1
|
Li M, Zhang L, Yu J, Wang X, Cheng L, Ma Z, Chen X, Wang L, Goh BC. AKR1C3 in carcinomas: from multifaceted roles to therapeutic strategies. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1378292. [PMID: 38523637 PMCID: PMC10957692 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1378292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Aldo-Keto Reductase Family 1 Member C3 (AKR1C3), also known as type 5 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD5) or prostaglandin F (PGF) synthase, functions as a pivotal enzyme in androgen biosynthesis. It catalyzes the conversion of weak androgens, estrone (a weak estrogen), and PGD2 into potent androgens (testosterone and 5α-dihydrotestosterone), 17β-estradiol (a potent estrogen), and 11β-PGF2α, respectively. Elevated levels of AKR1C3 activate androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway, contributing to tumor recurrence and imparting resistance to cancer therapies. The overexpression of AKR1C3 serves as an oncogenic factor, promoting carcinoma cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis, and is correlated with unfavorable prognosis and overall survival in carcinoma patients. Inhibiting AKR1C3 has demonstrated potent efficacy in suppressing tumor progression and overcoming treatment resistance. As a result, the development and design of AKR1C3 inhibitors have garnered increasing interest among researchers, with significant progress witnessed in recent years. Novel AKR1C3 inhibitors, including natural products and analogues of existing drugs designed based on their structures and frameworks, continue to be discovered and developed in laboratories worldwide. The AKR1C3 enzyme has emerged as a key player in carcinoma progression and therapeutic resistance, posing challenges in cancer treatment. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of AKR1C3's role in carcinoma development, its implications in therapeutic resistance, and recent advancements in the development of AKR1C3 inhibitors for tumor therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengnan Li
- School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Limin Zhang
- Jingzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jingzhou, China
- The Third Clinical Medical College of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Jiahui Yu
- School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Wang
- School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Le Cheng
- School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Zhaowu Ma
- School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Xiaoguang Chen
- School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Lingzhi Wang
- Department of Haematology–Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Boon Cher Goh
- Department of Haematology–Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yu X, Yan J, Li Y, Cheng J, Zheng L, Fu T, Zhu Y. Inhibition of castration-resistant prostate cancer growth by genistein through suppression of AKR1C3. Food Nutr Res 2023; 67:9024. [PMID: 36794010 PMCID: PMC9899042 DOI: 10.29219/fnr.v67.9024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death among males in America. The patients' survival time is significantly reduced after prostate cancer develops into castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). It has been reported that AKR1C3 is involved in this progression, and that its abnormal expression is directly correlated with the degree of CRPC malignancy. Genistein is one of the active components of soy isoflavones, and many studies have suggested that it has a better inhibitory effect on CRPC. Objective This study aimed to investigate the antitumor effect of genistein on CRPC and the potential mechanism of action. Design A xenograft tumor mouse model established with 22RV1 cells was divided into the experimental group and the control group, and the former was given 100 mg/kg.bw/day of genistein, with 22RV1, VCaP, and RWPE-1 cells cultured in a hormone-free serum environment and treated with different concentrations of genistein (0, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 μmol/L) for 48 h. Molecular docking was used to elucidate the molecular interactions between genistein and AKR1C3. Results Genistein inhibits CRPC cell proliferation and in vivo tumorigenesis. The western blot analysis confirmed that the genistein significantly inhibited prostate-specific antigen production in a dose-dependent manner. In further results, AKR1C3 expression was decreased in both the xenograft tumor tissues and the CRPC cell lines following genistein gavage feeding compared to the control group, with the reduction becoming more obvious as the concentration of genistein was increased. When the genistein was combined with AKR1C3 small interfering ribonucleic acid and an AKR1C3 inhibitor (ASP-9521), the inhibitory effect on the AKR1C3 was more pronounced. In addition, the molecular docking results suggested that the genistein had a strong affinity with the AKR1C3, and that it could be a promising AKR1C3 inhibitor. Conclusion Genistein inhibits the progression of CRPC via the suppression of AKR1C3.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoping Yu
- School of Medicine and Nursing, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiali Yan
- School of Public Health, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Yulu Li
- National Institute for Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Cheng
- School of Public Health, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Lujie Zheng
- School of Public Health, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Tianyu Fu
- School of Public Health, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China,Tianyu Fu, School of Public Health, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, China.
| | - Yanfeng Zhu
- School of Public Health, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China,Yanfeng Zhu, School of Public Health, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Penning TM, Asangani IA, Sprenger C, Plymate S. Intracrine androgen biosynthesis and drug resistance. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2020; 3:912-929. [PMID: 35582223 PMCID: PMC8992556 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2020.60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Castration-resistant prostate cancer is the lethal form of prostate cancer and most commonly remains dependent on androgen receptor (AR) signaling. Current therapies use AR signaling inhibitors (ARSI) exemplified by abiraterone acetate, a P450c17 inhibitor, and enzalutamide, a potent AR antagonist. However, drug resistance to these agents occurs within 12-18 months and they only prolong overall survival by 3-4 months. Multiple mechanisms can contribute to ARSI drug resistance. These mechanisms can include but are not limited to germline mutations in the AR, post-transcriptional alterations in AR structure, and adaptive expression of genes involved in the intracrine biosynthesis and metabolism of androgens within the tumor. This review focuses on intracrine androgen biosynthesis, how this can contribute to ARSI drug resistance, and therapeutic strategies that can be used to surmount these resistance mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Trevor M. Penning
- Department of Systems Pharmacology & Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Irfan A. Asangani
- Department Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Cynthia Sprenger
- Division of Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Stephen Plymate
- Division of Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Liu Y, He S, Chen Y, Liu Y, Feng F, Liu W, Guo Q, Zhao L, Sun H. Overview of AKR1C3: Inhibitor Achievements and Disease Insights. J Med Chem 2020; 63:11305-11329. [PMID: 32463235 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b02138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Human aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3 (AKR1C3) is known as a hormone activity regulator and prostaglandin F (PGF) synthase that regulates the occupancy of hormone receptors and cell proliferation. Because of the overexpression in metabolic diseases and various hormone-dependent and -independent carcinomas, as well as the emergence of clinical drug resistance, an increasing number of studies have investigated AKR1C3 inhibitors. Here, we briefly review the physiological and pathological function of AKR1C3 and then summarize the recent development of selective AKR1C3 inhibitors. We propose our viewpoints on the current problems associated with AKR1C3 inhibitors with the aim of providing a reference for future drug discovery and potential therapeutic perspectives on novel, potent, selective AKR1C3 inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Siyu He
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Chen
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Yijun Liu
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Feng
- Jiangsu Food and Pharmaceuticals Science College, Institute of Food and Pharmaceuticals Research, Huaian 223005, People's Republic of China.,Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenyuan Liu
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Qinglong Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Haopeng Sun
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Liu J, He P, Lin L, Zhao Y, Deng W, Ding H, Li Q, Wang Z. Characterization of a highly specific monoclonal antibody against human aldo-keto reductase AKR1C3. Steroids 2019; 143:73-79. [PMID: 30639543 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2019.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2018] [Revised: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Human aldo-keto reductase AKR1C3 (type 2 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/type 5 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) is involved in testosterone and estrogen metabolism. AKR1C3 expression is relatively low in most tissues and high in prostate and mammary glands in regulating androgen and estrogen levels. However, in many cancers, overexpression of AKR1C3 was observed, thus prompting the development of therapeutics targeting AKR1C3. To facilitate the development of AKR1C3 targeting therapeutics, evaluating the expression of AKR1C3 is vital. As AKR1C3 is highly homologous with its family proteins, AKR1C1, AKR1C2, AKR1C4 and other AKR1 proteins, reagents that can unambiguously discriminate these enzymes are needed. In this report, a highly specific monoclonal antibody for AKR1C3, 10B10, was developed and characterized. Compared to other AKR1C3 antibodies, 10B10 is highly specific and sensitive to AKR1C3 in multiple assay formats. Thus, 10B10 will be a valuable tool for the clinical development of AKR1C3 targeting therapeutics and the study of AKR1C3 biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Ping He
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Limin Lin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Yining Zhao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Wentong Deng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Hejiazi Ding
- Departments of Biochemistry, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States.
| | - Qing Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Zhong Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| |
Collapse
|