P450 aromatase inhibition assay using a competitive ELISA

A Fluorometric CYP19A1 (Aromatase) Activity Assay in Live Cells

Inhibition of estrogen synthesis is an integral component of the frontline pharmacologic therapy for the treatment of estrogen receptor positive cancers. However, there is currently no direct, high-throughput-ready assay for aromatase (also known as CYP19A1) that can be performed in live cells. Herein we present a cell-based assay that allows for multiplexed assessment of enzyme activity, protein half-life, cell viability, and identification of inhibitors with slow off-rates.

A novel naphthalimide that selectively targets breast cancer via the arylhydrocarbon receptor pathway

We report that the naphthalimide analogue 2-(2-aminophenyl)-1H-benzo[de]isoquinoline-1,3(2H)-dione (NAP-6) is a highly potent and selective breast cancer targeting molecule. These effects are mediated via the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) pathway and the subsequent induction of CYP1 metabolising monooxygenases in breast cancer cell line models. Indeed the triple negative breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-468 with a GI₅₀ value of 100 nM is greater than 500-fold more sensitive to NAP-6 compared with other tumour derived cell models. Within 1 h exposure of these cells to NAP-6, CYP1A1 expression increases 25-fold, rising to 250-fold by 24 h. A smaller concurrent increase in CYP1A2 and CYP1B1 is also observed. Within 24 h these cells present with DNA damage as evident by enhanced H2AXγ expression, cell cycle checkpoint activation via increased CHK2 expression, S-phase cell cycle arrest and cell death. Specific small molecule inhibitors of the AHR and CYP1 family ameliorate these events. A positive luciferase reporter assay for NAP-6 induced XRE binding further confirms the role of the AHR in this phenomenon. Non-sensitive cell lines fail to show these biological effects. For the first time we identify 2-(2-aminophenyl)-1H-benzo[de]isoquinoline-1,3(2H)-dione as a new AHR ligand that selectively targets breast cancer.

(Z)-2-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-3-(1H-Pyrrol-2-yl)Acrylonitrile Exhibits Selective Antitumor Activity in Breast Cancer Cell Lines via the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Pathway

We have previously reported the synthesis and breast cancer selectivity of (Z)-2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)acrylonitrile (ANI-7) in cancer cell lines. To further evaluate the selectivity of ANI-7, we have expanded upon the initial cell line panel to now include the breast cancer cell lines (MCF7, MCF7/VP16, BT474, T47D, ZR-75-1, SKBR3, MDA-MB-468, BT20, MDA-MB-231); normal breast cells (MCF-10A); and cell lines derived from colon (HT29), ovarian (A2780), lung (H460), skin (A431), neuronal (BE2C), glial (U87, SJG2), and pancreatic (MIA) cancers. We now show that ANI-7 is up to 263-fold more potent at inhibiting the growth of breast cancer cell lines (MCF7, MCF7/VP16, BT474, T47D, ZR-75-1, SKBR3, MDA-MB-468) than normal breast cells (MCF-10A) or cell lines derived from other tumor types. Measures of growth inhibition, cell cycle analysis, morphologic assessment, Western blotting, receptor binding, gene expression, small interfering RNA technology, reporter activity, and enzyme inhibition assays were exploited to define the mechanism of action of ANI-7. In this work, we report that ANI-7 mediates its effects via the activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway and the subsequent induction of CYP1-metabolizing mono-oxygenases. The metabolic conversion of ANI-7 induces DNA damage, checkpoint activation, S-phase cell cycle arrest, and cell death in sensitive breast cancer cell lines. Basal expression of AhR, the AhR nuclear translocator, and the CYP1 family members do not predict for sensitivity; however, inherent expression of the phase II-metabolizing enzyme sulfur transferase 1A1 does. For the first time, we identify (Z)-2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)acrylonitrile as a new AhR ligand.

Surface plasmon resonance imaging biosensors for aromatase based on a potent inhibitor and a specific antibody: Sensor development and application for biological material

Aromatase (ARO) is an enzyme with potential diagnostic significance. Aberrant expression of aromatase in tissues is associated with a number of pathological conditions, including tumor of the breast, ovary, testes, liver, adrenal cortex and uterus, as well as endometriosis.

Two methods for the highly selective determination of ARO concentration in human tissues by using of two different biosensors co-operating with the surface plasmon resonance imaging technique (SPRI) have been developed. One of the developed biosensors contains immobilised rabbit polyclonal antibody specific for aromatase (Y-ARO), while the other contains immobilized ARO inhibitor-exemestane (E-ARO). Both biosensors specifically bound ARO from analyzed samples. The analytically useful dynamic response range of both biosensors is between 0.3 and 5.0 ng mL−1. The detection limit (3S.D.) of both biosensors is 90 pg mL−1. Standard deviation of both biosensors is 1%. Recoveries of ARO spikes are between 97 and 108% for both biosensors under model conditions and for real samples. Albumin and alkaline phosphatase are tolerated for both biosensors up to 10,000 fold excess.

Structural basis for the functional roles of critical residues in human cytochrome p450 aromatase

Cytochrome P450 aromatase (CYP19A1) is the only enzyme known to catalyze the biosynthesis of estrogens from androgens. The crystal structure of human placental aromatase (pArom) has paved the way toward understanding the structure-function relationships of this remarkable enzyme. Using an amino terminus-truncated recombinant human aromatase (rArom) construct, we investigate the roles of key amino acids in the active site, at the intermolecular interface, inside the access channel, and at the lipid-protein boundary for their roles in enzyme function and higher-order organization. Replacing the active site residue D309 with an N yields an inactive enzyme, consistent with its proposed involvement in aromatization. Mutation of R192 at the lipid interface, pivotal to the proton relay network in the access channel, results in the loss of enzyme activity. In addition to the distal catalytic residues, we show that mutation of K440 and Y361 of the heme-proximal region critically interferes with substrate binding, enzyme activity, and heme stability. The D-E loop deletion mutant Del7 that disrupts the intermolecular interaction significantly reduces enzyme activity. However, the less drastic Del4 and point mutants E181A and E181K do not. Furthermore, native gel electrophoresis, size-exclusion chromatography, and analytical ultracentrifugation are used to show that mutations in the intermolecular interface alter the quaternary organization of the enzyme in solution. As a validation for interpretation of the mutational results in the context of the innate molecule, we determine the crystal structure of rArom to show that the active site, tertiary, and quaternary structures are identical to those of pArom.

Design, synthesis and aromatase inhibitory activities of novel indole-imidazole derivatives

A series of novel indole-imidazole derivatives have been prepared and evaluated in vitro on the aromatase inhibitory activities. The results suggested that proton or a small electron-withdrawing group at para-position of the phenyl ring would enhance the inhibitory activities and any bulky group should be avoided in order to keep a relative small volume for this kind of molecules.

Ovarian P450 aromatase activity in the catfish Heteropneustes fossilis: seasonal changes and effects of catecholestrogens

Ovarian microsomal aromatase (P450arom) activity was studied in relation to season and incubation of follicles with catecholestrogens [(2-hydroxyestradiol-17beta (2-OHE2) and 2-methoxyestradiol-17 beta (2-methoxyE2)] using a product (estradiol-17 beta) assay. Peak P450arom activity was noticed in late preparatory phase (April) and it decreased significantly in pre-spawning, spawning and post-spawning phases to give the lowest value in resting phase. Apparent Km and Vmax of the enzyme varied significantly and the values were high in the preparatory (vitellogenic) phase (Km 74.62+/-1.73 nM, Vmax 0.81+/-0.01 pmol/mg protein/min) and low in the spawning (post-vitellogenic) phase (Km 62.01+/-1.68 nM, Vmax 0.69+/-0.002 pmol/mg protein/min). The incubation of the ovarian microsomes with 2-OHE2 elicited significant biphasic effects on enzyme activity. In the vitellogenic phase, concentrations of the steroid up to 1 microM inhibited enzyme activity significantly with the highest inhibition at 10nM. However, in the post-vitellogenic ovary, the highest inhibition was registered at 100 nM. The higher concentrations (10 microM or 100 microM) did not elicit any significant change compared to the control groups. A comparison of the aromatase inhibition index (AI50, indicates 50% inhibition of aromatase activity) of fadrozole, a known aromatase inhibitor and 2-OHE2 shows that the AI50 was 4.4 nM for fadrozole and 0.864 nM (vitellogenic phase) and 1.31 nM (post-vitellogenic phase) for 2-OHE2 indicating higher potency of the latter. The incubation of the ovarian microsomes with 2-methoxyE2 increased enzyme activity only at the higher concentrations (1-100 microM). The results show seasonality in the potential of the ovary to synthesize E2 and the potent enzyme inhibiting activity of 2-OHE2, which is reported for the first time.