on reducing equivalents from the reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate via the cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase coded by POR. Both the CYP19A1 and POR genes are highly polymorphic, and mutations in both these genes are linked to disorders of steroid biosynthesis. We have previously shown that R264C and R264H mutations in CYP19A1, as well as mutations in POR, reduce CYP19A1 activity. The R264C is a common polymorphic variant of CYP19A1, with high frequency in Asian and African populations. Polymorphic alleles of POR are found in all populations studied so far and, therefore, may influence activities of CYP19A1 allelic variants. So far, the effects of variations in POR on enzymatic activities of allelic variants of CYP19A1 or any other steroid metabolizing cytochrome P450 proteins have not been studied. Here we are reporting the effects of three POR variants on the aromatase activities of two CYP19A1 variants, R264C, and R264H. We used bacterially expressed and purified preparations of WT and variant forms of CYP19A1 and POR and constructed liposomes with embedded CYP19A1 and POR proteins and assayed the CYP19A1 activities using radiolabeled androstenedione as a substrate. With the WT-POR as a redox partner, the R264C-CYP19A1 showed only 15% of aromatase activity, but the R264H had 87% of aromatase activity compared to WT-CYP19A1. With P284L-POR as a redox partner, R264C-CYP19A1 lost all activity but retained 6.7% of activity when P284T-POR was used as a redox partner. The R264H-CYP19A1 showed low activities with both the POR-P284 L as well as the POR-P284 T. When the POR-Y607C was used as a redox partner, the R264C-CYP19A1 retained approximately 5% of CYP19A1 activity. Remarkably, The R264H-CYP19A1 had more than three-fold higher activity compared to WT-CYP19A1 when the POR-Y607C was used as the redox partner, pointing toward a beneficial effect. The slight increase in activity of R264C-CYP19A1 with the P284T-POR and the three-fold increase in activity of the R264H-CYP19A1 with the Y607C-POR point toward a conformational effect and role of protein-protein interaction governed by the R264C and R264H substitutions in the CYP19A1 as well as P284 L, P284 T and Y607C variants of POR. These studies demonstrate that the allelic variants of P450 when present with a variant form of POR may show different activities, and combined effects of variations in the P450 enzymes as well as in the POR should be considered when genetic data are available. Recent trends in the whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing as diagnostic tools will permit combined evaluation of variations in multiple genes that are interdependent and may guide treatment options by adjusting therapeutic interventions based on laboratory analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaheena Parween
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology, and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, University Children's Hospital Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland; Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Giovanna DiNardo
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, Torino, Italy
| | - Francesca Baj
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology, and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, University Children's Hospital Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland; Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland; Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, Torino, Italy
| | - Chao Zhang
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, Torino, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Gilardi
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, Torino, Italy.
| | - Amit V Pandey
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology, and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, University Children's Hospital Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland; Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland.
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16
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Assessment of the Aromatase Inhibitory Activity of Ma-Huang-Tang (MHT) and Its Active Compounds. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2020; 2019:4809846. [PMID: 31929813 PMCID: PMC6935813 DOI: 10.1155/2019/4809846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Aromatase, a cytochrome P450 enzyme that converts androgens into estrogens, is an important drug target for hormone-dependent diseases. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the aromatase inhibitory effects of Ma-Huang-Tang (MHT), a traditional Korean herbal medicine prescription, and to identify its active ingredients. In this study, the inhibitory effect of MHT on aromatase activity was observed using dibenzylfluorescein (DBF) and KGN cells, and the dose-dependent effect of MHT was verified (IC50 values of 251 μg/mL and 246 μg/mL as determined by the two methods, respectively). Furthermore, among the six herbal medicines that constitute MHT, Ephedrae Herba, Cinnamomi Ramulus, and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma showed the most potent inhibition of aromatase activity. Furthermore, upon identification of the active MHT compounds, three markers from Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, liquiritin (5), liquiritin apioside (6), and liquiritigenin (7), were verified (IC50 values of 530 μM, 508 μM, and 1.611 mM and 499 μM, 522 μM, and 1.41 mM as determined by the two methods, respectively). In addition, their contents were confirmed to be 15.58, 19.80, and 2.22 mg/g, respectively, by HPLC/DAD analysis. These results indicate that the aromatase inhibitory effect of MHT results from the synergistic action of its active components and that MHT has potential as a preventive agent against aromatase activity.
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17
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Chagas DC, da Conceição Barros-Oliveira M, Lopes-Costa PV, de Oliveira Pereira R, de Almeida Melo M, Costa-Silva DR, Borges CS, Viana JL, dos Santos AR, Facina G, da Silva BB. Effects of anastrozole on Ki-67 antigen expression in the vaginal epithelium of female rats in persistent estrus. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2020; 75:e1643. [PMID: 32267395 PMCID: PMC7098419 DOI: 10.6061/clinics/2020/e1643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Aromatase inhibitors are the first-choice drugs for the treatment of hormone sensitive breast cancer. However, in addition to the scarcity of studies, there are controversies about their effects on vaginal epithelial cell proliferation in rats, especially those in persistent estrus. METHODS To investigate vaginal epithelial cell proliferation by Ki-67 antigen expression, persistent estrus was induced in 42 randomly selected rats. These rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: group I (control, n=21), which received 0.1 mL of propylene glycol (vehicle) daily, and group II (experimental, n=21), which received 0.5 mg/kg or 0.125 mg/day of anastrozole diluted with 0.1 mL of propylene glycol. RESULTS Light microscopy showed a higher concentration of cells with brown Ki-67 stained nuclei in the control compared to the experimental group. The mean percentage of Ki-67 stained nuclei per 500 cells in the vaginal epithelium was 68.64±2.64 and 30.46±2.00 [mean±standard error of the mean (SEM)] in the control and experimental groups, respectively (p<0.003). CONCLUSION This study showed that anastrozole, at the dose and treatment duration selected, significantly decreased cell proliferation in the vaginal mucosa of the rats in persistent estrus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Cipriano Chagas
- Programa de Pos Graduacao em Ciencias da Saude, Universidade Federal do Piaui, Teresina, PI, BR
| | | | - Pedro Vitor Lopes-Costa
- Programa de Pos Graduacao em Ciencias da Saude, Universidade Federal do Piaui, Teresina, PI, BR
| | | | | | - Danylo Rafhael Costa-Silva
- Programa de Pos Graduacao, Rede Nordeste de Biotecnologia (RENORBIO), Universidade Federal do Piaui, Teresina, PI, BR
| | | | | | - Alesse Ribeiro dos Santos
- Programa de Pos Graduacao, Rede Nordeste de Biotecnologia (RENORBIO), Universidade Federal do Piaui, Teresina, PI, BR
| | - Gil Facina
- Departamento Ginecologia, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BR
| | - Benedito Borges da Silva
- Programa de Pos Graduacao em Ciencias da Saude, Universidade Federal do Piaui, Teresina, PI, BR
- Hospital Getulio Vargas, Universidade Federal do Piaui, Teresina, PI, BR
- *Corresponding author. E-mail:
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18
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Ritacco I, Spinello A, Ippoliti E, Magistrato A. Post-Translational Regulation of CYP450s Metabolism As Revealed by All-Atoms Simulations of the Aromatase Enzyme. J Chem Inf Model 2019; 59:2930-2940. [PMID: 31033287 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.9b00157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Phosphorylation by kinases enzymes is a widespread regulatory mechanism able of rapidly altering the function of target proteins. Among these are cytochrome P450s (CYP450), a superfamily of enzymes performing the oxidation of endogenous and exogenous substrates thanks to the electron supply of a redox partner. In spite of its pivotal role, the molecular mechanism by which phosphorylation modulates CYP450s metabolism remains elusive. Here by performing microsecond-long all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, we disclose how phosphorylation regulates estrogen biosynthesis, catalyzed by the Human Aromatase (HA) enzyme. Namely, we unprecedentedly propose that HA phosphorylation at Y361 markedly stabilizes its adduct with the flavin mononucleotide domain of CYP450s reductase (CPR), the redox partner of microsomal CYP450s, and a variety of other proteins. With CPR present at physiological conditions in a limiting ratio with respect to its multiple oxidative partners, the enhanced stability of the CPR/HA adduct may favor HA in the competition with the other proteins requiring CPR's electron supply, ultimately facilitating the electron transfer and estrogen biosynthesis. As a result, our work elucidates at atomic-level the post-translational regulation of CYP450s catalysis. Given the potential for rational clinical management of diseases associated with steroid metabolism disorders, unraveling this mechanism is of utmost importance, and raises the intriguing perspective of exploiting this knowledge to devise novel therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Ritacco
- CNR-IOM-Democritos c/o International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) , via Bonomea 265 , 34136 Trieste , Italy
| | - Angelo Spinello
- CNR-IOM-Democritos c/o International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) , via Bonomea 265 , 34136 Trieste , Italy
| | - Emiliano Ippoliti
- IAS-5/INM-9 Computational Biomedicine Institute and JARA-HPC, Forschungszentrum Jülich , Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße , 52425 Jülich , Germany
| | - Alessandra Magistrato
- CNR-IOM-Democritos c/o International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) , via Bonomea 265 , 34136 Trieste , Italy
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19
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Shi R, Tian X, Feng Y, Cheng Z, Lu J, Brann DW, Zhang Q. Expression of aromatase and synthesis of sex steroid hormones in skeletal muscle following exercise training in ovariectomized rats. Steroids 2019; 143:91-96. [PMID: 30664864 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2019.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Age-related muscle wasting (sarcopenia) is accompanied by a decrease in estrogen levels which can compromise the health of aging women. Recent studies have shown that the key enzyme of estrogen synthesis (aromatase) is detected in the skeletal muscle. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of exercise on the expression of aromatase and the synthesis of sex steroid hormones in skeletal muscle following exercise training. Ovariectomized rats were divided into two groups, treadmill running group (25 m/min, 60 min/day, 6 days/week) and sedentary group. We found that in ovariectomized rats, exercise training significantly increased the soleus and plantar muscles mass. The level of aromatase expression and 17-β-estradiol (E2) were increased significantly in skeletal muscle following exercise training. In addition, activation of the down-stream Akt-FoxO1-MyoD signaling pathway was significantly increased in both soleus and plantaris muscles following exercise. These results demonstrate that exercise training increased the expression of aromatase and local estrogen production in skeletal muscle, which potentially influences skeletal muscle in ovariectomized rats through activation of the Akt-FoxO1-MyoD signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rengfei Shi
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, 188 Hengren Road, Shanghai 200438, China.
| | - Xiangyang Tian
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, 188 Hengren Road, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Yu Feng
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, 188 Hengren Road, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Zepeng Cheng
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, 188 Hengren Road, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Jianqiang Lu
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, 188 Hengren Road, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Darrell W Brann
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Quanguang Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
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20
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Ma L, Xu Y, Jiang W, Li Y, Zhang X, Wang G, Li R. Sex Differences in Antidepressant Effect of Sertraline in Transgenic Mouse Models. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:24. [PMID: 30778289 PMCID: PMC6369353 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The main purpose of this study is to explore sex differences in the antidepressant effect of sertraline in genetic knockout or overexpression estrogen-synthesizing enzyme aromatase (Ar) gene mouse models in the forced swim test (FST). Our results demonstrated a significant reduction of depression-like behavior in the mice with overexpression of brain aromatase (Thy1-Ar) compared to sex- and age-matched Ar+/− mice or wild type control mice. Using HPLC analysis, we also found an association between the brain estrogen-related antidepressive behavior and the regulation of serotonin (5-HT) system. Interestingly, a single dose administration of sertraline (10 mg/kg, i.p.) induced reduction of immobility time was found in all genotypes, except male Ar+/− mice. While the underlying mechanisms of sex-specific response on antidepressive effect of sertraline remain to be investigated, our data showed that female mice appear to be more sensitive to sertraline-induced changes of 5-HT system than male mice in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the hippocampus (HPC). Further investigation of sex-specific effect of brain estrogen on antidepressant is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Ma
- The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Xu
- The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yuhong Li
- Center for Hormone Advanced Science and Education, Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, FL, United States.,Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xinzhu Zhang
- Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Gang Wang
- The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Rena Li
- The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Center for Hormone Advanced Science and Education, Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, FL, United States.,Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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21
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Kreß N, Halder JM, Rapp LR, Hauer B. Unlocked potential of dynamic elements in protein structures: channels and loops. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2018; 47:109-116. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2018.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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22
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Ozcan-Sezer S, Ince E, Akdemir A, Ceylan ÖÖ, Suzen S, Gurer-Orhan H. Aromatase inhibition by 2-methyl indole hydrazone derivatives evaluated via molecular docking and in vitro activity studies. Xenobiotica 2018; 49:549-556. [DOI: 10.1080/00498254.2018.1482029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Senem Ozcan-Sezer
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Elif Ince
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Atilla Akdemir
- Computer-Aided Drug Discovery Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Özlem Öztürk Ceylan
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Sibel Suzen
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Hande Gurer-Orhan
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
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23
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Di Nardo G, Cimicata G, Baravalle R, Dell'Angelo V, Ciaramella A, Catucci G, Ugliengo P, Gilardi G. Working at the membrane interface: Ligand-induced changes in dynamic conformation and oligomeric structure in human aromatase. Biotechnol Appl Biochem 2017; 65:46-53. [DOI: 10.1002/bab.1613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 09/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Di Nardo
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology; University of Torino; Torino Italy
- CrisDi; Interdepartmental Center for Crystallography; Torino Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cimicata
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology; University of Torino; Torino Italy
| | - Roberta Baravalle
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology; University of Torino; Torino Italy
| | | | - Alberto Ciaramella
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology; University of Torino; Torino Italy
| | - Gianluca Catucci
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology; University of Torino; Torino Italy
| | - Piero Ugliengo
- Department of Chemistry; University of Torino; Torino Italy
| | - Gianfranco Gilardi
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology; University of Torino; Torino Italy
- CrisDi; Interdepartmental Center for Crystallography; Torino Italy
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24
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Baravalle R, Ciaramella A, Baj F, Di Nardo G, Gilardi G. Identification of endocrine disrupting chemicals acting on human aromatase. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2017; 1866:88-96. [PMID: 28578073 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2017.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2017] [Revised: 05/27/2017] [Accepted: 05/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Human aromatase is the cytochrome P450 catalysing the conversion of androgens into estrogens playing a key role in the endocrine system. Due to this role, it is likely to be a target of the so-called endocrine disrupting chemicals, a series of compounds able to interfere with the hormone system with toxic effects. If on one side the toxicity of some compounds such as bisphenol A is well known, on the other side the toxic concentrations of such compounds as well as the effect of the many other molecules that are in contact with us in everyday life still need a deep investigation. The availability of biological assays able to detect the interaction of chemicals with key molecular targets of the endocrine system represents a possible solution to identify potential endocrine disrupting chemicals. Here the so-called alkali assay previously developed in our laboratory is applied to test the effect of different compounds on the activity of human aromatase. The assay is based on the detection of the alkali product that forms upon strong alkali treatment of the NADP+ released upon enzyme turnover. Here it is applied on human aromatase and validated using anastrozole and sildenafil as known aromatase inhibitors. Out of the small library of compounds tested, resveratrol and ketoconazole resulted to inhibit aromatase activity, while bisphenol A and nicotine were found to exert an inhibitory effect at relatively high concentrations (100μM), and other molecules such as lindane and four plasticizers did not show any significant effect. These data are confirmed by quantification of the product estrone in the same reaction mixtures through ELISA. Overall, the results show that the alkali assay is suitable to screen for molecules that interfere with aromatase activity. As a consequence it can also be applied to other molecular targets of EDCs that use NAD(P)H for catalysis in a high throughput format for the fast screening of many different compounds as endocrine disrupting chemicals. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Cytochrome P450 biodiversity and biotechnology, edited by Erika Plettner, Gianfranco Gilardi, Luet Wong, Vlada Urlacher, Jared Goldstone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Baravalle
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, Torino, Italy
| | - Alberto Ciaramella
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, Torino, Italy
| | - Francesca Baj
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, Torino, Italy
| | - Giovanna Di Nardo
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, Torino, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Gilardi
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, Torino, Italy.
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25
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Magistrato A, Sgrignani J, Krause R, Cavalli A. Single or Multiple Access Channels to the CYP450s Active Site? An Answer from Free Energy Simulations of the Human Aromatase Enzyme. J Phys Chem Lett 2017; 8:2036-2042. [PMID: 28423275 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.7b00697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Cytochromes P450 (CYP450s), in particular, CYP19A1 and CYP17A1, are key clinical targets of breast and prostate anticancer therapies, critical players in drug metabolism, and their overexpression in tumors is associated with drug resistance. In these enzymes, ligand (substrates, drugs) metabolism occurs in deeply buried active sites accessible only via several grueling channels, whose exact biological role remains unclear. Gaining direct insights on the mechanism by which ligands travel in and out is becoming increasingly important given that channels are involved in the modulation of binding/dissociation kinetics and the specificity of ligands toward a CYP450. This has profound implications for enzymatic efficiency and drug efficacy/toxicity. Here, by applying free energy methods, for a cumulative simulation time of 20 μs, we provide detailed atomistic characterization and free energy profiles of the entry/exit routes preferentially followed by a substrate (androstenedione) and a last-generation inhibitor (letrozole) to/from the catalytic site of CYP19A1 (the human aromatase (HA) enzyme), a key clinical target against breast cancer, studied here as prototypical CYP450. Despite the remarkably different size/shape/hydrophobicity of the ligands, two channels appear accessible to their entrance, while only one exit route appears to be preferential. Our study shows that the preferential paths may be conserved among different CYP450s. Moreover, our results highlight that, at least in the case of HA, ligand channeling is associated with large enzyme structural rearrangements. A wise choice of the computational method and very long simulations are, thus, required to obtain fully converged quantitative free energy profiles, which might be used to design novel biocatalysts or next-generation cytochrome inhibitors with an in silico tuned Km.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jacopo Sgrignani
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI) , Via Vincenzo Vela 6, CH-6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Rolf Krause
- Institute of Computational Science, Faculty of Informatics, Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI) , Via Giuseppe Buffi 13, CH-6900 Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Cavalli
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI) , Via Vincenzo Vela 6, CH-6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
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Du H, Cai Y, Yang H, Zhang H, Xue Y, Liu G, Tang Y, Li W. In Silico Prediction of Chemicals Binding to Aromatase with Machine Learning Methods. Chem Res Toxicol 2017; 30:1209-1218. [PMID: 28414904 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.7b00037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Environmental chemicals may affect endocrine systems through multiple mechanisms, one of which is via effects on aromatase (also known as CYP19A1), an enzyme critical for maintaining the normal balance of estrogens and androgens in the body. Therefore, rapid and efficient identification of aromatase-related endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is important for toxicology and environment risk assessment. In this study, on the basis of the Tox21 10K compound library, in silico classification models for predicting aromatase binders/nonbinders were constructed by machine learning methods. To improve the prediction ability of the models, a combined classifier (CC) strategy that combines different independent machine learning methods was adopted. Performances of the models were measured by test and external validation sets containing 1336 and 216 chemicals, respectively. The best model was obtained with the MACCS (Molecular Access System) fingerprint and CC method, which exhibited an accuracy of 0.84 for the test set and 0.91 for the external validation set. Additionally, several representative substructures for characterizing aromatase binders, such as ketone, lactone, and nitrogen-containing derivatives, were identified using information gain and substructure frequency analysis. Our study provided a systematic assessment of chemicals binding to aromatase. The built models can be helpful to rapidly identify potential EDCs targeting aromatase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanwen Du
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yingchun Cai
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Hongbin Yang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Hongxiao Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yuhan Xue
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Guixia Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yun Tang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Weihua Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237, China
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Barros-Oliveira MDC, Costa-Silva DR, Andrade DBD, Borges US, Tavares CB, Borges RS, Silva JDM, Silva BBD. Use of anastrozole in the chemoprevention and treatment of breast cancer: A literature review. Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992) 2017; 63:371-378. [DOI: 10.1590/1806-9282.63.04.371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Summary Aromatase inhibitors have emerged as an alternative endocrine therapy for the treatment of hormone sensitive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. The use of third-generation inhibitors represented by exemestane, letrozol and anastrozole is currently indicated. Anastrozole is a nonsteroidal compound and a potent selective inhibitor of the aromatase enzyme. Although a few studies have shown that its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties may be affected by interindividual variability, this drug has been recently used in all configurations of breast cancer treatment. In metastatic disease, it is currently considered the first-line treatment for postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive breast tumors. Anastrozole has shown promising results in the adjuvant treatment of early-stage breast cancer in postmenopausal women. It has also achieved interesting results in the chemoprevention of the disease. Therefore, due to the importance of anastrozole both for endocrine treatment and chemoprevention of hormone-sensitive breast cancer in postmenopausal women, we proposed the current literature review in the SciELO and PubMed database of articles published in the last 10 years.
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Baravalle R, Di Nardo G, Bandino A, Barone I, Catalano S, Andò S, Gilardi G. Impact of R264C and R264H polymorphisms in human aromatase function. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2017; 167:23-32. [PMID: 27702664 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2016.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Revised: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The cytochrome P450 aromatase is involved in the last step of sex hormones biosynthesis by converting androgens into estrogens. The human enzyme is highly polymorphic and literature data correlate aromatase single nucleotide polymorphisms to the onset of pathologies such as breast cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. The aims of this study were i) to study the influence of the mutations R264C and R264H on the structure-function of the enzyme also upon phosphorylation by selected kinases and ii) to compare the activity of the variants to that of aromatase wild type in two different cell lines. Far-UV circular dichroism spectroscopy, thermal denaturation experiments and CO-binding assay showed that the two polymorphic variants are correctly folded. Steady-state kinetics experiments showed that rArom R264C and R264H exhibit a 1.5 and 3.4 folds lower catalytic efficiency, respectively, when compared to the wild type protein. Since R264 is part of the consensus motif of PKA and PKG1, phosphorylation experiments were performed to study the effect on aromatase function. Phosphorylation by PKA caused a decrease in activity by 36.2%, 49.3% and 27.9% in the wild type, R264C and R264H proteins respectively. Phosphorylation by PKG1 was also found to decrease the activity by 30.3%, 30.5% and 15.4% in the wild type, R264C and R264H proteins respectively. Experiments performed on the three full-length proteins expressed in human MCF-7 breast cancer cells and rat ST14A neuronal cells showed that, depending on the cell line used, the activity of the proteins is different, implicating different cellular mechanisms modulating aromatase activity. This work demonstrate that R264 polymorphism causes an intrinsic alteration of aromatase activity together with a different consensus for phosphorylation by different kinases, indicating that estrogen production can be different when such mutations are present. These findings are significant in understanding the onset and treatment of pathologies in which aromatase has been shown to be involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Baravalle
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Torino, Italy
| | - Giovanna Di Nardo
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Torino, Italy; CrisDi, Interdepartmental Center for Crystallography, via Pietro Giuria 7, 10125, Torino, Italy
| | - Andrea Bandino
- Department of Medicine and Experimental Oncology, University of Torino, Via Michelangelo 27, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Ines Barone
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Stefania Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Andò
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Gilardi
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Torino, Italy; CrisDi, Interdepartmental Center for Crystallography, via Pietro Giuria 7, 10125, Torino, Italy.
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29
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Baravalle R, Valetti F, Catucci G, Gambarotta G, Chiesa M, Maurelli S, Giamello E, Barone I, Catalano S, Andò S, Di Nardo G, Gilardi G. Effect of sildenafil on human aromatase activity: From in vitro structural analysis to catalysis and inhibition in cells. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2017; 165:438-447. [PMID: 27616271 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2016.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Revised: 09/05/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Aromatase catalyses the conversion of androgens into estrogens and is a well-known target for breast cancer therapy. As it has been suggested that its activity is affected by inhibitors of phosphodiesterase-5, this work investigates the potential interaction of sildenafil with aromatase. This is carried out both at molecular level through structural and kinetics assays applied to the purified enzyme, and at cellular level using neuronal and breast cancer cell lines. Sildenafil is found to bind to aromatase with a KD of 0.58±0.05μM acting as a partial and mixed inhibitor with a maximal inhibition of 35±2%. Hyperfine sublevel correlation spectroscopy and docking studies show that sildenafil binds to the heme iron via its 6th axial water ligand. These results also provide information on the starting molecular scaffold for the development of new generations of drugs designed to inhibit aromatase as well as phosphodiesterase-5, a new emerging target for breast cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Baravalle
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Torino, Italy
| | - Francesca Valetti
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Torino, Italy
| | - Gianluca Catucci
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Torino, Italy
| | - Giovanna Gambarotta
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, Regione Gonzole, 10-10043 Orbassano, Italy
| | - Mario Chiesa
- Department of Chemistry, University of Torino, via Pietro Giuria 7, 10125, Torino, Italy
| | - Sara Maurelli
- Department of Chemistry, University of Torino, via Pietro Giuria 7, 10125, Torino, Italy
| | - Elio Giamello
- Department of Chemistry, University of Torino, via Pietro Giuria 7, 10125, Torino, Italy
| | - Ines Barone
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Stefania Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Andò
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Giovanna Di Nardo
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Torino, Italy; CrisDi, Interdepartmental Center for Crystallography, via Pietro Giuria 7, 10125, Torino, Italy.
| | - Gianfranco Gilardi
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Torino, Italy; CrisDi, Interdepartmental Center for Crystallography, via Pietro Giuria 7, 10125, Torino, Italy.
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Heme iron centers in cytochrome P450: structure and catalytic activity. RENDICONTI LINCEI-SCIENZE FISICHE E NATURALI 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s12210-016-0565-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Modulation of Aromatase by Phytoestrogens. Enzyme Res 2015; 2015:594656. [PMID: 26798508 PMCID: PMC4699002 DOI: 10.1155/2015/594656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2015] [Revised: 10/31/2015] [Accepted: 11/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The aromatase enzyme catalyzes the conversion of androgens to estrogens in many human tissues. Estrogens are known to stimulate cellular proliferation associated with certain cancers and protect against adverse symptoms during the peri- and postmenopausal intervals. Phytoestrogens are a group of plant derived naturally occurring compounds that have chemical structures similar to estrogen. Since phytoestrogens are known to be constituents of animal/human food sources, these compounds have received increased research attention. Phytoestrogens may contribute to decreased cancer risk by the inhibition of aromatase enzyme activity and CYP19 gene expression in human tissues. This review covers (a) the aromatase enzyme (historical descriptions on function, activity, and gene characteristics), (b) phytoestrogens in their classifications and applications to human health, and (c) a chronological coverage of aromatase activity modulated by phytoestrogens from the early 1980s to 2015. In general, phytoestrogens act as aromatase inhibitors by (a) decreasing aromatase gene expression, (b) inhibiting the aromatase enzyme itself, or (c) in some cases acting at both levels of regulation. The findings presented herein are consistent with estrogen's impact on health and phytoestrogen's potential as anticancer treatments, but well-controlled, large-scale studies are warranted to determine the effectiveness of phytoestrogens on breast cancer and age-related diseases.
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32
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Bioelectrochemistry as a tool for the study of aromatization of steroids by human aromatase. Electrochem commun 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.elecom.2015.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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Cai J, Li J, Zhang J, Ding S, Liu G, Li W, Tang Y. Computational insights into inhibitory mechanism of azole compounds against human aromatase. RSC Adv 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ra19602g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the inhibitory mechanism of azole aromatase inhibitors. The results showed that letrozole and imazalil prefer different unbinding pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinya Cai
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design
- School of Pharmacy
- East China University of Science and Technology
- Shanghai 200237
- China
| | - Junhao Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design
- School of Pharmacy
- East China University of Science and Technology
- Shanghai 200237
- China
| | - Juan Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design
- School of Pharmacy
- East China University of Science and Technology
- Shanghai 200237
- China
| | - Shihui Ding
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design
- School of Pharmacy
- East China University of Science and Technology
- Shanghai 200237
- China
| | - Guixia Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design
- School of Pharmacy
- East China University of Science and Technology
- Shanghai 200237
- China
| | - Weihua Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design
- School of Pharmacy
- East China University of Science and Technology
- Shanghai 200237
- China
| | - Yun Tang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design
- School of Pharmacy
- East China University of Science and Technology
- Shanghai 200237
- China
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34
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Osteoporosis: From osteoscience to neuroscience and beyond. Mech Ageing Dev 2015; 145:26-38. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2015.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2014] [Revised: 02/02/2015] [Accepted: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Sgrignani J, Bon M, Colombo G, Magistrato A. Computational approaches elucidate the allosteric mechanism of human aromatase inhibition: a novel possible route to Small-molecule regulation of CYP450s activities? J Chem Inf Model 2014; 54:2856-68. [PMID: 25178092 DOI: 10.1021/ci500425y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Human aromatase (HA) is a P450 cytochrome (CYP) with an essential role in estrogen biosynthesis. Since more than 70% of breast cancers are positive for estrogenic receptor (ER), the reduction of estrogen physiological concentrations through HA inhibition is one of most important therapeutic strategies against this cancer type. Recently, experimental evidence showed that selected taxmoxifen metabolites, which are typically used as estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), inhibit HA through an allosteric mechanism. In this work, we present a computational protocol to (i) characterize the structural framework and (ii) define the atomistic details of the determinants for the noncompetitive inhibition mechanism. Our calculations identify two putative binding sites able to efficiently bind all tamoxifen metabolites. Analysis of long-scale molecular dynamics simulations reveal that endoxifen, the most effective noncompetitive inhibitor, induces significant enzyme rigidity by binding in one of the possible peripheral sites. The consequence of this binding event is the suppression of one of the functional enzymatic collective motions associated with breathing of the substrate access channel. Moreover, an internal dynamics-based alignment of HA with six other human cytochromes shows that this collective motion is common to other members of the CYP450 protein family. On this basis, our findings may thus be of help for the development of new (pan)inhibitors for the therapeutic treatment of cancer, targeting and modulating the activity of HA and of estrogen receptor, and may also stimulate the development of new drug design strategies for chemoprevention and chemoprotection via allosteric inhibition of CYP450 proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo Sgrignani
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare, CNR, Via Mario Bianco 9, 20131 Milano, Milano, Italy
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Shim B, Pacheco-Rodriguez G, Kato J, Darling TN, Vaughan M, Moss J. Sex-specific lung diseases: effect of oestrogen on cultured cells and in animal models. Eur Respir Rev 2014; 22:302-11. [PMID: 23997058 DOI: 10.1183/09059180.00002813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex prevalence in lung disease suggests that sex-specific hormones may contribute to the pathogenesis and/or progression of at least some lung diseases, such as lung adenocarcinoma, lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) and benign metastasising leiomyoma (BML). Oestrogen is an important hormone in normal lung development and in the pathogenesis of female predominant pulmonary diseases. In vivo and in vitro studies have facilitated our understanding of disease pathogenesis and discovery of potential therapeutic targets. Oestrogen promoted disease progression in cell and animal models of lung adenocarcinoma, LAM and BML. Specifically, oestrogen enhanced tumour growth and metastasis in animal models of these diseases. Furthermore, 17β-estradiol (E2), the most abundant form of oestrogen in humans, increased the size and proliferation of cultured cells of lung adenocarcinoma and LAM. Coupled with the known mechanisms of oestrogen metabolism and signalling, these model systems may provide insights into the diverse effects of oestrogen and other hormones on lung diseases. Anti-oestrogen treatments that target key events of oestrogen synthesis or signalling, such as aromatase activity, oestrogen receptors and signalling pathways, may offer additional opportunities for clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bosung Shim
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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37
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Inhibitory effect of Rhus verniciflua Stokes extract on human aromatase activity; butin is its major bioactive component. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2014; 24:1730-3. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2014.02.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2014] [Revised: 02/04/2014] [Accepted: 02/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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38
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Di Nardo G, Breitner M, Sadeghi SJ, Castrignanò S, Mei G, Di Venere A, Nicolai E, Allegra P, Gilardi G. Dynamics and flexibility of human aromatase probed by FTIR and time resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. PLoS One 2013; 8:e82118. [PMID: 24349198 PMCID: PMC3859599 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2013] [Accepted: 10/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Human aromatase (CYP19A1) is a steroidogenic cytochrome P450 converting androgens into estrogens. No ligand-free crystal structure of the enzyme is available to date. The crystal structure in complex with the substrate androstenedione and the steroidal inhibitor exemestane shows a very compact conformation of the enzyme, leaving unanswered questions on the conformational changes that must occur to allow access of the ligand to the active site. As H/D exchange kinetics followed by FTIR spectroscopy can provide information on the conformational changes in proteins where solvent accessibility is affected, here the amide I region was used to measure the exchange rates of the different elements of the secondary structure for aromatase in the ligand-free form and in the presence of the substrate androstenedione and the inhibitor anastrozole. Biphasic exponential functions were found to fit the H/D exchange data collected as a function of time. Two exchange rates were assigned to two populations of protons present in different flexible regions of the protein. The addition of the substrate androstenedione and the inhibitor anastrozole lowers the H/D exchange rates of the α-helices of the enzyme when compared to the ligand-free form. Furthermore, the presence of the inhibitor anastrozole lowers exchange rate constant (k1) for β-sheets from 0.22±0.06 min−1 for the inhibitor-bound enzyme to 0.12±0.02 min−1 for the free protein. Dynamics effects localised in helix F were studied by time resolved fluorescence. The data demonstrate that the fluorescence lifetime component associated to Trp224 emission undergoes a shift toward longer lifetimes (from ≈5.0 to ≈5.5 ns) when the substrate or the inhibitor are present, suggesting slower dynamics in the presence of ligands. Together the results are consistent with different degrees of flexibility of the access channel and therefore different conformations adopted by the enzyme in the free, substrate- and inhibitor-bound forms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Di Nardo
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Maximilian Breitner
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Sheila J. Sadeghi
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Silvia Castrignanò
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Giampiero Mei
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’, Italy
| | - Almerinda Di Venere
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’, Italy
| | - Eleonora Nicolai
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’, Italy
| | - Paola Allegra
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Gilardi
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Brandt DR, Pannone KM, Romano JJ, Casillas EG. The synthetic preparation of naturally-occurring aromatase inhibitors, morachalcone A, isogemichalcone B, and isogemichalcone C. Tetrahedron 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tet.2013.09.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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40
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Lo J, Di Nardo G, Griswold J, Egbuta C, Jiang W, Gilardi G, Ghosh D. Structural basis for the functional roles of critical residues in human cytochrome p450 aromatase. Biochemistry 2013; 52:5821-9. [PMID: 23899247 DOI: 10.1021/bi400669h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Cytochrome P450 aromatase (CYP19A1) is the only enzyme known to catalyze the biosynthesis of estrogens from androgens. The crystal structure of human placental aromatase (pArom) has paved the way toward understanding the structure-function relationships of this remarkable enzyme. Using an amino terminus-truncated recombinant human aromatase (rArom) construct, we investigate the roles of key amino acids in the active site, at the intermolecular interface, inside the access channel, and at the lipid-protein boundary for their roles in enzyme function and higher-order organization. Replacing the active site residue D309 with an N yields an inactive enzyme, consistent with its proposed involvement in aromatization. Mutation of R192 at the lipid interface, pivotal to the proton relay network in the access channel, results in the loss of enzyme activity. In addition to the distal catalytic residues, we show that mutation of K440 and Y361 of the heme-proximal region critically interferes with substrate binding, enzyme activity, and heme stability. The D-E loop deletion mutant Del7 that disrupts the intermolecular interaction significantly reduces enzyme activity. However, the less drastic Del4 and point mutants E181A and E181K do not. Furthermore, native gel electrophoresis, size-exclusion chromatography, and analytical ultracentrifugation are used to show that mutations in the intermolecular interface alter the quaternary organization of the enzyme in solution. As a validation for interpretation of the mutational results in the context of the innate molecule, we determine the crystal structure of rArom to show that the active site, tertiary, and quaternary structures are identical to those of pArom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Lo
- Department of Pharmacology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York 13210, United States
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