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Batista-Silva JP, Gomes D, Sousa SF, Sousa Â, Passarinha LA. Advances in structure-based drug design targeting membrane protein markers in prostate cancer. Drug Discov Today 2024; 29:104130. [PMID: 39103143 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2024.104130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 07/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the leading cancers in men and the lack of suitable biomarkers or their modulators results in poor prognosis. Membrane proteins (MPs) have a crucial role in the development and progression of PCa and can be attractive therapeutic targets. However, experimental limitations in targeting MPs hinder effective biomarker and inhibitor discovery. To overcome this barrier, computational methods can yield structural insights and screen large libraries of compounds, accelerating lead identification and optimization. In this review, we examine current breakthroughs in computer-aided drug design (CADD), with emphasis on structure-based approaches targeting the most relevant membrane-bound PCa biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- João P Batista-Silva
- CICS-UBI-Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal; UCIBIO-Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Chemistry Department, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2819-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Diana Gomes
- CICS-UBI-Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal; UCIBIO-Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Chemistry Department, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2819-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Sérgio F Sousa
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, BioSIM - Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ângela Sousa
- CICS-UBI-Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal.
| | - Luís A Passarinha
- CICS-UBI-Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal; UCIBIO-Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Chemistry Department, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2819-516 Caparica, Portugal; Laboratório de Fármaco-Toxicologia-UBIMedical, University of Beira Interior, 6200-284 Covilhã, Portugal.
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Panagiotopoulos AA, Konstantinou E, Pirintsos SA, Castanas E, Kampa M. Mining the ZINC database of natural products for specific, testosterone-like, OXER1 antagonists. Steroids 2023; 199:109309. [PMID: 37696380 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2023.109309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
OXER1, the receptor for the oxidized arachidonic acid metabolite 5-oxo-ETE has been reported to play a significant role in inflammatory responses, being responsible for leucocyte chemotactic responses. Recently, we have identified OXER1 (GPR170) as a membrane receptor for androgens in prostate and breast cancer cells. Testosterone action via OXER1 induces specific Ca2+ release from intracellular organelles, modifies polymerized actin distribution induces apoptosis and decreases cancer cell migration. These actions are antagonized by 5-oxo-ETE. In addition, 5-oxo-ETE through a Gαi protein decreases cAMP, an action antagonized by testosterone. In this work, we mined the ZINC15 database, using QSAR, for natural compounds able to signal through Gαi and Gβγ simultaneously, mimicking testosterone actions, as well as for specific Gβγ interactors, inhibiting 5-oxo-ETE tumor promoting actions. We were able to identify four druggable Gαβγ and seven Gβγ specific OXER1 interactors. We further confirmed by bio-informatic methods their binding to the 5-oxo-ETE/testosterone binding groove of the receptor, their ADME properties and their possible interaction with other receptor and/or enzyme targets. Two compounds, ZINC04017374 (Naphthofluorescein) and ZINC08589130 (Puertogaline A) were purchased, tested in vitro and confirmed their OXER1 Gβγ and Gαβγ activity, respectively. The methodology followed is useful for a better understanding of the mechanism by which OXER1 mediates its actions, it has the potential to provide structural insights, in order to design small molecular specific interactors and ultimately design new anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agents. Finally, the methodology may also be useful for identifying specific agonists/antagonists of other GPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Evangelia Konstantinou
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology, University of Crete, School of Medicine, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Stergios A Pirintsos
- Department of Biology, School of Science and Technology, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece; Botanical Garden, University of Crete, Rethymnon, Greece
| | - Elias Castanas
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology, University of Crete, School of Medicine, Heraklion, Greece.
| | - Marilena Kampa
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology, University of Crete, School of Medicine, Heraklion, Greece.
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3
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Panagiotopoulos A, Kalyvianaki K, Notas G, Pirintsos SA, Castanas E, Kampa M. New Antagonists of the Membrane Androgen Receptor OXER1 from the ZINC Natural Product Database. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:29664-29674. [PMID: 34778638 PMCID: PMC8582029 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c04027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
OXER1 (oxoeicosanoid receptor 1) was deorphanized in 1993 and found to be the specific receptor for the arachidonic acid metabolite 5-oxo-ETE. Recently, we have reported that androgen binds to this receptor also, being a membrane androgen receptor, triggering a number of its membrane-mediated actions (cell migration, apoptosis, cell proliferation, Ca2+ movements). In addition, our previous work suggested that a number of natural monomeric and oligomeric polyphenols interact with OXER1, acting similar to testosterone. Here, we interrogated the natural product chemical space and identified nine polyphenolic molecules with interesting in silico pharmacological activities as putative OXER1 antagonists. The molecule with the best pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic properties (ZINC15959779) was purchased and tested on OXER1, in prostate cancer cell cultures. It showed that it has actions similar to those of testosterone in inhibiting cAMP, while it had no action in intracellular Ca2+ mobilization or actin cytoskeleton rearrangement/migration. These results are discussed under the prism of structure-activity relationships and in silico models of the OXER1 binding groove. We suggest that these compounds, together with the previously reported (poly)phenolic compounds, can be lead structures for the exploration of the anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effects of OXER1 antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Konstantina Kalyvianaki
- Laboratory
of Experimental Endocrinology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion 715 00, Greece
| | - George Notas
- Laboratory
of Experimental Endocrinology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion 715 00, Greece
| | - Stergios A. Pirintsos
- Department
of Biology, School of Science and Technology, University of Crete, Heraklion 71013, Greece
- Botanical
Garden, University of Crete, Rethymnon 700 13, Greece
| | - Elias Castanas
- Laboratory
of Experimental Endocrinology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion 715 00, Greece
| | - Marilena Kampa
- Laboratory
of Experimental Endocrinology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion 715 00, Greece
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4
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Molecular Characterization of Membrane Steroid Receptors in Hormone-Sensitive Cancers. Cells 2021; 10:cells10112999. [PMID: 34831222 PMCID: PMC8616056 DOI: 10.3390/cells10112999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the most common causes of death worldwide, and its development is a result of the complex interaction of genetic factors, environmental cues, and aging. Hormone-sensitive cancers depend on the action of one or more hormones for their development and progression. Sex steroids and corticosteroids can regulate different physiological functions, including metabolism, growth, and proliferation, through their interaction with specific nuclear receptors, that can transcriptionally regulate target genes via their genomic actions. Therefore, interference with hormones’ activities, e.g., deregulation of their production and downstream pathways or the exposition to exogenous hormone-active substances such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), can affect the regulation of their correlated pathways and trigger the neoplastic transformation. Although nuclear receptors account for most hormone-related biologic effects and their slow genomic responses are well-studied, less-known membrane receptors are emerging for their ability to mediate steroid hormones effects through the activation of rapid non-genomic responses also involved in the development of hormone-sensitive cancers. This review aims to collect pre-clinical and clinical data on these extranuclear receptors not only to draw attention to their emerging role in cancer development and progression but also to highlight their dual role as tumor microenvironment players and potential candidate drug targets.
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D’Arrigo G, Gianquinto E, Rossetti G, Cruciani G, Lorenzetti S, Spyrakis F. Binding of Androgen- and Estrogen-Like Flavonoids to Their Cognate (Non)Nuclear Receptors: A Comparison by Computational Prediction. Molecules 2021; 26:1613. [PMID: 33799482 PMCID: PMC8001607 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26061613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Flavonoids are plant bioactives that are recognized as hormone-like polyphenols because of their similarity to the endogenous sex steroids 17β-estradiol and testosterone, and to their estrogen- and androgen-like activity. Most efforts to verify flavonoid binding to nuclear receptors (NRs) and explain their action have been focused on ERα, while less attention has been paid to other nuclear and non-nuclear membrane androgen and estrogen receptors. Here, we investigate six flavonoids (apigenin, genistein, luteolin, naringenin, quercetin, and resveratrol) that are widely present in fruits and vegetables, and often used as replacement therapy in menopause. We performed comparative computational docking simulations to predict their capability of binding nuclear receptors ERα, ERβ, ERRβ, ERRγ, androgen receptor (AR), and its variant ART877A and membrane receptors for androgens, i.e., ZIP9, GPRC6A, OXER1, TRPM8, and estrogens, i.e., G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor (GPER). In agreement with data reported in literature, our results suggest that these flavonoids show a relevant degree of complementarity with both estrogen and androgen NR binding sites, likely triggering genomic-mediated effects. It is noteworthy that reliable protein-ligand complexes and estimated interaction energies were also obtained for some suggested estrogen and androgen membrane receptors, indicating that flavonoids could also exert non-genomic actions. Further investigations are needed to clarify flavonoid multiple genomic and non-genomic effects. Caution in their administration could be necessary, until the safe assumption of these natural molecules that are largely present in food is assured.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia D’Arrigo
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy; (G.D.); (E.G.)
| | - Eleonora Gianquinto
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy; (G.D.); (E.G.)
| | - Giulia Rossetti
- Institute for Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-9) and Institute for Advanced Simulations (IAS-5) “Computational Biomedicine”, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- Jülich Supercomputing Center (JSC), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- Department of Neurology, RWTH, Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
| | - Gabriele Cruciani
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy;
| | - Stefano Lorenzetti
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Spyrakis
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy; (G.D.); (E.G.)
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Trippe L, Nava A, Frank A, Nubbemeyer U. Synthesis of Enantiopure 6,11‐Methylene Lipoxin B
4
Methyl Ester. European J Org Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.202001591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Trippe
- Organische Chemie Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz Duesbergweg 10–14 D-55128 Mainz Germany
| | - Analuisa Nava
- BASF Lampertheim GmbH Chemiestr. 22 68623 Lampertheim Germany
| | - Andrea Frank
- Organische Chemie Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz Duesbergweg 10–14 D-55128 Mainz Germany
| | - Udo Nubbemeyer
- Organische Chemie Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz Duesbergweg 10–14 D-55128 Mainz Germany
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OXER1 and RACK1-associated pathway: a promising drug target for breast cancer progression. Oncogenesis 2020; 9:105. [PMID: 33311444 PMCID: PMC7732991 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-020-00291-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent data indicate that receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1) is a putative prognostic marker and drug target in breast cancer (BC). High RACK1 expression is negatively associated with overall survival, as it seems to promote BC progression. In tumors, RACK1 expression is controlled by a complex balance between glucocorticoids and androgens. Given the fact that androgens and androgenic derivatives can inhibit BC cell proliferation and migration, the role of androgen signaling in regulating RACK1 transcription in mammary tumors is of pivotal interest. Here, we provide evidence that nandrolone (19-nortosterone) inhibits BC cell proliferation and migration by antagonizing the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway, which eventually results in RACK1 downregulation. We also show that nandrolone impairs the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway and decreases RACK1 expression via binding to the membrane-bound receptor, oxoeicosanoid receptor 1 (OXER1). High levels of OXER1 are observed in several BC cell lines and correlate with RACK1 expression and poor prognosis. Our data provide evidence on the role played by the OXER1-dependent intracellular pathway in BC progression and shed light on the mechanisms underlying membrane-dependent androgen effects on RACK1 regulation. Besides the mechanistic relevance, the results of the study are of interest from a translational prospective. In fact, they identify a new and actionable pathway to be used for the design of innovative and rational therapeutic strategies in the context of the personalized treatment of BC. In addition, they draw attention on nandrolone-based compounds that lack hormonal activity as potential anti-tumor agents.
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Torrens-Fontanals M, Stepniewski TM, Aranda-García D, Morales-Pastor A, Medel-Lacruz B, Selent J. How Do Molecular Dynamics Data Complement Static Structural Data of GPCRs. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E5933. [PMID: 32824756 PMCID: PMC7460635 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are implicated in nearly every physiological process in the human body and therefore represent an important drug targeting class. Advances in X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) have provided multiple static structures of GPCRs in complex with various signaling partners. However, GPCR functionality is largely determined by their flexibility and ability to transition between distinct structural conformations. Due to this dynamic nature, a static snapshot does not fully explain the complexity of GPCR signal transduction. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations offer the opportunity to simulate the structural motions of biological processes at atomic resolution. Thus, this technique can incorporate the missing information on protein flexibility into experimentally solved structures. Here, we review the contribution of MD simulations to complement static structural data and to improve our understanding of GPCR physiology and pharmacology, as well as the challenges that still need to be overcome to reach the full potential of this technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariona Torrens-Fontanals
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM)—Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (M.T.-F.); (T.M.S.); (D.A.-G.); (A.M.-P.); (B.M.-L.)
| | - Tomasz Maciej Stepniewski
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM)—Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (M.T.-F.); (T.M.S.); (D.A.-G.); (A.M.-P.); (B.M.-L.)
- InterAx Biotech AG, PARK innovAARE, 5234 Villigen, Switzerland
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - David Aranda-García
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM)—Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (M.T.-F.); (T.M.S.); (D.A.-G.); (A.M.-P.); (B.M.-L.)
| | - Adrián Morales-Pastor
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM)—Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (M.T.-F.); (T.M.S.); (D.A.-G.); (A.M.-P.); (B.M.-L.)
| | - Brian Medel-Lacruz
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM)—Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (M.T.-F.); (T.M.S.); (D.A.-G.); (A.M.-P.); (B.M.-L.)
| | - Jana Selent
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM)—Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (M.T.-F.); (T.M.S.); (D.A.-G.); (A.M.-P.); (B.M.-L.)
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Thomas P. Membrane Androgen Receptors Unrelated to Nuclear Steroid Receptors. Endocrinology 2019; 160:772-781. [PMID: 30753403 DOI: 10.1210/en.2018-00987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Rapid (nongenomic) membrane-initiated androgen actions have been described in nuclear androgen receptor-null cells. Four distinct proteins have been proposed as membrane androgen receptors (mARs) or sensors. Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) is a calcium channel that acts as a pain receptor and mediates androgen- and menthol-induced increases in calcium levels and survival of prostate cancer cells. Testosterone (T) directly interacts with TRPM8, but extensive androgen receptor binding studies to confirm its role as an mAR are lacking. Oxoeicosanoid receptor 1 (OXER1) is highly expressed in prostate cancer tissues, and its major ligand, 5-oxoeicosatretraenoic acid (5-oxo-ETE), is a potent inducer of prostate cancer cell proliferation and survival. T competes for 5-oxo-ETE binding to OXER1 and antagonizes 5-oxo-ETE-mediated inhibition of cAMP production. However, OXER1 does not meet a traditional criterion for its designation as an mAR because T treatment alone does not alter cAMP signaling. GPRC6A is a class C G protein-coupled receptor activated by l-α-amino acids and is modulated by calcium. Although there has been controversy over the proposed role of T as a GPRC6A ligand, androgen induction of GPRC6A signaling has recently been confirmed by several researchers. ZIP9 belongs to the zinc transporter ZIP (SLC39A) family and displays specific T binding characteristic of an mAR. ZIP9 mediates androgen-dependent intracellular signaling and apoptosis of breast and prostate cancer cells through activation of G proteins. Androgen-signaling functions of ZIP9 have been confirmed in other cells, but the overall importance of ZIP9 in androgen physiology remains unclear. Here, the current status of these four proteins as mARs or sensors is critically reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Thomas
- University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute, Port Aransas, Texas
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