Retinoids Molecular Probes by Late-stage Azide Insertion - Functional Tools to Decrypt Retinoid Metabolism.

Studying the complex and intricate retinoids metabolic pathways by chemical biology approaches requires design and synthesis of biologically functional molecular probes. Only few of such molecular retinoid probes could be found in literature, most of them bearing a molecular structure quite different from natural retinoids. To provide close-to-native retinoid probes, we have developed a versatile late-stage method for the insertion of azide function at the C4 position of several retinoids. This one-step process opens straightforward access to different retinoid and carotenoid probes from commercially available precursors. We have further demonstrated that the different molecular probes retain ability of the original compound to activate genes' transcription, despite azide insertion, highlighting biological activities that were further validated in zebrafish in vivo model. The present work paves the way to future studies on vitamin A's metabolism.

A vitamin D-based strategy overcomes chemoresistance in prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is a common male malignancy that requires new therapeutic strategies due to acquired resistance to its first-line treatment, docetaxel. The benefits of vitamin D on prostate cancer (PCa) progression have been previously reported. This study aimed to investigate the effects of vitamin D on chemoresistance in CRPC. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Structure function relationships of potent vitamin D analogues were determined. The combination of the most potent analogue and docetaxel was explored in chemoresistant primary PCa spheroids and in a xenograft mouse model derived from a patient with a chemoresistant CRPC. KEY RESULTS: Here, we show that Xe4MeCF3 is more potent than the natural ligand to induce vitamin D receptor (VDR) transcriptional activities and that it has a larger therapeutic window. Moreover, we demonstrate that VDR agonists restore docetaxel sensitivity in PCa spheroids. Importantly, Xe4MeCF3 reduces tumour growth in a chemoresistant CRPC patient-derived xenograft. In addition, this treatment targets signalling pathways associated with cancer progression in the remaining cells. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Taken together, these results unravel the potency of VDR agonists to overcome chemoresistance in CRPC and open new avenues for the clinical management of PCa.

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of New Type of Gemini Analogues with a Cyclopropane Moiety in Their Side Chain.

We synthesized two new gemini analogues, UG-480 and UG-481, that incorporate a modified longer side chain containing a cyclopropane group. The evaluation of the bioactivities of the two gemini analogues indicated that the 17,20 threo (20S) compound, UG-480, is the most active one and is as active as 1,25(OH)2D3. Docking and molecular dynamics (MD) data showed that the compounds bind efficiently to vitamin D receptor (VDR) with UG-480 to form an energetically more favorable interaction with His397. Structural analysis indicated that whereas the UG-480 compound efficiently stabilizes the active VDR conformation, it induces conformational changes in the H6-H7 VDR region that are greater than those induced by the parental Gemini and that this is due to the occupancy of the secondary channel by its modified side chain.

4-Hydroxy-1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3: Synthesis and Structure-Function Study.

The active vitamin D metabolites, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25D3) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D3), are produced by successive hydroxylation steps and play key roles in several cellular processes. However, alternative metabolic pathways exist, and among them, the 4-hydroxylation of 25D3 is a major one. This study aims to investigate the structure-activity relationships of 4-hydroxy derivatives of 1,25D3. Structural analysis indicates that 1,4α,25(OH)3D3 and 1,4ß,25(OH)3D3 maintain the anchoring hydrogen bonds of 1,25D3 and form additional interactions, stabilizing the active conformation of VDR. In addition, 1,4α,25D3 and 1,4ß,25D3 are as potent as 1,25D3 in regulating the expression of VDR target genes in rat intestinal epithelial cells and in the mouse kidney. Moreover, these two 4-hydroxy derivatives promote hypercalcemia in mice at a dose similar to that of the parent compound.

Design, synthesis, and biological activity of D-bishomo-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 analogs and their crystal structures with the vitamin D nuclear receptor.

The biologically active metabolite of vitamin D3 - calcitriol - is a hormone involved in the regulation of calcium-phosphate homeostasis, immunological processes and cell differentiation, being therefore essential for the proper functioning of the human body. This suggests many applications of this steroid in the treatment of diseases such as rickets, psoriasis and some cancers. Unfortunately, using therapeutic doses of calcitriol is associated with high concentrations of this compound which causes hypercalcemia. For this reason, new calcitriol analogs are constantly sought, devoid of calcemic effects but maintaining its beneficial properties. In this study, we present the synthesis of vitamin D derivatives characterized by an enlarged (seven-membered) ring D. Preparation of the designed vitamin D compounds required separate syntheses of crucial building blocks (C/D-rings fragments with side chain and rings A) which were combined by different methods, including Wittig-Horner reaction and Suzuki coupling. Biological activities of the target vitamin D analogs were assessed both in vitro and in vivo, demonstrating their significant potency compared to the natural hormone. Furthermore, the successful crystallization of these compounds with the vitamin D receptor (VDR) enabled us to investigate additional molecular interactions with this protein.

Further Studies on the Highly Active Des-C-Ring and Aromatic-D-Ring Analogues of 1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 (Calcitriol): Refinement of the Side Chain.

Current efforts in the vitamin D field are directed toward the development of highly antiproliferative yet noncalcemic analogues of the natural hormone 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D3). We have recently reported the design, synthesis, biological evaluation, and crystal structures of a series of novel analogues that both lack the steroidal C-ring and have an m-phenylene ring replacing the steroidal cyclopentane D-ring. We have now investigated the potentiating effects of incorporating selected modifications (hexafluorination and/or an internal triple bond) within the steroidal side chain in our series. An alternative synthetic strategy (Wittig-Horner approach instead of our previously used Pd-catalyzed tandem cyclization/cross-coupling) for the construction of the vitamin D triene system was found convenient for the target compounds 2, 3a, 3b, and 3c of this report. These modifications enhance vitamin D nuclear receptor (VDR) interactions and consequently VDR-associated biological properties compared to parental PG-136 compound while maintaining normal calcium levels.

Vitamin D Receptor Antagonist MeTC7 Inhibits PD-L1.

Small-molecule inhibitors of PD-L1 are postulated to control immune evasion in tumors similar to antibodies that target the PD-L1/PD-1 immune checkpoint axis. However, the identity of targetable PD-L1 inducers is required to develop small-molecule PD-L1 inhibitors. In this study, using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay and siRNA, we demonstrate that vitamin D/VDR regulates PD-L1 expression in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) cells. We have examined whether a VDR antagonist, MeTC7, can inhibit PD-L1. To ensure that MeTC7 inhibits VDR/PD-L1 without off-target effects, we examined competitive inhibition of VDR by MeTC7, utilizing ligand-dependent dimerization of VDR-RXR, RXR-RXR, and VDR-coactivators in a mammalian 2-hybrid (M2H) assay. MeTC7 inhibits VDR selectively, suppresses PD-L1 expression sparing PD-L2, and inhibits the cell viability, clonogenicity, and xenograft growth of AML cells. MeTC7 blocks AML/mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) adhesion and increases the efferocytotic efficiency of THP-1 AML cells. Additionally, utilizing a syngeneic colorectal cancer model in which VDR/PD-L1 co-upregulation occurs in vivo under radiation therapy (RT), MeTC7 inhibits PD-L1 and enhances intra-tumoral CD8+T cells expressing lymphoid activation antigen-CD69. Taken together, MeTC7 is a promising small-molecule inhibitor of PD-L1 with clinical potential.

Structural analysis and biological activities of C25-amino and C25-nitro vitamin D analogs.

Intense synthetic efforts have been directed towards the development of noncalcemic analogs of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. We describe here the structural analysis and biological evaluation of two derivatives of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 with modifications limited to the replacement of the 25-hydroxyl group by a 25-amino or 25-nitro groups. Both compounds are agonists of the vitamin D receptor. They mediate biological effects similar to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, the 25-amino derivative being the most potent one while being less calcemic than 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. The in vivo properties of the compounds make them of potential therapeutic value.

FGFR3 Mutational Activation Can Induce Luminal-like Papillary Bladder Tumor Formation and Favors a Male Sex Bias.

BACKGROUND: Bladder cancer (BCa) is more common in men and presents differences in molecular subtypes based on sex. Fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) mutations are enriched in the luminal papillary muscle-invasive BCa (MIBC) and non-MIBC subtypes. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether FGFR3 mutations initiate BCa and impact BCa male sex bias. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We developed a transgenic mouse model expressing the most frequent FGFR3 mutation, FGFR3-S249C, in urothelial cells. Bladder tumorigenesis was monitored in transgenic mice, with and without carcinogen exposure. Mouse and human BCa transcriptomic data were compared. INTERVENTION: Mutant FGFR3 overexpression in mouse urothelium and siRNA knockdown in cell lines, and N-butyl-N(4-hydroxybutyl)-nitrosamine (BBN) exposure. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Impact of transgene dosage on tumor frequency, synergy with BBN treatment, and FGFR3 pathway activation were analyzed. The sex-specific incidence of FGFR3-mutated tumors was evaluated in mice and humans. FGFR3 expression in FGFR3-S249C mouse urothelium and in various human epithelia was measured. Mutant FGFR3 regulation of androgen (AR) and estrogen (ESR1) receptor activity was evaluated, through target gene expression (regulon) and reporter assays. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: FGFR3-S249C expression in mice induced low-grade papillary BCa resembling human luminal counterpart at histological, genomic, and transcriptomic levels, and promoted BBN-induced basal BCa formation. Mutant FGFR3 expression levels impacted tumor incidence in mice, and mutant FGFR3-driven human tumors were restricted to epithelia presenting high normal FGFR3 expression levels. BCa male sex bias, also found in our model, was even higher in human FGFR3-mutated tumors compared with wild-type tumors and was associated with higher AR and lower ESR1 regulon activity. Mutant FGFR3 expression inhibited both ESR1 and AR activity in mouse tumors and human cell lines, demonstrating causation only between FGFR3 activation and low ESR1 activity in tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Mutant FGFR3 initiates luminal papillary BCa formation and favors BCa male sex bias, potentially through FGFR3-dependent ESR1 downregulation. Patients with premalignant lesions or early-stage BCa could thus potentially benefit from FGFR3 targeting. FGFR3 expression level in epithelia could account for FGFR3-driven carcinoma tissue specificity. PATIENT SUMMARY: By developing a transgenic mouse model, we showed that gain-of-function mutations of FGFR3 receptor, among the most frequent genetic alterations in bladder cancer (BCa), initiate BCa formation. Our results could support noninvasive detection of FGFR3 mutations and FGFR3 targeting in early-stage bladder lesions.

Design, Synthesis, Biological Activity, and Structural Analysis of Novel Des-C-Ring and Aromatic-D-Ring Analogues of 1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3.

The toxic calcemic effects of the natural hormone 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D3, 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol) in the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases demand the development of highly active and noncalcemic vitamin D analogues. We report the development of two highly active and noncalcemic analogues of 1,25D3 that lack the C-ring and possess an m-phenylene ring that replaces the natural D-ring. The new analogues (3a, 3b) are characterized by an additional six-carbon hydroxylated side chain attached either to the aromatic nucleus or to the triene system. Both compounds were synthesized by the Pd-catalyzed tandem cyclization/cross coupling approach starting from alkyne 6 and diphenol 8. Key steps include a stereoselective Cu-assisted addition of a Grignard reagent to an aromatic alkyne and a Takai olefination of an aromatic aldehyde. The new compounds are noncalcemic and show transcriptional and antiproliferative activities similar to 1,25D3. Structural analysis revealed that they induce a large conformational rearrangement of the vitamin D receptor around helix 6.

Vitamin D Analogs Bearing C-20 Modifications Stabilize the Agonistic Conformation of Non-Responsive Vitamin D Receptor Variants.

The Vitamin D receptor (VDR) plays a key role in calcium homeostasis, as well as in cell proliferation and differentiation. Among the large number of VDR ligands that have been developed, we have previously shown that BXL-62 and Gemini-72, two C-20-modified vitamin D analogs are highly potent VDR agonists. In this study, we show that both VDR ligands restore the transcriptional activities of VDR variants unresponsive to the natural ligand and identified in patients with rickets. The elucidated mechanisms of action underlying the activities of these C-20-modified analogs emphasize the mutual adaptation of the ligand and the VDR ligand-binding pocket.

Vitamin D and Its Receptor from a Structural Perspective.

The activities of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, 1,25D3, are mediated via its binding to the vitamin D receptor (VDR), a ligand-dependent transcription factor that belongs to the nuclear receptor superfamily. Numerous studies have demonstrated the important role of 1,25D3 and VDR signaling in various biological processes and associated pathologies. A wealth of information about ligand recognition and mechanism of action by structural analysis of the VDR complexes is also available. The methods used in these structural studies were mainly X-ray crystallography complemented by NMR, cryo-electron microscopy and structural mass spectrometry. This review aims to provide an overview of the current knowledge of VDR structures and also to explore the recent progress in understanding the complex mechanism of action of 1,25D3 from a structural perspective.

Advances in Vitamin D Receptor Function and Evolution Based on the 3D Structure of the Lamprey Ligand-Binding Domain.

1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D3) regulates many physiological processes in vertebrates by binding to the vitamin D receptor (VDR). Phylogenetic analysis indicates that jawless fishes are the most basal vertebrates exhibiting a VDR gene. To elucidate the mechanism driving VDR activation during evolution, we determined the crystal structure of the VDR ligand-binding domain (LBD) complex from the basal vertebratePetromyzon marinus, sea lamprey (lVDR). Comparison of three-dimensional crystal structures of the lVDR-1,25D3 complex with higher vertebrate VDR-1,25D3 structures suggests that 1,25D3 binds to lVDR similarly to human VDR, but with unique features for lVDR around linker regions between H11 and H12 and between H9 and H10. These structural differences may contribute to the marked species differences in transcriptional responses. Furthermore, residue co-evolution analysis of VDR across vertebrates identifies amino acid positions in H9 and the large insertion domain VDR LBD specific as correlated.

HR-Bac, a toolbox based on homologous recombination for expression, screening and production of multiprotein complexes using the baculovirus expression system.

The Baculovirus/insect cell expression system is a powerful technology for reconstitution of eukaryotic macromolecular assemblies. Most multigene expression platforms rely on Tn7-mediated transposition for transferring the expression cassette into the baculoviral genome. This allows a rigorous characterization of recombinant bacmids but involves multiple steps, a limitation when many constructs are to be tested. For parallel expression screening and potential high throughput applications, we have established an open source multigene-expression toolbox exploiting homologous recombination, thus reducing the recombinant baculovirus generation to a single-step procedure and shortening the time from cloning to protein production to 2 weeks. The HR-bac toolbox is composed of a set of engineered bacmids expressing a fluorescent marker to monitor virus propagation and a library of transfer vectors. They contain single or dual expression cassettes bearing different affinity tags and their design facilitates the mix and match utilization of expression units from Multibac constructs. The overall cost of virus generation with HR-bac toolbox is relatively low as the preparation of linearized baculoviral DNA only requires standard reagents. Various multiprotein assemblies (nuclear hormone receptor heterodimers, the P-TEFb or the ternary CAK kinase complex associated with the XPD TFIIH subunit) are used as model systems to validate the toolbox presented.

Biological evaluation and synthesis of calcitroic acid.

We describe the synthesis and broad profiling of calcitroic acid (CTA) as vitamin D receptor (VDR) ligand. The x-ray co-crystal structure of the Danio Rerio VDR ligand binding domain in complex with CTA and peptide MED1 confirmed an agonistic conformation of the receptor. CTA adopted a similar conformation as 1,25(OH)2D3 in the binding pocket. A hydrogen bond with His333 and a water molecule were observed in the binding pocket, which was accommodated due to the shorter CTA side chain. In contrast, 1,25(OH)2D3 interacted with His423 and His333 due to its longer side chain. In vitro, the EC50 values of CTA and CTA-ME for VDR-mediated transcription were 2.89 µM and 0.66 µM, respectively, confirming both compounds as VDR agonists. CTA was further evaluated for interaction with fourteen nuclear receptors demonstrating selective activation of VDR. VDR mediated gene regulation by CTA in intestinal cells was observed for the VDR target gene CYP24A1. CTA at 10 µM upregulated CYP24A1 with similar efficacy as 1,25(OH)2D3 at 20 nM and 100-fold stronger compared to lithocholic acid at 10 µM. CTA reduced the transcription of iNOS and IL-1ß in interferon γ and lipopolysaccharide stimulated mouse macrophages resulting in a reduction of nitric oxide production and secretion of IL-1ß. These observed anti-inflammatory properties of 20 µM CTA were similar to 20 nM 1,25(OH)2D3.

Design, synthesis and evaluation of side-chain hydroxylated derivatives of lithocholic acid as potent agonists of the vitamin D receptor (VDR).

A high number of biologically active and low-calcemic secosteroidal ligands of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) have been developed, some of which are already used clinically although with limited success in the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases because the required pharmaceutical dosages induce toxicity. We describe here the in silico design, synthesis, structural analysis and biological evaluation of two novel active lithocholic acid derivatives hydroxylated at the side chain as highly potent inhibitors of atopic dermatitis-relevant keratinocyte inflammation of potential therapeutic interest.

Ligands and DNA in the allosteric control of retinoid receptors function.

Retinoids are a family of compounds that include both vitamin A (all-trans retinol) and its naturally occurring metabolites such as retinoic acids (e.g. all-trans retinoic acid) as well as synthetic analogs. They are critically involved in the regulation of a wide variety of essential biological processes, such as embryogenesis and organogenesis, apoptosis, reproduction, vision, and the growth and differentiation of normal and neoplastic cells in vertebrates. The ability of these small molecules to control the expression of several hundred genes through binding to nuclear ligand-dependent transcription factors accounts for most of their functions. Three retinoic acid receptor (RARα,ß,γ) and three retinoid X receptor (RXRα,ß,γ) subtypes form a variety of RXR-RAR heterodimers that have been shown to mediate the pleiotropic effects of retinoids through the recruitment of high-molecular weight co-regulatory complexes to response-element DNA sequences found in the promoter region of their target genes. Hence, heterodimeric retinoid receptors are multidomain entities that respond to various incoming signals, such as ligand and DNA binding, by allosteric structural alterations which are the basis of further signal propagation. Here, we provide an overview of the current state of knowledge with regard to the structural mechanisms by which retinoids and DNA response elements act as allosteric effectors that may combine to finely tune RXR-RAR heterodimers activity.

Design, Synthesis, Evaluation and Structure of Allenic 1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 Analogs with Locked Mobility at C-17.

Vitamin D receptor ligands have potential for the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases and disorders related to the immune system. However, hypercalcemic effects limit their therapeutical uses and call for the development of tissue-selective new analogs. We have designed and synthesized the first examples of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 analogs bearing an allenic unit attached to the D ring to restrict the side-chain conformational mobility. The triene system was constructed by a Pd0 -mediated cyclization/Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling process in the presence of an allenic side chain. The allenic moiety was built through an orthoester-Claisen rearrangement of a propargylic alcohol. The biological activity and structure of (22S)-1α,25-dihydroxy-17,20-dien-24-homo-21-nor-vitamin D3 bound to binding domain of the vitamin D receptor, provide information concerning side-chain conformational requirements for biological activity.