An aryl hydrocarbon receptor conformation acts as the functional core of nuclear dioxin signaling

DNA-complexed heterodimers of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) with the Ah receptor nuclear translocator (Arnt) are the molecular switches for nuclear signaling of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). AhR–Arnt heterodimers regulate genes involved in the metabolism of xenobiotics or fatty acids and various genes important for growth and differentiation. In this report several potent methods, such as the limited protease digestion, gel shift and gel shift clipping assays, allowed the investigation of ligand-stabilized conformations of AhR monomers in comparison to that of AhR–Arnt heterodimers. Interestingly, the ligand sensitivity of monomeric AhR was found to be very low at 25 nM, whereas DNA-dependent methods consistently provided EC₅₀ values between 0.12 and 0.6 nM for AhR in a heterodimeric complex, i.e. an approximate 100-fold higher ligand sensitivity. This indicates that complex formation of AhR with Arnt on DNA is an important and critical step in transforming AhR into a high affinity receptor for TCDD. A comparison of wild-type AhR with different C-terminal receptor truncations suggests that the PAS-B subregion of its PAS domain is of central importance for stabilization of a functional, i.e. ligand-sensitive, AhR–Arnt conformation, whereas the PAS-A subregion appears to be critical for dimerization of AhR and Arnt. In conclusion, the results of this study provide important information on the ligand sensitivity of AhR and AhR–Arnt heterodimer conformations.     

Recombinant expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor for quantitative ligand-binding analysis

Recombinant expression of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) yields small amounts of ligand-binding-competent AhR. Therefore, Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells and baculovirus have been evaluated for high-level and functional expression of AhR. Rat and human AhR were expressed as soluble protein in significant amounts. Expression of ligand-binding-competent AhR was sensitive to the protein concentration of Sf9 extract, and coexpression of the chaperone p23 failed to affect the yield of functional ligand-binding AhR. The expression system yielded high levels of functional protein, with the ligand-binding capacity (B_max) typically 20-fold higher than that obtained with rat liver cytosol. Quantitative estimates of the ligand-binding affinity of human and rat AhR were obtained; the K_d for recombinant rat AhR was indistinguishable from that of native rat AhR, thereby validating the expression system as a faithful model for native AhR. The human AhR bound TCDD with significantly lower affinity than the rat AhR. These findings demonstrate high-level expression of ligand-binding-competent AhR, and sufficient AhR for quantitative analysis of ligand binding.     

Evodiamine as a novel antagonist of aryl hydrocarbon receptor

Evodiamine, the major bioactive alkaloid isolated from Wu-Chu-Yu, has been shown to interact with a wide variety of proteins and modify their expression and activities. In this study, we investigated the interaction between evodiamine and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Molecular modeling results revealed that evodiamine directly interacted with the AhR. Cytosolic receptor binding assay also provided the evidence that evodiamine could interact with the AhR with the K_i value of 28.4 ± 4.9 nM. In addition, we observed that evodiamine suppressed the 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) induced nuclear translocation of the AhR and the expression of CYP1A1 dose-dependently. These results suggested that evodiamine was able to bind to the AhR as ligand and exhibit antagonistic effects.     

Discovery and characterization of N-(1,3-dialkyl-1H-indazol-6-yl)-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-b]pyridin-3-amine scaffold as mGlu4 positive allosteric modulators that mitigate CYP1A2 induction liability

Previous reports from our laboratory disclosed the structure and activity of a novel 1H-pyrazolo[4,3-b]pyridine-3-amine scaffold (VU8506) which showed excellent potency, selectivity and in vivo efficacy in preclinical rodent models of Parkinson’s disease. Unfortunately, this compound suffered from significant CYP1A2 induction as measured through upstream AhR activation (125-fold) and thus was precluded from further advancement in chronic studies. Herein, we report a new scaffold developed recently which was systematically studied in order to mitigate the CYP1A2 liabilities presented in the earlier scaffolds. We have identified a novel structure that maintains the potency and selectivity of other mGlu₄ PAMs, leading to 9i (hmGlu₄ EC₅₀?=?43?nM; AhR activation?=?2.3-fold).     

Growth suppression of Leydig TM3 cells mediated by aryl hydrocarbon receptor

Exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin induces developmental toxicity in reproductive organs. To elucidate the function of AhR, we generated stable transformants of TM3 cells overexpressing wild-type aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) or its mutants which carried mutations in nuclear localization signal or nuclear export signal. In the presence of 3-methylcholanthrene (MC), proliferation of the cells transfected with wild-type AhR was completely suppressed, whereas cells expressing AhR mutants proliferated in a manner equivalent to control TM3 cells, suggesting AhR-dependent growth inhibition. The suppression was associated with up-regulation of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21^Cip1, which was abolished by pretreatment with actinomycin D. A p38 MAPK specific inhibitor, SB203580, blocked the increase of p21^Cip1 mRNA in response to MC. Treatment with indigo, another AhR ligand, failed to increase of p21^Cip1 mRNA, although up-regulation of mRNA for CYP1A1 was observed. These data suggest AhR in Leydig cells mediates growth inhibition by inducing p21^Cip1.     

Access Path to the Ligand Binding Pocket May Play a Role in Xenobiotics Selection by AhR

Understanding of multidrug binding at the atomic level would facilitate drug design and strategies to modulate drug metabolism, including drug transport, oxidation, and conjugation. Therefore we explored the mechanism of promiscuous binding of small molecules by studying the ligand binding domain, the PAS-B domain of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Because of the low sequence identities of PAS domains to be used for homology modeling, structural features of the widely employed HIF-2α and a more recent suitable template, CLOCK were compared. These structures were used to build AhR PAS-B homology models. We performed molecular dynamics simulations to characterize dynamic properties of the PAS-B domain and the generated conformational ensembles were employed in in silico docking. In order to understand structural and ligand binding features we compared the stability and dynamics of the promiscuous AhR PAS-B to other PAS domains exhibiting specific interactions or no ligand binding function. Our exhaustive in silico binding studies, in which we dock a wide spectrum of ligand molecules to the conformational ensembles, suggest that ligand specificity and selection may be determined not only by the PAS-B domain itself, but also by other parts of AhR and its protein interacting partners. We propose that ligand binding pocket and access channels leading to the pocket play equally important roles in discrimination of endogenous molecules and xenobiotics.     

Identification of new aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) antagonists using a zebrafish model

A new series of 1,3-diketone, heterocyclic and α,β-unsaturated derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their AhR antagonist activity using zebrafish and mammalian cells. Compounds 1b, 2c, 3b and 5b showed significant AhR antagonist activity in a transgenic zebrafish model. Among them, compound 3b, and 5b were found to have excellent AhR antagonist activity with IC₅₀ of 3.36 nM and 8.3 nM in a luciferase reporter gene assay. In stem cell proliferation assay, compound 5b elicited marked HSC expansion.     

N-{2-(4-methoxyphenyltelluro)ethyl}morpholine (L1) and its platinum(II) and ruthenium(II) complexes. Synthesis and crystal structure of L1 and trans-[PtCl2(L1)2]

The first tellurated derivative of morpholine, N-{2-(4-methoxyphenyltelluro)ethyl}morpholine (L¹) has been synthesized by reacting in situ generated ArTe⁻ with 4-(2-chloroethyl)morpholine hydrochloride under N₂ atmosphere. The compound L¹ gives molecular ion peak at m/z 351 and is characterized structurally. The donor atoms N and Te in compound L¹ are rightly oriented for its ligation in bidentate mode. The TeC(alkyl) is 0.02 Å longer than TeC(aryl). The complexes of ligand L¹ having composition [PtCl₂(L¹)₂] (1) and [RuCl₂(p-cymene)L¹] (2) have been synthesized. The compound 1 has been characterized structurally. The Pt has a square planar geometry in complex 1 and two molecules of ligand L¹ bonded through Te alone are trans to each other (PtTe=2.583(2) Å). The ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectrum of complex 1 is as expected. The ¹H NMR spectrum of single crystals of complex 1 shows multiplication of signals, which is supported by HETCOR experiments. The complex 2 also has ligand L¹ in a monodentate coordination mode, bonded through Te alone. This is supported by deshielded CH₂Te and ArCTe signals in ¹H and ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectra of complex 2 with respect to those of free ligand L¹. The HETCOR spectrum of complex 2 has been used to authenticate the assignments of CH₂Te group, as its two protons appear to be magnetically non-equivalent.     

Syntheses,structures and photoluminescent property of coordination complexes with 2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)acetic acid

Reactions of ligand 2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)acetic acid (HL) with varied metal salts of Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Ag(I) result in formation of six new coordination complexes, {[Cu(L)₂] · 3H₂O}_n (1), [Co(L)₂(H₂O)₂]_n (2), [Ni(L)₂(H₂O)₂]_n (3), [Zn(L)₂(H₂O)₂]_n, (4), [Cd(L)₂]_n (5) and [Ag(L)]_n (6), and their structures were determined by X-ray crystallography. Complexes 1, 2, 3 and 4 with square-planar or octahedral metal centers have similar two-dimensional (2D) network structure with (4, 4) topology, while complex 5 displays a 2D structure with (6, 3)-connected topology. Complex 6 has a three-dimensional (3D) structure, in which the Ag(I) has tetrahedral coordination geometry. Ligand L^? acts as a 2-connected rod (bridging ligand) in 1, 2, 3 and 4, and acts as 3-connected nodes in 5 and 6. The results indicate that the coordination modes of the ligand and metal centers have great influence on the structures of the complexes. In addition, the photoluminescent properties of ligand HL and complexes 4 and 5 were studied in the solid state at room temperature.     

Influence of cis-protecting groups toward ligand exchange reactions in polynuclear Pd(II)-based coordination cages

Polynuclear self-assembly molecules of general formula [{Pd(en)}_x(ligand)_y](NO₃)_2x (A) undergo ligand exchange reaction when heated in DMSO. A mixture of [Pd_m(ligand)_n](NO₃)_2m (B) and [Pd(en)₂](NO₃)₂ (C) is generated in this process. The binuclear compound (A) containing a bidentate, non-chelating ligand 1,4-bis(4′-pyridylmethyl)-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzene, is subjected to ligand exchange where upon the compound (A) remains in a dynamic equilibrium with the mixture of ensuing (B) and (C). Combination of separately prepared (B) and (C) also generates (A), thus equilibrium of (A) with (B) and (C) is again observed. We predict [{Pd(bpy)}_x(ligand)_y](NO₃)_2x (A′) where 2,2′-bipyridyl (bpy) is the cis-protecting group would not probably undergo ligand exchange. The idea was conceived from the fact that (bpy) is more rigid compared to (en) moreover one of the expected products in the event of ligand exchange [Pd(bpy)₂](NO₃)₂ (C′) is not really very stable unlike (C). In fact, when (A′) is heated in DMSO no ligand exchange is observed at all. More interestingly combination of (B) and (C′) generated (A′) smoothly. Mononuclear complexes obtained from the ligand 4-phenylpyridine are also used for similar study for comparison. It is suggested that (bpy) could serve as a better cis-protecting group for Pd(II)-based self-assembly coordination cage compounds particularly when dissolution of the assemblies in polar solvents and heating of the resultant solution is required.     

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor catabolic activity in bone metabolism is osteoclast dependent in vivo

Bone mass is regulated by various molecules including endogenous factors as well as exogenous factors, such as nutrients and pollutants. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is known as a dioxin receptor and is responsible for various pathological and physiological processes. However, the role of AhR in bone homeostasis remains elusive because the cell type specific direct function of AhR has never been explored in vivo. Here, we show the cell type specific function of AhR in vivo in bone homeostasis. Systemic AhR knockout (AhRKO) mice exhibit increased bone mass with decreased resorption and decreased formation. Meanwhile, osteoclast specific AhRKO (AhR^ΔOc/ΔOc) mice have increased bone mass with reduced bone resorption, although the mice lacking AhR in osteoblasts have a normal bone phenotype. Even under pathological conditions, AhR^ΔOc/ΔOc mice are resistant to sex hormone deficiency-induced bone loss resulting from increased bone resorption. Furthermore, 3-methylcholanthrene, an AhR agonist, induces low bone mass with increased bone resorption in control mice, but not in AhR^ΔOc/ΔOc mice. Taken together, cell type specific in vivo evidence for AhR functions indicates that osteoclastic AhR plays a significant role in maintenance of bone homeostasis, suggesting that inhibition of AhR in osteoclasts can be beneficial in the treatment of osteoporosis.     

Molybdenum(VI)-catalysed olefin epoxidation: Structure and reactivity study

Dioxo and oxoperoxo molybdenum(VI) complexes, I–III, containing the non-labile bidentated oxazolinyl-pyridine ligand 1, were used as catalytic precursors in the epoxidation of cyclooctene and (R)-limonene, to explore the nature of the catalytic species. The high diastereoselectivity showed by I and II towards limonene epoxide formation (trans/cis-8 = 4/1) could be justified by the kinetic resolution observed to give the double epoxide (9), but also by the olefin coordination to the metal centre due to the presence of a labile ligand (isothiocyanate).⁹⁵Mo NMR monitoring experiments of complex II in the presence of (R)-limonene, together with conductivity measurements, showed the formation of an ionic metallic species (1:1 electrolyte). These results point to a bimetallic species where one of the metal atoms is coordinated to the olefin by the dissociation of the isothiocyanate group, remaining coordinated the spectator chiral ligand, which is the responsible of the selectivity observed.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of cis-locked vinylogous combretastatin-A4 analogues: Derivatives with a cyclopropyl-vinyl or a cyclopropyl-amide bridge

A series of novel combretastatin A4 analogues, in which the cis-olefinic bridge is replaced by a cyclopropyl-vinyl or a cyclopropyl-amide moiety, were synthesized and evaluated for inhibition of tubulin polymerization and antiproliferative activity. The derivative 9a with a (cis,E)-cyclopropyl-vinyl unit is the most promising compound. As expected, molecular docking of 9a has shown that only one of the cis-cyclopropyl enantiomers is a good ligand for tubulin.