Kelli S. Bramlett

Helix-stabilized cyclic peptides as selective inhibitors of steroid receptor–coactivator interactions

The interaction between nuclear receptors and coactivators provides an arena for testing whether protein–protein interactions may be inhibited by small molecule drug candidates. We provide evidence that a short cyclic peptide, containing a copy of the LXXLL nuclear receptor box pentapeptide, binds tightly and selectively to estrogen receptor α. Furthermore, as shown by x-ray analysis, the disulfide-bridged nonapeptide, nonhelical in aqueous solutions, is able to adopt a quasihelical conformer while binding to the groove created by ligand attachment to estrogen receptor α. An i, i+3 linked analog, H-Lys-cyclo(d-Cys-Ile-Leu-Cys)-Arg-Leu-Leu-Gln–NH2 (peptidomimetic estrogen receptor modulator 1), binds with a Ki of 25 nM, significantly better than an i, i+4 bridged cyclic amide, as predicted by molecular modeling design criteria. The induction of helical character, effective binding, and receptor selectivity exhibited by this peptide analog provide strong support for this strategy. The stabilization of minimalist surface motifs may prove useful for the control of other macromolecular assemblies, especially when an amphiphilic helix is crucial for the strong binding interaction between two proteins.

Identification and characterization of noncalcemic, tissue-selective, nonsecosteroidal vitamin D receptor modulators

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) ligands are therapeutic agents for the treatment of psoriasis, osteoporosis, and secondary hyperparathyroidism. VDR ligands also show immense potential as therapeutic agents for autoimmune diseases and cancers of skin, prostate, colon, and breast as well as leukemia. However, the major side effect of VDR ligands that limits their expanded use and clinical development is hypercalcemia that develops as a result of the action of these compounds mainly on intestine. In order to discover VDR ligands with less hypercalcemia liability, we sought to identify tissue-selective VDR modulators (VDRMs) that act as agonists in some cell types and lack activity in others. Here, we describe LY2108491 and LY2109866 as nonsecosteroidal VDRMs that function as potent agonists in keratinocytes, osteoblasts, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells but show poor activity in intestinal cells. Finally, these nonsecosteroidal VDRMs were less calcemic in vivo, and LY2108491 exhibited more than 270-fold improved therapeutic index over the naturally occurring VDR ligand 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] in an in vivo preclinical surrogate model of psoriasis.

Potent Inhibitors of LXXLL‐Based Protein–Protein Interactions

Protein–protein interactions between estrogen receptors, ERα and ERβ, and their coactivators (CoAs) are an attractive target for drug intervention. This interaction is mediated by a small pentapeptide motif (LXXLL), termed the NR box. Based on this motif, a variety of cyclic and linear peptides were synthesized in order to gain a better understanding of the association of CoA proteins with the ER isoforms. Utilizing a time‐resolved florescence‐based coactivator interaction assay, we determined the abilities of these peptides to inhibit this interaction. Using molecular modeling and CD spectroscopy, we have examined the structural basis of their bioactivities with both hormone receptor isoforms. Either homocysteine or penicillamine was utilized as a substitute for cysteine in the disulfide‐bridged peptides, while tertiary leucine and neopentyl glycine were used as the surrogates for the NR box leucines. The most potent disufide‐bridged peptide (Ki= 70 pM, with ERα) incorporates neopentyl glycine in the NR box, while the most active peptide in this series with ERβ (Ki=350 pM) incorporates tertiary leucine. Surprisingly, several linear peptides containing a single cysteine residue showed activities with low nanomolar Ki values. Collectively, our results suggest a synthetic approach for designing potent and selective peptidomimetics for ERα and ERβ interactions with CoA proteins effecting estrogen action.

Prediction of the tissue-specificity of selective estrogen receptor modulators by using a single biochemical method

Here, we demonstrate that a single biochemical assay is able to predict the tissue-selective pharmacology of an array of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). We describe an approach to classify estrogen receptor (ER) modulators based on dynamics of the receptor-ligand complex as probed with hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX) mass spectrometry. Differential HDX mapping coupled with cluster and discriminate analysis effectively predicted tissue-selective function in most, but not all, cases tested. We demonstrate that analysis of dynamics of the receptor–ligand complex facilitates binning of ER modulators into distinct groups based on structural dynamics. Importantly, we were able to differentiate small structural changes within ER ligands of the same chemotype. In addition, HDX revealed differentially stabilized regions within the ligand-binding pocket that may contribute to the different pharmacology phenotypes of the compounds independent of helix 12 positioning. In summary, HDX provides a sensitive and rapid approach to classify modulators of the estrogen receptor that correlates with their pharmacological profile.

Effects of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) on coactivator nuclear receptor (NR) box binding to estrogen receptors.

Coactivators are required for activation of target genes by nuclear receptors. A well-studied class of coactivators, the p160 proteins, use short nuclear receptor interaction domains (NR boxes) to bind to the activated ligand-binding domain of a nuclear receptor. To investigate how selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) affect NR box recruitment, we compared the recruitment of p160 NR box peptides to the estrogen receptor (ER)alpha and ER beta in the presence of 17beta-estradiol (E2), 4-OH tamoxifen (4-OH Tam), LY 117018 (a raloxifene analog), and ICI 182780 (ICI, an ER antagonist). Our coactivator interaction assay utilizes time-resolved fluorescence technology to assess the binding of the 10 NR boxes derived from the three known p160 coactivators (SRC-1, -2, -3) to the ER subtypes in the presence of each ligand. The SERMs we studied did not increase NR box binding to either ER alpha or ER beta, but instead were potent antagonists decreasing estradiol-dependent NR box binding. We also demonstrated inverse agonism for all of the SERMs tested as they dose-dependently decreased hormone-independent NR box binding to ER beta. Therefore, the SERMs studied behave as antagonists of ER alpha and ER beta NR box binding and do not increase coactivator NR box binding to either ER subtype. In addition, we examined the preference of E2-bound ER alpha and ER beta for various naturally occurring NR boxes including the 10 SRC boxes as well as the motifs from PGC-1, TRBP, TRAP220, and CBP. Interestingly, a clear preferential pattern of interaction was noted that was receptor specific.

Pharmacology of Nuclear Receptor–Coregulator Recognition

The nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily comprises approximately 50 members that are responsible for regulating a number of physiologic processes in humans, including metabolism, homeostasis, and reproduction. Included in the superfamily are the receptors for steroids, lipophilic vitamins, bile acids, retinoids, and various fatty acids. NRs exert their action as transcription factors that directly bind to the promoters of target genes and regulate their rate of transcription. To modulate transcription, however, NRs must recruit a number of accessory coregulators known as corepressors and coactivators. These coregulators harbor a variety of activities, such as the ability to modify chromatin structure, interact with basal transcriptional machinery, and modify RNA splicing. Recent studies have revealed that the pharmacological characteristics of various NR ligands are regulated by their ability to modulate the coregulator interaction profile of an NR.

A 15-ketosterol is a liver X receptor ligand that suppresses sterol-responsive element binding protein-2 activity

Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease. Oxysterols are known to inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis and have been explored as potential antihypercholesterolemic agents. The ability of 3β-hydroxy-5α-cholest-8(14)-en-15-one (15-ketosterol) to lower non-HDL cholesterol has been demonstrated in rodent and primate models, but the mechanisms of action remain poorly understood. Here we show in a coactivator recruitment assay and cotransfection assays that the 15-ketosterol is a partial agonist for liver X receptor-α and -β (LXRα and LXRβ). The binding affinity for the LXRs was comparable to those of native oxysterols. In a macrophage cell line of human origin, the 15-ketosterol elevated ATP binding cassette transporter ABCA1 mRNA in a concentration-dependent fashion with a potency similar to those of other oxysterols. We further found that in human embryonic kidney HEK 293 cells, the 15-ketosterol suppressed sterol-responsive element binding protein processing activity and thus inhibited mRNA expression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, LDL receptor, and PCSK9. Our data thus provide a molecular basis for the hypocholesterolemic activity of the 15-ketosterol and further suggest its potential antiatherosclerotic benefit as an LXR agonist.

Liver X receptor and retinoic X receptor mediated ABCA1 regulation and cholesterol efflux in macrophage cells-messenger RNA measured by branched DNA technology.

ABCA1 is an ATP binding cassette transporter that plays an essential role in cholesterol and phospholipid efflux and HDL biogenesis. ABCA1 expression in macrophage cells is subject to regulation by cAMP, cholesterol loading, and ligands of the nuclear receptors liver X receptor (LXR) and retinoid X receptor (RXR). We report here the development of a rapid and high volume branched DNA (bDNA) method to measure ABCA1 mRNA. By using the bDNA method, we show that both LXR and RXR ligands effectively regulate ABCA1 expression in three macrophage cell types: mouse RAW264.7 cell line, mouse peritoneal macrophage cells, and human macrophage THP-1 cells and their regulation is additive. Furthermore, by using a radiolabeled cholesterol efflux assay, we show that both LXR and RXR ligands are sufficient to mediate cholesterol efflux in macrophage cells and their efficacy correlates with ABCA1 regulation. These studies strengthen further the notion that LXR and RXR mediate ABCA1 expression and cholesterol efflux in macrophage cells as a permissive heterodimer and development of small molecule ligands of these nuclear receptors may represent a promising approach to modulating cholesterol efflux and plasma HDL cholesterol level in humans.

Design and Synthesis of Cyclic Peptide Antagonists Intended to Block Coactivator Binding to Steroid Nuclear Receptors

Estrogen Receptor (ER), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is involved in various diseases, including breast cancer. A widely used estrogen antagonist, tamoxifen, binds to ER in the steroid-binding pocket in place of estrogen. It induces a conformational change within the receptor, such that coactivators can no longer bind to ER, thereby potentially blocking transcription.