1
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Discovery of PPARγ and glucocorticoid receptor dual agonists to promote the adiponectin and leptin biosynthesis in human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 245:114927. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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2
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Heier CR, Yu Q, Fiorillo AA, Tully CB, Tucker A, Mazala DA, Uaesoontrachoon K, Srinivassane S, Damsker JM, Hoffman EP, Nagaraju K, Spurney CF. Vamorolone targets dual nuclear receptors to treat inflammation and dystrophic cardiomyopathy. Life Sci Alliance 2019; 2:2/1/e201800186. [PMID: 30745312 PMCID: PMC6371196 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.201800186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiomyopathy is a leading cause of death for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Here, we find that the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) can share common ligands but play distinct roles in dystrophic heart and skeletal muscle pathophysiology. Comparisons of their ligand structures indicate that the Δ9,11 modification of the first-in-class drug vamorolone enables it to avoid interaction with a conserved receptor residue (N770/N564), which would otherwise activate transcription factor properties of both receptors. Reporter assays show that vamorolone and eplerenone are MR antagonists, whereas prednisolone is an MR agonist. Macrophages, cardiomyocytes, and CRISPR knockout myoblasts show vamorolone is also a dissociative GR ligand that inhibits inflammation with improved safety over prednisone and GR-specific deflazacort. In mice, hyperaldosteronism activates MR-driven hypertension and kidney phenotypes. We find that genetic dystrophin loss provides a second hit for MR-mediated cardiomyopathy in Duchenne muscular dystrophy model mice, as aldosterone worsens fibrosis, mass and dysfunction phenotypes. Vamorolone successfully prevents MR-activated phenotypes, whereas prednisolone activates negative MR and GR effects. In conclusion, vamorolone targets dual nuclear receptors to treat inflammation and cardiomyopathy with improved safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R Heier
- Department of Genomics and Precision Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA .,Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Qing Yu
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Alyson A Fiorillo
- Department of Genomics and Precision Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.,Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Christopher B Tully
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Asya Tucker
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Davi A Mazala
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | | | | | - Eric P Hoffman
- AGADA Biosciences Incorporated, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,ReveraGen BioPharma, Incorporated, Rockville, MD, USA.,School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University-State University of New York (SUNY), Binghamton, NY, USA
| | - Kanneboyina Nagaraju
- AGADA Biosciences Incorporated, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,ReveraGen BioPharma, Incorporated, Rockville, MD, USA.,School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University-State University of New York (SUNY), Binghamton, NY, USA
| | - Christopher F Spurney
- Department of Genomics and Precision Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.,Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.,Division of Cardiology, Children's National Heart Institute, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
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3
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Zhang J, Zhang T, Guan T, Yu H, Li T. In vitro and in silico assessment of the structure-dependent binding of bisphenol analogues to glucocorticoid receptor. Anal Bioanal Chem 2017; 409:2239-2246. [PMID: 28078411 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-016-0168-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Revised: 12/04/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Widespread use of bisphenol A (BPA) and other bisphenol analogues has attracted increasing attention for their potential adverse effects. As environmental endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), bisphenols (BPs) may activate a variety of nuclear receptors, including glucocorticoid receptor (GR). In this work, the binding of 11 BPs to GR was investigated by fluorescence polarization (FP) assay in combination with molecular dynamics simulations. The human glucocorticoid receptor was prepared as a soluble recombinant protein. A fluorescein-labeled dexamethasone derivative (Dex-fl) was employed as tracer. Competitive displacement of Dex-fl from GR by BPs showed that the binding affinities of bisphenol analogues were largely dependent on their characteristic functional groups. In order to further understand the relationship between BPs structures and their GR-mediated activities, molecular docking was utilized to explore the binding modes at the atomic level. The results confirmed that structural variations of bisphenol analogues contributed to different interactions of BPs with GR, potentially causing distinct toxic effects. Comparison of the calculated binding energies vs. experimental binding affinities yielded a good correlation (R 2 = 0.8266), which might be helpful for the design of environmentally benign materials with reduced toxicities. In addition, the established FP assay based on GR exhibited the potential to offer an alternative to traditional methods for the detection of bisphenols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin Agricultural University, No. 2888 Xincheng Street, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China
| | - Tiehua Zhang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130062, China
| | - Tianzhu Guan
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130062, China
| | - Hansong Yu
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin Agricultural University, No. 2888 Xincheng Street, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China.
| | - Tiezhu Li
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin Agricultural University, No. 2888 Xincheng Street, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China.
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4
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Dissecting fibrosis: therapeutic insights from the small-molecule toolbox. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2015; 14:693-720. [PMID: 26338155 DOI: 10.1038/nrd4592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Fibrosis, which leads to progressive loss of tissue function and eventual organ failure, has been estimated to contribute to ~45% of deaths in the developed world, and so new therapeutics to modulate fibrosis are urgently needed. Major advances in our understanding of the mechanisms underlying pathological fibrosis are supporting the search for such therapeutics, and the recent approval of two anti-fibrotic drugs for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis has demonstrated the tractability of this area for drug discovery. This Review examines the pharmacology and structural information for small molecules being evaluated for lung, liver, kidney and skin fibrosis. In particular, we discuss the insights gained from the use of these pharmacological tools, and how these entities can inform, and probe, emerging insights into disease mechanisms, including the potential for future drug combinations.
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5
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Groeneweg FL, van Royen ME, Fenz S, Keizer VIP, Geverts B, Prins J, de Kloet ER, Houtsmuller AB, Schmidt TS, Schaaf MJM. Quantitation of glucocorticoid receptor DNA-binding dynamics by single-molecule microscopy and FRAP. PLoS One 2014; 9:e90532. [PMID: 24632838 PMCID: PMC3954550 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0090532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2013] [Accepted: 02/02/2014] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in live cell imaging have provided a wealth of data on the dynamics of transcription factors. However, a consistent quantitative description of these dynamics, explaining how transcription factors find their target sequences in the vast amount of DNA inside the nucleus, is still lacking. In the present study, we have combined two quantitative imaging methods, single-molecule microscopy and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, to determine the mobility pattern of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), two ligand-activated transcription factors. For dexamethasone-activated GR, both techniques showed that approximately half of the population is freely diffusing, while the remaining population is bound to DNA. Of this DNA-bound population about half the GRs appeared to be bound for short periods of time (∼ 0.7 s) and the other half for longer time periods (∼ 2.3 s). A similar pattern of mobility was seen for the MR activated by aldosterone. Inactive receptors (mutant or antagonist-bound receptors) show a decreased DNA binding frequency and duration, but also a higher mobility for the diffusing population. Likely, very brief (≤ 1 ms) interactions with DNA induced by the agonists underlie this difference in diffusion behavior. Surprisingly, different agonists also induce different mobilities of both receptors, presumably due to differences in ligand-induced conformational changes and receptor complex formation. In summary, our data provide a consistent quantitative model of the dynamics of GR and MR, indicating three types of interactions with DNA, which fit into a model in which frequent low-affinity DNA binding facilitates the search for high-affinity target sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Femke L. Groeneweg
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Leiden University/LUMC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Susanne Fenz
- Physics of Life Processes, Institute of Physics (LION), Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Cell & Developmental Biology, Biocenter, Würzburg University, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Veer I. P. Keizer
- Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Bart Geverts
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jurrien Prins
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Leiden University/LUMC, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - E. Ron de Kloet
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Leiden University/LUMC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Thomas S. Schmidt
- Physics of Life Processes, Institute of Physics (LION), Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel J. M. Schaaf
- Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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6
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Dezitter X, Fagart J, Taront S, Fay M, Masselot B, Hétuin D, Formstecher P, Rafestin-Oblin ME, Idziorek T. A structural explanation of the effects of dissociated glucocorticoids on glucocorticoid receptor transactivation. Mol Pharmacol 2013; 85:226-36. [PMID: 24225022 DOI: 10.1124/mol.113.085860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a therapeutic need for glucocorticoid receptor (GR) ligands that distinguish between the transrepression and transactivation activity of the GR, the later thought to be responsible for side effects. These ligands are known as "dissociated glucocorticoids" (dGCs). The first published dGCs, RU24782 (9α-fluoro-11β-hydroxy-16α-methylpregna-21-thiomethyl-1,4-diene-3,20-dione) and RU24858 (9α-fluoro-11β-hydroxy-16α-methylpregna-21-cyanide-1,4-diene-3,20-dione), do not have the 17α-hydroxyl group that characterizes dexamethasone (Dex; 9α-fluoro-11β,17α,21-trihydroxy-16α-methylpregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione), and they differ from one another by having C21-thiomethyl and C21-cyanide moieties, respectively. Our aim was therefore to establish the structural basis of their activity. Both RU24782 and RU24858 induced a transactivation activity highly dependent on the GR expression level but always lower than dexamethasone. They also display less ability than dexamethasone to trigger steroid receptor coactivator 1 (SRC-1) recruitment and histone H3 acetylation. Docking studies, validated by mutagenesis experiments, revealed that dGCs are not anchored by Gln642, in contrast to Dex, which is hydrogen bonded to this residue via its 17α-hydroxyl group. This contact is essential for SRC-1 recruitment and subsequent dexamethasone-induced GR transactivation, but not transrepression. The ability of dGCs to make contacts with Ile747, for both RU24858 and RU24782 and with Asn564 for RU24858 are not strong enough to maintain GR in a conformation able to efficiently recruit SRC-1, unless SRC-1 is overexpressed. Overall, our findings provide some structural guidelines for the synthesis of potential new dissociated glucocorticoids with a better therapeutic ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Dezitter
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U837, Institut de Recherche pour le Cancer de Lille, Lille, France (X.D., S.T., B.M., D.H., P.F., T.I.); Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U773, Centre de Recherche Biomédicale Bichat-Beaujon, CRB3 (J.F., M.F., M.-E.R.-O.); and Université Paris 7- Denis Diderot, site Bichat, Paris, France (J.F., M.F., M.-E.R.-O.)
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7
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Prasanth GK, Divya LM, Sadasivan C. Bisphenol-A can bind to human glucocorticoid receptor as an agonist: an in silico study. J Appl Toxicol 2010; 30:769-74. [PMID: 20669259 DOI: 10.1002/jat.1570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2010] [Revised: 06/03/2010] [Accepted: 06/04/2010] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a primary monomer in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. BPA may be released into the environment following its formation via hydrolysis of ester bonds of the polymers. It has been detected in human plasma, placenta, amniotic fluid, amniotic chord, urine and saliva. BPA disrupts normal cell function by acting as an estrogen agonist as well as an androgen antagonist. The present study was carried out to investigate whether BPA can bind to human glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and elucidate its mode of interaction. BPA has been successfully docked in silico into the ligand binding site of GR using the program Discovery Studio 2.0. The structure has been compared with other agonist and antagonist bound structures of GR. It is found that the mode of interactions and binding energy of BPA were similar to that of DEXA and cortisol, two known agonists of GR. This reveals that BPA can bind to GR as an agonist. Hence, BPA may produce biological effects similar to that produced by glucocorticoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- G K Prasanth
- Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Kannur University, Thalassery Campus, Palayad P.O., Kannur, Kerala-670661, India
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8
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Rational structure-based drug design and optimization in the ligand-binding domain of the glucocorticoid receptor-α. Future Med Chem 2009; 1:345-59. [DOI: 10.4155/fmc.09.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Endogenous glucocorticoids (GCs) are involved in a range of endocrine functions including the metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates and proteins, stress response, fluid and electrolyte balance, as well as the maintenance of immunological, renal and skeletal homeostasis. There is a need to find agents that preserve the immune effects of GCs without side effects such as those affecting metabolism (diabetes), bone tissue (osteoporosis), muscles (myopathy), eyes and skin. Discussion: In this review, we focus on the use of recent computational approaches in glucocorticoid receptor (GR) drug-design efforts for the determination of novel GR ligands. We examine a number of structure-based (e.g., homology modeling and docking) studies that have been implemented and evaluate their success. Conclusion: By the end of 2008, there had been limited achievements utilizing docking studies and no published successes in the area of virtual high-throughput screening. However, the availability of novel crystal structures and the use of induced-fit docking protocols are improving docking success rates and promising to aid the future delivery of nonsteroidal ligands.
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9
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Petit-Topin I, Turque N, Fagart J, Fay M, Ulmann A, Gainer E, Rafestin-Oblin ME. Met909 Plays a Key Role in the Activation of the Progesterone Receptor and Also in the High Potency of 13-Ethyl Progestins. Mol Pharmacol 2009; 75:1317-24. [DOI: 10.1124/mol.108.054312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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10
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Abstract
Steroid hormones working through their receptors regulate a wide variety of physiologic processes necessary for normal homeostasis. Recent years have witnessed great advances in our understanding of how these hormones interact with their receptors, and have brought us closer to the era of directed drug design. We previously described a novel intramolecular interaction between helix 3 and helix 5 which is responsible for a Mendelian form of human hypertension. Further studies revealed that this interaction is highly conserved throughout the steroid hormone receptor family and functions as a key regulator of steroid hormone receptor sensitivity and specificity. Here, we review the contribution of helix 3-helix 5 interaction to steroid hormone receptor activity, with an eye towards how this knowledge may aid in the creation of novel therapeutic agonists and antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhui Zhang
- Section of Nephrology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8029, USA
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11
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Lu NZ, Wardell SE, Burnstein KL, Defranco D, Fuller PJ, Giguere V, Hochberg RB, McKay L, Renoir JM, Weigel NL, Wilson EM, McDonnell DP, Cidlowski JA. International Union of Pharmacology. LXV. The pharmacology and classification of the nuclear receptor superfamily: glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid, progesterone, and androgen receptors. Pharmacol Rev 2007; 58:782-97. [PMID: 17132855 DOI: 10.1124/pr.58.4.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 272] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Hormone Antagonists/adverse effects
- Hormone Antagonists/therapeutic use
- Humans
- Ligands
- Mutation
- Receptors, Androgen/genetics
- Receptors, Androgen/physiology
- Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/classification
- Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/genetics
- Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/physiology
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid/genetics
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid/physiology
- Receptors, Mineralocorticoid/genetics
- Receptors, Mineralocorticoid/physiology
- Receptors, Progesterone/genetics
- Receptors, Progesterone/physiology
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Z Lu
- Molecular Endocrinology Group, Laboratory of Signal Transduction, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA
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12
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Lewis-Tuffin LJ, Jewell CM, Bienstock RJ, Collins JB, Cidlowski JA. Human glucocorticoid receptor beta binds RU-486 and is transcriptionally active. Mol Cell Biol 2007; 27:2266-82. [PMID: 17242213 PMCID: PMC1820503 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.01439-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Human glucocorticoid receptor (hGR) is expressed as two alternately spliced C-terminal isoforms, alpha and beta. In contrast to the canonical hGRalpha, hGRbeta is a nucleus-localized orphan receptor thought not to bind ligand and not to affect gene transcription other than by acting as a dominant negative to hGRalpha. Here we used confocal microscopy to examine the cellular localization of transiently expressed fluorescent protein-tagged hGRbeta in COS-1 and U-2 OS cells. Surprisingly, yellow fluorescent protein (YFP)-hGRbeta was predominantly located in the cytoplasm and translocated to the nucleus following application of the glucocorticoid antagonist RU-486. This effect of RU-486 was confirmed with transiently expressed wild-type hGRbeta. Confocal microscopy of coexpressed YFP-hGRbeta and cyan fluorescent protein-hGRalpha in COS-1 cells indicated that the receptors move into the nucleus independently. Using a ligand binding assay, we confirmed that hGRbeta bound RU-486 but not the hGRalpha ligand dexamethasone. Examination of the cellular localization of YFP-hGRbeta in response to a series of 57 related compounds indicated that RU-486 is thus far the only identified ligand that interacts with hGRbeta. The selective interaction of RU-486 with hGRbeta was also supported by molecular modeling and computational docking studies. Interestingly, microarray analysis indicates that hGRbeta, expressed in the absence of hGRalpha, can regulate gene expression and furthermore that occupation of hGRbeta with the antagonist RU-486 diminishes that capacity despite the lack of helix 12 in the ligand binding domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J Lewis-Tuffin
- Laboratory of Signal Transduciton, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
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13
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von Langen J, Fritzemeier KH, Diekmann S, Hillisch A. Molecular basis of the interaction specificity between the human glucocorticoid receptor and its endogenous steroid ligand cortisol. Chembiochem 2005; 6:1110-8. [PMID: 15883974 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.200400361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
We analyzed the binding of five steroids to the human glucocorticoid receptor (hGR) experimentally as well as theoretically. In vitro, we measured the binding affinity of aldosterone, cortisol, estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone to hGR in competition with the ligand dexamethasone. The binding affinity relative to the endogenous ligand cortisol (100%) is reduced for progesterone (22%) and aldosterone (20%) and is very weak for testosterone (1.5%) and estradiol (0.2%). In parallel, we constructed a homology model of the hGR ligand-binding domain (LBD) based on the crystal structure of the human progesterone receptor (hPR). After docking the five steroids into the hGR model ligand-binding pocket, we performed five separate 4-ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with these complexes in order to study the complex structures. We calculated the binding affinities with two different approaches (MM/PBSA, FlexX) and compared them with the values of the experimentally determined relative binding affinities. Both theoretical methods allowed discrimination between strongly and weakly binding ligands and recognition of cortisol as the endogenous ligand of the hGR in silico. Cortisol binds most strongly due to a nearly perfect steric and electrostatic complementarity with the hGR binding pocket. Chemically similar ligands such as estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone also fit into the hGR binding pocket, but they are unable to form all those contacts with the amino acids of the protein that are necessary to yield a stable, transcriptionally active receptor conformation. Our analysis thus explains the selectivity of the human glucocorticoid receptor for its endogenous ligand cortisol at a molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes von Langen
- Institute for Molecular Biotechnology, Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
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14
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Zhang J, Simisky J, Tsai FTF, Geller DS. A critical role of helix 3-helix 5 interaction in steroid hormone receptor function. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2005; 102:2707-12. [PMID: 15710879 PMCID: PMC549476 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0409663102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The ligand-binding domains of steroid hormone receptors possess a conserved structure with 12 alpha-helices surrounding a central hydrophobic core. On agonist binding, a repositioned helix 12 forms a pocket with helix 3 (H3) and helix 5 (H5), where transcriptional coactivators bind. The precise molecular interactions responsible for activation of these receptors remain to be elucidated. We previously identified a H3-H5 interaction that permits progesterone-mediated activation of a mutant mineralocorticoid receptor. We were intrigued to note that the potential for such interaction is widely conserved in the nuclear receptor family, indicating a possible functional significance. Here, we demonstrate via transcriptional activation studies in cell culture that alteration of residues involved in H3-H5 interaction consistently produces a gain of function in steroid hormone receptors. These data suggest that H3-H5 interaction may function as a molecular switch regulating the activity of nuclear receptors and suggest this site as a general target for pharmacologic intervention. Furthermore, they reveal a general mechanism for the creation of nuclear receptors bearing increased activity, providing a potentially powerful tool for the study of physiologic pathways in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhui Zhang
- Section of Nephrology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
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15
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Bledsoe RK, Stewart EL, Pearce KH. Structure and function of the glucocorticoid receptor ligand binding domain. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2004; 68:49-91. [PMID: 15193451 DOI: 10.1016/s0083-6729(04)68002-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
After binding to an activating ligand, such as corticosteroid, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) performs an impressive array of functions ranging from nuclear translocation, oligomerization, cofactor/kinase/transcription factor association, and DNA binding. One of the central functions of the receptor is to regulate gene expression, an activity triggered by ligand binding. In this role, GR acts as an adapter molecule by encoding the ligand's message within the structural flexibility of the ligand binding domain (LBD). The purpose of this review is to discuss the many structural and functional features of the GR LBD in light of recent successful biochemical and crystallographic studies. Progress in this area of research promises to reveal new strategies and insights allowing for the design of novel drugs to treat inflammatory diseases, diabetic conditions, steroid resistance, and cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randy K Bledsoe
- Department of Gene Expression and Protein Biochemistry, Discovery Research, GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA
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16
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Kauppi B, Jakob C, Färnegårdh M, Yang J, Ahola H, Alarcon M, Calles K, Engström O, Harlan J, Muchmore S, Ramqvist AK, Thorell S, Ohman L, Greer J, Gustafsson JA, Carlstedt-Duke J, Carlquist M. The three-dimensional structures of antagonistic and agonistic forms of the glucocorticoid receptor ligand-binding domain: RU-486 induces a transconformation that leads to active antagonism. J Biol Chem 2003; 278:22748-54. [PMID: 12686538 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m212711200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 263] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we describe the three-dimensional crystal structures of human glucocorticoid receptor ligand-binding domain (GR-LBD) in complex with the antagonist RU-486 at 2.3 A resolution and with the agonist dexamethasone ligand together with a coactivator peptide at 2.8 A. The RU-486 structure was solved in several different crystal forms, two with helix 12 intact (GR1 and GR3) and one with a protease-digested C terminus (GR2). In GR1, part of helix 12 is in a position that covers the co-activator pocket, whereas in the GR3, domain swapping is seen between the crystallographically identical subunits in the GR dimer. An arm consisting of the end of helix 11 and beyond stretches out from one molecule, and helix 12 binds to the other LBD, partly blocking the coactivator pocket of that molecule. This type of GR-LBD dimer has not been described before but might be an artifact from crystallization. Furthermore, the subunits of the GR3 dimers are covalently connected via a disulfide bond between the Cys-736 residues in the two molecules. All three RU-486 GR-LBD structures show that GR has a very flexible region between the end of helix 11 and the end of helix 12.
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Affiliation(s)
- Björn Kauppi
- Structure Biology, Karo Bio AB, Novum, SE-141 57 Huddinge, Sweden.
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17
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Lin RCY, Wang XL, Dalziel B, Caterson ID, Morris BJ. Association of obesity, but not diabetes or hypertension, with glucocorticoid receptor N363S variant. OBESITY RESEARCH 2003; 11:802-8. [PMID: 12805402 DOI: 10.1038/oby.2003.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether the N363S variant in the glucocorticoid receptor (encoded by nuclear receptor subfamily 3, group C, member 1: NR3C1) is associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, or hypertension. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES This was a cross-sectional case-control study involving 951 Anglo-Celtic/Northern European subjects from Sydney. This study consisted of the following: 1) an obesity clinic group, most of whom had "morbid obesity" (mean BMI for group = 43 +/- 8 kg/m(2); n = 152); 2) a type 2 diabetes clinic group (n = 356); 3) patients with essential hypertension who had a strong family history (n = 141); and 4) normal healthy controls (n = 302). N363S genotype, BMI, and a range of other parameters relevant to each group were measured. RESULTS Compared with the frequency of 0.04 in nonobese healthy subjects, the S363 allele was significantly higher in obesity clinic patients (0.17; p = 5.6 x 10(-8)), subjects with diabetes who were also obese (0.09; p = 0.0045), subjects with hypertension who were also overweight (0.08; p = 0.0016), and overweight healthy subjects (0.12; p = 0.0004). DISCUSSION The NR3C1 N363S variant is associated with obesity and overweight in a range of patient settings but is not associated with hypertension or type 2 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruby C Y Lin
- Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences and Institute for Biomedical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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18
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Egner U. Structural analysis of the GR ligand-binding domain. ERNST SCHERING RESEARCH FOUNDATION WORKSHOP 2003:341-56. [PMID: 12355725 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-662-04660-9_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- U Egner
- Research Laboratories, Schering AG, Müllerstr. 178, 13342 Berlin, Germany.
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19
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Lin RCY, Wang XL, Morris BJ. Association of coronary artery disease with glucocorticoid receptor N363S variant. Hypertension 2003; 41:404-7. [PMID: 12623935 DOI: 10.1161/01.hyp.0000055342.40301.dc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Overweight is associated with the N363S variant in the glucocorticoid receptor (encoded by nuclear receptor subfamily 3, group C, member 1 gene: NR3C1). The present study examined whether the N363S polymorphism might also be associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). This involved 556 patients with CAD, of which 437 were analyzed, and 302 control subjects, all being of Anglo-Celtic descent residing in Sydney. An extensive range of phenotypic parameters was collected from the patients, and leukocyte DNA from all subjects was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis for the A1218G (N363S) variant. Frequency of the S363 allele was 0.04 in healthy normal-weight control subjects but was 0.15 in patients with CAD (P=2.0x10(-5)) and was also elevated in subjects with CAD who were not overweight (0.14) (P=2.6x10(-5)), supporting a primary association with CAD. Frequency of S363 allele carriers in subjects with CAD who had angina was particularly high: unstable angina (0.45), stable angina (0.29), and no angina (0.26) (P for trend=0.016). Elevated cholesterol (P=0.027), triglycerides (P=0.005), and total cholesterol/HDL ratio (P=0.011), after Bonferroni, tracked with the S363 allele, consistent with accentuation of mechanisms that predispose to atheroma formation in coronary vessels. The data suggest a role for glucocorticoid receptor variation in the underlying cause of CAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruby C Y Lin
- Basic & Clinical Genomics Laboratory, Department of Physiology and Institute for Biomedical Research, Building F13, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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Schaaf MJM, Cidlowski JA. Molecular determinants of glucocorticoid receptor mobility in living cells: the importance of ligand affinity. Mol Cell Biol 2003; 23:1922-34. [PMID: 12612067 PMCID: PMC149474 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.23.6.1922-1934.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The actions of glucocorticoids are mediated by the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), which is activated upon ligand binding, and can alter the expression of target genes either by transrepression or transactivation. We have applied FRAP (fluorescence recovery after photobleaching) to quantitatively assess the mobility of the yellow fluorescent protein (YFP)-tagged human GR alpha-isoform (hGRalpha) in the nucleus of transiently transfected COS-1 cells and to elucidate determinants of its mobility. Addition of the high-affinity agonist dexamethasone markedly decreases the mobility of the receptor in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas low-affinity ligands like corticosterone decrease the mobility to a much lesser extent. Analysis of other hGRalpha ligands differing in affinity suggests that it is the affinity of the ligand that is a major determinant of the decrease in mobility. Similar results were observed for two hGRalpha antagonists, the low-affinity antagonist ZK98299 and the high-affinity antagonist RU486. The effect of ligand affinity on mobility was confirmed with the hGRalpha mutant Q642V, which has an altered affinity for triamcinolone acetonide, dexamethasone, and corticosterone. Analysis of hGRalpha deletion mutants indicates that both the DNA-binding domain and the ligand-binding domain of the receptor are required for a maximal ligand-induced decrease in receptor mobility. Interestingly, the mobility of transfected hGRalpha differs among cell types. Finally, the proteasome inhibitor MG132 immobilizes a subpopulation of unliganded receptors, via a mechanism requiring the DNA-binding domain and the N-terminal part of the ligand-binding domain. Ligand binding makes the GR resistant to the immobilizing effect of MG132, and this effect depends on the affinity of the ligand. Our data suggest that ligand binding induces a conformational change of the receptor which is dependent on the affinity of the ligand. This altered conformation decreases the mobility of the receptor, probably by targeting the receptor to relatively immobile nuclear domains with which it transiently associates. In addition, this conformational change blocks immobilization of the receptor by MG132.
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MESH Headings
- Active Transport, Cell Nucleus
- Animals
- Bacterial Proteins/analysis
- COS Cells/metabolism
- Cell Line/metabolism
- Cell Nucleus/metabolism
- Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase/genetics
- Chlorocebus aethiops
- Corticosterone/pharmacology
- Cortodoxone/pharmacology
- Cysteine Endopeptidases/metabolism
- Cytoplasm/metabolism
- Dexamethasone/pharmacology
- Fluorescent Dyes/analysis
- Genes, Reporter
- Gonanes/pharmacology
- HeLa Cells/metabolism
- Humans
- Hydrocortisone/pharmacology
- Kidney
- Leupeptins/pharmacology
- Ligands
- Luminescent Proteins/analysis
- Microscopy, Confocal
- Mifepristone/pharmacology
- Multienzyme Complexes/metabolism
- Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
- Photochemistry
- Protease Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex
- Protein Binding
- Protein Conformation/drug effects
- Protein Isoforms
- Protein Structure, Tertiary
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid/chemistry
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid/drug effects
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid/genetics
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid/metabolism
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/metabolism
- Sequence Deletion
- Transfection
- Triamcinolone Acetonide/pharmacology
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel J M Schaaf
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH/DHHS, 111 Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
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21
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Abstract
The actions of glucocorticoid hormones are mediated by an intracellular receptor, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). The mechanism of action of this ligand-inducible transcription factor is discussed, focusing on mechanisms of glucocorticoid resistance. Three mechanisms are highlighted: ligand-induced down-regulation of the receptor, the dominant-negative inhibition by the beta-isoform of the receptor, and repression by the transcription factor NF-kappa B. It has been shown that these mechanisms can significantly inhibit glucocorticoid signaling, and could therefore seriously decrease the efficacy of glucocorticoids used clinically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel J M Schaaf
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 111 Alexander Drive, P.O. Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
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22
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Abstract
Following exposure to stress, cortisol is secreted from the adrenal cortex under the control of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA-axis). Central in the regulation of the HPA-axis is a two tied corticosteroid-receptor system, comprised of high and low affinity receptors, the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), respectively. In addition, these corticosteroid receptors mediate the effects of cortisol during stress on both central and peripheral targets. Cortisol modulates gene-expression of corticosteroid-responsive genes, with the effect lasting from hours to days. Mutations in the GR-gene are being associated with corticosteroid resistance and haematological malignancies, although these mutations are relatively rare and probably not a common cause of these diseases. However, several GR-gene variants and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the GR-gene have been identified which are relatively common in the human population. The GRbeta-variant, for example, has been proposed to influence corticosteroid-sensitivity and most evidence has been derived from the immune system and in particular asthma. With respect to polymorphisms, a BclI restriction fragment polymorphism and a Asp363Ser have been described, which not only influence the regulation of the HPA-axis, but are also associated with changes in metabolism and cardiovascular control. These associations of a GR-gene polymorphism with metabolism and cardivascular control, and also with the regulation of the HPA-axis, indicates an important underlying role of cortisol in the etiology of these complex disorders. Therefore, we propose that a common underlying defect in these complex disorders is a disregulation of the HPA-axis, especially during stress. The clinical implication is that the regulation of the HPA-axis should be envisioned as a primary target of new drugs for the treatment of stress-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- R H DeRijk
- Department of Psychiatry, Rijngeestgroep LUMC, Psychiatric Hospital, Endegeesterstraatweg 5, 2342 AJ, Oesgstsgeest, The Netherlands.
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Tsolakidou AF, Coulocheri SA, Sekeris CE, Moutsatsou P. Mutation detection of the human glucocorticoid receptor alpha gene area coding for the hormone-binding domain by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL METHODS 2002; 51:233-41. [PMID: 12088883 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-022x(02)00012-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in the hormone-binding domain of the human glucocorticoid receptor alpha (hGRalpha) gene have been detected in a variety of glucocorticoid resistance syndromes. Using the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis technique, we developed a sensitive method for the detection of alterations in the gene area coding for the whole hormone-binding domain and part of the DNA-binding domain of the hGRalpha. This method can be applied for screening of glucocorticoid receptor gene alterations in glucocorticoid-dependent diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- A F Tsolakidou
- Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, University of Athens Medical School, 75, Mikras Asias Str., GR-115 27, Athens, Greece
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24
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Wurtz JM, Moras D. Molecular determinants for agonist and antagonist binding to steroid nuclear receptors. ERNST SCHERING RESEARCH FOUNDATION WORKSHOP 2001:167-80. [PMID: 11394044 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-662-04645-6_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2023]
MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Binding Sites
- Humans
- Models, Molecular
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Protein Conformation
- Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/agonists
- Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/chemistry
- Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/metabolism
- Receptors, Steroid/agonists
- Receptors, Steroid/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Steroid/chemistry
- Receptors, Steroid/metabolism
- Sequence Alignment
- Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Wurtz
- Laboratoire de Biologie et de Génomique Structurales, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, CNRS/INSERM/ULP/Collège de France, 1 rue Laurent Fries BP 163, 67404 Illkrich Cedex, France
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