1
|
D’Arrigo G, Autiero I, Gianquinto E, Siragusa L, Baroni M, Cruciani G, Spyrakis F. Exploring Ligand Binding Domain Dynamics in the NRs Superfamily. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158732. [PMID: 35955864 PMCID: PMC9369052 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158732] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptors (NRs) are transcription factors that play an important role in multiple diseases, such as cancer, inflammation, and metabolic disorders. They share a common structural organization composed of five domains, of which the ligand-binding domain (LBD) can adopt different conformations in response to substrate, agonist, and antagonist binding, leading to distinct transcription effects. A key feature of NRs is, indeed, their intrinsic dynamics that make them a challenging target in drug discovery. This work aims to provide a meaningful investigation of NR structural variability to outline a dynamic profile for each of them. To do that, we propose a methodology based on the computation and comparison of protein cavities among the crystallographic structures of NR LBDs. First, pockets were detected with the FLAPsite algorithm and then an "all against all" approach was applied by comparing each pair of pockets within the same sub-family on the basis of their similarity score. The analysis concerned all the detectable cavities in NRs, with particular attention paid to the active site pockets. This approach can guide the investigation of NR intrinsic dynamics, the selection of reference structures to be used in drug design and the easy identification of alternative binding sites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia D’Arrigo
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Ida Autiero
- Molecular Horizon Srl, Via Montelino 30, 06084 Bettona, Italy
- National Research Council, Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Eleonora Gianquinto
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Lydia Siragusa
- Molecular Horizon Srl, Via Montelino 30, 06084 Bettona, Italy
- Molecular Discovery Ltd., Theobald Street, Elstree Borehamwood, Hertfordshire WD6 4PJ, UK
| | - Massimo Baroni
- Molecular Discovery Ltd., Theobald Street, Elstree Borehamwood, Hertfordshire WD6 4PJ, UK
| | - Gabriele Cruciani
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06123 Perugia, Italy
- Consortium for Computational Molecular and Materials Sciences (CMS), Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06123 Perugia, Italy
- Correspondence: (G.C.); (F.S.); Tel.: +39-075-5855629 (G.C.); +39-011-6707185 (F.S.)
| | - Francesca Spyrakis
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy
- Correspondence: (G.C.); (F.S.); Tel.: +39-075-5855629 (G.C.); +39-011-6707185 (F.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Díaz M, Lobo F, Hernández D, Amesty Á, Valdés-Baizabal C, Canerina-Amaro A, Mesa-Herrera F, Soler K, Boto A, Marín R, Estévez-Braun A, Lahoz F. FLTX2: A Novel Tamoxifen Derivative Endowed with Antiestrogenic, Fluorescent, and Photosensitizer Properties. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22105339. [PMID: 34069498 PMCID: PMC8161337 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tamoxifen is the most widely used selective modulator of estrogen receptors (SERM) and the first strategy as coadjuvant therapy for the treatment of estrogen-receptor (ER) positive breast cancer worldwide. In spite of such success, tamoxifen is not devoid of undesirable effects, the most life-threatening reported so far affecting uterine tissues. Indeed, tamoxifen treatment is discouraged in women under risk of uterine cancers. Recent molecular design efforts have endeavoured the development of tamoxifen derivatives with antiestrogen properties but lacking agonistic uterine tropism. One of this is FLTX2, formed by the covalent binding of tamoxifen as ER binding core, 7-nitrobenzofurazan (NBD) as the florescent dye, and Rose Bengal (RB) as source for reactive oxygen species. Our analyses demonstrate (1) FLTX2 is endowed with similar antiestrogen potency as tamoxifen and its predecessor FLTX1, (2) shows a strong absorption in the blue spectral range, associated to the NBD moiety, which efficiently transfers the excitation energy to RB through intramolecular FRET mechanism, (3) generates superoxide anions in a concentration- and irradiation time-dependent process, and (4) Induces concentration- and time-dependent MCF7 apoptotic cell death. These properties make FLTX2 a very promising candidate to lead a novel generation of SERMs with the endogenous capacity to promote breast tumour cell death in situ by photosensitization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mario Díaz
- Departamento Biología Animal, Edafología y Geología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 Tenerife, Spain;
- Unidad Asociada ULL-CSIC “Fisiología y Biofísica de la Membrana Celular en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas y Tumorales”, 38200 Tenerife, Spain; (A.B.); (R.M.); (F.L.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Fernando Lobo
- Programa Agustín de Betancourt, Universidad de la Laguna, 38200 Tenerife, Spain; (F.L.); (Á.A.); (C.V.-B.)
| | - Dácil Hernández
- Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología del CSIC, Avda. Astrofísico F. Sánchez, 38206 Tenerife, Spain;
| | - Ángel Amesty
- Programa Agustín de Betancourt, Universidad de la Laguna, 38200 Tenerife, Spain; (F.L.); (Á.A.); (C.V.-B.)
- Instituto Universitario de Bioorgánica “Antonio González”, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 Tenerife, Spain;
| | - Catalina Valdés-Baizabal
- Programa Agustín de Betancourt, Universidad de la Laguna, 38200 Tenerife, Spain; (F.L.); (Á.A.); (C.V.-B.)
- Departamento Ciencias Médicas Básicas, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 Tenerife, Spain;
| | - Ana Canerina-Amaro
- Departamento Ciencias Médicas Básicas, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 Tenerife, Spain;
| | - Fátima Mesa-Herrera
- Departamento Biología Animal, Edafología y Geología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 Tenerife, Spain;
| | - Kevin Soler
- Departamento Física, IUdEA, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 Tenerife, Spain;
| | - Alicia Boto
- Unidad Asociada ULL-CSIC “Fisiología y Biofísica de la Membrana Celular en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas y Tumorales”, 38200 Tenerife, Spain; (A.B.); (R.M.); (F.L.)
- Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología del CSIC, Avda. Astrofísico F. Sánchez, 38206 Tenerife, Spain;
| | - Raquel Marín
- Unidad Asociada ULL-CSIC “Fisiología y Biofísica de la Membrana Celular en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas y Tumorales”, 38200 Tenerife, Spain; (A.B.); (R.M.); (F.L.)
- Departamento Ciencias Médicas Básicas, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 Tenerife, Spain;
| | - Ana Estévez-Braun
- Instituto Universitario de Bioorgánica “Antonio González”, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 Tenerife, Spain;
- Departamento Química Orgánica, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 Tenerife, Spain
| | - Fernando Lahoz
- Unidad Asociada ULL-CSIC “Fisiología y Biofísica de la Membrana Celular en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas y Tumorales”, 38200 Tenerife, Spain; (A.B.); (R.M.); (F.L.)
- Departamento Física, IUdEA, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 Tenerife, Spain;
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mazurek AH, Szeleszczuk Ł, Simonson T, Pisklak DM. Application of Various Molecular Modelling Methods in the Study of Estrogens and Xenoestrogens. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E6411. [PMID: 32899216 PMCID: PMC7504198 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review, applications of various molecular modelling methods in the study of estrogens and xenoestrogens are summarized. Selected biomolecules that are the most commonly chosen as molecular modelling objects in this field are presented. In most of the reviewed works, ligand docking using solely force field methods was performed, employing various molecular targets involved in metabolism and action of estrogens. Other molecular modelling methods such as molecular dynamics and combined quantum mechanics with molecular mechanics have also been successfully used to predict the properties of estrogens and xenoestrogens. Among published works, a great number also focused on the application of different types of quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analyses to examine estrogen's structures and activities. Although the interactions between estrogens and xenoestrogens with various proteins are the most commonly studied, other aspects such as penetration of estrogens through lipid bilayers or their ability to adsorb on different materials are also explored using theoretical calculations. Apart from molecular mechanics and statistical methods, quantum mechanics calculations are also employed in the studies of estrogens and xenoestrogens. Their applications include computation of spectroscopic properties, both vibrational and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), and also in quantum molecular dynamics simulations and crystal structure prediction. The main aim of this review is to present the great potential and versatility of various molecular modelling methods in the studies on estrogens and xenoestrogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Helena Mazurek
- Chair and Department of Physical Pharmacy and Bioanalysis, Department of Physical Chemistry, Medical Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Warsaw, Banacha 1 str., 02-093 Warsaw Poland; (A.H.M.); (D.M.P.)
| | - Łukasz Szeleszczuk
- Chair and Department of Physical Pharmacy and Bioanalysis, Department of Physical Chemistry, Medical Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Warsaw, Banacha 1 str., 02-093 Warsaw Poland; (A.H.M.); (D.M.P.)
| | - Thomas Simonson
- Laboratoire de Biochimie (CNRS UMR7654), Ecole Polytechnique, 91-120 Palaiseau, France;
| | - Dariusz Maciej Pisklak
- Chair and Department of Physical Pharmacy and Bioanalysis, Department of Physical Chemistry, Medical Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Warsaw, Banacha 1 str., 02-093 Warsaw Poland; (A.H.M.); (D.M.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Pokhrel R, Tang T, Holub JM. Monitoring ligand-mediated helix 12 transitions within the human estrogen receptor α using bipartite tetracysteine display. Org Biomol Chem 2020; 18:6063-6071. [PMID: 32724950 DOI: 10.1039/d0ob01234c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Estrogen receptor α ligand-binding domains (ERα-LBD) expressing tetracysteine motifs bind FlAsH-EDT2 upon transition of helix 12 (H12) to a folded state. Changes in fluorescence intensity allowed surveillance of ligand-mediated H12 transitions and facilitated the determination of FlAsH association rates (kon) and apparent equilibrium dissociation constants (Kapp) to ERα-LBDs in the presence of estrogenic ligands.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ranju Pokhrel
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ellmann S, Sticht H, Thiel F, Beckmann MW, Strick R, Strissel PL. Estrogen and progesterone receptors: from molecular structures to clinical targets. Cell Mol Life Sci 2009; 66:2405-26. [PMID: 19333551 PMCID: PMC11115849 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-009-0017-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2008] [Revised: 02/19/2009] [Accepted: 03/06/2009] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Research involving estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PR) have greatly contributed to our understanding of cell signaling and transcriptional regulation. In addition to the classical ER and PR nuclear actions, new signaling pathways have recently been identified due to ER and PR association with cell membranes and signal transduction proteins. Bio-informatics has unveiled how ER and PR recognize their ligands, selective modulators and co-factors, which has helped to implement them as key targets in the treatment of benign and malignant tumors. Knowledge regarding ER and PR is vast and complex; therefore, this review will focus on their isoforms, signaling pathways, co-activators and co-repressors, which lead to target gene regulation. Moreover it will highlight ER and PR involvement in benign and malignant diseases as well as pharmacological substances influencing cell signaling and provide established and new structural insights into the mechanism of activation and inhibition of these receptors.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Computational Biology
- Estradiol/chemistry
- Estradiol/metabolism
- Humans
- Ligands
- Models, Molecular
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Phylogeny
- Progesterone/chemistry
- Progesterone/metabolism
- Protein Isoforms/chemistry
- Protein Isoforms/genetics
- Protein Isoforms/metabolism
- Protein Structure, Tertiary
- Receptors, Estrogen/chemistry
- Receptors, Estrogen/classification
- Receptors, Estrogen/genetics
- Receptors, Estrogen/metabolism
- Receptors, Progesterone/chemistry
- Receptors, Progesterone/classification
- Receptors, Progesterone/genetics
- Receptors, Progesterone/metabolism
- Receptors, Steroid/agonists
- Receptors, Steroid/antagonists & inhibitors
- Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators/chemistry
- Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators/metabolism
- Sequence Alignment
- Signal Transduction/physiology
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Ellmann
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, University-Clinic Erlangen, Universitaetsstr. 21-23, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Heinrich Sticht
- Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Fahrstr. 17, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Falk Thiel
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, University-Clinic Erlangen, Universitaetsstr. 21-23, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias W. Beckmann
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, University-Clinic Erlangen, Universitaetsstr. 21-23, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Reiner Strick
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, University-Clinic Erlangen, Universitaetsstr. 21-23, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Pamela L. Strissel
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, University-Clinic Erlangen, Universitaetsstr. 21-23, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|