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Hegde M, Girisa S, Naliyadhara N, Kumar A, Alqahtani MS, Abbas M, Mohan CD, Warrier S, Hui KM, Rangappa KS, Sethi G, Kunnumakkara AB. Natural compounds targeting nuclear receptors for effective cancer therapy. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:765-822. [PMID: 36482154 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-022-10068-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Human nuclear receptors (NRs) are a family of forty-eight transcription factors that modulate gene expression both spatially and temporally. Numerous biochemical, physiological, and pathological processes including cell survival, proliferation, differentiation, metabolism, immune modulation, development, reproduction, and aging are extensively orchestrated by different NRs. The involvement of dysregulated NRs and NR-mediated signaling pathways in driving cancer cell hallmarks has been thoroughly investigated. Targeting NRs has been one of the major focuses of drug development strategies for cancer interventions. Interestingly, rapid progress in molecular biology and drug screening reveals that the naturally occurring compounds are promising modern oncology drugs which are free of potentially inevitable repercussions that are associated with synthetic compounds. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to draw our attention to the potential therapeutic effects of various classes of natural compounds that target NRs such as phytochemicals, dietary components, venom constituents, royal jelly-derived compounds, and microbial derivatives in the establishment of novel and safe medications for cancer treatment. This review also emphasizes molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways that are leveraged to promote the anti-cancer effects of these natural compounds. We have also critically reviewed and assessed the advantages and limitations of current preclinical and clinical studies on this subject for cancer prophylaxis. This might subsequently pave the way for new paradigms in the discovery of drugs that target specific cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mangala Hegde
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India
| | - Sosmitha Girisa
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India
| | - Nikunj Naliyadhara
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India
| | - Aviral Kumar
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India
| | - Mohammed S Alqahtani
- Radiological Sciences Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, 61421, Saudi Arabia
- BioImaging Unit, Space Research Centre, University of Leicester, Michael Atiyah Building, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Mohamed Abbas
- Electrical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, Abha, 61421, Saudi Arabia
- Electronics and Communications Department, College of Engineering, Delta University for Science and Technology, 35712, Gamasa, Egypt
| | | | - Sudha Warrier
- Division of Cancer Stem Cells and Cardiovascular Regeneration, School of Regenerative Medicine, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Bangalore, 560065, India
- Cuor Stem Cellutions Pvt Ltd, Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Bangalore, 560065, India
| | - Kam Man Hui
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, Humphrey Oei Institute of Cancer Research, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, 169610, Singapore
| | | | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117600, Singapore.
| | - Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India.
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2
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Festa C, De Marino S, Zampella A, Fiorucci S. Theonella: A Treasure Trove of Structurally Unique and Biologically Active Sterols. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:md21050291. [PMID: 37233485 DOI: 10.3390/md21050291] [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: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The marine environment is considered a vast source in the discovery of structurally unique bioactive secondary metabolites. Among marine invertebrates, the sponge Theonella spp. represents an arsenal of novel compounds ranging from peptides, alkaloids, terpenes, macrolides, and sterols. In this review, we summarize the recent reports on sterols isolated from this amazing sponge, describing their structural features and peculiar biological activities. We also discuss the total syntheses of solomonsterols A and B and the medicinal chemistry modifications on theonellasterol and conicasterol, focusing on the effect of chemical transformations on the biological activity of this class of metabolites. The promising compounds identified from Theonella spp. possess pronounced biological activity on nuclear receptors or cytotoxicity and result in promising candidates for extended preclinical evaluations. The identification of naturally occurring and semisynthetic marine bioactive sterols reaffirms the utility of examining natural product libraries for the discovery of new therapeutical approach to human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Festa
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples, Via Domenico Montesano, 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Simona De Marino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples, Via Domenico Montesano, 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Zampella
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples, Via Domenico Montesano, 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Piazza L. Severi, 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy
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3
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Nakamura F, Kimura H, Fusetani N, Nakao Y. Two Onnamide Analogs from the Marine Sponge Theonella conica: Evaluation of Geometric Effects in the Polyene Systems on Biological Activity. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28062524. [PMID: 36985496 PMCID: PMC10058928 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28062524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Two previously unreported onnamide analogs, 2Z- and 6Z-onnamides A (1 and 2), were isolated from the marine sponge Theonella conica collected at Amami-Oshima Is., Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. Structures of compounds 1 and 2 were elucidated by spectral analysis. Structure–activity relationships (SARs) for effects on histone modifications and cytotoxicity against HeLa and P388 cells were characterized. The geometry in the polyene systems of onnamides affected the histone modification levels and cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumiaki Nakamura
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 3-4-1 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kimura
- Cell Biology Center, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Fusetani
- Research Institute for Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 3-4-1 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan
| | - Yoichi Nakao
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 3-4-1 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan
- Research Institute for Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 3-4-1 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-3-5286-3100
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Chen Q, Zhou X, Rehmel J, Steele JP, Svensson KA, Beck JP, Hembre EJ, Hao J. Ensemble Docking Approach to Mitigate Pregnane X Receptor-Mediated CYP3A4 Induction Risk. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:173-186. [PMID: 36473234 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c01175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Three structurally closely related dopamine D1 receptor positive allosteric modulators (D1 PAMs) based on a tetrahydroisoquinoline (THIQ) scaffold were profiled for their CYP3A4 induction potentials. It was found that the length of the linker at the C5 position greatly affected the potentials of these D1 PAMs as CYP3A4 inducers, and the level of induction correlated well with the activation of the pregnane X receptor (PXR). Based on the published PXR X-ray crystal structures, we built a binding model specifically for these THIQ-scaffold-based D1 PAMs in the PXR ligand-binding pocket via an ensemble docking approach and found the model could explain the observed CYP induction disparity. Combined with our previously reported D1 receptor homology model, which identified the C5 position as pointing toward the solvent-exposed space, our PXR-binding model coincidentally suggested that structural modifications at the C5 position could productively modulate the CYP induction potential while maintaining the D1 PAM potency of these THIQ-based PAMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Chen
- Discovery Chemistry Research and Technologies, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana46285, United States
| | - Xin Zhou
- Drug Disposition, Lilly Biotechnology Center, Eli Lilly and Company, 10290 Campus Point Drive, San Diego, California92121, United States
| | - Jessica Rehmel
- Drug Disposition, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana46285, United States
| | - James P Steele
- Quantitative Biology, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana46285, United States
| | - Kjell A Svensson
- Neuroscience Discovery, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana46285, United States
| | - James P Beck
- Discovery Chemistry Research and Technologies, Lilly Biotechnology Center, Eli Lilly and Company, 10290 Campus Point Drive, San Diego, California92121, United States
| | - Erik J Hembre
- Discovery Chemistry Research and Technologies, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana46285, United States
| | - Junliang Hao
- Discovery Chemistry Research and Technologies, Lilly Biotechnology Center, Eli Lilly and Company, 10290 Campus Point Drive, San Diego, California92121, United States
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5
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She J, Gu T, Pang X, Liu Y, Tang L, Zhou X. Natural Products Targeting Liver X Receptors or Farnesoid X Receptor. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:772435. [PMID: 35069197 PMCID: PMC8766425 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.772435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptors (NRs) are a superfamily of transcription factors induced by ligands and also function as integrators of hormonal and nutritional signals. Among NRs, the liver X receptors (LXRs) and farnesoid X receptor (FXR) have been of significance as targets for the treatment of metabolic syndrome-related diseases. In recent years, natural products targeting LXRs and FXR have received remarkable interests as a valuable source of novel ligands encompassing diverse chemical structures and bioactive properties. This review aims to survey natural products, originating from terrestrial plants and microorganisms, marine organisms, and marine-derived microorganisms, which could influence LXRs and FXR. In the recent two decades (2000-2020), 261 natural products were discovered from natural resources such as LXRs/FXR modulators, 109 agonists and 38 antagonists targeting LXRs, and 72 agonists and 55 antagonists targeting FXR. The docking evaluation of desired natural products targeted LXRs/FXR is finally discussed. This comprehensive overview will provide a reference for future study of novel LXRs and FXR agonists and antagonists to target human diseases, and attract an increasing number of professional scholars majoring in pharmacy and biology with more in-depth discussion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianglian She
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Marine Materia Medica, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,College of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tanwei Gu
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Pang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Marine Materia Medica, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yonghong Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Marine Materia Medica, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,College of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China
| | - Lan Tang
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuefeng Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Marine Materia Medica, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China
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6
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Discrepancy in interactions and conformational dynamics of pregnane X receptor (PXR) bound to an agonist and a novel competitive antagonist. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:3004-3018. [PMID: 35782743 PMCID: PMC9218138 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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7
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Xing Y, Yan J, Niu Y. PXR: a center of transcriptional regulation in cancer. Acta Pharm Sin B 2020; 10:197-206. [PMID: 32082968 PMCID: PMC7016272 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2019.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pregnane X receptor (PXR, NR1I2) is a prototypical member of the nuclear receptor superfamily. PXR can be activated by both endobiotics and xenobiotics. As a key xenobiotic receptor, the cellular function of PXR is mostly exerted by its binding to the regulatory gene sequences in a ligand-dependent manner. Classical downstream target genes of PXR participate in xenobiotic responses, such as detoxification, metabolism and inflammation. Emerging evidence also implicates PXR signaling in the processes of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, proliferation, angiogenesis and oxidative stress, which are closely related to cancer. Here, we discussed, in addition to the characterization of PXR per se, the biological function and regulatory mechanism of PXR signaling in cancer, and its potential for the targeted prevention and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqi Xing
- Department of Pharmacology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Jiong Yan
- Center for Pharmacogenetics, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Yongdong Niu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
- Corresponding author.
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8
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Carazo A, Mladěnka P, Pávek P. Marine Ligands of the Pregnane X Receptor (PXR): An Overview. Mar Drugs 2019; 17:md17100554. [PMID: 31569349 PMCID: PMC6836225 DOI: 10.3390/md17100554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pregnane X Receptor (PXR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor which binds many structurally different molecules. The receptor is able to regulate the expression of a wide array of genes and is involved in cancer and different key physiological processes such as the metabolism of drugs/xenobiotics and endogenous compounds including lipids and carbohydrates, and inflammation. Algae, sponges, sea squirts, and other marine organisms are some of the species from which structurally new molecules have been isolated that have been subsequently identified in recent decades as ligands for PXR. The therapeutic potential of these natural compounds is promising in different areas and has recently resulted in the registration of trabectedin by the FDA as a novel antineoplastic drug. Apart from being potentially novel drugs, these compounds can also serve as models for the development of new molecules with improved activity. The aim of this review is to succinctly summarize the currently known natural molecules isolated from marine organisms with a proven ability to interact with PXR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Carazo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Králové 500 05, Czech Republic.
| | - Přemysl Mladěnka
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Králové 500 05, Czech Republic.
| | - Petr Pávek
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Králové 500 05, Czech Republic.
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9
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Exploring the PXR ligand binding mechanism with advanced Molecular Dynamics methods. Sci Rep 2018; 8:16207. [PMID: 30385820 PMCID: PMC6212460 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34373-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The Pregnane X Receptor (PXR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor belonging to the nuclear receptor family. PXR can bind diverse drugs and environmental toxicants with different binding modes, making it an intriguing target for drug discovery. Here we investigated the binding mechanism of the SR12813 ligand to elucidate the significant steps, from the ligand entrance pathway into the binding cavity, to the ligand-induced conformational changes, and to the exploration of its alternative binding geometries. We used the advanced Molecular Dynamics-based methods implemented in the BiKi suite and developed specific methodological approaches to overcome the complexity induced by the buried and flexible binding cavity. The adopted methods provided a full dynamic description of the binding event and allowed rationalization of the observed multiple binding modes. These results suggest that the same approach could be exploited for the study of other binding processes with similar characteristics.
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10
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Lamonaca P, Prinzi G, Kisialiou A, Cardaci V, Fini M, Russo P. Metabolic Disorder in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Patients: Towards a Personalized Approach Using Marine Drug Derivatives. Mar Drugs 2017; 15:E81. [PMID: 28335527 PMCID: PMC5367038 DOI: 10.3390/md15030081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Revised: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic disorder has been frequently observed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. However, the exact correlation between obesity, which is a complex metabolic disorder, and COPD remains controversial. The current study summarizes a variety of drugs from marine sources that have anti-obesity effects and proposed potential mechanisms by which lung function can be modulated with the anti-obesity activity. Considering the similar mechanism, such as inflammation, shared between obesity and COPD, the study suggests that marine derivatives that act on the adipose tissues to reduce inflammation may provide beneficial therapeutic effects in COPD subjects with high body mass index (BMI).
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Affiliation(s)
- Palma Lamonaca
- Clinical and Molecular Epidemiology, IRCSS San Raffaele Pisana, Via di Valcannuta 247, I-00166 Rome, Italy.
| | - Giulia Prinzi
- Clinical and Molecular Epidemiology, IRCSS San Raffaele Pisana, Via di Valcannuta 247, I-00166 Rome, Italy.
| | - Aliaksei Kisialiou
- Clinical and Molecular Epidemiology, IRCSS San Raffaele Pisana, Via di Valcannuta 247, I-00166 Rome, Italy.
| | - Vittorio Cardaci
- Department of Pulmonary Rehabilitation, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Via della Pisana 235, I-00163 Rome, Italy.
| | - Massimo Fini
- Scientific Direction, IRCSS San Raffaele Pisana, Via di Valcannuta 247, I-00166 Rome, Italy.
| | - Patrizia Russo
- Clinical and Molecular Epidemiology, IRCSS San Raffaele Pisana, Via di Valcannuta 247, I-00166 Rome, Italy.
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11
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Ligand binding to telomeric G-quadruplex DNA investigated by funnel-metadynamics simulations. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:E2136-E2145. [PMID: 28232513 PMCID: PMC5358390 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1612627114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A thorough characterization of the binding interaction between a drug and its molecular target is fundamental to successfully lead drug design. We demonstrate that this characterization is also possible using the recently developed method of funnel-metadynamics (FM), here applied to investigate the binding of berberine to DNA G-quadruplex. We computed a quantitatively well-characterized free-energy landscape that allows identifying two low-energy ligand binding modes and the presence of higher energy prebinding states. We validated the accuracy of our calculations by steady-state fluorescence experiments. The good agreement between the theoretical and experimental binding free-energy value demonstrates that FM is a most reliable method to study ligand/DNA interaction. G-quadruplexes (G4s) are higher-order DNA structures typically present at promoter regions of genes and telomeres. Here, the G4 formation decreases the replicative DNA at each cell cycle, finally leading to apoptosis. The ability to control this mitotic clock, particularly in cancer cells, is fascinating and passes through a rational understanding of the ligand/G4 interaction. We demonstrate that an accurate description of the ligand/G4 binding mechanism is possible using an innovative free-energy method called funnel-metadynamics (FM), which we have recently developed to investigate ligand/protein interaction. Using FM simulations, we have elucidated the binding mechanism of the anticancer alkaloid berberine to the human telomeric G4 (d[AG3(T2AG3)3]), computing also the binding free-energy landscape. Two ligand binding modes have been identified as the lowest energy states. Furthermore, we have found prebinding sites, which are preparatory to reach the final binding mode. In our simulations, the ions and the water molecules have been explicitly represented and the energetic contribution of the solvent during ligand binding evaluated. Our theoretical results provide an accurate estimate of the absolute ligand/DNA binding free energy (ΔGb0 = −10.3 ± 0.5 kcal/mol) that we validated through steady-state fluorescence binding assays. The good agreement between the theoretical and experimental value demonstrates that FM is a most powerful method to investigate ligand/DNA interaction and can be a useful tool for the rational design also of G4 ligands.
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Abstract
This review covers the literature published in 2014 for marine natural products (MNPs), with 1116 citations (753 for the period January to December 2014) referring to compounds isolated from marine microorganisms and phytoplankton, green, brown and red algae, sponges, cnidarians, bryozoans, molluscs, tunicates, echinoderms, mangroves and other intertidal plants and microorganisms. The emphasis is on new compounds (1378 in 456 papers for 2014), together with the relevant biological activities, source organisms and country of origin. Reviews, biosynthetic studies, first syntheses, and syntheses that lead to the revision of structures or stereochemistries, have been included.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W Blunt
- Department of Chemistry, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.
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13
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Hodnik Ž, Tomašič T, Smodiš D, D'Amore C, Mašič LP, Fiorucci S, Kikelj D. Diethylstilbestrol-scaffold-based pregnane X receptor modulators. Eur J Med Chem 2015; 103:551-62. [PMID: 26408814 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2015.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2015] [Revised: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 09/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Due to its function as a regulator of drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters, pregnane X receptor (PXR) represents an important factor involved in drug metabolism. In this work, we describe the discovery of diethylstilbestrol-based PXR modulators, which were designed from marine sulfated steroids with PXR agonistic activity, solomonsterols A and B, and our recently reported bazedoxifene scaffold-derived PXR antagonists. The methylated diethylstilbestrol derivative 1 displayed potent PXR agonistic activity with an EC50 value of 10.5 μM, whereas compounds 3, 4 and 6 (IC50 for 6 = 27.4 μM) and diethylstilbestrol (2) itself (IC50 = 14.6 μM) exhibited PXR antagonistic effects in HepG2 cells. The PXR modulatory effects of the synthesized diethylstilbestrol derivatives were further confirmed by the induction of PXR-regulated CYP3A4 expression with compound 1, as well as by the inhibition of the rifaximin-promoted up-regulation of CYP3A4 expression with 2 and its derivative 6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Žiga Hodnik
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tihomir Tomašič
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Domen Smodiš
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Claudio D'Amore
- University of Perugia, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Nuova Facultàdi Medicina e Chirurgia, S. Andrea delle Fratte, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Fiorucci
- University of Perugia, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Nuova Facultàdi Medicina e Chirurgia, S. Andrea delle Fratte, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Danijel Kikelj
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Marine and semi-synthetic hydroxysteroids as new scaffolds for pregnane X receptor modulation. Mar Drugs 2014; 12:3091-115. [PMID: 24871460 PMCID: PMC4071567 DOI: 10.3390/md12063091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2014] [Revised: 04/29/2014] [Accepted: 04/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years many sterols with unusual structures and promising biological profiles have been identified from marine sources. Here we report the isolation of a series of 24-alkylated-hydroxysteroids from the soft coral Sinularia kavarattiensis, acting as pregnane X receptor (PXR) modulators. Starting from this scaffold a number of derivatives were prepared and evaluated for their ability to activate the PXR by assessing transactivation and quantifying gene expression. Our study reveals that ergost-5-en-3β-ol (4) induces PXR transactivation in HepG2 cells and stimulates the expression of the PXR target gene CYP3A4. To shed light on the molecular basis of the interaction between these ligands and PXR, we investigated, through docking simulations, the binding mechanism of the most potent compound of the series, 4, to the PXR. Our findings provide useful functional and structural information to guide further investigations and drug design.
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