Structure-function relationships of the raloxifene-estrogen receptor-alpha complex for regulating transforming growth factor-alpha expression in breast cancer cells.

Amino acid Asp-351 in the ligand binding domain of estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) plays an important role in regulating the estrogen-like activity of selective estrogen receptor modulator-ERalpha complexes. 4-Hydroxytamoxifen is a full agonist at a transforming growth factor alpha target gene in situ in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells stably transfected with the wild-type ERalpha. In contrast, raloxifene (Ral), which is also a selective estrogen receptor modulator, is a complete antiestrogen in this system. Because D351G ERalpha allosterically silences activation function-1 activity in the 4-hydroxytamoxifen-ERalpha complex with the complete loss of estrogen-like activity, we examined the converse interaction of amino acid 351 and the piperidine ring of the antiestrogen side chain of raloxifene to enhance estrogen-like action. MDA-MB-231 cells were either transiently or stably transfected with Asp-351 (the wild type), D351E, D351Y, or D351F ERalpha expression vectors. Profound differences in the agonist and antagonist actions of Ralcenter dotERalpha complexes were noted only in stable transfectants. The agonist activity of the Ralcenter dotERalpha complex was enhanced with D351E and D351Y ERalpha, but raloxifene lost its agonist activity with D351F ERalpha. The distance between the piperidine nitrogen of raloxifene and the negative charge of amino acid 351 was critical for estrogen-like actions. The role of the piperidine ring in neutralizing Asp-351 was addressed using compound R1h, a raloxifene derivative replacing the nitrogen on its piperidine ring with a carbon to form cyclohexane. The derivative was a potent agonist with wild type ERalpha. These results support the concept that the side chain of raloxifene shields and neutralizes the Asp-351 to produce an antiestrogenic ERalpha complex. Alteration of either the side chain or its relationship with the negative charge at amino acid 351 controls the estrogen-like action at activating function 2b of the selective estrogen receptor modulator ERalpha complex.     

Estrogen receptor-alpha 36 mediates mitogenic antiestrogen signaling in ER-negative breast cancer cells

It is prevailingly thought that the antiestrogens tamoxifen and ICI 182, 780 are competitive antagonists of the estrogen-binding site of the estrogen receptor-alpha (ER-α). However, a plethora of evidence demonstrated both antiestrogens exhibit agonist activities in different systems such as activation of the membrane-initiated signaling pathways. The mechanisms by which antiestrogens mediate estrogen-like activities have not been fully established. Previously, a variant of ER-α, EP-α36, has been cloned and showed to mediate membrane-initiated estrogen and antiestrogen signaling in cells only expressing ER-α36. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the antiestrogen signaling in ER-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-436 cells that express high levels of endogenous ER-α36. We found that the effects of both 4-hydoxytamoxifen (4-OHT) and ICI 182, 780 (ICI) exhibited a non-monotonic, or biphasic dose response curve; antiestrogens at low concentrations, elicited a mitogenic signaling pathway to stimulate cell proliferation while at high concentrations, antiestrogens inhibited cell growth. Antiestrogens at l nM induced the phosphorylation of the Src-Y416 residue, an event to activate Src, while at 5 μM induced Src-Y527 phosphorylation that inactivates Src. Antiestrogens at 1 nM also induced phosphorylation of the MAPK/ERK and activated the Cyclin D1 promoter activity through the Src/EGFR/STAT5 pathways but not at 5 μM. Knock-down of ER-α36 abrogated the biphasic antiestrogen signaling in these cells. Our results thus indicated that ER-α36 mediates biphasic antiestrogen signaling in the ER-negative breast cancer cells and Src functions as a switch of antiestrogen signaling dependent on concentrations of antiestrogens through the EGFR/STAT5 pathway.     

Modifications in the aminoether side chain of clomiphene influence affinity for a specific antiestrogen binding site in MCF 7 cell cytosol

Studies on the binding of a series of clomiphene derivatives to a specific high affinity antiestrogen binding site in MCF 7 cell cytosol revealed that substitutions in the aminoether side chain influenced affinity for this site. Removal of the aminoether side chain completely eliminated binding while changes in length of the C chain, and changes in the number and size of the substituents on the terminal amino group modified binding affinity. Conversion of the ether linkage to an amine also markedly reduced affinity. It is concluded that the aminoether side chain which is essential for antiestrogenic activity is a major structural determinant of the binding of synthetic triphenylethylene antiestrogens to the specific antiestrogen binding site.     

Point mutation of estrogen receptor (ER) in the ligand-binding domain changes the pharmacology of antiestrogens in ER-negative breast cancer cells stably expressing complementary DNAs for ER.

The antiestrogen tamoxifen is used in the treatment of hormone-responsive breast cancer. However, therapeutic failure has frequently been observed in both patients and animal models after long term treatment. We have studied the effect of a point mutation that leads to the substitution of Val for Gly at codon 400 in the ligand-binding domain of the estrogen receptor (ER) on estrogenic and antiestrogenic activities of 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-OHT) and its derivatives. Stable ER transfectants derived from MDA-MB-231 CL10A, an ER-negative breast cancer cell line, have been used in these studies. 4-OHT and its fixed ring derivatives showed more estrogen-like activity in ER transfectants than in MCF-7, an ER-positive breast cancer cell line. In this study, 4-OHT was a partial agonist of cell growth in the transfectant S30 cells, which express the wild-type ER. However, it was a full agonist in the mutant ER transfectant ML alpha 2H, which expressed ER with Val at codon 400. The increased estrogenic activity of 4-OHT in ML alpha 2H cells was not due to the preferential isomerization of trans 4-OHT to cis 4-OHT, since the nonisomerizable fixed ring trans 4-OHT was a partial agonist for cell growth in S30 cells and was a full agonist in ML alpha 2H cells. Transient transfection using a reporter plasmid containing an estrogen response element demonstrated that fixed ring trans 4-OHT had estrogenic activity in ML alpha 2H cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Displacement by tamoxifen of the estradiol-estrogen receptor binding: a functional assay for breast cancer studies

Displacement curves with estradiol (E2) and Tamoxifen (Tam) of the [3H]E2-ER binding in 49 ER+ mammary neoplasia showed a great heterogeneity suggesting the existence of more than one population of ER+ tumors when the relative binding affinity of both ligands for the ER was considered. The (D50E2/D50Tam) x 100 ratio was called Displacement Index (DI) with values asymmetrically distributed from 0.05 to 2.90. The range from 0.18 to 0.54 was adopted as central interval given by the median +/- SE (median: 0.36; SE: 0.09). DI values below 0.18 (24% of the tumors in our series) were considered as "lower", indicating that higher Tam doses would be necessary to displace the E2-ER binding. The potency of Tam as displacer is dependent not only of its own affinity for the ER, but also of that of E2 for the same receptor. The DI expresses their relative binding "strength". DI values were not correlated with ER and progesterone receptor content nor with the D50 Tam and D50E2 taken separately. Antiestrogen binding sites (AEBS) were determined in the cytosol (AEBSc) and in the microsomal fraction of 10 ER+ tumors from our series. The AEBSc/ER ratio was inversely correlated with the DI, that is, displacement of 3HE2 from the E2-ER complex by Tam would be lower in tumors with higher AEBSc/ER ratio. The DI is another parameter to be considered in the study of the sensitivity of breast neoplasias to antiestrogen treatments.     

Toremifene, a new antiestrogenic compound in the treatment of metastatic mammary cancer. A phase II study

Toremifene is a new antiestrogenic compound. Toremifene has definite antitumor effect in advanced breast cancer. The response rate in the present phase II study among postmenopausal women, mostly not pretreated with systemic therapy and with ER positive or not determined ER status in tumor tissue, was 11/23 (48%; 95% confidence interval 37-59%) including 6 complete responses. The toxicity profile was similar to that of tamoxifen. It is concluded that toremifene is at least as active as tamoxifen in advanced breast cancer and that a randomized study between these two antiestrogens is indicated.     

Diphenyl quinolines and isoquinolines: synthesis and primary biological evaluation

The synthesis of a series of 35 substituted 3,4-diphenyl quinolines and isoquinolines is described. The majority of these molecules differ from all other triphenylethylene based antiestrogens by a different spatial location of the aminoalkyl side chain. The binding affinity of the most representative molecules (8, 9, 19, 20, 21, 23 and 25), including analogues 8 and 21 without the side chain, for the estrogen receptor alpha (ER) was determined. The ability of these molecules to induce the progesterone receptor was also studied. Antiproliferative activity was evaluated on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, while intrinsic cytotoxic/cytostatic properties resulting from interaction with other targets than ER were assayed on L1210 murine leukemia cells. Introduction of an aminoalkylamino side chain at carbon 2 confers strong cytotoxic properties to diphenylquinolines 9 and 10 as well as pure antiestrogenic activities. However, cytotoxicity is so high with respect to antiestrogenicity that the latter was clearly observable only in one case (9b). The structure of compound 9b was determined by X-ray crystallography. Molecular modeling of its docking within the hormone-binding domain of the receptor was subsequently undertaken. According to our results, the design of molecules with the side chain bound to the ethylene part of the triphenyl ethylene skeleton might generate compounds of potential pharmacological interest.     

Role of TGF-β signaling in the mechanisms of tamoxifen resistance

The transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway plays complex role in the regulation of cell proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation in breast cancer. TGF-β activation can lead to multiple cellular responses mediating the drug resistance evolution, including the resistance to antiestrogens. Tamoxifen is the most commonly prescribed antiestrogen that functionally involved in regulation of TGF-β activity. In this review, we focus on the role of TGF-β signaling in the mechanisms of tamoxifen resistance, including its interaction with estrogen receptors alfa (ERα) pathway and breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). We summarize the current reported data regarding TGF-β signaling components as markers of tamoxifen resistance and review current approaches to overcoming tamoxifen resistance based on studies of TGF-β signaling.     

Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMS) and their roles in breast cancer prevention

Tamoxifen has not only proved to be a valuable treatment for estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer, but is also a pioneering medicine for chemoprevention in high-risk pre- and postmenopausal women. Insights into the pharmacology and toxicology of tamoxifen have led to the recognition of selective ER modulators (SERMs) with estrogen-like actions in maintaining bone density and in lowering circulating cholesterol, but antiestrogenic actions in the breast. Raloxifene, a related SERM, is now available to treat osteoporosis and is also being tested as a preventive for breast cancer and coronary heart disease. Emerging knowledge about the action of SERMs will provide clues for the design of mechanism-based medicines.     

High affinity cytosol binding site(s) for antiestrogens in two human breast cancer cell lines and in biopsy specimens devoid of estrogen receptors

It is known from previous investigations by other authors that the non-steroidal molecule Tamoxifen competes for estradiol binding sites in target tissues and displays partial agonist-antagonist effects. It is able to bind a cytosol protein distinct from ER which has been detected in target tissues, as well as in fetal target and non-target organs. The present work investigates the antiestrogen binding activity of human breast cancer cell lines and tumor biopsies. It is found that BT-20 and MDA-MB 231 cell lines devoid of ER and PGR contain a cytosol protein component able to bind antiestrogens with a high affinity (= 2 X 10(-9) M). The 3H-labeled complex prepared in hypotonic buffer sediments at 6.25 S in a sucrose gradient. A substantial amount of antiestrogen binding sites is found to be linked to the microsomal cell fraction, in agreement with previous data from other investigators. In experiments using whole cells incubated at 37 C, the complex is depleted from the cytosol compartment. A low amount of radioactivity is extracted from the purified nuclei. In the cytosol of human breast tumor biopsies the presence of antiestrogen binding sites is not exclusively associated with the presence of ER and PGR. The identity of the natural ligand which binds to these sites under physiological conditions merits investigation.