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Yu T, Sudhakar N, Okafor CD. Illuminating ligand-induced dynamics in nuclear receptors through MD simulations. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2024; 1867:195025. [PMID: 38614450 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2024.195025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Nuclear receptors (NRs) regulate gene expression in critical physiological processes, with their functionality finely tuned by ligand-induced conformational changes. While NRs may sometimes undergo significant conformational motions in response to ligand-binding, these effects are more commonly subtle and challenging to study by traditional structural or biophysical methods. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are a powerful tool to bridge the gap between static protein-ligand structures and dynamical changes that govern NR function. Here, we summarize a handful of recent studies that apply MD simulations to study NRs. We present diverse methodologies for analyzing simulation data with a detailed examination of the information each method can yield. By delving into the strengths, limitations and unique contributions of these tools, this review provides guidance for extracting meaningful data from MD simulations to advance the goal of understanding the intricate mechanisms by which ligands orchestrate a range of functional outcomes in NRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Nishanti Sudhakar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - C Denise Okafor
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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2
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Garcia-Maldonado E, Huber AD, Chai SC, Nithianantham S, Li Y, Wu J, Poudel S, Miller DJ, Seetharaman J, Chen T. Chemical manipulation of an activation/inhibition switch in the nuclear receptor PXR. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4054. [PMID: 38744881 PMCID: PMC11094003 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48472-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptors are ligand-activated transcription factors that can often be useful drug targets. Unfortunately, ligand promiscuity leads to two-thirds of receptors remaining clinically untargeted. PXR is a nuclear receptor that can be activated by diverse compounds to elevate metabolism, negatively impacting drug efficacy and safety. This presents a barrier to drug development because compounds designed to target other proteins must avoid PXR activation while retaining potency for the desired target. This problem could be avoided by using PXR antagonists, but these compounds are rare, and their molecular mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we report structurally related PXR-selective agonists and antagonists and their corresponding co-crystal structures to describe mechanisms of antagonism and selectivity. Structural and computational approaches show that antagonists induce PXR conformational changes incompatible with transcriptional coactivator recruitment. These results guide the design of compounds with predictable agonist/antagonist activities and bolster efforts to generate antagonists to prevent PXR activation interfering with other drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efren Garcia-Maldonado
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Andrew D Huber
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA.
| | - Sergio C Chai
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Stanley Nithianantham
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Yongtao Li
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Jing Wu
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Shyaron Poudel
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Darcie J Miller
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Jayaraman Seetharaman
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Taosheng Chen
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA.
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3
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Hazarika S, Fehrle M, Okafor CD. How nuclear receptors transition between active and inactive forms: An energetic perspective. J Chem Phys 2024; 160:115102. [PMID: 38501469 DOI: 10.1063/5.0189234] [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: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptors regulate transcriptional programs in response to the binding of natural and synthetic ligands. These ligands modulate the receptor by inducing dynamic changes in the ligand binding domain that shift the C-terminal helix (H12) between active and inactive conformations. Despite decades of study, many questions persist regarding the nature of the inactive state and how ligands shift receptors between different states. Here, we use molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the timescale and energetic landscape of the conformational transition between inactive and active forms of progesterone receptor (PR) bound to a partial agonist. We observe that the microsecond timescale is insufficient to observe any transitions; only at millisecond timescales achieved via accelerated MD simulations do we find the inactive PR switches to the active state. Energetic analysis reveals that both active and inactive PR states represent energy minima separated by a barrier that can be traversed. In contrast, little or no transition is observed between active and inactive states when an agonist or antagonist is bound, confirming that ligand identity plays a key role in defining the energy landscape of nuclear receptor conformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saurov Hazarika
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
| | - Matthew Fehrle
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
| | - C Denise Okafor
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
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4
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Patalano SD, Fuxman Bass P, Fuxman Bass JI. Transcription factors in the development and treatment of immune disorders. Transcription 2023:1-23. [PMID: 38100543 DOI: 10.1080/21541264.2023.2294623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune function is highly controlled at the transcriptional level by the binding of transcription factors (TFs) to promoter and enhancer elements. Several TF families play major roles in immune gene expression, including NF-κB, STAT, IRF, AP-1, NRs, and NFAT, which trigger anti-pathogen responses, promote cell differentiation, and maintain immune system homeostasis. Aberrant expression, activation, or sequence of isoforms and variants of these TFs can result in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases as well as hematological and solid tumor cancers. For this reason, TFs have become attractive drug targets, even though most were previously deemed "undruggable" due to their lack of small molecule binding pockets and the presence of intrinsically disordered regions. However, several aspects of TF structure and function can be targeted for therapeutic intervention, such as ligand-binding domains, protein-protein interactions between TFs and with cofactors, TF-DNA binding, TF stability, upstream signaling pathways, and TF expression. In this review, we provide an overview of each of the important TF families, how they function in immunity, and some related diseases they are involved in. Additionally, we discuss the ways of targeting TFs with drugs along with recent research developments in these areas and their clinical applications, followed by the advantages and disadvantages of targeting TFs for the treatment of immune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha D Patalano
- Biology Department, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Molecular Biology, Cellular Biology and Biochemistry Program, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Paula Fuxman Bass
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan I Fuxman Bass
- Biology Department, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Molecular Biology, Cellular Biology and Biochemistry Program, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
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5
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Pastwińska J, Karwaciak I, Karaś K, Bachorz RA, Ratajewski M. RORγT agonists as immune modulators in anticancer therapy. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:189021. [PMID: 37951483 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.189021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
RORγT is a transcription factor that directs the development of Th17 lymphocytes and other IL-17-expressing cells (e.g., Tc17 and ILC3 cells). These cells are involved in the body's defense against pathogenic bacteria and fungi, but they also participate in maintaining the proinflammatory environment in some autoimmune diseases and play a role in the immune system's response to cancer. Similar to other members of the nuclear receptor superfamily, the activity of RORγT is regulated by low-molecular-weight ligands. Therefore, extensive efforts have been dedicated to identifying inverse agonists that diminish the activity of this receptor and subsequently inhibit the development of autoimmune diseases. Unfortunately, in the pursuit of an ideal inverse agonist, the development of agonists has been overlooked. It is important to remember that these types of compounds, by stimulating lymphocytes expressing RORγT (Th17 and Tc17), can enhance the immune system's response to tumors. In this review, we present recent advancements in the biology of RORγT agonists and their potential application in anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Pastwińska
- Laboratory of Epigenetics, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodowa 106, 93-232 Lodz, Poland
| | - Iwona Karwaciak
- Laboratory of Epigenetics, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodowa 106, 93-232 Lodz, Poland
| | - Kaja Karaś
- Laboratory of Epigenetics, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodowa 106, 93-232 Lodz, Poland
| | - Rafał A Bachorz
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodowa 106, 93-232 Lodz, Poland
| | - Marcin Ratajewski
- Laboratory of Epigenetics, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodowa 106, 93-232 Lodz, Poland.
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Ito-Harashima S, Tsubouchi Y, Takada E, Kawanishi M, Yagi T. Development of a yeast reporter gene assay to detect ligands of freshwater cladoceran Daphnia magna ultraspiracle, a homolog of vertebrate retinoid X receptors. J Appl Toxicol 2023; 43:1447-1461. [PMID: 37078133 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) often affect homeostatic regulation in living organisms by directly acting on nuclear receptors (NRs). Retinoid X receptors (RXRs), the most highly conserved members of the NR superfamily during evolution, function as partners to form heterodimers with other NRs, such as retinoic acid, thyroid hormone, and vitamin D3 receptors. RXRs also homodimerize and induce the expression of target genes upon binding with their natural ligand, 9-cis-retinoic acid (9cRA), and typical EDCs organotin compounds, such as tributyltin and triphenyltin. In the present study, we established a new yeast reporter gene assay (RGA) to detect the ligands of freshwater cladoceran Daphnia magna ultraspiracle (Dapma-USP), a homolog of vertebrate RXRs. D. magna has been used as a representative crustacean species for aquatic EDC assessments in the Organization for Economic Corporation and Development test guidelines. Dapma-USP was expressed along with the Drosophila melanogaster steroid receptor coactivator Taiman in yeast cells carrying the lacZ reporter plasmid. The RGA for detecting agonist activity of organotins and o-butylphenol was improved by use of mutant yeast strains lacking genes encoding cell wall mannoproteins and/or plasma membrane drug efflux pumps as hosts. We also showed that a number of other human RXR ligands, phenol and bisphenol A derivatives, and terpenoid compounds such as 9c-RA exhibited antagonist activity on Dapma-USP. Our newly established yeast-based RGA system is valuable as the first screening tool to detect ligand substances for Dapma-USP and for evaluating the evolutionary divergence of the ligand responses of RXR homologs between humans and D. magna.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayoko Ito-Harashima
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Prefecture University, Sakai, Japan
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agriculture, Osaka Metropolitan University, Sakai, Japan
| | - Yumiko Tsubouchi
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Prefecture University, Sakai, Japan
| | - Eiji Takada
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Prefecture University, Sakai, Japan
| | - Masanobu Kawanishi
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Prefecture University, Sakai, Japan
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, Sakai, Japan
| | - Takashi Yagi
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Prefecture University, Sakai, Japan
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, Sakai, Japan
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7
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Alom MM, Faruqe MO, Molla MKI, Rahman MM. Exploring Prognostic Biomarkers of Acute Myeloid Leukemia to Determine Its Most Effective Drugs from the FDA-Approved List through Molecular Docking and Dynamic Simulation. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 2023:1946703. [PMID: 37359050 PMCID: PMC10287530 DOI: 10.1155/2023/1946703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a blood cancer caused by the abnormal proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow. The actual genetic markers and molecular mechanisms of AML prognosis are unclear till today. This study used bioinformatics approaches for identifying hub genes and pathways associated with AML development to uncover potential molecular mechanisms. The expression profiles of RNA-Seq datasets, GSE68925 and GSE183817, were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. These two datasets were analyzed by GREIN to obtain differentially expressed genes (DEGs), which were used for performing the Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway, protein-protein interaction (PPI), and survival analysis. The molecular docking and dynamic simulation were performed to identify the most effective drug/s for AML from the drug list approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). By integrating the two datasets, 238 DEGs were identified as likely to be affected by AML progression. GO enrichment analyses exhibited that the upregulated genes were mainly associated with inflammatory response (BP) and extracellular region (CC). The downregulated DEGs were involved in the T-cell receptor signalling pathway (BP), an integral component of the lumenal side of the endoplasmic reticulum membrane (CC) and peptide antigen binding (MF). The pathway enrichment analysis showed that the upregulated DEGs were mainly associated with the T-cell receptor signalling pathway. Among the top 15 hub genes, the expression levels of ALDH1A1 and CFD were associated with the prognosis of AML. Four FDA-approved drugs were selected, and a top-ranked drug was identified for each biomarker through molecular docking studies. The top-ranked drugs were further confirmed by molecular dynamic simulation that revealed their binding stability and confirmed their stable performance. Therefore, the drug compounds, enasidenib and gilteritinib, can be recommended as the most effective drugs against the ALDH1A1 and CFD proteins, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md. Murshid Alom
- Laboratory of Molecular Health Science, Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Md Omar Faruqe
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Khademul Islam Molla
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Md Motiur Rahman
- Laboratory of Molecular Health Science, Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh
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8
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Steinke I, Govindarajulu M, Pinky PD, Bloemer J, Yoo S, Ward T, Schaedig T, Young T, Wibowo FS, Suppiramaniam V, Amin RH. Selective PPAR-Delta/PPAR-Gamma Activation Improves Cognition in a Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Cells 2023; 12:1116. [PMID: 37190025 PMCID: PMC10136457 DOI: 10.3390/cells12081116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The continuously increasing association of Alzheimer's disease (AD) with increased mortality rates indicates an unmet medical need and the critical need for establishing novel molecular targets for therapeutic potential. Agonists for peroxisomal proliferator activating receptors (PPAR) are known to regulate energy in the body and have shown positive effects against Alzheimer's disease. There are three members of this class (delta, gamma, and alpha), with PPAR-gamma being the most studied, as these pharmaceutical agonists offer promise for AD because they reduce amyloid beta and tau pathologies, display anti-inflammatory properties, and improve cognition. However, they display poor brain bioavailability and are associated with several adverse side effects on human health, thus limiting their clinical application. Methods: We have developed a novel series of PPAR-delta and PPAR-gamma agonists in silico with AU9 as our lead compound that displays selective amino acid interactions focused upon avoiding the Tyr-473 epitope in the PPAR-gamma AF2 ligand binding domain. Results: This design helps to avoid the unwanted side effects of current PPAR-gamma agonists and improve behavioral deficits and synaptic plasticity while reducing amyloid-beta levels and inflammation in 3xTgAD animals. Conclusions: Our innovative in silico design of PPAR-delta/gamma agonists may offer new perspectives for this class of agonists for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Steinke
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36879, USA
| | - Manoj Govindarajulu
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36879, USA
| | - Priyanka Das Pinky
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36879, USA
| | - Jenna Bloemer
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Touro College of Pharmacy, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Sieun Yoo
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36879, USA
| | - Tracey Ward
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI 49307, USA
| | - Taylor Schaedig
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36879, USA
| | - Taylor Young
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36879, USA
| | - Fajar Setyo Wibowo
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36879, USA
| | - Vishnu Suppiramaniam
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36879, USA
- College of Science and Mathematics, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA 31044, USA
| | - Rajesh H. Amin
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36879, USA
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9
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D’Aniello E, Amodeo P, Vitale RM. Marine Natural and Nature-Inspired Compounds Targeting Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptors (PPARs). Mar Drugs 2023; 21:md21020089. [PMID: 36827130 PMCID: PMC9966990 DOI: 10.3390/md21020089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors α, γ and β/δ (PPARα, PPARγ, and PPARβ/δ) are a family of ligand-activated transcriptional factors belonging to the superfamily of nuclear receptors regulating the expression of genes involved in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, energy homeostasis, inflammation, and the immune response. For this reason, they represent attractive targets for the treatment of a variety of metabolic diseases and, more recently, for neurodegenerative disorders due to their emerging neuroprotective effects. The degree of activation, from partial to full, along with the selectivity toward the different isoforms, greatly affect the therapeutic efficacy and the safety profile of PPAR agonists. Thus, there is a high interest toward novel scaffolds with proper combinations of activity and selectivity. This review intends to provide an overview of the discovery, optimization, and structure-activity relationship studies on PPAR modulators from marine sources, along with the structural and computational studies that led to their identification and/or elucidation, and rationalization of their mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico D’Aniello
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy
| | - Pietro Amodeo
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council (ICB-CNR), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
- Correspondence: (P.A.); (R.M.V.)
| | - Rosa Maria Vitale
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council (ICB-CNR), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
- Correspondence: (P.A.); (R.M.V.)
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10
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Carrillo-Tripp M, Reyes Y, Delgado-Coello B, Mas-Oliva J, Gutiérrez-Vidal R. Peptide Helix-Y 12 as Potential Effector for Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors. PPAR Res 2023; 2023:8047378. [PMID: 37096195 PMCID: PMC10122583 DOI: 10.1155/2023/8047378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are nuclear receptors involved in the regulation of lipids and glucose metabolism, and immune response. Therefore, they have been considered pharmacological targets for treating metabolic diseases, such as dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. However, the available synthetic ligands of PPARs have mild to significant side effects, generating the necessity to identify new molecules that are selective PPAR ligands with specific biological responses. This study aimed to evaluate some components of the atheroprotective and hepatoprotective HB-ATV-8 nanoparticles [the amphipathic peptide Helix-Y12, thermozeaxanthin, thermozeaxanthin-13, thermozeaxanthin-15, and a set of glycolipids], as possible ligands of PPARs through blind molecular docking. According to the change in free energy upon protein-ligand binding, ∆G b, thermozeaxanthins show a more favorable interaction with PPARs, followed by Helix-Y12. Moreover, Helix-Y12 interacts with most parts of the Y-shaped ligand-binding domain (LBD), surrounding helix 3 of PPARs, and reaching helix 12 of PPARα and PPARγ. As previously reported for other ligands, Tyr314 and Tyr464 of PPARα interact with Helix-Y12 through hydrogen bonds. Several PPARα's amino acids are involved in the ligand binding by hydrophobic interactions. Furthermore, we identified additional PPARs' amino acids interacting with Helix-Y12 through hydrogen bonds still not reported for known ligands. Our results show that, from the studied ligand set, the Helix-Y12 peptide and Tzeaxs have the most significant probability of binding to the PPARs' LBD, suggesting novel ligands for PPARs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauricio Carrillo-Tripp
- Biomolecular Diversity Laboratory, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Unidad Monterrey, Vía del Conocimiento 201, PIIT, C.P. 66600, Apodaca, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Yair Reyes
- Metabolic Diseases Laboratory, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Unidad Monterrey, Vía del Conocimiento 201, PIIT, C.P. 66600, Apodaca, Nuevo León, Mexico
- Universidad Politécnica de Puebla, Tercer Carril del Ejido, Serrano s/n, Cuanalá, C.P. 7264, Puebla, Mexico
| | - Blanca Delgado-Coello
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, C.P. 04510, CDMX, Mexico
| | - Jaime Mas-Oliva
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, C.P. 04510, CDMX, Mexico
| | - Roxana Gutiérrez-Vidal
- Metabolic Diseases Laboratory, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Unidad Monterrey, Vía del Conocimiento 201, PIIT, C.P. 66600, Apodaca, Nuevo León, Mexico
- Programa de Investigadoras e Investigadores por México, Conacyt, CDMX, Mexico
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11
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Nagamani S, Jaiswal L, Sastry GN. Deciphering the importance of MD descriptors in designing Vitamin D Receptor agonists and antagonists using machine learning. J Mol Graph Model 2023; 118:108346. [PMID: 36208593 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2022.108346] [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: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) ligand-binding domain undergoes conformation change upon the binding of VDR agonists/antagonists. Helix 12 ((H)12) is one of the important helices at VDR ligand binding and its conformational changes are controlled by the binding of agonists and antagonists molecules. Various molecular modeling studies are available to explain the agonistic and antagonistic activity of vitamin D analogs. In this work, for the first time, we attempted to generate a machine learning model with fingerprints, 2D, 3D and MD descriptors that are specific to Vitamin D analogs and VDR. Initially, 2D and 3D descriptors and fingerprints of 1003 vitamin D analogs were calculated using CDK and RDKit. The machine learning model was generated using descriptors and fingerprints. Further, 80 Vitamin D analogs (40 VDR agonists + 40 VDR antagonists) were docked in the VDR active site. 50ns MD simulation was performed for each protein-ligand complex. Different MD descriptors such as Solvent Accessible Surface Area (SASA), radius of gyration, PC1 and PC2 were calculated and considered along with CDK and RDKit descriptors as features for machine learning calculations. A few other descriptors that are related to VDR conformational changes such as conformation of the (H)12, the angle at kink were considered for machine learning model generation. It was observed that the descriptors calculated from VDR conformational changes i) were able to distinguish between agonists and antagonists ii) provide key and comprehensive information about the unique binding characteristics of agonists and antagonists iii) provide a strong basis for the machine learning model generation. Overall, this study attempts the utilization of descriptors that are specific to a protein conformation will be helpful for the generation of an efficient machine learning model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selvaraman Nagamani
- Advanced Computation and Data Sciences Division, CSIR - North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat, Assam, 785 006, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India.
| | - Lavi Jaiswal
- Advanced Computation and Data Sciences Division, CSIR - North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat, Assam, 785 006, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - G Narahari Sastry
- Advanced Computation and Data Sciences Division, CSIR - North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat, Assam, 785 006, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India.
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12
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Interactions governing transcriptional activity of nuclear receptors. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:1941-1952. [DOI: 10.1042/bst20220338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The key players in transcriptional regulation are transcription factors (TFs), proteins that bind specific DNA sequences. Several mechanisms exist to turn TFs ‘on’ and ‘off’, including ligand binding which induces conformational changes within TFs, subsequently influencing multiple inter- and intramolecular interactions to drive transcriptional responses. Nuclear receptors are a specific family of ligand-regulated TFs whose activity relies on interactions with DNA, coregulator proteins and other receptors. These multidomain proteins also undergo interdomain interactions on multiple levels, further modulating transcriptional outputs. Cooperation between these distinct interactions is critical for appropriate transcription and remains an intense area of investigation. In this review, we report and summarize recent findings that continue to advance our mechanistic understanding of how interactions between nuclear receptors and diverse partners influence transcription.
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13
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Zacharioudakis E, Gavathiotis E. Targeting protein conformations with small molecules to control protein complexes. Trends Biochem Sci 2022; 47:1023-1037. [PMID: 35985943 PMCID: PMC9669135 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2022.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Dynamic protein complexes function in all cellular processes, from signaling to transcription, using distinct conformations that regulate their activity. Conformational switching of proteins can turn on or off their activity through protein-protein interactions, catalytic function, cellular localization, or membrane interaction. Recent advances in structural, computational, and chemical methodologies have enabled the discovery of small-molecule activators and inhibitors of conformationally dynamic proteins by using a more rational design than a serendipitous screening approach. Here, we discuss such recent examples, focusing on the mechanism of protein conformational switching and its regulation by small molecules. We emphasize the rational approaches to control protein oligomerization with small molecules that offer exciting opportunities for investigation of novel biological mechanisms and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanouil Zacharioudakis
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Evripidis Gavathiotis
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
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14
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Khan SH, Braet SM, Koehler SJ, Elacqua E, Anand GS, Okafor CD. Ligand-induced shifts in conformational ensembles that describe transcriptional activation. eLife 2022; 11:e80140. [PMID: 36222302 PMCID: PMC9555869 DOI: 10.7554/elife.80140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptors function as ligand-regulated transcription factors whose ability to regulate diverse physiological processes is closely linked with conformational changes induced upon ligand binding. Understanding how conformational populations of nuclear receptors are shifted by various ligands could illuminate strategies for the design of synthetic modulators to regulate specific transcriptional programs. Here, we investigate ligand-induced conformational changes using a reconstructed, ancestral nuclear receptor. By making substitutions at a key position, we engineer receptor variants with altered ligand specificities. We combine cellular and biophysical experiments to characterize transcriptional activity, as well as elucidate mechanisms underlying altered transcription in receptor variants. We then use atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with enhanced sampling to generate ensembles of wildtype and engineered receptors in combination with multiple ligands, followed by conformational analysis and correlation of MD-based predictions with functional ligand profiles. We determine that conformational ensembles accurately describe ligand responses based on observed population shifts. These studies provide a platform which will allow structural characterization of physiologically-relevant conformational ensembles, as well as provide the ability to design and predict transcriptional responses in novel ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabab Hasan Khan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State UniversityState CollegeUnited States
| | - Sean M Braet
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State UniversityState ParkUnited States
| | | | - Elizabeth Elacqua
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State UniversityState ParkUnited States
| | | | - C Denise Okafor
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State UniversityState CollegeUnited States
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State UniversityState ParkUnited States
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15
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Wang Q, Wang Z, Tian S, Wang L, Tang R, Yu Y, Ge J, Hou T, Hao H, Sun H. Determination of Molecule Category of Ligands Targeting the Ligand-Binding Pocket of Nuclear Receptors with Structural Elucidation and Machine Learning. J Chem Inf Model 2022; 62:3993-4007. [PMID: 36040137 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c00851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The mechanism of transcriptional activation/repression of the nuclear receptors (NRs) involves two main conformations of the NR protein, namely, the active (agonistic) and inactive (antagonistic) conformations. Binding of agonists or antagonists to the ligand-binding pocket (LBP) of NRs can regulate the downstream signaling pathways with different physiological effects. However, it is still hard to determine the molecular type of a LBP-bound ligand because both the agonists and antagonists bind to the same position of the protein. Therefore, it is necessary to develop precise and efficient methods to facilitate the discrimination of agonists and antagonists targeting the LBP of NRs. Here, combining structural and energetic analyses with machine-learning (ML) algorithms, we constructed a series of structure-based ML models to determine the molecular category of the LBP-bound ligands. We show that the proposed models work robustly and with high accuracy (ACC > 0.9) for determining the category of molecules derived from docking-based and crystallized poses. Furthermore, the models are also capable of determining the molecular category of ligands with dual opposite functions on different NRs (i.e., working as an agonist in one NR target, whereas functioning as an antagonist in another) with reasonable accuracy. The proposed method is expected to facilitate the determination of the molecular properties of ligands targeting the LBP of NRs with structural interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghua Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, P. R. China
| | - Sheng Tian
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, P. R. China
| | - Lingling Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Rongfan Tang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Yang Yu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Jingxuan Ge
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, P. R. China.,Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, P. R. China
| | - Tingjun Hou
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, P. R. China
| | - Haiping Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Key Lab of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, China Pharmaceutical University, 210009 Nanjing, China
| | - Huiyong Sun
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, P. R. China
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16
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Shah MA, Haris M, Faheem HI, Hamid A, Yousaf R, Rasul A, Shah GM, Khalil AAK, Wahab A, Khan H, Alhasani RH, Althobaiti NA. Cross-Talk between Obesity and Diabetes: Introducing Polyphenols as an Effective Phytomedicine to Combat the Dual Sword Diabesity. Curr Pharm Des 2022; 28:1523-1542. [PMID: 35762558 DOI: 10.2174/1381612828666220628123224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
: Obesity-associated diabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic affliction accounting for 90% of all diabetic patients, has been affecting humanity extremely badly and escalating the risk of developing other serious disorders. It is observed that 0.4 billion people globally have diabetes, whose major cause is obesity. Currently, innumerable synthetic drugs like alogliptin and rosiglitazone are being used to get through diabetes, but they have certain complications, restrictions with severe side effects, and toxicity issues. Recently, the frequency of plant-derived phytochemicals as advantageous substitutes against diabesity is increasing progressively due to their unparalleled benefit of producing less side effects and toxicity. Of these phytochemicals, dietary polyphenols have been accepted as potent agents against the dual sword "diabesity". These polyphenols target certain genes and molecular pathways through dual mechanisms such as adiponectin upregulation, cannabinoid receptor antagonism, free fatty acid oxidation, ghrelin antagonism, glucocorticoid inhibition, sodium-glucose cotransporter inhibition, oxidative stress and inflammation inhibition etc. which sequentially help to combat both diabetes and obesity. In this review, we have summarized the most beneficial natural polyphenols along with their complex molecular pathways during diabesity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Muhammad Haris
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Hafiza Ishmal Faheem
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Ayesha Hamid
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Rimsha Yousaf
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Azhar Rasul
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Ghulam Mujtaba Shah
- Department of Pharmacy, Hazara University, Mansehra, Pakistan.,Department of Botany, Hazara University, Mansehra, Pakistan
| | - Atif Ali Khan Khalil
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi 46000, Pakistan
| | - Abdul Wahab
- Department of Pharmacy, Kohat University of Science & Technology, Kohat, Pakistan
| | - Haroon Khan
- Department of Pharmacy, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Reem Hasaballah Alhasani
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Applied Science, Umm Al-Qura University, 21961 Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nora A Althobaiti
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Humanities-Al Quwaiiyah, Shaqra University, Al Quwaiiyah, Saudi Arabia
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17
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Cato ML, Cornelison JL, Spurlin RM, Courouble VV, Patel AB, Flynn AR, Johnson AM, Okafor CD, Frank F, D’Agostino EH, Griffin PR, Jui NT, Ortlund EA. Differential Modulation of Nuclear Receptor LRH-1 through Targeting Buried and Surface Regions of the Binding Pocket. J Med Chem 2022; 65:6888-6902. [PMID: 35503419 PMCID: PMC10026694 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Liver receptor homologue-1 (LRH-1) is a phospholipid-sensing nuclear receptor that has shown promise as a target for alleviating intestinal inflammation and metabolic dysregulation in the liver. LRH-1 contains a large ligand-binding pocket, but generating synthetic modulators has been challenging. We have had recent success generating potent and efficacious agonists through two distinct strategies. We targeted residues deep within the pocket to enhance compound binding and residues at the mouth of the pocket to mimic interactions made by phospholipids. Here, we unite these two designs into one molecule to synthesize the most potent LRH-1 agonist to date. Through a combination of global transcriptomic, biochemical, and structural studies, we show that selective modulation can be driven through contacting deep versus surface polar regions in the pocket. While deep pocket contacts convey high affinity, contacts with the pocket mouth dominate allostery and provide a phospholipid-like transcriptional response in cultured cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L. Cato
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322
| | | | | | | | - Anamika B. Patel
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322
| | - Autumn R. Flynn
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322
| | | | - C. Denise Okafor
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322
| | - Filipp Frank
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322
| | - Emma H. D’Agostino
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322
| | | | - Nathan T. Jui
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322
| | - Eric A. Ortlund
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322
- Corresponding Author:
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18
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Melis M, Tang XH, Trasino SE, Gudas LJ. Retinoids in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Liver Diseases. Nutrients 2022; 14:1456. [PMID: 35406069 PMCID: PMC9002467 DOI: 10.3390/nu14071456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Vitamin A (VA), all-trans-retinol (ROL), and its analogs are collectively called retinoids. Acting through the retinoic acid receptors RARα, RARβ, and RARγ, all-trans-retinoic acid, an active metabolite of VA, is a potent regulator of numerous biological pathways, including embryonic and somatic cellular differentiation, immune functions, and energy metabolism. The liver is the primary organ for retinoid storage and metabolism in humans. For reasons that remain incompletely understood, a body of evidence shows that reductions in liver retinoids, aberrant retinoid metabolism, and reductions in RAR signaling are implicated in numerous diseases of the liver, including hepatocellular carcinoma, non-alcohol-associated fatty liver diseases, and alcohol-associated liver diseases. Conversely, restoration of retinoid signaling, pharmacological treatments with natural and synthetic retinoids, and newer agonists for specific RARs show promising benefits for treatment of a number of these liver diseases. Here we provide a comprehensive review of the literature demonstrating a role for retinoids in limiting the pathogenesis of these diseases and in the treatment of liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Melis
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA; (M.M.); (X.-H.T.)
| | - Xiao-Han Tang
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA; (M.M.); (X.-H.T.)
| | - Steven E. Trasino
- Nutrition Program, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY 10065, USA;
| | - Lorraine J. Gudas
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA; (M.M.); (X.-H.T.)
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19
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Lu B, Liu D, Gui B, Gou J, Dong H, Hu Q, Feng J, Mao Y, Shen X, Wang S, Zhang C, Shen R, Yan Y, Chen L, Wang H, Li D, Zhang J, Zhang M, Zhang R, Bai C, He F, Tao W, Liu S. Discovery of 2-(Ortho-Substituted Benzyl)-Indole Derivatives as Potent and Orally Bioavailable RORγ Agonists with Antitumor Activity. J Med Chem 2021; 64:14983-14996. [PMID: 34643383 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
RORγ is a dual-functional drug target, which involves not only induction of inflammation but also promotion of cancer immunity. The development of agonists of RORγ promoting Th17 cell differentiation could provide a novel mechanism of action (MOA) as an immune-activating anticancer agent. Herein, we describe new 2-(ortho-substituted benzyl)-indole derivatives as RORγ agonists by scaffold hopping based on clinical RORγ antagonist VTP-43742. Interestingly, subtle structural differences of the compounds led to the opposite biological MOA. After rational optimization for structure-activity relationship and pharmacokinetic profile, we identified a potent RORγ agonist compound 17 that was able to induce the production of IL-17 and IFNγ in tumor tissues and elicit antitumor efficacy in MC38 syngeneic mouse colorectal tumor model. This is the first comprehensive work to demonstrate the in vivo antitumor efficacy of an RORγ agonist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biao Lu
- Shanghai Hengrui Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 279 Wenjing Road, Minhang Hi-tech Zone, Shanghai 200245, China
| | - Dong Liu
- Eternity Bioscience Inc., 6 Cedarbrook Drive, Cranbury, New Jersey 08512, United States
| | - Bin Gui
- Shanghai Hengrui Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 279 Wenjing Road, Minhang Hi-tech Zone, Shanghai 200245, China
| | - Jun Gou
- Shanghai Hengrui Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 279 Wenjing Road, Minhang Hi-tech Zone, Shanghai 200245, China
| | - Huaide Dong
- Shanghai Hengrui Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 279 Wenjing Road, Minhang Hi-tech Zone, Shanghai 200245, China
| | - Qiyue Hu
- Shanghai Hengrui Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 279 Wenjing Road, Minhang Hi-tech Zone, Shanghai 200245, China
| | - Jun Feng
- Shanghai Hengrui Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 279 Wenjing Road, Minhang Hi-tech Zone, Shanghai 200245, China
| | - Yuchang Mao
- Shanghai Hengrui Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 279 Wenjing Road, Minhang Hi-tech Zone, Shanghai 200245, China
| | - Xiaodong Shen
- Shanghai Hengrui Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 279 Wenjing Road, Minhang Hi-tech Zone, Shanghai 200245, China
| | - Shenglan Wang
- Shanghai Hengrui Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 279 Wenjing Road, Minhang Hi-tech Zone, Shanghai 200245, China
| | - Caihua Zhang
- Shanghai Hengrui Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 279 Wenjing Road, Minhang Hi-tech Zone, Shanghai 200245, China
| | - Ru Shen
- Eternity Bioscience Inc., 6 Cedarbrook Drive, Cranbury, New Jersey 08512, United States
| | - Yinfa Yan
- Eternity Bioscience Inc., 6 Cedarbrook Drive, Cranbury, New Jersey 08512, United States
| | - Lei Chen
- Eternity Bioscience Inc., 6 Cedarbrook Drive, Cranbury, New Jersey 08512, United States
| | - Huiyun Wang
- Eternity Bioscience Inc., 6 Cedarbrook Drive, Cranbury, New Jersey 08512, United States
| | - Di Li
- Eternity Bioscience Inc., 6 Cedarbrook Drive, Cranbury, New Jersey 08512, United States
| | - Jiayin Zhang
- Eternity Bioscience Inc., 6 Cedarbrook Drive, Cranbury, New Jersey 08512, United States
| | - Minsheng Zhang
- Eternity Bioscience Inc., 6 Cedarbrook Drive, Cranbury, New Jersey 08512, United States
| | - Rumin Zhang
- Eternity Bioscience Inc., 6 Cedarbrook Drive, Cranbury, New Jersey 08512, United States
| | - Chang Bai
- Shanghai Hengrui Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 279 Wenjing Road, Minhang Hi-tech Zone, Shanghai 200245, China
| | - Feng He
- Shanghai Hengrui Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 279 Wenjing Road, Minhang Hi-tech Zone, Shanghai 200245, China
| | - Weikang Tao
- Shanghai Hengrui Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 279 Wenjing Road, Minhang Hi-tech Zone, Shanghai 200245, China
| | - Suxing Liu
- Eternity Bioscience Inc., 6 Cedarbrook Drive, Cranbury, New Jersey 08512, United States
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20
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Siclari JJ, Gardner KH. Two steps, one ligand: How PPARγ binds small-molecule agonists. Structure 2021; 29:935-936. [PMID: 34478635 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2021.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In this issue of Structure,Shang and Kojetin (2021) present insights into the binding mechanism of artificial agonists to the PPARγ nuclear receptor. These data support a two-step model with induced fit and conformational selection aspects. This mechanism may exist in related receptors, providing new opportunities for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- James J Siclari
- Structural Biology Initiative, CUNY Advanced Science Research Center, New York, NY 10031, USA; Ph.D. Program in Biology, Graduate Center, City University of New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Kevin H Gardner
- Structural Biology Initiative, CUNY Advanced Science Research Center, New York, NY 10031, USA; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, City College of New York, NY 10031, USA; Ph.D. Programs in Biology, Biochemistry, and Chemistry, Graduate Center, City University of New York, NY 10016, USA.
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21
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Ekimoto T, Kudo T, Yamane T, Ikeguchi M. Mechanism of Vitamin D Receptor Ligand-Binding Domain Regulation Studied by gREST Simulations. J Chem Inf Model 2021; 61:3625-3637. [PMID: 34189910 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The vitamin D receptor ligand-binding domain (VDR-LBD) undergoes conformational changes upon ligand binding. In this nuclear receptor family, agonistic or antagonistic activities are controlled by the conformation of the helix (H)12. However, all crystal structures of VDR-LBD reported to date correspond to the active H12 conformation, regardless of agonist/antagonist binding. To understand the mechanism of VDR-LBD regulation structurally, conformational samplings of agonist- and antagonist-bound rat VDR-LBD were performed using the generalized replica exchange with solute tempering (gREST) method. The gREST simulations demonstrated different structural responses of rat VDR-LBD to agonist or antagonist binding, whereas in conventional molecular dynamics simulations, the conformation was the same as that of the crystal structures, regardless of agonist/antagonist binding. In the gREST simulations, a spontaneous conformational change of H12 was observed only for the antagonist complex. The different responses to agonist/antagonist binding were attributed to hydrophobic core formation at the ligand-binding pocket and cooperative rearrangements of H11. The gREST method can be applied to the examination of structure-activity relationships for multiple VDR-LBD ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toru Ekimoto
- Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, 1-7-29 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Takafumi Kudo
- Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, 1-7-29 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Yamane
- Center for Computational Science, RIKEN, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Mitsunori Ikeguchi
- Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, 1-7-29 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan.,Center for Computational Science, RIKEN, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
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22
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Bianchetti L, Sinar D, Depenveiller C, Dejaegere A. Insights into mineralocorticoid receptor homodimerization from a combined molecular modeling and bioinformatics study. Proteins 2021; 89:952-965. [PMID: 33713045 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
In vertebrates, the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) is a steroid-activated nuclear receptor (NR) that plays essential roles in water-electrolyte balance and blood pressure homeostasis. It belongs to the group of oxo-steroidian NRs, together with the glucocorticoid (GR), progesterone (PR), and androgen (AR) receptors. Classically, these oxo-steroidian NRs homodimerize and bind to specific genomic sequences to activate gene expression. NRs are multi-domain proteins, and dimerization is mediated by both the DNA (DBD) and ligand binding domains (LBDs), with the latter thought to provide the largest dimerization interface. However, at the structural level, the dimerization of oxo-steroidian receptors LBDs has remained largely a matter of debate and, despite their sequence homology, there is currently no consensus on a common homodimer assembly across the four receptors, that is, GR, PR, AR, and MR. Here, we examined all available MR LBD crystals using different computational methods (protein common interface database, proteins, interfaces, structures and assemblies, protein-protein interaction prediction by structural matching, and evolutionary protein-protein interface classifier, and the molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann surface area method). A consensus is reached by all methods and singles out an interface mediated by helices H9, H10 and the C-terminal F domain as having characteristics of a biologically relevant assembly. Interestingly, a similar assembly was previously identified for GRα, MR closest homolog. Alternative architectures that were proposed for GRα were not observed for MR. These data call for further experimental investigations of oxo-steroid dimer architectures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Bianchetti
- Laboratoire de Chimie Biophysique de la Signalisation de la Transcription, Département de Biologie Structurale Intégrative, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR7104, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Illkirch, France
- Ecole Supérieure de Biotechnologie de Strasbourg, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Deniz Sinar
- Laboratoire de Chimie Biophysique de la Signalisation de la Transcription, Département de Biologie Structurale Intégrative, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR7104, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Illkirch, France
- Ecole Supérieure de Biotechnologie de Strasbourg, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Camille Depenveiller
- Laboratoire de Chimie Biophysique de la Signalisation de la Transcription, Département de Biologie Structurale Intégrative, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR7104, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Illkirch, France
- Ecole Supérieure de Biotechnologie de Strasbourg, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Annick Dejaegere
- Laboratoire de Chimie Biophysique de la Signalisation de la Transcription, Département de Biologie Structurale Intégrative, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR7104, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Illkirch, France
- Ecole Supérieure de Biotechnologie de Strasbourg, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
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23
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Shang J, Kojetin DJ. Structural mechanism underlying ligand binding and activation of PPARγ. Structure 2021; 29:940-950.e4. [PMID: 33713599 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2021.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Ligands bind to an occluded orthosteric ligand-binding pocket within the nuclear receptor ligand-binding domain. Molecular simulations have revealed theoretical ligand entry/exit pathways to the orthosteric pocket; however, it remains unclear whether ligand binding proceeds through induced fit or conformational selection mechanisms. Here, using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry, and surface plasmon resonance analysis, we provide evidence that structurally distinct agonists bind peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) via a two-step induced fit mechanism involving an initial fast kinetic step followed by a slow conformational change. The agonist encounter complex binding pose is suggested in crystal structures where ligands bind to a surface pore suggested as a ligand entry site in molecular simulations. Our findings suggest an activation mechanism for PPARγ whereby agonist binding occurs through an initial encounter complex followed by a transition of the ligand into the final binding pose within the orthosteric pocket, inducing a transcriptionally active conformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinsai Shang
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Douglas J Kojetin
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA.
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24
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Structural Insights into the Interaction of the Intrinsically Disordered Co-activator TIF2 with Retinoic Acid Receptor Heterodimer (RXR/RAR). J Mol Biol 2021; 433:166899. [PMID: 33647291 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.166899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and retinoid X receptors (RXRs) form heterodimers that activate target gene transcription by recruiting co-activator complexes in response to ligand binding. The nuclear receptor (NR) co-activator TIF2 mediates this recruitment by interacting with the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of NRs trough the nuclear receptor interaction domain (TIF2NRID) containing three highly conserved α-helical LxxLL motifs (NR-boxes). The precise binding mode of this domain to RXR/RAR is not clear due to the disordered nature of TIF2. Here we present the structural characterization of TIF2NRID by integrating several experimental (NMR, SAXS, Far-UV CD, SEC-MALS) and computational data. Collectively, the data are in agreement with a largely disordered protein with partially structured regions, including the NR-boxes and their flanking regions, which are evolutionary conserved. NMR and X-ray crystallographic data on TIF2NRID in complex with RXR/RAR reveal a multisite binding of the three NR-boxes as well as an active role of their flanking regions in the interaction.
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25
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Hernandez-Quiles M, Broekema MF, Kalkhoven E. PPARgamma in Metabolism, Immunity, and Cancer: Unified and Diverse Mechanisms of Action. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:624112. [PMID: 33716977 PMCID: PMC7953066 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.624112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is one of the most extensively studied ligand-inducible transcription factors. Since its identification in the early 1990s, PPARγ is best known for its critical role in adipocyte differentiation, maintenance, and function. Emerging evidence indicates that PPARγ is also important for the maturation and function of various immune system-related cell types, such as monocytes/macrophages, dendritic cells, and lymphocytes. Furthermore, PPARγ controls cell proliferation in various other tissues and organs, including colon, breast, prostate, and bladder, and dysregulation of PPARγ signaling is linked to tumor development in these organs. Recent studies have shed new light on PPARγ (dys)function in these three biological settings, showing unified and diverse mechanisms of action. Classical transactivation-where PPARγ activates genes upon binding to PPAR response elements as a heterodimer with RXRα-is important in all three settings, as underscored by natural loss-of-function mutations in FPLD3 and loss- and gain-of-function mutations in tumors. Transrepression-where PPARγ alters gene expression independent of DNA binding-is particularly relevant in immune cells. Interestingly, gene translocations resulting in fusion of PPARγ with other gene products, which are unique to specific carcinomas, present a third mode of action, as they potentially alter PPARγ's target gene profile. Improved understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying PPARγ activity in the complex regulatory networks in metabolism, cancer, and inflammation may help to define novel potential therapeutic strategies for prevention and treatment of obesity, diabetes, or cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Hernandez-Quiles
- Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Marjoleine F. Broekema
- Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Eric Kalkhoven
- Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Eric Kalkhoven,
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26
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Watanabe M, Fujihara M, Motoyama T, Kawasaki M, Yamada S, Takamura Y, Ito S, Makishima M, Nakano S, Kakuta H. Discovery of a "Gatekeeper" Antagonist that Blocks Entry Pathway to Retinoid X Receptors (RXRs) without Allosteric Ligand Inhibition in Permissive RXR Heterodimers. J Med Chem 2020; 64:430-439. [PMID: 33356247 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Retinoid X receptor (RXR) heterodimers such as PPAR/RXR, LXR/RXR, and FXR/RXR can be activated by RXR agonists alone and are therefore designated as permissive. Similarly, existing RXR antagonists show allosteric antagonism toward partner receptor agonists in these permissive RXR heterodimers. Here, we show 1-(3-(2-ethoxyethoxy)-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole-5-carboxylic acid (14, CBTF-EE) as the first RXR antagonist that does not show allosteric inhibition in permissive RXR heterodimers. This compound was designed based on the hypothesis that RXR antagonists that do not induce conformational changes of RXR would not exhibit such allosteric inhibition. CD spectra and X-ray co-crystallography of the complex of 14 and the RXR ligand binding domain (LBD) confirmed that 14 does not change the conformation of hRXR-LBD. The X-ray structure analysis revealed that 14 binds at the entrance of the ligand binding pocket (LBP), blocking access to the LBP and thus serving as a "gatekeeper".
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaki Watanabe
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1-1-1, Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Michiko Fujihara
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1-1-1, Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan.,AIBIOS Company. Ltd., Tri-Seven Roppongi 8F 7-7-7 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032, Japan
| | - Tomoharu Motoyama
- Graduate School of Integrated Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan
| | - Mayu Kawasaki
- Graduate School of Integrated Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan
| | - Shoya Yamada
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1-1-1, Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan.,Research Fellowship Division, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Sumitomo-Ichibancho FS Bldg., 8 Ichibancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8472, Japan
| | - Yuta Takamura
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1-1-1, Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Sohei Ito
- Graduate School of Integrated Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan
| | - Makoto Makishima
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Nihon University School of Medicine, 30-1 Oyaguchi-kamicho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Shogo Nakano
- Graduate School of Integrated Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kakuta
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1-1-1, Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
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27
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Buñay J, Fouache A, Trousson A, de Joussineau C, Bouchareb E, Zhu Z, Kocer A, Morel L, Baron S, Lobaccaro JMA. Screening for liver X receptor modulators: Where are we and for what use? Br J Pharmacol 2020; 178:3277-3293. [PMID: 33080050 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver X receptors (LXRs) are members of the nuclear receptor superfamily that are canonically activated by oxidized derivatives of cholesterol. Since the mid-90s, numerous groups have identified LXRs as endocrine receptors that are involved in the regulation of various physiological functions. As a result, when their expression is genetically modified in mice, phenotypic analyses reveal endocrine disorders ranging from infertility to diabetes and obesity, nervous system pathologies such Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease, immunological disturbances, inflammatory response, and enhancement of tumour development. Based on such findings, it appears that LXRs could constitute good pharmacological targets to prevent and/or to treat these diseases. This review discusses the various aspects of LXR drug discovery, from the tools available for the screening of potential LXR modulators to the current situational analysis of the drugs in development. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on Oxysterols, Lifelong Health and Therapeutics. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v178.16/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio Buñay
- Université Clermont Auvergne, GReD, CNRS, INSERM, and Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine d'Auvergne Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Allan Fouache
- Université Clermont Auvergne, GReD, CNRS, INSERM, and Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine d'Auvergne Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Amalia Trousson
- Université Clermont Auvergne, GReD, CNRS, INSERM, and Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine d'Auvergne Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Cyrille de Joussineau
- Université Clermont Auvergne, GReD, CNRS, INSERM, and Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine d'Auvergne Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Erwan Bouchareb
- Université Clermont Auvergne, GReD, CNRS, INSERM, and Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine d'Auvergne Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Zhekun Zhu
- Université Clermont Auvergne, GReD, CNRS, INSERM, and Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine d'Auvergne Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Ayhan Kocer
- Université Clermont Auvergne, GReD, CNRS, INSERM, and Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine d'Auvergne Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Laurent Morel
- Université Clermont Auvergne, GReD, CNRS, INSERM, and Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine d'Auvergne Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Silvere Baron
- Université Clermont Auvergne, GReD, CNRS, INSERM, and Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine d'Auvergne Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Jean-Marc A Lobaccaro
- Université Clermont Auvergne, GReD, CNRS, INSERM, and Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine d'Auvergne Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
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28
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Kamata S, Oyama T, Saito K, Honda A, Yamamoto Y, Suda K, Ishikawa R, Itoh T, Watanabe Y, Shibata T, Uchida K, Suematsu M, Ishii I. PPARα Ligand-Binding Domain Structures with Endogenous Fatty Acids and Fibrates. iScience 2020; 23:101727. [PMID: 33205029 PMCID: PMC7653058 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Most triacylglycerol-lowering fibrates have been developed in the 1960s–1980s before their molecular target, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), was identified. Twenty-one ligand-bound PPARα structures have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank since 2001; however, binding modes of fibrates and physiological ligands remain unknown. Here we show thirty-four X-ray crystallographic structures of the PPARα ligand-binding domain, which are composed of a “Center” and four “Arm” regions, in complexes with five endogenous fatty acids, six fibrates in clinical use, and six synthetic PPARα agonists. High-resolution structural analyses, in combination with coactivator recruitment and thermostability assays, demonstrate that stearic and palmitic acids are presumably physiological ligands; coordination to Arm III is important for high PPARα potency/selectivity of pemafibrate and GW7647; and agonistic activities of four fibrates are enhanced by the partial agonist GW9662. These results renew our understanding of PPARα ligand recognition and contribute to the molecular design of next-generation PPAR-targeted drugs. X-ray crystallography reveals 34 high-resolution human PPARα-ligand structures Stearic acid and palmitic acid are presumably physiological PPARα ligands Coordination to Arm III domain is important for high PPARα potency/selectivity Agonistic activities of four fibrates are enhanced by the partial agonist GW9662
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Affiliation(s)
- Shotaro Kamata
- Laboratory of Health Chemistry, Showa Pharmaceutical University, Machida, Tokyo 194-8543, Japan
| | - Takuji Oyama
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Kenta Saito
- Laboratory of Health Chemistry, Showa Pharmaceutical University, Machida, Tokyo 194-8543, Japan
| | - Akihiro Honda
- Laboratory of Health Chemistry, Showa Pharmaceutical University, Machida, Tokyo 194-8543, Japan
| | - Yume Yamamoto
- Laboratory of Health Chemistry, Showa Pharmaceutical University, Machida, Tokyo 194-8543, Japan
| | - Keisuke Suda
- Laboratory of Health Chemistry, Showa Pharmaceutical University, Machida, Tokyo 194-8543, Japan
| | - Ryo Ishikawa
- Laboratory of Health Chemistry, Showa Pharmaceutical University, Machida, Tokyo 194-8543, Japan
| | - Toshimasa Itoh
- Laboratory of Drug Design and Medicinal Chemistry, Showa Pharmaceutical University, Machida, Tokyo 194-8543, Japan
| | - Yasuo Watanabe
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Showa Pharmaceutical University, Machida, Tokyo 194-8543, Japan
| | - Takahiro Shibata
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan
| | - Koji Uchida
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Makoto Suematsu
- Department of Biochemistry, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Isao Ishii
- Laboratory of Health Chemistry, Showa Pharmaceutical University, Machida, Tokyo 194-8543, Japan
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29
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Griffett K, Bedia-Diaz G, Hegazy L, de Vera IMS, Wanninayake US, Billon C, Koelblen T, Wilhelm ML, Burris TP. The Orphan Nuclear Receptor TLX Is a Receptor for Synthetic and Natural Retinoids. Cell Chem Biol 2020; 27:1272-1284.e4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2020.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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30
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Disruption of a key ligand-H-bond network drives dissociative properties in vamorolone for Duchenne muscular dystrophy treatment. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:24285-24293. [PMID: 32917814 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2006890117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a genetic disorder that shows chronic and progressive damage to skeletal and cardiac muscle leading to premature death. Antiinflammatory corticosteroids targeting the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) are the current standard of care but drive adverse side effects such as deleterious bone loss. Through subtle modification to a steroidal backbone, a recently developed drug, vamorolone, appears to preserve beneficial efficacy but with significantly reduced side effects. We use combined structural, biophysical, and biochemical approaches to show that loss of a receptor-ligand hydrogen bond drives these remarkable therapeutic effects. Moreover, vamorolone uniformly weakens coactivator associations but not corepressor associations, implicating partial agonism as the main driver of its dissociative properties. Additionally, we identify a critical and evolutionarily conserved intramolecular network connecting the ligand to the coregulator binding surface. Interruption of this allosteric network by vamorolone selectively reduces GR-driven transactivation while leaving transrepression intact. Our results establish a mechanistic understanding of how vamorolone reduces side effects, guiding the future design of partial agonists as selective GR modulators with an improved therapeutic index.
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31
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Leijten-van de Gevel IA, Brunsveld L. Delineation of the molecular determinants of the unique allosteric binding site of the orphan nuclear receptor RORγt. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:9183-9191. [PMID: 32439807 PMCID: PMC7335795 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.013581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptors (NRs) are high-interest targets in drug discovery because of their involvement in numerous biological processes and diseases. Classically, NRs are targeted via their hydrophobic, orthosteric pocket. Although successful, this approach comes with challenges, including off-target effects due to lack of selectivity. Allosteric modulation of NR activity constitutes a promising pharmacological strategy. The retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor-γt (RORγt) is a constitutively active NR that positively regulates the expression of interleukin-17 in T helper 17 cells. Inhibiting this process is an emerging strategy for managing autoimmune diseases. Recently, an allosteric binding pocket in the C-terminal region of the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of RORγt was discovered that is amenable to small-molecule drug discovery. Compounds binding this pocket induce a reorientation of helix 12, thereby preventing coactivator recruitment. Therefore, inverse agonists binding this site with high affinity are actively being pursued. To elucidate the pocket formation mechanism, verify the uniqueness of this pocket, and substantiate the relevance of targeting this site, here we identified the key characteristics of the RORγt allosteric region. We evaluated the effects of substitutions in the LBD on coactivator, orthosteric, and allosteric ligand binding. We found that two molecular elements unique to RORγt, the length of helix 11' and a Gln-487 residue, are crucial for the formation of the allosteric pocket. The unique combination of elements present in RORγt suggests a high potential for subtype-selective targeting of this NR to more effectively treat patients with autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris A Leijten-van de Gevel
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Luc Brunsveld
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Eindhoven, the Netherlands.
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32
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Köhler C, Carlström G, Gunnarsson A, Weininger U, Tångefjord S, Ullah V, Lepistö M, Karlsson U, Papavoine T, Edman K, Akke M. Dynamic allosteric communication pathway directing differential activation of the glucocorticoid receptor. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eabb5277. [PMID: 32832645 PMCID: PMC7439413 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abb5277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Allosteric communication within proteins is a hallmark of biochemical signaling, but the dynamic transmission pathways remain poorly characterized. We combined NMR spectroscopy and surface plasmon resonance to reveal these pathways and quantify their energetics in the glucocorticoid receptor, a transcriptional regulator controlling development, metabolism, and immune response. Our results delineate a dynamic communication network of residues linking the ligand-binding pocket to the activation function-2 interface, where helix 12, a switch for transcriptional activation, exhibits ligand- and coregulator-dependent dynamics coupled to graded activation. The allosteric free energy responds to variations in ligand structure: subtle changes gradually tune allostery while preserving the transmission pathway, whereas substitution of the entire pharmacophore leads to divergent allosteric control by apparently rewiring the communication network. Our results provide key insights that should aid in the design of mechanistically differentiated ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Köhler
- Respiratory, Inflammation and Autoimmunity, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - G. Carlström
- Centre for Analysis and Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, P.O. Box 124, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - A. Gunnarsson
- Discovery Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - U. Weininger
- Division of Biophysical Chemistry, Center for Molecular Protein Science, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, P. O. Box 124, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - S. Tångefjord
- Respiratory, Inflammation and Autoimmunity, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Discovery Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - V. Ullah
- Respiratory, Inflammation and Autoimmunity, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - M. Lepistö
- Respiratory, Inflammation and Autoimmunity, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - U. Karlsson
- Discovery Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - T. Papavoine
- Respiratory, Inflammation and Autoimmunity, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - K. Edman
- Discovery Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - M. Akke
- Division of Biophysical Chemistry, Center for Molecular Protein Science, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, P. O. Box 124, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
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33
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Norona LM, Fullerton A, Lawson C, Leung L, Brumm J, Kiyota T, Maher J, Khojasteh C, Proctor WR. In vitro assessment of farnesoid X receptor antagonism to predict drug-induced liver injury risk. Arch Toxicol 2020; 94:3185-3200. [PMID: 32583097 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-020-02804-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) continues to be a major cause of drug attrition and restrictive labeling. Given the importance of farnesoid X receptor (FXR) in bile acid homeostasis, drug-related FXR antagonism may be an important mechanism of DILI. However, a comprehensive assessment of this phenomenon broadly in the context of DILI is lacking. As such, we used an orthogonal approach comprising a FXR target gene assay in primary human hepatocytes and a commercially available FXR reporter assay to investigate the potential FXR antagonistic effects of an extensive test set of 159 compounds with and without association with clinical DILI. Data were omitted from analysis based on the presence of cytotoxicity to minimize false positive assay signals and other complications in data interpretation. Based on the experimental approaches employed and corresponding data, the prevalence of FXR antagonism was relatively low across this broad DILI test set, with 16-24% prevalence based on individual assay results or combined signals in both assays. Moreover, FXR antagonism was not highly predictive for identifying clinically relevant hepatotoxicants retrospectively, where FXR antagonist classification alone had minimal to moderate predictive value as represented by positive and negative likelihood ratios of 2.24-3.84 and 0.72-0.85, respectively. The predictivity did not increase significantly when considering only compounds with high clinical exposure (maximal or efficacious plasma exposures > 1.0 μM). In contrast, modest gains in predictive value of FXR antagonism were observed considering compounds that also inhibit bile salt export pump. In addition, we have identified novel FXR antagonistic effects of well-studied hepatotoxic drugs, including bosentan, tolcapone and ritonavir. In conclusion, this work represents a comprehensive evaluation of FXR antagonism in the context of DILI, including its overall predictivity and challenges associated with detecting this phenomenon in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah M Norona
- Predictive Toxicology, Safety Assessment, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Aaron Fullerton
- Predictive Toxicology, Safety Assessment, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Chris Lawson
- Predictive Toxicology, Safety Assessment, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Leslie Leung
- Predictive Toxicology, Safety Assessment, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Jochen Brumm
- Non-Clinical Biostatistics, Product Development, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Tomomi Kiyota
- Predictive Toxicology, Safety Assessment, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Jonathan Maher
- Predictive Toxicology, Safety Assessment, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Cyrus Khojasteh
- Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - William R Proctor
- Predictive Toxicology, Safety Assessment, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA.
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34
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Cardiac glycosides with target at direct and indirect interactions with nuclear receptors. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 127:110106. [PMID: 32248001 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac glycosides are compounds isolated from plants and animals and have been known since ancient times. These compounds inhibit the activity of the sodium potassium pump in eukaryotic cells. Cardiac glycosides were used as drugs in heart ailments to increase myocardial contraction force and, at the same time, to lower frequency of this contraction. An increasing number of studies have indicated that the biological effects of these compounds are not limited to inhibition of sodium-potassium pump activity. Furthermore, an increasing number of data have shown that they are synthesized in tissues of mammals, where they may act as a new class of steroid hormones or other hormones by mimicry to modulate various signaling pathways and influence whole organisms. Thus, we discuss the interactions of cardiac glycosides with the nuclear receptor superfamily of transcription factors activated by low-weight molecular ligands (including hormones) that regulate many functions of cells and organisms. Cardiac glycosides of endogenous and exogenous origin by interacting with nuclear receptors can affect the processes regulated by these transcription factors, including hormonal management, immune system, body defense, and carcinogenesis. They can also be treated as initial structures for combinatorial chemistry to produce new compounds (including drugs) with the desired properties.
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35
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Shang J, Mosure SA, Zheng J, Brust R, Bass J, Nichols A, Solt LA, Griffin PR, Kojetin DJ. A molecular switch regulating transcriptional repression and activation of PPARγ. Nat Commun 2020; 11:956. [PMID: 32075969 PMCID: PMC7031403 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14750-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptor (NR) transcription factors use a conserved activation function-2 (AF-2) helix 12 mechanism for agonist-induced coactivator interaction and NR transcriptional activation. In contrast, ligand-induced corepressor-dependent NR repression appears to occur through structurally diverse mechanisms. We report two crystal structures of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) in an inverse agonist/corepressor-bound transcriptionally repressive conformation. Helix 12 is displaced from the solvent-exposed active conformation and occupies the orthosteric ligand-binding pocket enabled by a conformational change that doubles the pocket volume. Paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE) NMR and chemical crosslinking mass spectrometry confirm the repressive helix 12 conformation. PRE NMR also defines the mechanism of action of the corepressor-selective inverse agonist T0070907, and reveals that apo-helix 12 exchanges between transcriptionally active and repressive conformations—supporting a fundamental hypothesis in the NR field that helix 12 exchanges between transcriptionally active and repressive conformations. Structural studies of nuclear receptor transcription factors revealed that nearly all nuclear receptors share a conserved helix 12 dependent transcriptional activation mechanism. Here the authors present two crystal structures of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) in an inverse agonist/corepressor-bound transcriptionally repressive conformation, where helix 12 is located within the orthosteric ligand-binding pocket instead, and discuss mechanistic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinsai Shang
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Sarah A Mosure
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA.,Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Jie Zheng
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA.,Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Richard Brust
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Jared Bass
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Ashley Nichols
- Summer Undergraduate Research Fellows (SURF) program, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Laura A Solt
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA.,Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Patrick R Griffin
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA.,Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Douglas J Kojetin
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA. .,Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA.
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Chai SC, Wright WC, Chen T. Strategies for developing pregnane X receptor antagonists: Implications from metabolism to cancer. Med Res Rev 2019; 40:1061-1083. [PMID: 31782213 DOI: 10.1002/med.21648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Pregnane X receptor (PXR) is a ligand-activated nuclear receptor (NR) that was originally identified as a master regulator of xenobiotic detoxification. It regulates the expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters to control the degradation and excretion of endobiotics and xenobiotics, including therapeutic agents. The metabolism and disposition of drugs might compromise their efficacy and possibly cause drug toxicity and/or drug resistance. Because many drugs can promiscuously bind and activate PXR, PXR antagonists might have therapeutic value in preventing and overcoming drug-induced PXR-mediated drug toxicity and drug resistance. Furthermore, PXR is now known to have broader cellular functions, including the regulation of cell proliferation, and glucose and lipid metabolism. Thus, PXR might be involved in human diseases such as cancer and metabolic diseases. The importance of PXR antagonists is discussed in the context of the role of PXR in xenobiotic sensing and other disease-related pathways. This review focuses on the development of PXR antagonists, which has been hampered by the promiscuity of PXR ligand binding. However, substantial progress has been made in recent years, suggesting that it is feasible to develop selective PXR antagonists. We discuss the current status, challenges, and strategies in developing selective PXR antagonists. The strategies are based on the molecular mechanisms of antagonism in related NRs that can be applied to the design of PXR antagonists, primarily driven by structural information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio C Chai
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - William C Wright
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.,Integrated Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Taosheng Chen
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.,Integrated Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
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37
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Weikum ER, Liu X, Ortlund EA. The nuclear receptor superfamily: A structural perspective. Protein Sci 2019; 27:1876-1892. [PMID: 30109749 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 252] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Revised: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear receptors (NRs) are a family of transcription factors that regulate numerous physiological processes such as metabolism, reproduction, inflammation, as well as the circadian rhythm. NRs sense changes in lipid metabolite levels to drive differential gene expression, producing distinct physiologic effects. This is an allosteric process whereby binding a cognate ligand and specific DNA sequences drives the recruitment of diverse transcriptional co-regulators at chromatin and ultimately transactivation or transrepression of target genes. Dysregulation of NR signaling leads to various malignances, metabolic disorders, and inflammatory disease. Given their important role in physiology and ability to respond to small lipophilic ligands, NRs have emerged as valuable therapeutic targets. Here, we summarize and discuss the recent progress on understanding the complex mechanism of action of NRs, primarily from a structural perspective. Finally, we suggest future studies to improve our understanding of NR signaling and better design drugs by integrating multiple structural and biophysical approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Weikum
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, 30322, Georgia
| | - Xu Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, 30322, Georgia
| | - Eric A Ortlund
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, 30322, Georgia
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38
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Alves NRC, Pecci A, Alvarez LD. Structural Insights into the Ligand Binding Domain of the Glucocorticoid Receptor: A Molecular Dynamics Study. J Chem Inf Model 2019; 60:794-804. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.9b00776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- N. R. Carina Alves
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Adali Pecci
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, IFIBYNE, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lautaro D. Alvarez
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, UMYMFOR, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Abstract
Ligand-receptor interactions, which are ubiquitous in physiology, are described by theoretical models of receptor pharmacology. Structural evidence for graded efficacy receptor conformations predicted by receptor theory has been limited but is critical to fully validate theoretical models. We applied quantitative structure-function approaches to characterize the effects of structurally similar and structurally diverse agonists on the conformational ensemble of nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ). For all ligands, agonist functional efficacy is correlated to a shift in the conformational ensemble equilibrium from a ground state toward an active state, which is detected by NMR spectroscopy but not observed in crystal structures. For the structurally similar ligands, ligand potency and affinity are also correlated to efficacy and conformation, indicating ligand residence times among related analogs may influence receptor conformation and function. Our results derived from quantitative graded activity-conformation correlations provide experimental evidence and a platform with which to extend and test theoretical models of receptor pharmacology to more accurately describe and predict ligand-dependent receptor activity.
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40
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Liu X, Wang Y, Ortlund EA. First High-Resolution Crystal Structures of the Glucocorticoid Receptor Ligand-Binding Domain-Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated γ Coactivator 1- α Complex with Endogenous and Synthetic Glucocorticoids. Mol Pharmacol 2019; 96:408-417. [PMID: 31391291 PMCID: PMC6724573 DOI: 10.1124/mol.119.116806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Both synthetic and endogenous glucocorticoids are important pharmaceutic drugs known to bind to the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of glucocorticoid receptor (GR), a member of the nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily. Ligand binding induces conformational changes within GR, resulting in subsequent DNA binding and differential coregulator recruitment, ultimately activating or repressing target gene expression. One of the most crucial coregulators is peroxisome proliferator-activated γ coactivator 1-α (PGC1α), which acts to regulate energy metabolism by directly interacting with GR to modulate gene expression. However, the mechanisms through which PGC1α senses GR conformation to drive transcription are not completely known. Here, an ancestral variant of the GR (AncGR2) LBD was used as a tool to produce stable protein for biochemical and structural studies. PGC1α is found to interact more tightly and form a more stable complex with AncGR2 LBD than nuclear receptor coactivator 2. We report the first high-resolution X-ray crystal structures of AncGR2 LBD in complex with PGC1α and dexamethasone (DEX) or hydrocortisone (HCY). Structural analyses reveal how distinct steroid drugs bind to GR with different affinities by unique hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. Important charge clamps are formed between the activation function 2 and PGC1α to mediate their specific interactions. These interactions lead to a high level of protection from hydrogen-deuterium exchange at the coregulator interaction site and strong intramolecular allosteric communication to ligand binding site. This is the first structure detailing the GR-PGC1α interaction providing a foundation for future design of specific therapeutic agents targeting these critical metabolic regulators. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: High-resolution structures of AncGR2 LBD bound to DEX and HCY in complex with PGC1α reveal the molecular mechanism of PGC1α binding to AncGR2 LBD as well as the distinct affinities between DEX and HCY binding. Identifying the structural mechanisms that drive drug affinity is of pharmacologic interest to the glucocorticoid receptor field as an avenue to guide future drug design targeting GR-PGC1α signaling, which plays a crucial role in controlling hepatic glucose output.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta Georgia (X.L., Y.W., E.A.O.) and College of Life Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China (Y.W.)
| | - Yashuo Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta Georgia (X.L., Y.W., E.A.O.) and College of Life Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China (Y.W.)
| | - Eric A Ortlund
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta Georgia (X.L., Y.W., E.A.O.) and College of Life Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China (Y.W.)
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41
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Yamamoto K. Discovery of Nuclear Receptor Ligands and Elucidation of Their Mechanisms of Action. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 2019; 67:609-619. [DOI: 10.1248/cpb.c19-00131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Keiko Yamamoto
- Laboratory of Drug Design and Medicinal Chemistry, Showa Pharmaceutical University
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42
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Ahmed A, Schmidt C, Brunner T. Extra-Adrenal Glucocorticoid Synthesis in the Intestinal Mucosa: Between Immune Homeostasis and Immune Escape. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1438. [PMID: 31316505 PMCID: PMC6611402 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are steroid hormones predominantly produced in the adrenal glands in response to physiological cues and stress. Adrenal GCs mediate potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive functions. Accumulating evidence in the past two decades has demonstrated other extra-adrenal organs and tissues capable of synthesizing GCs. This review discusses the role and regulation of GC synthesis in the intestinal epithelium in the regulation of normal immune homeostasis, inflammatory diseases of the intestinal mucosa, and the development of intestinal tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asma Ahmed
- Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Christian Schmidt
- Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Thomas Brunner
- Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
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43
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State-of-the-art: functional fluorescent probes for bioimaging and pharmacological research. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2019; 40:717-723. [PMID: 30487651 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-018-0190-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases, neuropsychiatric disorders, and cancers seriously endanger human health. Mechanistic and pharmacological mechanisms of candidate drugs are central to the translational paradigm. Since many signal transduction and molecular events are implicated in these diseases, a novel method to interrogate the key pharmacological mechanisms is required to accelerate innovative drug discovery. Much attention now focuses on the real-time visualization of molecular disease events to yield new insights to the pathogenesis of the diseases. This review focuses on recent advances in the development of chemical probes for imaging pathological events to facilitate the study of the underlying pharmacodynamics and toxicity involved. As reviewed here, optical imaging is now frequently viewed as an indispensable technique in the field of biological research. Promoting interdisciplinary collaboration among chemistry, biology and medicine, is necessary to further refine functional fluorescent probes for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
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44
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Meijer FA, Leijten-van de Gevel IA, de Vries RMJM, Brunsveld L. Allosteric small molecule modulators of nuclear receptors. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2019; 485:20-34. [PMID: 30703487 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2019.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear Receptors (NRs) are multi-domain proteins, whose natural regulation occurs via ligands for a classical, orthosteric, binding pocket and via intra- and inter-domain allosteric mechanisms. Allosteric modulation of NRs via synthetic small molecules has recently emerged as an interesting entry to address the need for small molecules targeting NRs in pathology, via novel modes of action and with beneficial profiles. In this review the general concept of allosteric modulation in drug discovery is first discussed, serving as a background and inspiration for NRs. Subsequently, the review focuses on examples of small molecules that allosterically modulate NRs, with a strong focus on structural information and the ligand binding domain. Recently discovered nanomolar potent allosteric site NR modulators are catapulting allosteric targeting of NRs to the center of attention. The obtained insights serve as a basis for recommendations for the next steps to take in allosteric small molecular targeting of NRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Femke A Meijer
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Den Dolech 2, 5612AZ, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Iris A Leijten-van de Gevel
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Den Dolech 2, 5612AZ, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Rens M J M de Vries
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Den Dolech 2, 5612AZ, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Luc Brunsveld
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Den Dolech 2, 5612AZ, Eindhoven, the Netherlands.
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45
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Okafor CD, Colucci JK, Ortlund EA. Ligand-Induced Allosteric Effects Governing SR Signaling. NUCLEAR RECEPTOR RESEARCH 2019. [DOI: 10.32527/2019/101382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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46
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Molecular docking of anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac with metabolic targets: Potential applications in cancer therapeutics. J Theor Biol 2019; 465:117-125. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2019.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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47
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Mosure SA, Shang J, Eberhardt J, Brust R, Zheng J, Griffin PR, Forli S, Kojetin DJ. Structural Basis of Altered Potency and Efficacy Displayed by a Major in Vivo Metabolite of the Antidiabetic PPARγ Drug Pioglitazone. J Med Chem 2019; 62:2008-2023. [PMID: 30676741 PMCID: PMC6898968 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Pioglitazone (Pio) is a Food and Drug Administration-approved drug for type-2 diabetes that binds and activates the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), yet it remains unclear how in vivo Pio metabolites affect PPARγ structure and function. Here, we present a structure-function comparison of Pio and its most abundant in vivo metabolite, 1-hydroxypioglitazone (PioOH). PioOH displayed a lower binding affinity and reduced potency in co-regulator recruitment assays. X-ray crystallography and molecular docking analysis of PioOH-bound PPARγ ligand-binding domain revealed an altered hydrogen bonding network, including the formation of water-mediated bonds, which could underlie its altered biochemical phenotype. NMR spectroscopy and hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry analysis coupled to activity assays revealed that PioOH better stabilizes the PPARγ activation function-2 (AF-2) co-activator binding surface and better enhances co-activator binding, affording slightly better transcriptional efficacy. These results indicating that Pio hydroxylation affects its potency and efficacy as a PPARγ agonist contributes to our understanding of PPARγ-drug metabolite interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jerome Eberhardt
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology , The Scripps Research Institute , La Jolla , California 92037 , United States
| | | | | | | | - Stefano Forli
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology , The Scripps Research Institute , La Jolla , California 92037 , United States
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Yukawa T, Nara Y, Kono M, Sato A, Oda T, Takagi T, Sato T, Banno Y, Taya N, Imada T, Shiokawa Z, Negoro N, Kawamoto T, Koyama R, Uchiyama N, Skene R, Hoffman I, Chen CH, Sang B, Snell G, Katsuyama R, Yamamoto S, Shirai J. Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Retinoic Acid-Related Orphan Receptor γt (RORγt) Agonist Structure-Based Functionality Switching Approach from In House RORγt Inverse Agonist to RORγt Agonist. J Med Chem 2019; 62:1167-1179. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Tomoya Yukawa
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Yoshi Nara
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Mitsunori Kono
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Ayumu Sato
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Tsuneo Oda
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Terufumi Takagi
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Takayuki Sato
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Banno
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Naohiro Taya
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Takashi Imada
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Zenyu Shiokawa
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Negoro
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Tetsuji Kawamoto
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Ryokichi Koyama
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Noriko Uchiyama
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Robert Skene
- Takeda California, 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Isaac Hoffman
- Takeda California, 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Chien-Hung Chen
- Takeda California, 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - BiChing Sang
- Takeda California, 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Gyorgy Snell
- Takeda California, 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Ryosuke Katsuyama
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Satoshi Yamamoto
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Junya Shirai
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1 Muraoka-Higashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
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49
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Brust R, Shang J, Fuhrmann J, Mosure SA, Bass J, Cano A, Heidari Z, Chrisman IM, Nemetchek MD, Blayo AL, Griffin PR, Kamenecka TM, Hughes TS, Kojetin DJ. A structural mechanism for directing corepressor-selective inverse agonism of PPARγ. Nat Commun 2018; 9:4687. [PMID: 30409975 PMCID: PMC6224492 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07133-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Small chemical modifications can have significant effects on ligand efficacy and receptor activity, but the underlying structural mechanisms can be difficult to predict from static crystal structures alone. Here we show how a simple phenyl-to-pyridyl substitution between two common covalent orthosteric ligands targeting peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma converts a transcriptionally neutral antagonist (GW9662) into a repressive inverse agonist (T0070907) relative to basal cellular activity. X-ray crystallography, molecular dynamics simulations, and mutagenesis coupled to activity assays reveal a water-mediated hydrogen bond network linking the T0070907 pyridyl group to Arg288 that is essential for corepressor-selective inverse agonism. NMR spectroscopy reveals that PPARγ exchanges between two long-lived conformations when bound to T0070907 but not GW9662, including a conformation that prepopulates a corepressor-bound state, priming PPARγ for high affinity corepressor binding. Our findings demonstrate that ligand engagement of Arg288 may provide routes for developing corepressor-selective repressive PPARγ ligands. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a target for insulin sensitizing drugs. Here the authors combine NMR, X-ray crystallography and MD simulations and report a structural mechanism for eliciting PPARγ inverse agonism, where coactivator binding is inhibited and corepressor binding promoted, which causes PPARγ repression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Brust
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Jinsai Shang
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Jakob Fuhrmann
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Sarah A Mosure
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA.,Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Jared Bass
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Andrew Cano
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA.,High School Student Summer Internship Program, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Zahra Heidari
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MO, 59812, USA.,Center for Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA
| | - Ian M Chrisman
- Center for Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA.,Biochemistry and Biophysics Graduate Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA
| | - Michelle D Nemetchek
- Center for Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA.,Biochemistry and Biophysics Graduate Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA
| | - Anne-Laure Blayo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Patrick R Griffin
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA.,Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Theodore M Kamenecka
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Travis S Hughes
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MO, 59812, USA.,Center for Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA.,Biochemistry and Biophysics Graduate Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA
| | - Douglas J Kojetin
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA. .,Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA.
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Wu H, Post CB. Protein Conformational Transitions from All-Atom Adaptively Biased Path Optimization. J Chem Theory Comput 2018; 14:5372-5382. [PMID: 30222340 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.8b00147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Simulation methods are valuable for elucidating protein conformational transitions between functionally diverse states given that transition pathways are difficult to capture experimentally. Nonetheless, specific computational algorithms are required because of the high free energy barriers between these different protein conformational states. Adaptively biased path optimization (ABPO) is an unrestrained, transition-path optimization method that works in a reduced-variable space to construct an adaptive biasing potential to aid convergence. ABPO was previously applied using a coarse-grained Go̅-model to study conformational activation of Lyn, a Src family tyrosine kinase. How effectively ABPO can be applied at the higher resolution of an all-atom model to explore protein conformational transitions is not yet known. Here, we report the all-atom conformational transition paths of three protein systems constructed using the ABPO methodology. Two systems, triose phosphate isomerase and dihydrofolate reductase, undergo local flipping of a short loop that promotes ligand binding. The third system, estrogen receptor α ligand binding domain, has a helix that adopts different conformations when the protein is bound to an agonist or an antagonist. For each protein, distance-based or torsion-angle reduced variables were identified from unbiased trajectories. ABPO was computed in this reduced variable space to obtain the transition path between the two states. The all-atom ABPO is shown to successfully converge an optimal transition path for each of the three systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Wu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Markey Center for Structural Biology, Purdue Center for Cancer Research , Purdue University , West Lafayette , Indiana 47907 , United States
| | - Carol Beth Post
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Markey Center for Structural Biology, Purdue Center for Cancer Research , Purdue University , West Lafayette , Indiana 47907 , United States
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