Hydroxybenzothiazoles as new nonsteroidal inhibitors of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (17β-HSD1)

17β-estradiol (E2), the most potent estrogen in humans, known to be involved in the development and progession of estrogen-dependent diseases (EDD) like breast cancer and endometriosis. 17β-HSD1, which catalyses the reduction of the weak estrogen estrone (E1) to E2, is often overexpressed in breast cancer and endometriotic tissues. An inhibition of 17β-HSD1 could selectively reduce the local E2-level thus allowing for a novel, targeted approach in the treatment of EDD. Continuing our search for new nonsteroidal 17β-HSD1 inhibitors, a novel pharmacophore model was derived from crystallographic data and used for the virtual screening of a small library of compounds. Subsequent experimental verification of the virtual hits led to the identification of the moderately active compound 5. Rigidification and further structure modifications resulted in the discovery of a novel class of 17β-HSD1 inhibitors bearing a benzothiazole-scaffold linked to a phenyl ring via keto- or amide-bridge. Their putative binding modes were investigated by correlating their biological data with features of the pharmacophore model. The most active keto-derivative 6 shows IC₅₀-values in the nanomolar range for the transformation of E1 to E2 by 17β-HSD1, reasonable selectivity against 17β-HSD2 but pronounced affinity to the estrogen receptors (ERs). On the other hand, the best amide-derivative 21 shows only medium 17β-HSD1 inhibitory activity at the target enzyme as well as fair selectivity against 17β-HSD2 and ERs. The compounds 6 and 21 can be regarded as first benzothiazole-type 17β-HSD1 inhibitors for the development of potential therapeutics.     

Novel estrone mimetics with high 17β-HSD1 inhibitory activity

17β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (17β-HSD1) catalyzes the reduction of estrone into estradiol, which is the most potent estrogen in humans. Lowering intracellular estradiol concentration by inhibition of this enzyme is a promising new option for the treatment of estrogen-dependent diseases like breast cancer and endometriosis. Combination of ligand- and structure-based design resulted in heterocyclic substituted biphenylols and their aza-analogs as new 17β-HSD1 inhibitors. The design was based on mimicking estrone, especially focusing on the imitation of the D-ring keto group with (substituted) heterocycles. Molecular docking provided insights into plausible protein–ligand interactions for this class of compounds. The most promising compound 12 showed an inhibitory activity in the high nanomolar range and very low affinity for the estrogen receptors α and β. Thus, compound 12 is a novel tool for the elucidation of the pharmacological relevance of 17β-HSD1 and might be a lead for the treatment of estrogen-dependent diseases.     

Molecular mechanisms of estrogen recognition and 17-keto reduction by human 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1

The reduction of inactive estrone (E1) to the active estrogen 17β-estradiol (E2) is catalyzed by type 1 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17HSD1). Crystallographic studies, modeling and activity measurement of mutants and chimeric enzymes have led to the understanding of its mechanism of action and the molecular basis for the estrogenic specificity. An electrophilic attack on the C17-keto oxygen by the Tyr 155 hydroxyl is proposed for initiation of the transition state. The active site is a hydrophobic pocket with catalytic residues at one end and the recognition machinery on the other. Tyr 155, Lys 159 and Ser 142 are essential for the activity. The presence of certain other amino acids near the substrate recognition end of the active site including His 152 and Pro 187 is critical to the shape complementarity of estrogenic ligands. His 221 and Glu 282 form hydrogen bonds with 3-hydroxyl of the aromatic A-ring of the ligand. This mechanism of recognition of E1 by 17HSD1 is similar to that of E2 by estrogen receptor α. In a ternary complex with NADP⁺ and equilin, an equine estrogen with C7=C8 double bond, the orientation of C17=O of equilin relative to the C4-hydride is more acute than the near normal approach of the hydride for the substrate. In the apo-enzyme structure, a substrate-entry loop (residues 186–201) is in an open conformation. The loop is closed in this complex and Phe 192 and Met 193 make contacts with the ligand. Residues of the entry loop could be partially responsible for the estrogenic specificity.     

17β-羟基类固醇脱氢酶

17β－羟基类固醇脱氢酶（17β HSD）为性激素合成中最后步骤的酶,催化氧化或还原反应,其作用是在受体前调节性激素的局部水平。各型17β HSD在体内有其特有的区域性分布,分布的特点与各自的功能有着密切的关系。17β HSD结构和功能的异常与一些疾病,如肿瘤、假两性等的发生有密切关系。     

Characterization of rat 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 gene and mRNA transcripts

In the present study, the gene encoding rat 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (rHSD17B1 gene) was cloned and characterized. Like the analogous human gene (hHSD17B1), rHSD17B1 contains six exons and five introns spanning approximately 2.2 kb. The identity between the exons and introns of the two genes ranges from 58% to 82% and 42% to 57%, respectively. In contrast to hHSD17B1, rHSD17B1 is not duplicated. The cap site for rHSD17B1 was localized to position −41 upstream of the ATG translation initiation codon. Sequence comparison of the first 200 bp upstream of the cap site showed 72% identity between the human and rat HSD17B1 genes, including a conserved GC-rich area. Further upstream, no significant identity between the two genes was observed and several, cis-acting elements known to modulate the expression of hHSD17B1 are not conserved in the rat gene. Rat HSD17B1 unlike hHSD17B1 with two cap sites, possesses two polyadenylation signals, thus resulting in two mRNAs.     

Chemical synthesis of the 17-propanamide derivatives of stereoisomeric Δ14-17α- and 17β-estradiols: potential 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inhibitors

The 17-propanamide derivatives of diastereomeric Δ¹⁴-17α- and 17β-estradiols, the potential candidates of a 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) inhibitor, were synthesized in 11 steps from estrone. The principal reactions employed involved in (1) conversion of estrone to the corresponding Δ¹⁴-estrone, (2) Grignard reaction of Δ¹⁴-estrone with allylmagnesium bromide followed by regioselective hydroboration of the resulting stereoisomeric 17ξ-allyl-Δ¹⁴-17ξ-ols with 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (9-BBN), and (3) direct amidation of the 17ξ-O-/17ξ-C-spiro-γ-lactones with NH₃ under positive pressure of H₂.     

Direct antiproliferative effect of nonsteroidal 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 inhibitors in vitro

Inhibition of the local formation of estrogens seems to be an attractive strategy for pharmacological intervention in hormone-dependent disorders. The direct antiproliferative properties of ten nonsteroidal 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (17β-HSD1) inhibitors were investigated on human cancer cell lines of gynecological origin. The mechanism of the antiproliferative action was approximated by cell cycle analysis, fluorescent microscopy, BrdU assay, determination of caspase-3 activity and quantification of the expression of cell cycle regulators at mRNA level. Treatment of HeLa cells with some of the compounds resulted in a concentration-dependent inhibition of the G1–S transition and an increase in the apoptotic population. The most effective agents increased the expression of tumor suppressors p21 and p53, while CDK2 and Rb were down-regulated. The reported anticancer actions of the tested compounds are independent of the 17β-HSD1-inhibiting capacity. These results indicate that it is possible to combine direct antiproliferative activity and 17β-HSD1 inhibition resulting in novel agents with dual mode of action.     

恶臭假单胞菌SJTE-1中氧化17β-雌二醇的17β-羟甾类脱氢酶2及其转录调控因子AraC的鉴定

[目的]假单胞菌SJTE-1可高效转化17β-雌二醇,但其代谢机制尚不清楚。本文鉴定和表征了该菌株中参与雌二醇降解与调控过程的17β-羟甾类脱氢酶2(17β-HSD2)和转录调控因子AraC。[方法]我们通过荧光定量PCR分析了17β-hsd2和araC的转录水平;我们在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)菌株中异源表达了17β-HSD2和AraC基因,并利用金属离子亲和层析法纯化获得了重组蛋白;我们体外表征了17β-HSD2的酶学性质,利用高效液相色谱鉴定了其产物;通过电泳迁移转移法和DNase酶I足迹试验,我们鉴定了重组蛋白AraC的结合能力与结合位点。[结果]17β-HSD2和AraC可被17β-雌二醇诱导表达;蛋白序列比对结果表明17β-HSD2含有短链脱氢酶/还原酶(SDR)和β-羟甾类脱氢酶的保守结构与残基。该酶以NAD+为辅助因子,在C17位点氧化17β-雌二醇,其Km值为0.082 mmol/L,Vmax值为56.26±0.02μmol/(min·mg);5 min内可转化97.4%以上的雌二醇。转录调控因子AraC可直接结合17β-hsd2基因启动子区的特异位点;雌二醇与雌酮可解除这一结合,启动17β-hsd2基因转录;过表达AraC蛋白可抑制17β-hsd2的转录。[结论]假单胞菌SJTE-1的17β-羟甾类脱氢酶2可高效催化17β-雌二醇转化,并受到转录因子AraC的直接调控。本工作可推进细菌的雌激素降解酶学机制与调控网络研究。     

17β-estradiol regulates estrogen receptor α monoubiquitination

Monoubiquitination is a nonproteolytic signal involved in a network of several different physiological processes. Recently, monoubiquitination has been discovered as a new post-transductional modification of the estrogen receptor α (ERα). However, at present no information is available about the role of the cognate ligand 17β-estradiol (E2) in modulating this receptor post-transductional modification. Thus, we studied the E2-dependent modulation of ERα monoubiquitination in different cell lines. Here, we report that ERα monoubiquitination isnegatively modulated by E2. These results demonstrate thatERα monoubiquitination represents a new signalling modification that may modulate the E2:ERα-regulated cellular processes.     

Caveolin-1蛋白在17β-雌二醇抑制内皮素-1诱导血管平滑肌细胞增殖中的作用

本工作旨在研究Caveolin-1在17β-雌二醇(17β-estradiol,E2)抑制内皮素-1(endothelin-1,ET-1)诱导血管平滑肌细胞(vascular smooth muscle cells,VSMCs)增殖中的作用.在培养的VSMCs上,使用[3H]Thymidine([3H]TdR)掺入法、荧光免疫组化方法和Western blot观察E2处理VSMCs前后ET-1对DNA合成和caveolin-1蛋白表达的影响.结果显示,ET-1可以刺激VSMCs增殖.E2作用24 h后,可明显抑制ET-1的上述作用.免疫荧光证实,在VSMCs上有caveolin-1分布,ET-1刺激VSMCs增殖的过程中,VSMCs上caveolin-1蛋白荧光强度下降,而事先给予E2可逆转这种下降.Western blot证实,ET-1可抑制caveolin-1蛋白的表达而E2则可增加caveolin-1蛋白的表达.以上结果表明E2抑制ET-l诱导的VSMCs增殖可能与其增加caveolin-1蛋白表达有关.     

17β-羟基类固醇脱氢酶的功能

17β-羟基类固醇脱氢酶(17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase,17β-HSDs)是一类NAD(P)H/NAD(P)+依赖的氧化还原酶,其主要功能是参与性激素的代谢,通过调节细胞内甾体类激素水平从而在生殖系统中发挥重要作用。以往研究发现在一些生殖系统疾病如前列腺癌等中,17β-HSDs被显著上调,而最近的研究则显示该家族成员还参与了非甾体物质如脂肪酸和胆固醇的代谢。因此,该类酶的研究对于阐明性激素和脂代谢紊乱相关疾病的发病机制有重要意义。本文总结了17β-HSDs的功能研究进展,并就其选择性抑制剂的研发及应用进行综述。     

Efficient syntheses of 17-β-amino steroids

17β-Amino steroids such as 17β-amino-1,3,5(10)-estratrien-3-ol (1), 17β-amino-5α-androstan-3β-ol (2) and, 17β-amino-3β-hydroxyandrost-5-ene (3) have been widely used as a key intermediates in the synthesis of a variety of biologically active steroid derivatives though concise, high yielding syntheses of these compounds has yet to be reported. 17β-Amino-1,3,5(10)-estratrien-3-ol (1) and 17β-amino-5α-androstan-3β-ol (2) were prepared in high yield by reductive amination of estrone and epiandrosterone using benzylamine and sodium triacetoxyborohydride followed by catalytic hydrogenolysis of the resulting 17β-benzylamino derivatives. Attempts to prepare 17β-amino-3β-hydroxyandrost-5-ene (3) from dehydroepiandosterone using a similar approach resulted in partial reduction of the double bond. 17β-Amino-3β-hydroxyandrost-5-ene (3) was ultimately obtained in high yield by reductive amination of dehydroepiandosterone using allylamine and sodium triacetoxyborohydride followed by removal of the allyl group from the resulting 17β-allylamino derivative with dimethylbarbituric acid and Pd(PPh(3))(4) as catalyst.     

胃癌患者血清IL-17、IL-6和TGF-β1水平及其临床意义

目的:探讨胃癌患者外周血中白介素17(IL-17)、白介素6(IL-6)和转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)的表达水平及其临床意义。方法:选择2009年1月~2010年1月我院收治的50例胃癌患者(观察组)及同期50例健康对照者(对照组)为研究对象,采用ELISA法检测和比较其外周血中IL-17、IL-6和TGF-β1的水平,并分析胃癌患者外周血中IL-17、IL-6和TGF-β1水平与其临床病理特征之间的相关性。结果:观察组患者外周血中IL-17、IL-6和TGF-β1的水平分别为(8.51±2.68)pg/ml、(7.81±5.41)pg/ml和(1093.42±831.21)pg/ml,均明显高于健康对照组(P0.01)。胃癌患者的血清IL-17、TGF-β1的水平与其年龄、性别、临床分期、有无淋巴结转移、分化程度、肿瘤部位及大小均无明显相关性(P0.05);而血清IL-6的水平与肿瘤的大小相关(P0.05),但与其他临床病理特征无关(P0.05);血清IL-17水平与IL-6、TGF-β1的水平均无明显相关性(P0.05)。结论:血清IL-17、IL-6和TGF-β1水平的升高与胃癌的发生有关,但IL-6和TGF-β1可能不是血清中IL-17生成的诱导因子。     

Biochemical and biological evaluation of novel potent coumarin inhibitor of 17β-HSD type 1

Human 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) type 1 is an enzyme that acts at the pre-receptor level. It catalyzes the NADPH-dependent reduction of the weak estrogen estrone into the most potent estrogen 17β-estradiol, which exerts proliferative effects via estrogen receptors. Overexpression of 17β-HSD type 1 in estrogen-responsive tissues is related to the development of hormone-dependent diseases, such as breast cancer and endometriosis. 17β-HSD type 1 thus represents an attractive target for development of new drugs. Recently, we discovered that substituted coumarin derivatives potently and selectively inhibit 17β-HSD type 1. In the present study, we have performed additional biochemical and biological evaluation of the most promising coumarin derivative. First, we used an efficient method for isolation and purification of the active, soluble recombinant human 17β-HSD type 1 from Escherichia coli. This 17β-HSD type 1 showed a specific activity of 0.64±0.08 μmol min(-1) mg(-1) for estrone reduction in the presence of NADPH at pH 6.5, and a K(m) of 62 nM for estrone. Next, we evaluated the best of the coumarin-derivative inhibitors, showing its reversible and competitive inhibition of 17β-HSD type 1 reductive activity with a K(i) of 53 nM. We confirmed that this coumarin inhibitor acts not only in a cell-free assay, but also decreases endogenous 17β-HSD type 1 activity in human T-47D breast cancer cells. This inhibitor also reduced estrone dependent growth of T-47D cells after 48 h of incubation.     

Insights in 17β-HSD1 Enzyme Kinetics and Ligand Binding by Dynamic Motion Investigation

Background

Bisubstrate enzymes, such as 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (17β-HSD1), exist in solution as an ensemble of conformations. 17β-HSD1 catalyzes the last step of the biosynthesis of estradiol and, thus, it is a potentially attractive target for breast cancer treatment.

Methodology/Principal Findings

To elucidate the conformational transitions of its catalytic cycle, a structural analysis of all available crystal structures was performed and representative conformations were assigned to each step of the putative kinetic mechanism. To cover most of the conformational space, all-atom molecular dynamic simulations were performed using the four crystallographic structures best describing apoform, opened, occluded and closed state of 17β-HSD1 as starting structures. With three of them, binary and ternary complexes were built with NADPH and NADPH-estrone, respectively, while two were investigated as apoform. Free energy calculations were performed in order to judge more accurately which of the MD complexes describes a specific kinetic step.

Conclusions/Significance

Remarkably, the analysis of the eight long range trajectories resulting from this multi-trajectory/-complex approach revealed an essential role played by the backbone and side chain motions, especially of the βFαG′-loop, in cofactor and substrate binding. Thus, a selected-fit mechanism is suggested for 17β-HSD1, where ligand-binding induced concerted motions of the FG-segment and the C-terminal part guide the enzyme along its preferred catalytic pathway. Overall, we could assign different enzyme conformations to the five steps of the random bi-bi kinetic cycle of 17β-HSD1 and we could postulate a preferred pathway for it. This study lays the basis for more-targeted biochemical studies on 17β-HSD1, as well as for the design of specific inhibitors of this enzyme. Moreover, it provides a useful guideline for other enzymes, also characterized by a rigid core and a flexible region directing their catalysis.     

17β-Estradiol increased the expression of daintain/AIF-1 in RAW264.7 macrophages

We investigated the effect of 17β-estradiol (E2) on the expression of daintain/AIF-1, a marker of activated macrophages, in RAW264.7. E2 upregulated the protein and mRNA levels of daintain/AIF-1 in similar manners under physiological concentrations of 10(-11) M to 10(-7) M. The application of ICI 182,780, an estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist, attenuated E2-induced daintain/AIF-1 production, suggesting the involvement of ER in this process.     

17β-estradiol downregulates angiotensin-II-induced endothelin-1 gene expression in rat aortic smooth muscle cells

It is well documented that 17-estradiol (E₂) exerts a cardiovascular protective effect. A possible role of E₂ in the regulation of endothelin-1 (ET-1) production has been reported. However, the complex mechanisms by which E₂ inhibits ET-1 expression are not completely understood. The aims of this study were to examine whether E₂ may alter angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced cell proliferation and ET-1 gene expression and to identify the putative underlying signaling pathways in rat aortic smooth muscle cells. Cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells were preincubated with E₂, then stimulated with Ang II, and [³H]thymidine incorporation and ET-1 gene expression were examined. The effect of E₂ on Ang-II-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation was tested to elucidate the intracellular mechanism of E₂ in proliferation and ET-1 gene expression. Ang II increased DNA synthesis which was inhibited with E₂ (1–100 nM). E₂, but not 17-estradiol, inhibited the Ang-II-induced ET-1 gene expression as revealed by Northern blotting and promoter activity assay. This effect was prevented by coincubation with the estrogen receptor antagonist ICl 182,780 (1 µM). E₂ also inhibited Ang-II-increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) as measured by a redox-sensitive fluorescent dye, 2,7-dichlorofluorescin diacetate, and ERK phosphorylation. Furthermore, E₂ and antioxidants, such as N-acetyl cysteine and diphenylene iodonium, decreased Ang-II-induced cell proliferation, ET-1 promoter activity, ET-1 mRNA, ERK phosphorylation, and activator protein-1-mediated reporter activity. In summary, our results suggest that E₂ inhibits Ang-II-induced cell proliferation and ET-1 gene expression, partially by interfering with the ERK pathway via attenuation of ROS generation. Thus, this study provides important new insight regarding the molecular pathways that may contribute to the proposed beneficial effects of estrogen on the cardiovascular system.     

人17β羟类固醇脱氢酶(17β-HSD)基因在家蚕系统中的表达(简报)

17β羟类固醇脱氢酶(17β-hydroxystero-id dehydrogenase,17β-HSD)能催化人体内类固醇性激素的形成和转化,例如它可以催化雌二醇与雌酮,雄烯二酮与睾酮之间的相互转化反应。人体内17β-HSD在胎盘组织含量最为丰富,催化17β-雌二醇等雌激素的生成,同时这些激素能够刺激乳腺瘤的增生。因此,如何抑制17β-HSD酶的过高活性,减少癌变发生的可能性,已成为目前这类癌症治疗的一个重要研究目标。目前,从胎盘组织中提取17β-HSD的方法,产量低,比活小,周期长,     

Apoptotic and anti-proliferative effects of 17β-estradiol and 17β-estradiol-like compounds in the Hep3B cell line

Since there is evidence for estrogen and estrogen-like compounds to have beneficial effect on the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), this study was designed to investigative the apoptotic and anti-proliferative effects of these compounds on the human hepatoma Hep3B cell line. The Hep3B cells were treated with 17β-estradiol (E2), diethylstilbestrol (DES), tamoxifen, and genistein. After treatments of these compounds at the concentration of 10^-6 or 10^-8 M, the Hep3B cells were demonstrated to have significant DNA fragmentation, nucleus condensation, cytochrome-c leaking from the mitochondria and caspase-3 activation by DAPI and Western blotting. The cells were also observed to have declined proliferative potential by MTT assay, arrested cell cycle by flow-cytometry measurements. However, the cytochrome-c leaking from the mitochondria induced by E2 and E2-like compounds was blocked totally by ICI 182,780 treatment. These finding suggest that estrogen and the estrogen-like compounds may induce anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects in Hep3B cells, and the E2 and the E2-like compounds mediated apoptotic effect was estrogen receptor dependent. Among the drugs tested, E2, E2 agonists (DES and genistein) and partial antagonist (tamoxifen), all showed the stronger anti-tumor potential. The last two authors, Wei-Wen Kuo and Chih-Yang Huang, share equal contribution.