Hydroperoxides as inactivators of aromatase: 10 beta-hydroperoxy-4-estrene-3,17-dione, crystal structure and inactivation characteristics

Roles of Ferric Peroxide Anion Intermediates (Fe3+O2 -, Compound 0) in Cytochrome P450 19A1 Steroid Aromatization and a Cytochrome P450 2B4 Secosteroid Oxidation Model

Cytochrome P450 (P450, CYP) 19A1 is the steroid aromatase, the enzyme responsible for the 3-step conversion of androgens (androstenedione or testosterone) to estrogens. The final step is C-C bond scission (removing the 19-oxo group as formic acid) that proceeds via a historically controversial reaction mechanism. The two competing mechanistic possibilities involve a ferric peroxide anion (Fe3+O2 -, Compound 0) and a perferryl oxy species (FeO3+, Compound I). One approach to discern the role of each species in the reaction is with the use of oxygen-18 labeling, i.e., from 18O2 and H2 18O of the reaction product formic acid. We applied this approach, using several technical improvements, to study the deformylation of 19-oxo-androstenedione by human P450 19A1 and of a model secosteroid, 3-oxodecaline-4-ene-10-carboxaldehyde (ODEC), by rabbit P450 2B4. Both aldehyde substrates were sensitive to non-enzymatic acid-catalyzed deformylation, yielding 19-norsteroids, and conditions were established to avoid issues with artifactual generation of formic acid. The Compound 0 reaction pathway predominated (i.e., Fe3+O2 -) in both P450 19A1 oxidation of 19-oxo-androstenedione and P450 2B4 oxidation of ODEC. The P450 19A1 results contrast with our prior conclusions (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136, 15016-16025), attributed to several technical modifications.

Development and evolution of therapies targeted to the estrogen receptor for the treatment and prevention of breast cancer

This article describes the origins and evolution of "antiestrogenic" medicines for the treatment and prevention of breast cancer. Developing drugs that target the estrogen receptor (ER) either directly (tamoxifen) or indirectly (aromatase inhibitors) has improved the prognosis of breast cancer and significantly advanced healthcare. The development of the principles for treatment and the success of the concept, in practice, has become a model for molecular medicine and presaged the current testing of numerous targeted therapies for all forms of cancer. The translational research with tamoxifen to target the ER with the appropriate duration (5 years) of adjuvant therapy has contributed to the falling national death rates from breast cancer. Additionally, exploration of the endocrine pharmacology of tamoxifen and related nonsteroidal antiestrogen (e.g. keoxifene now known as raloxifene) resulted in the laboratory recognition of selective ER modulation and the translation of the concept to use raloxifene for the prevention of osteoporosis and breast cancer. However, the extensive evaluation of tamoxifen treatment revealed small but significant side effects such as endometrial cancer, blood clots and the development of acquired resistance. The solution was to develop drugs that targeted the aromatase enzyme specifically to prevent the conversion of androstenedione to estrone and subsequently estradiol. The successful translational research with the suicide inhibitor 4-hydroxyandrostenedione (known as formestane) pioneered the development of a range of oral aromatase inhibitors that are either suicide inhibitors (exemestane) or competitive inhibitors (letrozole and anastrozole) of the aromatase enzyme. Treatment with aromatase inhibitors is proving effective and is associated with reduction in the incidence of endometrial cancer and blood clots when compared with tamoxifen and there is also limited cross resistance so treatment can be sequential. Current clinical trials are addressing the value of aromatase inhibitors as chemopreventive agents for postmenopausal women.

Molecular basis for the aromatization reaction and exemestane-mediated irreversible inhibition of human aromatase

Aromatase converts androgens to aromatic estrogens. Aromatase inhibitors have been used as first-line drugs in the treatment of hormone-dependent breast cancer. Structural basis of the aromatization reaction and drug recognition by aromatase has remained elusive because of its unknown three-dimensional structure. In this study, recombinant human aromatase was expressed and purified from Escherichia coli. Using this purified and active preparation, the three-dimensional folding of aromatase was revealed by proteomic analysis. Combined with site-directed mutagenesis, several critical residues involved in enzyme catalysis and suicide inhibition by exemestane were evaluated. Based on our results, a new clamping mechanism of substrate/exemestane binding to the active site is proposed. These structure-function studies of aromatase would provide useful information to design more effective aromatase inhibitors for the prevention and the treatment of hormone-dependent breast cancer.

The Final Catalytic Step of Cytochrome P450 Aromatase: A Density Functional Theory Study

B3LYP density functional theory calculations are used to unravel the mysterious third step of aromatase catalysis. The feasibility of mechanisms in which the reduced ferrous dioxygen intermediate mediates androgen aromatization is explored and determined to be unlikely. However, proton-assisted homolysis of the peroxo hemiacetal intermediate to produce P450 compound I and the C19 gem-diol likely proceeds with a low energetic barrier. Mechanisms for the aromatization and deformylation sequence which are initiated by 1beta-hydrogen atom abstraction by P450 compound I are considered. 1beta-Hydrogen atom abstraction from substrates in the presence of the 2,3-enol encounters strikingly low barriers (5.3-7.8 kcal/mol), whereas barriers for this same process rise to 17.0-27.1 kcal/mol in the keto tautomer. Transition states for 1beta-hydrogen atom abstraction from enolized substrates in the presence of the 19-gem-diol decayed directly to the experimentally observed products. If the C19 aldehyde remains unhydrated, aromatization occurs with concomitant decarbonylation and therefore does not support dehydration of the C19 aldehyde prior to the final catalytic step. On the doublet surface, the transition state connects to a potentially labile 1(10) dehydrogenated product, which may undergo rapid aromatization, as well as formic acid. Ab initio molecular dynamics confirmed that the 1beta-hydrogen atom abstraction and deformylation or decarbonylation occur in a nonsynchronous, coordinated manner. These calculations support a dehydrogenase behavior of aromatase in the final catalytic step, which can be summarized by 1beta-hydrogen atom abstraction followed by gem-diol deprotonation.

Theoretical studies on the mechanism of conversion of androgens to estrogens by aromatase

Semiempirical molecular orbital calculations (AM1) were used to model several possible reaction mechanisms for the third oxidation of the aromatase-catalyzed conversion of androgens to estrogens. The reaction mechanisms considered are based on the assumption that the third oxidation is initiated by 1 beta-hydrogen atom abstraction. Homolytic cleavage of the C10-C19 bond was modeled for both the 3-keto and 2-en-3-ol forms of the androgen 1-radicals. The addition of a protein nucleophile to the 19-oxo intermediate was also considered, and -OCH3, -SCH3, and -NHCH3 were used to represent the Ser, Cys, and Lys adducts. The transition states were estimated and optimized from the reaction coordinates obtained by constraining and increasing the C10-C19 bond lengths. The enthalpies of activation range from 14 to 21 kcal and are approximately 2 kcal lower for cleavage of the enol form. Given the tendency for AM1 to overestimate activation energies, all reactions may be energetically accessible. Other reactions modeled include a homolytic cleavage reaction from a thioether radical cation and the direct additions of oxygen radical compounds to the carbonyl of the 1-radical-2-en-3-ol-19-oxo androgen. A mechanism is proposed in which the 19-oxo intermediate is subject to initial nucleophilic attack by the protein. Since rotation of the 19-carbonyl can bring the oxygen within 2.1 A of the 2 beta-hydrogen, the formation of a tetrahedral intermediate can occur with concomitant removal of the 2 beta-proton. Enolization activates the C1-position for hydrogen atom abstraction, since the resulting radical is resonance stabilized.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Conversion of 19-oxo[2 beta-2H]androgens into oestrogens by human placental aromatase. An unexpected stereochemical outcome

Aromatase is a cytochrome P-450 enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of androgens into oestrogens via sequential oxidations at the 19-methyl group. Despite intensive investigation, the mechanism of the third step, conversion of the 19-aldehydes into oestrogens, has remained unsolved. We have previously found that a pre-enolized 19-al derivative undergoes smooth aromatization in non-enzymic model studies, but the role of enolization by the enzyme in transformations of 19-oxoandrogens has not been previously investigated. The compounds 19-oxo[2 beta-2H]testosterone and 19-oxo[2 beta-2H]androstenedione have now been synthesized. Exposure of either of these compounds to microsomal aromatase, in the absence of NADPH, for an extended period led to no significant 2H loss or epimerization at C-2, leaving open the importance of an active-site base. However, in the presence of NADPH there was an unexpected substrate-dependent difference in the stereoselectivity of H loss at C-2 in the enzyme-induced aromatization of 19-oxo[2 beta-2H]-testosterone versus 19-oxo[2 beta-2H]androstenedione. The aromatization results for 17 beta-ol derivative 19-oxo[2 beta-2H]-testosterone correspond to about 1.2:1 2 beta-H/2 alpha-H loss from unlabelled 19-oxotestosterone. In contrast, aromatization results for 19-oxo[2 beta-2H]androstenedione correspond to at least 11:1 2 beta-H/2 alpha-H loss from unlabelled 19-oxoandrostenedione. This substrate-dependent stereoselectivity implies a direct role for an enzyme active-site base in 2-H removal. Furthermore, these results argue against the proposal that 2 beta-hydroxylation is the obligatory third step in aromatase action.

Conversion of a 3-desoxysteroid to 3-desoxyestrogen by human placental aromatase

Human placental aromatase is a cytochrome P-450 enzyme system which converts androgens to estrogens by three successive oxidative reactions. The first two steps have been shown to be hydroxylations at the androgen 19-carbon, but the third step remains unknown. A leading theory for the third step involves ferric peroxide attack on the 19-oxo group to produce a 19,19-hydroxyferric peroxide intermediate and subsequent collapse to estrogen. We had previously developed a nonenzymatic peroxide model reaction which was based on the above-mentioned theory, and we demonstrated the importance of 3-ketone enolization in facilitating aromatization. This study discusses the synthesis and nonenzymatic and enzymatic study of a 3-desoxy-2,4-diene-19-oxo androgen analogue. This compound was found to be a potent nonenzymatic model substrate and competitive inhibitor of aromatase (Ki = 73 nM). Furthermore, in an unprecedented event, this compound served as a substrate for aromatase, with conversion to the corresponding 3-desoxyestrogen.

Aromatase inhibition by 4-thiosubstituted-4-androstene-3,17-dione derivatives

The synthesis and evaluation of 4-thiosubstituted-4-androstenedione analogs as inhibitors of estrogen synthetase (aromatase) is described. All compounds were prepared by the addition of various thiol reagents to 4 beta,5 beta-epoxyandrostanedione. Inhibitory activity of synthesized compounds was assessed using a human placental microsomal preparation as the enzyme source and [1 beta-3H]4-androstene-3,17-dione as substrate. Synthesized compounds exhibiting high inhibitory activity were further evaluated under initial velocity conditions to determine apparent Ki values. Several compounds were effective competitive inhibitors, and have apparent Ki values ranging from 34 to 52 nM, with the apparent Km for androstenedione being 54 nM. The results of these studies demonstrate a tightly fitted enzyme pocket that can accommodate bulky substituents at the C-4 position of androstenedione not to exceed 4.3 A in width and 5.5 A in length.

Biological characterization of 10-(2-propynyl) estr-4-ene-3, 17-dione (MDL 18,962), an enzyme-activated inhibitor of aromatase

MDL 18,962 was shown to be a highly specific, potent (Ki = 3-4 nM), enzyme-activated inhibitor of aromatase with minimal intrinsic endocrine properties. The affinity of MDL 18,962 was higher for human and baboon placental aromatase than for rhesus placental or rodent ovarian aromatase. These species differences necessitated the development of a novel model of peripheral aromatase utilizing human enzyme. Human choriocarcinoma trophoblast xenografts in athymic nude mice were used for pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic evaluation of MDL 18,962. The ED50 for inhibition of aromatase activity in these trophoblast tumors at 6 h post-treatment was 1.4 mg/kg, s.c. and 3.0 mg/kg, oral. Preliminary results indicated that the ED50 for inhibition of peripheral aromatization of androgen by MDL 18,962 in female baboons was 0.01 mg/kg, i.v. and 4 mg/kg, oral.

Aromatase inhibitors and benign prostatic hyperplasia

A growing amount of evidence implies that estrogens may play a role together with androgens in the genesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in man. We review here some of this evidence together with advances made in characterizing inhibitors of estrogen biosynthesis (aromatase inhibitors). It is proposed that aromatase inhibitors may find application in non-surgical treatment of BPH.

Studies of the inactivation of human placental aromatase by 17 alpha-ethynyl-substituted 10 beta-hydroperoxy and related 19-nor steroids

The inactivation of human placental aromatase by 17 alpha-ethynyl-10 beta-hydroperoxy-17 beta-hydroxy-4-estren-3-one (SCH 10015) was investigated. In either the presence or absence of added NADPH, SCH 10015 (Ki = 41 microM) caused a time-dependent loss of aromatase activity (e.g. 50% loss after 20 min with 20 microM SCH 10015). Evidence for the oxidation of an active site sulfhydryl group as the molecular basis for SCH 10015 inactivation is presented. The contraceptive 17 alpha-ethynyl-substituted 19-nor steroids, norethisterone (Ki = 48 microM) and norethynodrel (Ki = 38 microM), were evaluated and found not to inactivate aromatase, suggesting that the potential conversion of either compound to SCH 10015 did not occur to a significant extent in these microsomal incubations. It is speculated that the previously observed potent contraceptive effects of SCH 10015 may have been the result of irreversible inhibition of estrogen biosynthesis.

Inactivation of human placental aromatase by 6 alpha- and 6 beta-hydroperoxyandrostenedione

The epimeric 6 alpha- and 6 beta-hydroperoxy derivatives of androstendione caused irreversible inactivation of human placental aromatase. Microsomes from term-placentae were first preincubated in the presence of increasing concentrations of the hydroperoxides. The microsomes were then washed free of steroids and its residual aromatase activity was assayed by the tritium-exchange method to [3H]water. Aromatase activity decreased in a time-, and concentration-dependent manner; the axial, beta-hydroperoxy epimer was the slightly stronger inactivator. Less inactivation occurred when during the preincubation stage the natural aromatase substrate, androstenedione, or the anti-oxidant, dithiothreitol, was added. The sulfhydryl reagent, p-hydroxy-mercuribenzoate, decreased this protective effect. The inactivation is not dependent on the presence of NADPH. Both steroids induced a Type I difference spectrum with a Ks of 0.167 microM and 0.163 microM for the 6 alpha-, and the 6 beta-hydroperoxyandrostenedione, respectively. We suggest that these 6-hydroperoxyandrogens may function as active-site directed inhibitors and inactivators of estrogen synthetase through oxidation of cysteine residues.