Testosterone and its dimers alter tRNA morphology

The morphology of tRNA was studied upon conjugation with testosterone and its aliphatic and aromatic dimers, using multiple spectroscopic methods, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and molecular modeling. Structural analysis showed that testosterone binds tRNA through A62, A64, C60, C61, C63, G51, U50 and U59 bases. The binding affinity was testosterone dimer-aromatic>testosterone dimer-aliphatic>testosterone. The steroid loading efficacy was 35-45%. Transmission electron microscopy showed major changes in tRNA morphology upon testosterone interaction with an increase in the diameter of the tRNA aggregate, indicating encapsulation of testosterone by tRNA.

Synthesis of novel C2-symmetric testosterone dimers and evaluation of antiproliferative activity on androgen-dependent and -independent prostate cancer cell lines

A series of 7α-linked testosterone dimers were made and tested for biological activity on both androgen-dependent (LNCaP) and androgen-independent (DU-145 and PC3) prostate cancer cell lines. The synthesis proceeds through the formation of a trans-4-(17β-acetoxy-4-androsten-3-one-7α-yl)-but-2-enoic acid 4-hydroxy-alkyl ester intermediate of various length (7a-d) followed by the final dimerization step. The dimers showed interesting biological activity in comparison to the ω-hydroxyalkyl ester intermediates 7a-d. The most active dimer 8a (n=1) showed IC₅₀ of 3.8, 1.4 and 1.8μM, respectively on LNCaP, DU-145 and PC3 cancer cell lines. On these cell lines, this dimer is about 12, 70 and 47 times more powerful than cyproterone acetate (CPA) the reference antiandrogen. Furthermore, dimers 8b-d (n=2, 3, 4) were less active than 8a but showed selective activity on androgen-dependent LNCaP prostate cancer cells. This indicates possible application for the treatment of androgen-dependent prostate cancer.

Effect of testosterone and its aliphatic and aromatic dimers on DNA morphology

Conjugation of DNA with testosterone and it aliphatic dimer (alip) and aromatic dimer (arom) was investigated in aqueous solution at pH 7.4. Multiple spectroscopic methods, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and molecular modeling were used to characterize steroid-DNA binding and DNA morphology. Spectroscopic analysis showed that testosterone binds DNA via A7, A16, A17, T8, T15 and T18 nucleobases with overall binding constants K_test-DNA=1.8 (±0.4)×10⁴M^-1, K_{test-dimeralip-DNA}=5.7 (±0.7)×10⁴M^-1 and K_{test-dimer-arom-DNA}=7.3 (±0.9)×10⁴M^-1. The binding affinity increases in this order: testosterone dimer-aromatic>testosterone dimer-aliphatic>testosterone. The steroid loading efficacy was 40-50%. Transmission electron microscopy showed major changes in DNA morphology as testosterone-DNA interaction occurred with increase in the diameter of the DNA aggregate, indicating encapsulation of testosterone by DNA. Modeling showed the presence of several nucleobases attached to testosterone with the free binding energy of -4.93Kcal/mol.

Nonsteroidal bivalent estrogen ligands: an application of the bivalent concept to the estrogen receptor

The estrogen receptor (ER) is a hormone-regulated transcription factor that binds, as a dimer, to estrogens and to specific DNA sequences. To explore at a fundamental level the geometric and topological features of bivalent-ligand binding to the ER dimer, dimeric ER crystal structures were used to rationally design nonsteroidal bivalent estrogen ligands. Guided by this structure-based ligand design, we prepared two series of bivalent ligands (agonists and antagonists) tethered by flexible spacers of varying lengths (7-47 Å) and evaluated their ER-binding affinities for the two ER subtypes and their biological activities in cell lines. Bivalent ligands based on the agonist diethylstilbestrol (DES) proved to be poor candidates, but bivalent ligands based on the antagonist hydroxytamoxifen (OHT) were well suited for intensive study. Binding affinities of the OHT-based bivalent ligands were related to spacer length in a distinctive fashion, reaching two maximum values at 14 and 29 Å in both ER subtypes. These results demonstrate that the bivalent concept can operate in determining ER-ligand binding affinity and suggest that two distinct modes operate for the binding of bivalent estrogen ligands to the ER dimers, an intermolecular as well as an intramolecular mode. Our insights, particularly the possibility of intramolecular bivalent binding on a single ER monomer, may provide an alternative strategy for preparing more selective and active ER antagonists for endocrine therapy of breast cancer.

Towards a rational spacer design for bivalent inhibition of estrogen receptor

Estrogen receptors are known drug targets that have been linked to several kinds of cancer. The structure of the estrogen receptor ligand binding domain is available and reveals a homodimeric layout. In order to improve the binding affinity of known estrogen receptor inhibitors, bivalent compounds have been developed that consist of two individual ligands linked by flexible tethers serving as spacers. So far, binding affinities of the bivalent compounds do not surpass their monovalent counterparts. In this article, we focus our attention on the molecular spacers that are used to connect the individual ligands to form bivalent compounds, and describe their thermodynamic contribution during the ligand binding process. We use computational methods to predict structural and entropic parameters of different spacer structures. We find that flexible spacers introduce a number of effects that may interfere with ligand binding and possibly can be connected to the low binding affinities that have been reported in binding assays. Based on these findings, we try to provide guidelines for the design of novel molecular spacers.

Steroidal bivalent ligands for the estrogen receptor: design, synthesis, characterization and binding affinities

Steroidal bivalent ligands for the estrogen receptor (ER) were designed using crystal structures of ERalpha dimers as a template. The syntheses of several 17alpha-ethynylestradiol-based bivalent ligands with varying linker compositions and lengths are described. The binding affinities of these bivalent ligands for ERalpha and ERbeta were determined. In the two series of bivalent ligands that we synthesized, there is a clear correlation between linker length and binding affinity, both of which reach a maximum at the same tether length. Further studies are underway to explore aspects of bivalent ligand and control compound binding to the ERs and their effects on ER dimer formation; these results will be reported in a subsequent publication.

Cytotoxic small molecule dimers and their inhibitory activity against human breast cancer cells

Small molecules based upon natural product dimers that exhibit cytotoxic activity were synthesized and evaluated for their anti-proliferative activity in human breast cancer cell lines. A central isophthalic core structure linking aromatic amines containing 3,5-disubstitutions produced the most active compounds. This series of compounds was found to be more active against the estrogen receptor positive cell line MCF-7 than the estrogen receptor negative cell line, SKBr3.

Synthesis of unique 17beta-estradiol homo-dimers, estrogen receptors binding affinity evaluation and cytocidal activity on breast, intestinal and skin cancer cell lines

A rapid and efficient synthesis of a series of C2-symmetric 17beta-estradiol homo-dimers is described. The new molecules are linked at position 17alpha of the steroid nucleus with either an alkyl chain or a polyethylene glycol chain. They are made from estrone in only five chemical steps with an overall yield exceeding 30%. The biological activity of these compounds was evaluated in vitro on estrogen dependent and independent (ER+ and ER-) human breast tumor cell lines: MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. Some of the dimers present selective cytotoxic activity against the ER+ cell line. However, they are not very cytotoxic when compared to the antiestrogen tamoxifen. Unfortunately, they show only weak affinity for the estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) and no affinity for the estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta). The new compounds were also tested on human intestinal (HT-29) cancer and on murine skin cancer (B16-F10) cell lines for further biological assessment. Interestingly, the dimers were found to be cytotoxic to the murine skin cancer cell line but were inactive towards the intestinal cancer cell line.

A facile synthesis of C(2)-symmetric 17 beta-estradiol dimers

A rapid and efficient synthesis of a series of C(2)-symmetric 17 beta-estradiol dimers is described. The new molecules are linked at position 17 alpha of the steroid nucleus with either an alkyl chain or a polyethylene glycol chain. They are made from estrone in five chemical steps with an overall yield exceeding 30%. The biological activity of these compounds was evaluated in vitro on estrogen dependent and independent (ER(+) and ER(-)) human breast tumor cell lines: MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. Some of the dimers present selective cytotoxic activity against the ER(+) cell line.