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Hirano M, Wada-Hiraike O, Fukui M, Shibata S, Uehara M, Nagumo A, Urata Y, Sone K, Harada M, Koga K, Osuga Y. Ulipristal (UPA) effects on rat ovaries: Unraveling follicle dynamics, ovulation inhibition, and safety implications for prolonged use. Reprod Toxicol 2024; 125:108571. [PMID: 38458359 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2024.108571] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Ulipristal (UPA), a selective progesterone receptor modulator, has both agonistic and antagonistic effects on progesterone receptors. UPA suppresses ovulation by inhibiting the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge from the pituitary gland; however, the direct effect of UPA on ovarian tissue remains poorly studied. In the present study, we examined the effects of UPA on the ovaries of rats. Rats were treated for 28 days with UPA, and the effects of UPA on ovarian tissue were examined histologically and the expression of antioxidant genes and cell death markers were also investigated. UPA treatment increased the number of primordial follicles at each treatment group, primordial follicles increased at all dose levels, but the size/magnitude of the effect decreased with the increasing dose. The number of primary and antral follicles tended to increase with increasing UPA levels. Furthermore, the decrease in primary follicle number could be attributed to the exhaustion of follicles, but the examination of proliferation markers, oxidative stress markers, and cell death markers revealed no remarkable toxic effects on ovarian tissues. These results suggest that UPA treatment promotes follicle development at each stage but inhibits ovulation by suppressing the LH surge, resulting in an increase in atretic follicles or unruptured luteinized cysts. These results suggest that UPA may not have both toxic effects on the ovary and a direct local effect on ovarian follicles, but we should be careful about the effects of prolonged UPA treatment in patients with uterine fibroids on their future fecundity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mana Hirano
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate school of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 1138655, Japan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Teikyo University, Tokyo 1738606, Japan
| | - Osamu Wada-Hiraike
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate school of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 1138655, Japan.
| | | | | | - Mari Uehara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate school of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 1138655, Japan
| | - Aiko Nagumo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate school of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 1138655, Japan
| | - Yoko Urata
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate school of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 1138655, Japan
| | - Kenbun Sone
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate school of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 1138655, Japan
| | - Miyuki Harada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate school of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 1138655, Japan
| | - Kaori Koga
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate school of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 1138655, Japan
| | - Yutaka Osuga
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate school of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 1138655, Japan
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Comasco E, Kopp Kallner H, Bixo M, Hirschberg AL, Nyback S, de Grauw H, Epperson CN, Sundström-Poromaa I. Ulipristal Acetate for Treatment of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: A Proof-of-Concept Randomized Controlled Trial. Am J Psychiatry 2021; 178:256-265. [PMID: 33297719 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2020.20030286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a common mood disorder, characterized by distressing affective, behavioral, and somatic symptoms in the late luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. The authors investigated continuous treatment with a selective progesterone receptor modulator, ulipristal acetate (UPA), as a potential treatment for PMDD. METHODS The authors conducted an investigator-initiated, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group clinical trial in which women with PMDD (N=95) were treated with either 5 mg/day of UPA or placebo during three 28-day treatment cycles. The primary outcome was the change in premenstrual total score on the Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) from baseline to end of treatment. DRSP scores were captured by daily ratings using a smartphone application and were analyzed with linear mixed models for repeated measures. RESULTS The mean improvement in DRSP score after 3 months was 41% (SD=18) in the UPA group, compared with 22% (SD=27) in the placebo group (mean difference -18%; 95% CI=-29, -8). Treatment effects were also noted for the DRSP depressive symptom subscale (42% [SD=22] compared with 22% [SD=32]) and the DRSP anger/irritability subscale (47% [SD=21] compared with 23% [SD=35]), but not for the DRSP physical symptom subscale. Remission based on DRSP score was attained by 20 women in the UPA group (50.0%) and eight women in the placebo group (21.1%) (a statistically significant difference). CONCLUSIONS If these results are replicated, UPA could be a useful treatment for PMDD, particularly for the psychological symptoms associated with the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Comasco
- Department of Neuroscience, Science for Life Laboratory (Comasco), and Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala (Nyback, de Grauw, Sundström-Poromaa); Department of Clinical Sciences at Danderyd Hospital Karolinska Institutet, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm (Kopp Kallner); Department of Clinical Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden (Bixo); Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, and Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (Hirschberg); Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora (Epperson)
| | - Helena Kopp Kallner
- Department of Neuroscience, Science for Life Laboratory (Comasco), and Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala (Nyback, de Grauw, Sundström-Poromaa); Department of Clinical Sciences at Danderyd Hospital Karolinska Institutet, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm (Kopp Kallner); Department of Clinical Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden (Bixo); Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, and Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (Hirschberg); Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora (Epperson)
| | - Marie Bixo
- Department of Neuroscience, Science for Life Laboratory (Comasco), and Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala (Nyback, de Grauw, Sundström-Poromaa); Department of Clinical Sciences at Danderyd Hospital Karolinska Institutet, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm (Kopp Kallner); Department of Clinical Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden (Bixo); Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, and Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (Hirschberg); Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora (Epperson)
| | - Angelica L Hirschberg
- Department of Neuroscience, Science for Life Laboratory (Comasco), and Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala (Nyback, de Grauw, Sundström-Poromaa); Department of Clinical Sciences at Danderyd Hospital Karolinska Institutet, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm (Kopp Kallner); Department of Clinical Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden (Bixo); Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, and Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (Hirschberg); Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora (Epperson)
| | - Sara Nyback
- Department of Neuroscience, Science for Life Laboratory (Comasco), and Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala (Nyback, de Grauw, Sundström-Poromaa); Department of Clinical Sciences at Danderyd Hospital Karolinska Institutet, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm (Kopp Kallner); Department of Clinical Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden (Bixo); Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, and Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (Hirschberg); Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora (Epperson)
| | - Haro de Grauw
- Department of Neuroscience, Science for Life Laboratory (Comasco), and Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala (Nyback, de Grauw, Sundström-Poromaa); Department of Clinical Sciences at Danderyd Hospital Karolinska Institutet, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm (Kopp Kallner); Department of Clinical Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden (Bixo); Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, and Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (Hirschberg); Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora (Epperson)
| | - C Neill Epperson
- Department of Neuroscience, Science for Life Laboratory (Comasco), and Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala (Nyback, de Grauw, Sundström-Poromaa); Department of Clinical Sciences at Danderyd Hospital Karolinska Institutet, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm (Kopp Kallner); Department of Clinical Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden (Bixo); Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, and Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (Hirschberg); Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora (Epperson)
| | - Inger Sundström-Poromaa
- Department of Neuroscience, Science for Life Laboratory (Comasco), and Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala (Nyback, de Grauw, Sundström-Poromaa); Department of Clinical Sciences at Danderyd Hospital Karolinska Institutet, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm (Kopp Kallner); Department of Clinical Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden (Bixo); Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, and Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (Hirschberg); Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora (Epperson)
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Small B, Millard CEF, Kisanga EP, Burman A, Anam A, Flannery C, Al-Hendy A, Whirledge S. The Selective Progesterone Receptor Modulator Ulipristal Acetate Inhibits the Activity of the Glucocorticoid Receptor. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2020; 105:5609012. [PMID: 31665442 PMCID: PMC7112983 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgz139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT The selective progesterone modulator ulipristal acetate (ulipristal) offers a much-needed therapeutic option for the clinical management of uterine fibroids. Although ulipristal initially passed safety evaluations in Europe, postmarketing analysis identified cases of hepatic injury and failure, leading to restrictions on the long-term use of ulipristal. One of the factors potentially contributing to significant side effects with the selective progesterone modulators is cross-reactivity with other steroid receptors. OBJECTIVE To determine whether ulipristal can alter the activity of the endogenous glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in relevant cell types. DESIGN Immortalized human uterine fibroid cells (UtLM) and hepatocytes (HepG2) were treated with the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone and/or ulipristal. Primary uterine fibroid tissue was isolated from patients undergoing elective gynecological surgery and treated ex vivo with dexamethasone and/or ulipristal. In vivo ulipristal exposure was performed in C57Bl/6 mice to measure the effect on basal gene expression in target tissues throughout the body. RESULTS Dexamethasone induced the expression of established glucocorticoid-target genes period 1 (PER1), FK506 binding protein 51 (FKBP5), and glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) in UtLM and HepG2 cells, whereas cotreatment with ulipristal blocked the transcriptional response to glucocorticoids in a dose-dependent manner. Ulipristal inhibited glucocorticoid-mediated phosphorylation, nuclear translocation, and DNA interactions of GR. Glucocorticoid stimulation of PER1, FKBP5, and GILZ was abolished by cotreatment with ulipristal in primary uterine fibroid tissue. The expression of glucocorticoid-responsive genes was decreased in the lung, liver, and uterus of mice exposed to 2 mg/kg ulipristal. Interestingly, transcript levels of Fkbp5 and Gilz were increased in the hippocampus and pituitary. CONCLUSIONS These studies demonstrate that ulipristal inhibits endogenous glucocorticoid signaling in human fibroid and liver cells, which is an important consideration for its use as a long-term therapeutic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Small
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Charles E F Millard
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Edwina P Kisanga
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Andreanna Burman
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Anika Anam
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Clare Flannery
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Ayman Al-Hendy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Shannon Whirledge
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Correspondence and Reprint Requests: Shannon Whirledge, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, 310 Cedar St, Office LSOG 204C, New Haven, CT, 06510. E-mail:
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4
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Irahara M, Maejima Y, Shinbo N, Yamauchi Y, Mizunuma H. Ulipristal acetate for Japanese women with symptomatic uterine fibroids: A double-blind, randomized, phase II dose-finding study. Reprod Med Biol 2020; 19:65-74. [PMID: 31956287 PMCID: PMC6955589 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and appropriate dose of ulipristal acetate (UPA) in Japanese women with symptomatic uterine fibroids (UFs). METHODS A total of 121 premenopausal women with UFs were enrolled to receive either placebo, UPA-2.5 mg, UPA-5 mg, UPA-10 mg, or leuprorelin acetate (LEU), a reference drug, for 12 weeks. The primary end point was the rate of patients having achieved amenorrhea for 35 days at Week 12. RESULTS The rates for amenorrhea were 4.5%, 60.0%, 72.7%, 88.0%, and 76.2% in the placebo, UPA-2.5 mg, UPA-5 mg, UPA-10 mg, and LEU groups, respectively. The median times to amenorrhea were 20.0, 5.0, 5.0, and 23.0 days for treatment with UPA-2.5 mg, UPA-5 mg, UPA-10 mg, and LEU, respectively. A significant dose-response of UPA for the rate of amenorrhea was observed. The overall incidence rates of adverse events were 45.8% in the placebo group, 56.5%-80.0% in the UPA groups, and 100.0% in the LEU group. There were no notable safety issues with UPA. CONCLUSIONS Ulipristal acetate was effective and well tolerated in Japanese women with UFs. The recommended dose of UPA is considered to be 10 mg.
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5
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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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Smirnova OV. Competitive Agonists and Antagonists of Steroid Nuclear Receptors: Evolution of the Concept or Its Reversal. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2016; 80:1227-34. [PMID: 26567566 DOI: 10.1134/s000629791510003x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The mechanisms displaying pure and mixed steroid agonist/antagonist activity as well as principles underlying in vivo action of selective steroid receptor modulators dependent on tissue or cell type including interaction with various types of nuclear receptors are analyzed in this work. Mechanisms of in vitro action for mixed agonist/antagonist steroids are discussed depending on: specific features of their interaction with receptor hormone-binding pocket; steroid-dependent allosteric modulation of interaction between hormone-receptor complex and hormone response DNA elements; features of interacting hormone-receptor complex with protein transcriptional coregulators; level and tissue-specific composition of transcriptional coregulators. A novel understanding regarding context-selective modulators replacing the concept of steroid agonists and antagonists is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- O V Smirnova
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Biological Faculty, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
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Lee O, Khan SA. Novel routes for administering chemoprevention: local transdermal therapy to the breasts. Semin Oncol 2016; 43:107-115. [DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2015.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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8
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Eda M, Kuroda T, Kaneko S, Aoki Y, Yamashita M, Okumura C, Ikeda Y, Ohbora T, Sakaue M, Koyama N, Aritomo K. Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Cyclopentaquinoline Derivatives as Nonsteroidal Glucocorticoid Receptor Antagonists. J Med Chem 2015; 58:4918-26. [DOI: 10.1021/jm501758q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Eda
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratories, ‡Pharmacology Research Laboratories, ⊥DMPK Research Laboratories, #Product Quality Assurance Department, §Research Strategy & Planning Department, and ▼Tanabe R&D Service Synthetic Chemistry Department, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, 2-2-50 Kawagishi, Toda, Saitama 335-8505, Japan
| | - Tomoko Kuroda
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratories, ‡Pharmacology Research Laboratories, ⊥DMPK Research Laboratories, #Product Quality Assurance Department, §Research Strategy & Planning Department, and ▼Tanabe R&D Service Synthetic Chemistry Department, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, 2-2-50 Kawagishi, Toda, Saitama 335-8505, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kaneko
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratories, ‡Pharmacology Research Laboratories, ⊥DMPK Research Laboratories, #Product Quality Assurance Department, §Research Strategy & Planning Department, and ▼Tanabe R&D Service Synthetic Chemistry Department, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, 2-2-50 Kawagishi, Toda, Saitama 335-8505, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Aoki
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratories, ‡Pharmacology Research Laboratories, ⊥DMPK Research Laboratories, #Product Quality Assurance Department, §Research Strategy & Planning Department, and ▼Tanabe R&D Service Synthetic Chemistry Department, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, 2-2-50 Kawagishi, Toda, Saitama 335-8505, Japan
| | - Masami Yamashita
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratories, ‡Pharmacology Research Laboratories, ⊥DMPK Research Laboratories, #Product Quality Assurance Department, §Research Strategy & Planning Department, and ▼Tanabe R&D Service Synthetic Chemistry Department, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, 2-2-50 Kawagishi, Toda, Saitama 335-8505, Japan
| | - Chieko Okumura
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratories, ‡Pharmacology Research Laboratories, ⊥DMPK Research Laboratories, #Product Quality Assurance Department, §Research Strategy & Planning Department, and ▼Tanabe R&D Service Synthetic Chemistry Department, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, 2-2-50 Kawagishi, Toda, Saitama 335-8505, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Ikeda
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratories, ‡Pharmacology Research Laboratories, ⊥DMPK Research Laboratories, #Product Quality Assurance Department, §Research Strategy & Planning Department, and ▼Tanabe R&D Service Synthetic Chemistry Department, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, 2-2-50 Kawagishi, Toda, Saitama 335-8505, Japan
| | - Tomoko Ohbora
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratories, ‡Pharmacology Research Laboratories, ⊥DMPK Research Laboratories, #Product Quality Assurance Department, §Research Strategy & Planning Department, and ▼Tanabe R&D Service Synthetic Chemistry Department, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, 2-2-50 Kawagishi, Toda, Saitama 335-8505, Japan
| | - Masaki Sakaue
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratories, ‡Pharmacology Research Laboratories, ⊥DMPK Research Laboratories, #Product Quality Assurance Department, §Research Strategy & Planning Department, and ▼Tanabe R&D Service Synthetic Chemistry Department, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, 2-2-50 Kawagishi, Toda, Saitama 335-8505, Japan
| | - Natsumi Koyama
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratories, ‡Pharmacology Research Laboratories, ⊥DMPK Research Laboratories, #Product Quality Assurance Department, §Research Strategy & Planning Department, and ▼Tanabe R&D Service Synthetic Chemistry Department, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, 2-2-50 Kawagishi, Toda, Saitama 335-8505, Japan
| | - Keiichi Aritomo
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratories, ‡Pharmacology Research Laboratories, ⊥DMPK Research Laboratories, #Product Quality Assurance Department, §Research Strategy & Planning Department, and ▼Tanabe R&D Service Synthetic Chemistry Department, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, 2-2-50 Kawagishi, Toda, Saitama 335-8505, Japan
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9
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Marine and semi-synthetic hydroxysteroids as new scaffolds for pregnane X receptor modulation. Mar Drugs 2014; 12:3091-115. [PMID: 24871460 PMCID: PMC4071567 DOI: 10.3390/md12063091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2014] [Revised: 04/29/2014] [Accepted: 04/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years many sterols with unusual structures and promising biological profiles have been identified from marine sources. Here we report the isolation of a series of 24-alkylated-hydroxysteroids from the soft coral Sinularia kavarattiensis, acting as pregnane X receptor (PXR) modulators. Starting from this scaffold a number of derivatives were prepared and evaluated for their ability to activate the PXR by assessing transactivation and quantifying gene expression. Our study reveals that ergost-5-en-3β-ol (4) induces PXR transactivation in HepG2 cells and stimulates the expression of the PXR target gene CYP3A4. To shed light on the molecular basis of the interaction between these ligands and PXR, we investigated, through docking simulations, the binding mechanism of the most potent compound of the series, 4, to the PXR. Our findings provide useful functional and structural information to guide further investigations and drug design.
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10
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Wang B, Parobchak N, Rosen M, Roche N, Rosen T. Negative effects of progesterone receptor isoform-A on human placental activity of the noncanonical NF-κB signaling. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2014; 99:E320-8. [PMID: 24276461 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2013-2721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Progesterone (P4)contributes to the maintenance of human pregnancy, in part by inhibiting activity of the human pro-labor genes CRH and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the action of P4 remain poorly defined. We have shown that in human placenta, the constitutively activated noncanonical nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway positively regulates CRH and COX-2, which is further stimulated by glucocorticoid receptor signaling. OBJECTIVE We investigated the role of P4 receptor (PR) in the regulation of nuclear activity of v-rel avian reticuloendotheliosis viral oncogene homolog B (RelB)/NF-κB2 and, in turn, expression of placental CRH and COX-2. METHODS We used a variety of techniques including gene silencing, ectopic expression, chromatin immunoprecipitation, Western blot, quantitative RT-PCR, and immunohistochemical staining assays in human placental tissues and primary culture of human cytotrophoblast. RESULTS We identified PR isoform-A (PR-A) as the only isoform of PR produced in human placenta. PR-A levels were lower in term placenta than in midterm placenta. Depletion of PR-A by short interfering RNA derepressed inhibition of CRH and COX-2 by P4 and the synthetic progestin 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate. Overexpression of PR-A inhibited transcription of CRH and COX-2, which was further downregulated by treatment with P4 or 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate. Such an inhibition was mediated by a negative functional interaction of PR-A with the activity of RelB/NF-κB2. CONCLUSION P4 inhibits the pro-labor genes CRH and COX-2 via PR-A repression of the noncanonical NF-κB signaling in human placenta. Characterization of these pathways may identify potential drug targets for prevention of preterm birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingbing Wang
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences (B.W., N.P., M.R., T.R.), Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901; and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health (N.R.), Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey 07101
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11
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Mozzanega
- Department of Woman and Child Health, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Salvatore Gizzo
- Department of Woman and Child Health, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Stefania Di Gangi
- Department of Woman and Child Health, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Erich Cosmi
- Department of Woman and Child Health, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
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12
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Orihuela PA. Ulipristal: a progesterone receptor antagonist as an emergency contraceptive. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1586/eog.09.63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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13
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Sepe V, D'Amore C, Ummarino R, Renga B, D'Auria MV, Novellino E, Sinisi A, Taglialatela-Scafati O, Nakao Y, Limongelli V, Zampella A, Fiorucci S. Insights on pregnane-X-receptor modulation. Natural and semisynthetic steroids from Theonella marine sponges. Eur J Med Chem 2013; 73:126-34. [PMID: 24388834 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2013.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2013] [Revised: 11/28/2013] [Accepted: 12/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Pregnane-X-receptor (PXR) is a member of nuclear receptors superfamily that activates gene transcription by binding to responsive elements in the promoter of target genes. PXR is a master gene orchestrating the expression/activity of genes involved in the metabolism of endobiotics including bilirubin, bile acids, glucose and lipid. In addition PXR oversights the metabolism of the large majority of xenobiotics including a large amount of prescribing drugs. Thus, developing PXR ligands represents a great opportunity for a therapeutic intervention on human diseases including diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemias and liver disorders. To this end, natural compounds represent an arsenal of new chemical scaffolds useful for the identification of novel PXR ligands. Here, we report a series of 4-methylenesteroid derivatives isolated from Theonella marine sponges as novel PXR modulators. In addition, combining medicinal chemistry, pharmacological experiments and computational studies, we have investigated the effects of different modifications on ring A and on the side chain of 4-methylenesteroid derivatives toward PXR modulation. This study provides the molecular bases of ligand/PXR interaction useful for designing novel PXR modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Sepe
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Napoli "Federico II", 80131 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Claudio D'Amore
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Raffella Ummarino
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Napoli "Federico II", 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Barbara Renga
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Ettore Novellino
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Napoli "Federico II", 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Annamaria Sinisi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Napoli "Federico II", 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Yoichi Nakao
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Waseda University, 3-4-1 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan
| | - Vittorio Limongelli
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Napoli "Federico II", 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Angela Zampella
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Napoli "Federico II", 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
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14
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Di Leva FS, Festa C, D'Amore C, De Marino S, Renga B, D'Auria MV, Novellino E, Limongelli V, Zampella A, Fiorucci S. Binding mechanism of the farnesoid X receptor marine antagonist suvanine reveals a strategy to forestall drug modulation on nuclear receptors. Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel ligands. J Med Chem 2013; 56:4701-17. [PMID: 23656455 DOI: 10.1021/jm400419e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Here, we report suvanine, a marine sponge sesterterpene, as an antagonist of the mammalian bile acid sensor farnesoid-X-receptor (FXR). Using suvanine as a template, we shed light on the molecular bases of FXR antagonism, identifying the essential conformational changes responsible for the transition from the agonist to the antagonist form. Molecular characterization of the nuclear corepressor NCoR and coactivator Src-1 revealed that receptor conformational changes are associated with a specific dynamic of recruitment of these cofactors to the promoter of OSTα, a FXR regulated gene. Using suvanine as a novel hit, a library of semisynthetic derivatives has been designed and prepared, leading to pharmacological profiles ranging from agonism to antagonism toward FXR. Deep pharmacological evaluation demonstrated that derivative 19 represents a new chemotype of FXR modulator, whereas alcohol 6, with a simplified molecular scaffold, exhibits excellent antagonistic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Saverio Di Leva
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
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15
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Shah K, Patel D, Jadav P, Sheikh M, Sairam KVVM, Joharapurkar A, Jain MR, Bahekar R. Discovery of liver selective non-steroidal glucocorticoid receptor antagonist as novel antidiabetic agents. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2012; 22:5857-62. [PMID: 22917520 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2012.07.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2012] [Revised: 07/17/2012] [Accepted: 07/24/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Shah
- Zydus Research Centre, Sarkhej-Bavla N.H. 8A Moraiya, Ahmedabad 382210, India
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16
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Sonneveld E, Pieterse B, Schoonen WG, van der Burg B. Validation of in vitro screening models for progestagenic activities: Inter-assay comparison and correlation with in vivo activity in rabbits. Toxicol In Vitro 2011; 25:545-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2010.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2010] [Revised: 11/12/2010] [Accepted: 11/26/2010] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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17
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Characterization of a novel non-steroidal glucocorticoid receptor antagonist. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2010; 391:1531-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2009.12.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2009] [Accepted: 12/21/2009] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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18
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Kassi E, Sourlingas TG, Spiliotaki M, Papoutsi Z, Pratsinis H, Aligiannis N, Moutsatsou P. Ursolic acid triggers apoptosis and Bcl-2 downregulation in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Cancer Invest 2009; 27:723-33. [PMID: 19440893 DOI: 10.1080/07357900802672712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
In this report we determine the ability of ursolic acid (UA) to induce apoptosis and to modulate glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and Activator Protein-1 (AP-1) in MCF-7 cells. The UA-induced apoptosis (53 microM), the PARP cleavage, and the decrease in Bcl-2 protein (53 microM) support the notion that UA induces apoptosis through the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway. UA binds GR (relative binding affinity: 2.57) and translocates GR into nucleus, suggesting its potential as a GR modulator. UA had no effect on GRE- or TRE-driven gene expression. In summary, UA is a GR modulator and may be considered as a potential anticancer agent in breast cancer.
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MESH Headings
- Active Transport, Cell Nucleus
- Adenocarcinoma/genetics
- Adenocarcinoma/pathology
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Apoptosis/drug effects
- Binding, Competitive
- Breast Neoplasms/genetics
- Breast Neoplasms/pathology
- Cell Line, Tumor/drug effects
- Cell Line, Tumor/metabolism
- Cell Line, Tumor/pathology
- Dexamethasone/pharmacology
- Down-Regulation/drug effects
- Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- Genes, bcl-2
- HeLa Cells/drug effects
- HeLa Cells/metabolism
- HeLa Cells/pathology
- Humans
- Mifepristone/pharmacology
- Neoplasm Proteins/genetics
- Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism
- Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases/metabolism
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid/drug effects
- Transcription Factor AP-1/metabolism
- Transcription, Genetic/drug effects
- Triamcinolone/pharmacology
- Triterpenes/pharmacology
- Ursolic Acid
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Affiliation(s)
- E Kassi
- Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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19
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Peeters B, Ruigt G, Craighead M, Kitchener P. Differential Effects of the New Glucocorticoid Receptor Antagonist ORG 34517 and RU486 (Mifepristone) on Glucocorticoid Receptor Nuclear Translocation in the AtT20 Cell Line. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2008; 1148:536-41. [DOI: 10.1196/annals.1410.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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20
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Lewis-Tuffin LJ, Jewell CM, Bienstock RJ, Collins JB, Cidlowski JA. Human glucocorticoid receptor beta binds RU-486 and is transcriptionally active. Mol Cell Biol 2007; 27:2266-82. [PMID: 17242213 PMCID: PMC1820503 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.01439-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Human glucocorticoid receptor (hGR) is expressed as two alternately spliced C-terminal isoforms, alpha and beta. In contrast to the canonical hGRalpha, hGRbeta is a nucleus-localized orphan receptor thought not to bind ligand and not to affect gene transcription other than by acting as a dominant negative to hGRalpha. Here we used confocal microscopy to examine the cellular localization of transiently expressed fluorescent protein-tagged hGRbeta in COS-1 and U-2 OS cells. Surprisingly, yellow fluorescent protein (YFP)-hGRbeta was predominantly located in the cytoplasm and translocated to the nucleus following application of the glucocorticoid antagonist RU-486. This effect of RU-486 was confirmed with transiently expressed wild-type hGRbeta. Confocal microscopy of coexpressed YFP-hGRbeta and cyan fluorescent protein-hGRalpha in COS-1 cells indicated that the receptors move into the nucleus independently. Using a ligand binding assay, we confirmed that hGRbeta bound RU-486 but not the hGRalpha ligand dexamethasone. Examination of the cellular localization of YFP-hGRbeta in response to a series of 57 related compounds indicated that RU-486 is thus far the only identified ligand that interacts with hGRbeta. The selective interaction of RU-486 with hGRbeta was also supported by molecular modeling and computational docking studies. Interestingly, microarray analysis indicates that hGRbeta, expressed in the absence of hGRalpha, can regulate gene expression and furthermore that occupation of hGRbeta with the antagonist RU-486 diminishes that capacity despite the lack of helix 12 in the ligand binding domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J Lewis-Tuffin
- Laboratory of Signal Transduciton, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
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21
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Palanisamy GS, Cheon YP, Kim J, Kannan A, Li Q, Sato M, Mantena SR, Sitruk-Ware RL, Bagchi MK, Bagchi IC. A Novel Pathway Involving Progesterone Receptor, Endothelin-2, and Endothelin Receptor B Controls Ovulation in Mice. Mol Endocrinol 2006; 20:2784-95. [PMID: 16887885 DOI: 10.1210/me.2006-0093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractThe steroid hormone progesterone (P) plays a pivotal role during ovulation. Mice lacking P receptor (Pgr) gene fail to ovulate due to a defect in follicular rupture. The P receptor (PGR)-regulated pathways that modulate ovulation, however, remain poorly understood. To identify these pathways, we performed gene expression profiling using ovaries from mice subjected to gonadotropin-induced superovulation in the presence and in the absence of CDB-2914, a synthetic PGR antagonist. Prominent among the genes that were down-regulated in response to CDB-2914 was endothelin (ET)-2, a potent vasoactive molecule. ET-2 mRNA was transiently induced in mural granulosa cells of the preovulatory follicles immediately preceding ovulation. This induction was absent in the ovaries of PGR null mice, indicating a critical role of this receptor in ET-2 expression. To investigate the functional role of ET-2 during ovulation, we employed selective antagonists of endothelin receptors, ETR-A and ETR-B. Mice treated with an ETR-B antagonist exhibited a dramatic (>85%) decline in the number of released oocytes. Strong expression of ETR-B was observed in the mural and cumulus granulosa cells of the preovulatory follicles as well as in the capillaries lining the inner border of the theca interna. We also identified cGMP-dependent protein kinase II, a previously reported PGR-regulated gene, as a downstream target of ET-2 during ovulation. Collectively, our studies uncovered a unique pathway in which ET-2, produced by PGR in mural granulosa cells, acts in a paracrine or autocrine manner on multiple cell types within the preovulatory follicle to control the final events leading to its rupture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gopinath S Palanisamy
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802, USA
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22
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Link JT, Sorensen B, Patel J, Grynfarb M, Goos-Nilsson A, Wang J, Fung S, Wilcox D, Zinker B, Nguyen P, Hickman B, Schmidt JM, Swanson S, Tian Z, Reisch TJ, Rotert G, Du J, Lane B, von Geldern TW, Jacobson PB. Antidiabetic activity of passive nonsteroidal glucocorticoid receptor modulators. J Med Chem 2005; 48:5295-304. [PMID: 16078847 DOI: 10.1021/jm050205o] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Much has been learned about the consequences of glucocorticoid receptor antagonism by studying steroidal active antagonists such as RU-38486 (1). In the liver glucocorticoid receptor antagonism suppresses hepatic glucose production decreasing plasma glucose levels; however, extrahepatic antagonism produces several undesirable side effects including activation of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis. A series of nonsteroidal passive N-(3-dibenzylamino-2-alkyl-phenyl)-methanesulfonamide glucocorticoid receptor modulators was discovered. Liver selective and systemically available members of this series were found and characterized in diabetes and side effect rodent models. A highly liver selective member of this series, acid 14, shows efficacy in the ob/ob model of diabetes. It lowers plasma glucose, cholesterol, and free fatty acid concentrations and reduces the rate of body weight gain. The structurally related systemically available passive modulator 12 lowers glucose, HbA(1c), triglyceride, free fatty acid, and cholesterol levels. Interestingly, it did not acutely activate the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis in unstressed CD-1 mice or have the abortive effects observed with 1. These results indicate that passive GR antagonists may have utility as antidiabetic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- J T Link
- Metabolic Disease Research, Abbott Laboratories, 100 Abbott Park Road, Department 4CB, Room L-14, Building AP-10, Abbott Park, IL 60064-6098, USA.
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23
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Koehler KF, Helguero LA, Haldosén LA, Warner M, Gustafsson JA. Reflections on the discovery and significance of estrogen receptor beta. Endocr Rev 2005; 26:465-78. [PMID: 15857973 DOI: 10.1210/er.2004-0027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 271] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
We have known for many years that estrogen is more than the female hormone. It is essential in the male gonads, and in both sexes, estrogen has functions in the skeleton and central nervous system, on behavior, and in the cardiovascular and immune systems. An important aspect of the discovery of estrogen receptor (ER) beta is that the diverse functions of estrogen can now be divided into those mediated by ERalpha and those mediated by ERbeta. Pharmacological exploitation of this division of the labors of estrogen is facilitated by the ligand-binding specificity and selective tissue distribution of the two ERs. Because the ligand binding domains of ERalpha and ERbeta are significantly different from each other, selective ligands can be (and have been) developed to target the estrogenic pathway that is malfunctioning, without interfering with the other estrogen-regulated pathways. Because of the absence of ERbeta from the adult pituitary and endometrium, ERbeta agonists can be used to target ERbeta with no risk of adverse effects from chemical castration and uterine cancer. Some of the diseases in which there is hope that ERbeta agonists will be of benefit are prostate cancer, autoimmune diseases, colon cancer, malignancies of the immune system, and neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konrad F Koehler
- Department of BioSciences and Medical Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Novum, SE-141 57 Huddinge, Sweden
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24
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Chwalisz K, Perez MC, Demanno D, Winkel C, Schubert G, Elger W. Selective progesterone receptor modulator development and use in the treatment of leiomyomata and endometriosis. Endocr Rev 2005; 26:423-38. [PMID: 15857972 DOI: 10.1210/er.2005-0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 210] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Selective progesterone receptor modulators (SPRMs) represent a new class of progesterone receptor ligands. SPRMs exert clinically relevant tissue-selective progesterone agonist, antagonist, or mixed agonist/antagonist effects on various progesterone target tissues in vivo. Asoprisnil (J867) is the first SPRM to reach an advanced stage of clinical development for the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids and endometriosis. Asoprisnil belongs to the class of 11beta-benzaldoxime-substituted estratrienes that exhibit partial progesterone agonist/antagonist effects with high progesterone receptor specificity in animals and humans. Asoprisnil has no antiglucocorticoid activity in humans at therapeutic doses. It exhibits endometrial antiproliferative effects on the endometrium and breast in primates. Unlike progesterone antagonists, asoprisnil does not induce labor in relevant models of pregnancy and parturition. It induces amenorrhea primarily by targeting the endometrium. In human subjects with uterine fibroids, asoprisnil suppressed both the duration and intensity of uterine bleeding in a dose-dependent manner and reduced tumor volume in the absence of estrogen deprivation. In subjects with endometriosis, asoprisnil was effective in reducing nonmenstrual pain and dysmenorrhea. Asoprisnil may, therefore, provide a novel, tissue-selective approach to control endometriosis-related pain. SPRMs have the potential to become a novel treatment of uterine fibroids and endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristof Chwalisz
- TAP Pharmaceutical Products, Inc., 675 North Field Drive, Lake Forest, Illinois 60045, USA.
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25
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Hödl C, Strauss WSL, Sailer R, Seger C, Steiner R, Haslinger E, Schramm HW. A novel, high-affinity, fluorescent progesterone receptor antagonist. Synthesis and in vitro studies. Bioconjug Chem 2004; 15:359-65. [PMID: 15025532 DOI: 10.1021/bc034169o] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The present paper describes the chemical synthesis and in vitro characterization of a novel, high-affinity, fluorescent progesterone receptor (PR) antagonist. The three-step synthesis was carried out starting from mifepristone. After demethylation with calcium oxide, the methylamino group was alkylated with 6-bromohexanol, and the resulting compound was reacted with fluorescein 5-isothiocyanate, yielding the fluorescein-mifepristone conjugate. Interaction of the conjugate as well as of its precursors with PR was determined in cell culture (alkaline phosphatase assay and transactivation assay). Antiprogestagenic activity of the intermediates were comparable to that of the parent compound. Even after attachment of the bulky fluorescein moiety, considerable antiprogestagenic activity was maintained. Microscopic studies revealed that fluorescence of the conjugate was almost confined to the nuclei of steroid hormone receptor-positive cells, whereas the nuclei of steroid hormone receptor-negative cells remained unstained. To our knowledge, this is the first report on a fluorescent ligand for PR suitable for studies in living cells. It is proposed that the present fluorescent PR antagonist might serve as a lead compound for the development of contrast agents for PR imaging, e.g., by near-infrared optical imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Hödl
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology, Karl-Franzens-University, Universitätsplatz 1, A-8010 Graz, Austria
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26
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Peleg S, Ismail A, Uskokovic MR, Avnur Z. Evidence for tissue- and cell-type selective activation of the vitamin D receptor by Ro-26-9228, a noncalcemic analog of vitamin D3. J Cell Biochem 2003; 88:267-73. [PMID: 12520525 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.10344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Our recent studies have shown that the vitamin D analog Ro-26-9228 restores bone mineral density without inducing hypercalcemia in osteopenic rats. Our ex vivo experiments demonstrated that the analog upregulated gene expression in trabecular bone but not in the duodenum of female rats. We examined the mechanism for the tissue selectivity of Ro-26-9228 in Caco-2, a human cell line of intestinal origin, and hFOB, and a human fetal osteoblast cell line. We found that the abilities of Ro-26-9228 and the natural hormone, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25D(3)) to induce VDRE-reporter gene expression in transiently transfected human osteoblasts are similar. In contrast, in Caco-2 cells, Ro-26-9228 induces 40-fold less reporter gene expression than 1,25D(3) does. We also examined the abilities of the vitamin D receptor (VDR)-ligand complexes from these two cell lines to interact with partners of transcription (glucocorticoid receptor-interacting protein, VDR-interacting protein, and retinoid X receptor), in pull-down assays. These assays revealed that 1,25D(3) induces similar levels of interaction of these co-factors with VDR from both osteoblasts and intestinal cells. In contrast, Ro-26-9228 induces significant interaction of VDR from osteoblast cells with these co-factors, but less of VDR from Caco-2 cells. These results suggest that the cellular environment of intestinal cells, unlike that of osteoblasts, represses the ability of VDR-Ro-26-9228 complexes to interact with transcription partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Peleg
- The University of Texas, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
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27
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Abstract
The effects of progesterone on target tissues are mediated by progesterone receptors (PRs), which belong to a family of nuclear receptors and function as ligand-activated transcription factors to regulate the expression of specific sets of target genes. Progesterone antagonists repress the biological actions of progesterone by "actively" inhibiting PR activation. This work discusses the first clinically used progesterone antagonist RU486 and closely related compounds in terms of how these compounds inhibit progesterone action through heterodimerization and competition for DNA binding and by the recruitment of corepressors to promoters of target genes to repress transcription. We discuss cellular factors that may influence the activity of these compounds, such as the availability of coactivators and corepressors and the context of specific target promoters in any given cell type. We also discuss steroidal and nonsteroidal antagonist selectivity for PR versus other steroid hormone receptors and suggest that it may be possible to develop tissue/cell specific modulators of PR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan A Leonhardt
- University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Department of Pathology, Denver, Colorado 80262, USA
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28
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Sathya G, Jansen MS, Nagel SC, Cook CE, McDonnell DP. Identification and characterization of novel estrogen receptor-beta-sparing antiprogestins. Endocrinology 2002; 143:3071-82. [PMID: 12130573 DOI: 10.1210/endo.143.8.8942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The steroid hormones estrogen and progesterone together regulate the development and maintenance of the female reproductive system. The actions of these two hormones are mediated by their respective nuclear receptors located within overlapping cell populations in target organs. The molecular mechanism of action of these two hormones has been defined to a large extent using estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) antagonists. In the case of ER, the available antagonists are highly receptor selective. With respect to PR, however, the available antiprogestins also interact with the receptors for glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and androgens. Whereas these cross-reactivities can usually be managed in studies of female reproductive function, it is the recent demonstration that RU486 is an effective antagonist of the beta-isoform of ER that suggested the need for more selective antiprogestins. In this study, we used cell-based transcriptional assays combined with screens using coactivator peptide analogs to identify two novel classes of antiprogestins that distinguish themselves from the antiprogestin RU486 in the manner they interact with PR. One class exhibits the characteristics of a pure antiprogestin in that its members bind to the receptor and induce a conformational change that prevents the presentation of two potential coactivator binding surfaces on the protein. The second class of compounds distinguish themselves from RU486 in that they are ERbeta sparing. When tested in vivo the ER-sparing antiprogestins were as effective as RU486 in suppressing superovulation. It is anticipated that the availability of these new antiprogestins will advance the studies of PR pharmacology in a manner similar to how the availability of selective ER modulators has helped the study of ER action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganesan Sathya
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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29
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Pariante CM, Makoff A, Lovestone S, Feroli S, Heyden A, Miller AH, Kerwin RW. Antidepressants enhance glucocorticoid receptor function in vitro by modulating the membrane steroid transporters. Br J Pharmacol 2001; 134:1335-43. [PMID: 11704655 PMCID: PMC1573058 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0704368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
1. Previous data demonstrate that the tricyclic antidepressant, desipramine, induces glucocorticoid receptor (GR) translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in L929 cells and increases dexamethasone-induced GR-mediated gene transcription in L929 cells stably transfected with the mouse mammary tumour virus-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (MMTV-CAT) reporter gene (LMCAT cells) (Pariante et al., 1997). 2. To extend these findings, the present study has investigated the effects of 24 h coincubation of LMCAT cells with dexamethasone and amitriptyline, clomipramine, paroxetine, citalopram or fluoxetine. 3. All antidepressants, except fluoxetine, enhanced GR-mediated gene transcription, with clomipramine having the greatest effect (10 fold increase). Twenty-four hours coincubation of cells with desipramine, clomipramine or paroxetine, also enhanced GR function in the presence of cortisol, but not of corticosterone. 4. It is proposed that these effects are due to the antidepressants inhibiting the L929 membrane steroid transporter, which actively extrudes dexamethasone and cortisol from the cell, but not corticosterone. This is further confirmed by the fact that clomipramine failed to enhance GR-mediated gene transcription in the presence of dexamethasone when the membrane steroid transporter was blocked by verapamil. 5. The membrane steroid transporters that regulate access of glucocorticoids to the brain in vivo, like the multiple drug resistance p-glycoprotein, could be a fundamental target for antidepressant action.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Pariante
- Section of Clinical Neuropharmacology, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London SE5 8AF.
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Bhargava A, Fullerton MJ, Myles K, Purdy TM, Funder JW, Pearce D, Cole TJ. The serum- and glucocorticoid-induced kinase is a physiological mediator of aldosterone action. Endocrinology 2001; 142:1587-94. [PMID: 11250940 DOI: 10.1210/endo.142.4.8095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Aldosterone plays a major role in regulating sodium and potassium flux in epithelial tissues such as kidney and colon. Recent evidence suggests that serum- and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase (SGK) is induced by aldosterone and acts as a key mediator of aldosterone action in epithelial tissues. Induction of SGK messenger RNA (mRNA) has previously been shown within 30 min of addition of supraphysiological doses of aldosterone to Xenopus A6 cells and within 4 h in rat kidney in vivo. In this study we determined the time course of SGK induction, at doses of aldosterone in the physiological range, in rat kidney and colon, using Northern and Western blot analyses and in situ hybridization and determined concurrent changes in urinary sodium and potassium excretion by Kagawa bioassay. On Northern blot analysis, SGK mRNA levels were significantly elevated in both kidney and colon 60 min after the injection of aldosterone. SGK protein in late distal colon was significantly elevated 2 and 4 h after aldosterone treatment. In situ hybridization showed SGK mRNA to be induced in renal collecting ducts and distal tubular elements in both cortex and medulla by doses of aldosterone of 0.1 microg/100 g BW or more within 30 min of steroid treatment. Significant changes in urinary composition were similarly seen with an aldosterone dose of 0.1 microg/100 g BW from 90 min after aldosterone injection. The early onset of SGK induction in kidney and colon and the correlation with urinary changes in terms of both time course and dose response suggest that SGK plays an important role in mediating the effects of aldosterone on sodium homeostasis in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bhargava
- Baker Medical Research Institute, Melbourne 8008, Australia
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31
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Cook CE, Raje P, Lee DYW, Kepler JA. Effect of a 17α-(3-Hydroxypropyl)-17β-acetyl Substituent Pattern on the Glucocorticoid and Progestin Receptor Binding of 11β-Arylestra-4,9-dien-3-ones. Org Lett 2001. [DOI: 10.1021/ol007067b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C. Edgar Cook
- Chemistry and Life Sciences, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709-2194
| | - Prasad Raje
- Chemistry and Life Sciences, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709-2194
| | - David Y.-W. Lee
- Chemistry and Life Sciences, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709-2194
| | - John A. Kepler
- Chemistry and Life Sciences, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709-2194
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Csaba G, Inczefi-Gonda A. Similarities and dissimilarities of newborn and adolescent rats in the binding capacity of thymic glucocorticoid receptors. Mech Ageing Dev 2001; 122:327-34. [PMID: 11311319 DOI: 10.1016/s0047-6374(00)00248-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The glucocorticoid receptor of the newborn thymus binds dexamethasone with the same specificity, as the adult ones. The best competitors of dexamethasone on the glucocorticoid receptor are dexamethasone itself and mifepristone (RU486). Estradiol can compete with dexamethasone on the glucocorticoid receptor. This is true in the case of newborn or adolescent thymus alike. Allylestrenol can slightly compete with dexamethasone on the glucocorticoid receptor in newborn, however this does not occur in adolescents. The other ligands - causing imprinting or imprinting like phenomenon earlier -- as tocopherol, menadione, retinoic acid, vitamin D(3) -- do not compete in vitro with dexamethasone on the thymic glucocorticoid receptor in newborn and adolescent animals. Possibilities of imprinting mechanism, considering the results are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Csaba
- Department of Genetics, Cell and Immunobiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
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Rogerson FM, Dimopoulos N, Sluka P, Chu S, Curtis AJ, Fuller PJ. Structural determinants of aldosterone binding selectivity in the mineralocorticoid receptor. J Biol Chem 1999; 274:36305-11. [PMID: 10593921 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.274.51.36305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The structural determinants of aldosterone binding specificity in the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) have not been determined. The MR has greatest sequence identity with the better characterized glucocorticoid receptor (GR), which is reflected in their overlapping ligand binding specificities. There must be subtle sequence differences that can account for the MR-specific binding of aldosterone and the shared binding of cortisol. To characterize ligand binding specificity, chimeras were made between the human MR and GR ligand-binding domains (LBDs). Three points were chosen as break points to generate a total of 16 different constructs. These chimeric LBDs were placed in a human GR expression vector containing the GR DNA-binding and N-terminal domains and assayed by co-transfection into CV-1 cells with the mouse mammary tumor virus-luciferase reporter plasmid. Binding of [(3)H]aldosterone and [(3)H]dexamethasone was also measured. All of the constructs that are potently activated by aldosterone contain amino acids 804-874 of the MR. The results of the ligand binding experiments using [(3)H]aldosterone were consistent with the transactivation assay. Cortisol activation of the chimeras was surprisingly complex. Constructs that are activated by cortisol contain either amino acids 804-874 and 932-984 of the MR or amino acids 598-668 and 726-777 of the GR. However, all of the chimeras retained the ability to bind the synthetic glucocorticoid [(3)H]dexamethasone, and cortisol was able to displace [(3)H]dexamethasone binding, suggesting that the differential effects of cortisol on transcriptional activation are caused by an effect that occurs downstream of ligand binding. These results identify a subregion of the MR LBD that confers specificity of aldosterone binding, which contrasts with cortisol binding where differential effects between chimeras appear to be mediated by interactions distal to ligand binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- F M Rogerson
- Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia.
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