Deoxybenzoins are novel potent selective estrogen receptor modulators

Deoxybenzoins are plant compounds with similar structure to isoflavones. In this study, we evaluated the ability of two synthesized deoxybenzoins (compound 1 and compound 2) (a) to influence the activity of the estrogen receptor subtypes ERalpha and ERbeta in HeLa cells co-transfected with an estrogen response element-driven luciferase reporter gene and ERalpha- or ERbeta-expression vectors, (b) to modulate the IGFBP-3 and pS2 protein in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, (c) to induce mineralization of KS483 osteoblasts and (d) to affect the cell viability of endometrial (Ishikawa) and breast (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231) cancer cells. Docking and binding energy calculations were performed using the mixed Monte Carlo/Low Mode search method (Macromodel 6.5). Compound 1 displayed significant estrogenic activity via ERbeta but no activity via ERalpha. Compound 2 was an estrogen-agonist via ERalpha and antagonist via ERbeta. Both compounds increased, like the pure antiestrogen ICI182780, the IGFBP-3 levels. Compound 2 induced, like 17beta-estradiol, significant mineralization in osteoblasts. The cell viability of Ishikawa cells was unchanged in the presence of either compound. Compound 1 increased MCF-7 cell viability consistently with an increase in pS2 levels, whereas compound 2 inhibited the cell viability. Molecular modeling confirmed the agonistic or antagonistic behaviour of compound 2 via ER subtypes. Compound 2, being an agonist in osteoblasts, an antagonist in breast cancer cells, with no estrogenic effects in endometrial cancer cells, makes it a potential selective estrogen receptor modulator and a choice for hormone replacement therapy.     

Acteoside and martynoside exhibit estrogenic/antiestrogenic properties

Acteoside and martynoside are plant phenylpropanoid glycosides exhibiting anticancer, cytotoxic and antimetastatic activities. We investigated their potential to activate estrogen receptor isoforms ERalpha and ERbeta in HeLa cells transfected with an estrogen response element (ERE)-driven luciferase (Luc) reporter gene and an ERalpha or ERbeta expression vector. Their estrogenic/antiestrogenic effects were also assessed in breast cancer cells (MCF7), endometrial cancer cells (Ishikawa) and osteoblasts (KS483), by measuring IGFBP3 levels, cell viability and number of mineralized nodules, respectively, seeking for a natural selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). Acteoside and martynoside antagonized both ERalpha and ERbeta (p<0.001), whereas they reversed the effect of E(2) mainly via ERalpha (p<0.001). Martynoside was a potent antiestrogen in MCF-7 cells, increasing, like ICI182780, IGFBP3 levels via the ER-pathway. In osteoblasts, martynoside induced nodule mineralization, which was abolished by ICI182780, implicating an ER-mediated mechanism. Furthermore, its antiproliferative effect on endometrial cells suggests that martynoside may be an important natural SERM. Acteoside was an antiestrogen in breast cancer cells and osteoblasts, without any effect on endometrial cells. Our study suggests that the nature is rich in selective ERalpha and ERbeta ligands, the discovery of which may lead to the development of novel neutraceutical agents.     

Estrogen receptor alpha/beta isoforms, but not betacx, modulate unique patterns of gene expression and cell proliferation in Hs578T cells

The actions of 17beta-estradiol (E2) and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) have been extensively investigated regarding their ability to act through estrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha) to perturb estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer (BC) growth. However, many BCs also express ERbeta, along with multiple estrogen receptor (ER) splice variants such as ERbetacx, an ERbeta splice variant incapable of binding ligand. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of ER action in BC cells, we stably expressed ERalpha, ERbeta, or ERbetacx under doxycycline (Dox) control in Hs578T cells. Microarrays performed on E2 or 4OH-tamoxifen (4HT) treated Hs578T ERalpha and ERbeta cells revealed distinct ligand and receptor-dependent patterns of gene regulation, while the induction of ERbetacx did not alter gene expression patterns. E2 stimulation of Hs578T ERbeta cells resulted in a 27% decrease in cellular proliferation, however, no significant change in proliferation was observed following the exposure of Hs578T ERalpha or ERbeta cells to 4HT. Expression of ERbetacx in Hs578T cells did not effect cellular proliferation. Flow cytometry assays revealed a 50% decrease in E2-stimulated Hs578T ERbeta cells entering S-phase, along with a 17% increase in G0/G1 cell-cycle arrest. We demonstrate here that ERalpha and ERbeta regulate unique gene expression patterns in Hs578T cells, and such regulation likely is responsible for the observed isoform-specific changes in cell proliferation. Hs578T ER expressing cell-lines provide a unique BC model system, permitting the comparison of ERalpha, ERbeta, and ERbetacx actions in the same cell-line.     

Dissecting physiological roles of estrogen receptor alpha and beta with potent selective ligands from structure-based design

The distinct roles of the two estrogen receptor (ER) isotypes, ERalpha and ERbeta, in mediating the physiological responses to estrogens are not completely understood. Although knockout animal experiments have been aiding to gain insight into estrogen signaling, additional information on the function of ERalpha and ERbeta will be provided by the application of isotype-selective ER agonists. Based on the crystal structure of the ERalpha ligand binding domain and a homology model of the ERbeta-ligand binding domain, we have designed steroidal ligands that exploit the differences in size and flexibility of the two ligand binding cavities. Compounds predicted to bind preferentially to either ERalpha or ERbeta were synthesized and tested in vitro using radio-ligand competition and transactivation assays. This approach directly led to highly ER isotype-selective (approximately 200-fold) and potent ligands. To unravel physiological roles of the two receptors, in vivo experiments with rats were conducted using the ERalpha- and ERbeta-selective agonists in comparison to 17beta-estradiol. The ERalpha agonist induced uterine growth, caused bone-protective effects, reduced LH and FSH plasma levels, and increased angiotensin I, whereas the ERbeta agonist did not at all or only at high doses lead to such effects, despite high plasma levels. It can thus be concluded that estrogen effects on the uterus, pituitary, bone, and liver are primarily mediated via ERalpha. Simultaneous administration of the ERalpha and ERbeta ligand did not lead to an attenuation of ERalpha-mediated effects on the uterus, pituitary, and liver parameters.     

Analysis of estrogen receptor alpha-Sp1 interactions in breast cancer cells by fluorescence resonance energy transfer

Estrogen-dependent regulation of several genes associated with cell cycle progression, proliferation, and nucleotide metabolism in breast cancer cells is associated with interactions of estrogen receptor (ER)alpha/Sp1 with GC-rich promoter elements. This study investigates ligand-dependent interactions of ERalpha and Sp1 in MCF-7 breast cancer cells using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Chimeric ERalpha and Sp1 proteins fused to cyan fluorescent protein or yellow fluorescent protein were transfected into MCF-7 cells, and a FRET signal was induced after treatment with 17beta-estradiol, 4'-hydroxytamoxifen, or ICI 182,780. Induction of FRET by these ERalpha agonists/antagonists was paralleled by their activation of gene expression in cells transfected with a construct (pSp1(3)) containing three tandem Sp1 binding sites linked to a luciferase reporter gene. In contrast, interactions between ERalpha and Sp1DeltaDBD [a DNA binding domain (DBD) deletion mutant of Sp1] are not observed, and this is consistent with the critical role of the C-terminal DBD of Sp1 for interaction with ERalpha. Results of the FRET assay are consistent with in vitro studies on ERalpha/Sp1 interactions and transactivation, and confirm that ERalpha and Sp1 interact in living breast cancer cells.     

Differential effects of xenoestrogens on coactivator recruitment by estrogen receptor (ER) alpha and ERbeta

It has been proposed that tissue-specific estrogenic and/or antiestrogenic actions of certain xenoestrogens may be associated with alterations in the tertiary structure of estrogen receptor (ER) alpha and/or ERbeta following ligand binding; changes which are sensed by cellular factors (coactivators) required for normal gene expression. However, it is still unclear whether xenoestrogens affect the normal behavior of ERalpha and/or ERbeta subsequent to receptor binding. In view of the wide range of structural forms now recognized to mimic the actions of the natural estrogens, we have assessed the ability of ERalpha and ERbeta to recruit TIF2 and SRC-1a in the presence of 17beta-estradiol, genistein, diethylstilbestrol, 4-tert-octylphenol, 2',3',4', 5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl-ol, and bisphenol A. We show that ligand-dependent differences exist in the ability of ERalpha and ERbeta to bind coactivator proteins in vitro, despite the similarity in binding affinity of the various ligands for both ER subtypes. The enhanced ability of ERbeta (over ERalpha) to recruit coactivators in the presence of xenoestrogens was consistent with a greater ability of ERbeta to potentiate reporter gene activity in transiently transfected HeLa cells expressing SRC-1e and TIF2. We conclude that ligand-dependent differences in the ability of ERalpha and ERbeta to recruit coactivator proteins may contribute to the complex tissue-dependent agonistic/antagonistic responses observed with certain xenoestrogens.     

Stable transfection of an estrogen receptor beta cDNA isoform into MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells

We previously reported stable transfection of estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) into the ER-negative MDA-MB-231 cells (S30) as a tool to examine the mechanism of action of estrogen and antiestrogens [J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 84 (1992) 580]. To examine the mechanism of ERbeta action directly, we have similarly created ERbeta stable transfectants in MDA-MB-231 cells. MDA-MB-231 cells were stably transfected with ERbeta cDNA and clones were screened by estrogen response element (ERE)-luciferase assay and ERbeta mRNA expression was quantified by real-time RT-PCR. Three stable MDA-MB-231/ERbeta clones were compared with S30 cells with respect to their growth properties, ability to activate ERE- and activating protein-1 (AP-1) luciferase reporter constructs, and the ability to activate the endogenous ER-regulated transforming growth factor alpha (TGFalpha) gene. ERbeta6 and ERbeta27 clones express 300-400-fold and the ERbeta41 clone express 1600-fold higher ERbeta mRNA levels compared with untransfected MDA-MB-231 cells. Unlike S30 cells, 17beta-estradiol (E2) does not inhibit ERbeta41 cell growth. ERE-luciferase activity is induced six-fold by E2 whereas neither 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-OHT) nor ICI 182, 780 activated an AP-1-luciferase reporter. TGFalpha mRNA is induced in response to E2, but not in response to 4-OHT. MDA-MB-231/ERbeta clones exhibit distinct characteristics from S30 cells including growth properties and the ability to induce TGFalpha gene expression. Furthermore, ERbeta, at least in the context of the MDA-MB-231 cellular milieu, does not enhance AP-1 activity in the presence of antiestrogens. In summary, the availability of both ERalpha and ERbeta stable breast cancer cell lines now allows us to compare and contrast the long-term consequences of individual signal transduction pathways.     

Neuroprotection by a selective estrogen receptor beta agonist in a mouse model of global ischemia

The present study employs selective estrogen receptor (ER) agonists to determine whether 17beta-estradiol-induced neuroprotection in global ischemia is receptor mediated and, if so, which subtype of receptor (ERalpha or ERbeta) is predominantly responsible. Halothane-anesthetized female C57Bl/6J mice were ovariectomized, and osmotic minipumps containing ERbeta agonist diarylpropiolnitrile (DPN) (8 mg.kg(-1).day(-1), n = 12) or vehicle (50% DMSO in 0.9% saline) (n = 9) or ERalpha agonist propyl pyrazole triol (PPT) (2 mg.kg(-1).day(-1), n = 13) or vehicle (50% DMSO in 0.9% saline) (n = 10) were implanted subcutaneously. One week later transient global ischemia was induced by bilateral carotid artery occlusion under halothane anesthesia, and the mice were perfusion fixed 72 h later. ERbeta agonist DPN significantly reduced ischemic damage by 70% in the caudate nucleus and 55% in the CA1 region compared with vehicle controls (P < 0.05, Mann-Whitney U-statistic). In contrast, pretreatment with the ERalpha agonist PPT had no effect on the extent of neuronal damage compared with controls. The data indicate a significant estrogen receptor-mediated neuroprotection in a global cerebral ischemia model involving ERbeta.