Specificity of the Redox Complex between Cytochrome P450 24A1 and Adrenodoxin Relies on Carbon-25 Hydroxylation of Vitamin-D Substrate.

Metabolic deactivation of 1,25(OH)2D3 is initiated by modification of the vitamin-D side chain, as carried out by the mitochondrial cytochrome P450 24A1 (CYP24A1). In addition to its role in vitamin-D metabolism, CYP24A1 is involved in catabolism of vitamin-D analogs, thereby reducing their efficacy. CYP24A1 function relies on electron transfer from the soluble ferredoxin protein adrenodoxin (Adx). Recent structural evidence suggests that regioselectivity of the CYP24A1 reaction may correlate with distinct modes of Adx recognition. Here we used nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to monitor the structure of 15N-labeled full-length Adx from rat while forming the complex with rat CYP24A1 in the ligand-free state or bound to either 1,25(OH)2D3 or the vitamin-D supplement 1α(OH)D3. Although both vitamin-D ligands were found to induce a reduction in overall NMR peak broadening, thereby suggesting ligand-induced disruption of the complex, a crosslinking analysis suggested that ligand does not have a significant effect on the relative association affinities of the redox complexes. However, a key finding is that, whereas the presence of primary CYP24A1 substrate was found to induce NMR peak broadening focused on the putative recognition site α-helix 3 of rat adrenodoxin, the interaction in the presence of 1α(OH)D3, which is lacking the carbon-25 hydroxyl, results in disruption of the NMR peak broadening pattern, thus indicating a ligand-induced nonspecific protein interaction. These findings provide a structural basis for the poor substrate turnover of side-chain-modified vitamin-D analogs, while also confirming that specificity of the CYP24A1-ligand interaction influences specificity of CYP24A1-Adx recognition. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Mitochondrial cytochrome P450 enzymes, such as CYP24A1 responsible for catabolizing vitamin-D and its analogs, rely on a protein-protein interaction with a ferredoxin in order to receive delivery of the electrons required for catalysis. In this study, we demonstrate that this protein interaction is influenced by the enzyme-ligand interaction that precedes it. Specifically, vitamin-D missing carbon-25 hydroxylation binds the enzyme active site with high affinity but results in a loss of P450-ferredoxin binding specificity.

Development of a method for multiple vitamin D metabolite measurements by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry in dried blood spots.

There are two forms of vitamin D which are essential to the human body, i.e. vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). The inactive metabolites of vitamin D are commonly used for quantitative analysis because of their longer half-life, stability, and relatively high blood concentrations. This paper presents the development of a high-throughput and sensitive method for determining four vitamin D metabolites in dried blood spots using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. This method allows for the determination of 25(OH)D2 and 25(OH)D3 concentrations, as well as the epimeric form 3-epi-25(OH)D3 and 24,25(OH)2D3. The analyzed material is capillary blood taken from the fingertip, deposited on filter paper. Four different chromatographic columns were tested to separate all compounds, in particular, the epimeric form. The column of choice was F5 (Phenomenex, Torrance, CA, USA). In order to prove the consistency between the results for DBS, used as an alternative biological matrix, and serum, comparative studies of these two materials were carried out in nearly 100 individuals. The results indicated their positive correlation. The evaluation of short-term stability of metabolites in DBS within the month showed no change in metabolite concentration. During the validation, the impact of the matrix on the ionization of the tested compounds was evaluated. Capillary blood and venous blood collected for different anticoagulants were also compared. The smallest differences in the results were obtained for citrate. In order to achieve a limit of quantitation of 0.2 ng ml-1, sample preparation involved derivatization using a Cookson-type reagent, 4-(4'-dimethylaminophenyl)-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione (DAPTAD).

A new suprasterol by photochemical reaction of 1α,25-dihydroxy-9-methylene-19-norvitamin D3.

The UV-induced photochemical reaction of 1α,25-dihydroxy-9-methylene-19-norvitamin D3 has been investigated. The pentacyclic structure of the isolated product has been unequivocally established by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The possible reaction paths of the examined photochemical transformation are discussed. Biological in vivo and in vitro tests proved that the photoproduct is devoid of calcemic activity.

Synthesis and biological activity of 1α,2α,25-trihydroxyvitamin D3: active metabolite of 2α-(3-hydroxypropoxy)-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 by human CYP3A4.

Our previous studies revealed that recombinant human CYP3A4 converted 2α-(3-hydroxypropoxy)-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (O2C3), which was a more potent binder to vitamin D receptor (VDR) than the natural hormone, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1α,25(OH)2D3, 1), to 1α,2α,25-trihydroxyvitamin D3 (2). Here, we synthesized 2 using the Trost Pd-mediated coupling reaction between an A-ring precursor and a CD-ring bromoolefin and evaluated its preliminary biological activity. We found that metabolite 2 from O2C3 was still active as a VDR ligand while maintaining human VDR binding affinity (27.3% of 1α,25(OH)2D3) and HL-60 cell differentiation activity (62% of 1α,25(OH)2D3).

Synthesis of 9-alkylated calcitriol and two 1α,25-dihydroxy-9-methylene-10,19-dihydrovitamin D3 analogues with a non-natural triene system by thermal sigmatropic rearrangements.

1α,25-(OH)(2)-9α-Methylvitamin D(3) (4), the first known analogue of the natural hormone 1α,25-(OH)(2)D(3) (3) with an alkyl substituent at C-9, and two 1α,25-(OH)(2)-9-methylene-10,19-dihydrovitamin D(3) analogues (7 and 8) with an unprecedented non-natural triene system were synthesized by thermal isomerization of 1α,25-(OH)(2)-9-methylprevitamin D(3) (6). Three alternative approaches (Sonogashira, Stille, or stereoselective dehydration of a tertiary propargyl alcohol) have been successfully used to construct the dienyne precursors of previtamin 6 possessing two methyl groups capable of participating in the [1,7]-sigmatropic hydrogen shift.

Characterizing antibody cross-reactivity for immunoaffinity purification of analytes prior to multiplexed liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

BACKGROUND: Immunoassays for 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1α,25(OH)(2)D] lack analytical specificity. We characterized the cross-reactivity of an anti-1α,25(OH)(2)D antibody with purified vitamin D metabolites and used these data to map the chemical features of 1α,25(OH)(2)D that are important for antibody binding. Additionally, we hypothesized that when combined with isotope-dilution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), antibody cross-reactivity could be used to semiselectively enrich for structurally similar metabolites of vitamin D in a multiplexed assay. METHODS: Sample preparation consisted of immunoaffinity enrichment with a solid-phase anti-1α,25(OH)(2)D antibody and derivatization. Analytes were quantified with LC-MS/MS. Supplementation and recovery studies were performed for 11 vitamin D metabolites. We developed a method for simultaneously quantifying 25(OH)D(2), 25(OH)D(3), 24,25(OH)(2)D(3), 1α,25(OH)(2)D(2), and 1α,25(OH)(2)D(3) that included deuterated internal standards for each analyte. RESULTS: The important chemical features of vitamin D metabolites for binding to the antibody were (a) native orientation of the hydroxyl group on carbon C3 in the A ring, (b) the lack of substitution at carbon C4 in the A ring, and (c) the overall polarity of the vitamin D metabolite. The multiplexed method had lower limits of quantification (20% CV) of 0.2 ng/mL, 1.0 ng/mL, 0.06 ng/mL, 3.4 pg/mL, and 2.8 pg/mL for 25(OH)D(2), 25(OH)D(3), 24,25(OH)(2)D(3), 1α,25(OH)(2)D(2), and 1α,25(OH)(2)D(3), respectively. Method comparisons to 3 other LC-MS/MS methods yielded an r(2) value >0.9, an intercept less than the lower limit of quantification, and a slope statistically indistinguishable from 1.0. CONCLUSIONS: LC-MS/MS can be used to characterize antibody cross-reactivity, a conclusion supported by our multiplexed assay for 5 vitamin D metabolites with immunoenrichment in a targeted metabolomic assay.

Synthesis and biological activities of 1α,4α,25- and 1α,4ß,25-trihydroxyvitamin D(3) and their metabolism by human CYP24A1 and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase.

A previous report has demonstrated the existence of a C4-hydroxylated vitamin D(2) metabolite in serum of rats treated with pharmacological doses of vitamin D(2). However, the biological significance and metabolic fate of this metabolite have not been described. To explore its potential biological activities, we therefore synthesized 1α,4α,25-trihydroxyvitamin D(3) and its diastereoisomer, 1α,4ß,25-trihydroxyvitamin D(3), using Trost Pd-mediated coupling reaction, and studied their vitamin D receptor (VDR) binding affinity, osteocalcin promoter transactivation activity, and their further metabolism by human CYP24A1 as well as by human liver microsomal fraction based on CYP- and UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs)-reactions.

Production of 22-hydroxy metabolites of vitamin d3 by cytochrome p450scc (CYP11A1) and analysis of their biological activities on skin cells.

Cytochrome P450scc (CYP11A1) can hydroxylate vitamin D(3), producing 20S-hydroxyvitamin D(3) [20(OH)D(3)] and 20S,23-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [20,23(OH)(2)D(3)] as the major metabolites. These are biologically active, acting as partial vitamin D receptor (VDR) agonists. Minor products include 17-hydroxyvitamin D(3), 17,20-dihydroxyvitamin D(3), and 17,20,23-trihydroxyvitamin D(3). In the current study, we have further analyzed the reaction products from cytochrome P450scc (P450scc) action on vitamin D(3) and have identified two 22-hydroxy derivatives as products, 22-hydroxyvitamin D(3) [22(OH)D(3)] and 20S,22-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [20,22(OH)(2)D(3)]. The structures of both of these derivatives were determined by NMR. P450scc could convert purified 22(OH)D(3) to 20,22(OH)(2)D(3). The 20,22(OH)(2)D(3) could also be produced from 20(OH)D(3) and was metabolized to a trihydroxyvitamin D(3) product. We compared the biological activities of these new derivatives with those of 20(OH)D(3), 20,23(OH)(2)D(3), and 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)]. 1,25(OH)(2)D(3), 20(OH)D(3), 22(OH)D(3), 20,23(OH)(2)D(3), and 20,22(OH)(2)D(3) significantly inhibited keratinocyte proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. The strongest inducers of involucrin expression (a marker of keratinocyte differentiation) were 20,23(OH)(2)D(3), 20,22(OH)(2)D(3), 20(OH)D(3), and 1,25(OH)(2)D(3), with 22(OH)D(3) having a heterogeneous effect. Little or no stimulation of CYP24 mRNA expression was observed for all the analogs tested except for 1,25(OH)(2)D(3). All the compounds stimulated VDR translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus with 22(OH)D(3) and 20,22(OH)(2)D(3) having less effect than 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) and 20(OH)D(3). Thus, we have identified 22(OH)D(3) and 20,22(OH)(2)D(3) as products of CYP11A1 action on vitamin D(3) and shown that, like 20(OH)D(3) and 20,23(OH)(2)D(3), they are active on keratinocytes via the VDR, however, showing a degree of phenotypic heterogeneity in comparison with other P450scc-derived hydroxy metabolites of vitamin D(3).

A new look at the most successful prodrugs for active vitamin D (D hormone): alfacalcidol and doxercalciferol.

Alfacalcidol (1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D(3)) has been widely used since 1981 as a prodrug for calcitriol (1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3)) in the treatment of hypocalcemia, chronic renal failure, hypoparathyroidism and osteoporosis. More recently, doxercalciferol (1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D(2)) has been used since 1999 as a prodrug for 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(2) for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism. Currently, six forms of vitamin D are known. They range from vitamin D(2) to vitamin D(7 )and are distinguished by their differing side chains. Only vitamin D(2) and vitamin D(3) have been found to be biologically active based on the elucidation of activation pathways. Alfacalcidol and osteoporosis/doxercalciferol and secondary hyperparathyroidism are discussed, with a new look at old compounds including their practical syntheses.

Concise synthesis of 23-hydroxylated vitamin D3 metabolites.

Three 23-hydroxylated vitamin D3 derivatives, which are metabolites of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 produced by CYP24A1 and a related diastereomer, were efficiently synthesized. Each C23 hydroxy unit was constructed by the Claisen condensation reaction with ethyl acetate or the Grignard reaction with 2-methylallymagnesium chloride. Stereochemistry at the C23 position was determined by a modified Mosher's method. The triene structures were constructed by the Wittig-Horner reaction utilizing the A-ring phosphine oxide moiety.

Potentially repurposable drugs for schizophrenia identified from its interactome.

We previously presented the protein-protein interaction network of schizophrenia associated genes, and from it, the drug-protein interactome which showed the drugs that target any of the proteins in the interactome. Here, we studied these drugs further to identify whether any of them may potentially be repurposable for schizophrenia. In schizophrenia, gene expression has been described as a measurable aspect of the disease reflecting the action of risk genes. We studied each of the drugs from the interactome using the BaseSpace Correlation Engine, and shortlisted those that had a negative correlation with differential gene expression of schizophrenia. This analysis resulted in 12 drugs whose differential gene expression (drug versus normal) had an anti-correlation with differential expression for schizophrenia (disorder versus normal). Some of these drugs were already being tested for their clinical activity in schizophrenia and other neuropsychiatric disorders. Several proteins in the protein interactome of the targets of several of these drugs were associated with various neuropsychiatric disorders. The network of genes with opposite drug-induced versus schizophrenia-associated expression profiles were significantly enriched in pathways relevant to schizophrenia etiology and GWAS genes associated with traits or diseases that had a pathophysiological overlap with schizophrenia. Drugs that targeted the same genes as the shortlisted drugs, have also demonstrated clinical activity in schizophrenia and other related disorders. This integrated computational analysis will help translate insights from the schizophrenia drug-protein interactome to clinical research - an important step, especially in the field of psychiatric drug development which faces a high failure rate.

Synthesis of gamma- and delta-lactones from 1alpha-hydroxy-5,6-trans-vitamin D3 by ring-closing metathesis route and their reduction with metal hydrides.

New synthetic pathway towards 19-functionalized derivatives of 1alpha-hydroxy-5,6-trans-vitamin D3 was described. Ring-closing metathesis (RCM) of 1alpha-hydroxy-5,6-trans-vitamin D3 1-omega-alkenoates was a key-step. Hydride reduction of resulting lactones led to the new vitamin D3 analogues.

An alternative pathway of vitamin D metabolism. Cytochrome P450scc (CYP11A1)-mediated conversion to 20-hydroxyvitamin D2 and 17,20-dihydroxyvitamin D2.

We report an alternative, hydroxylating pathway for the metabolism of vitamin D2 in a cytochrome P450 side chain cleavage (P450scc; CYP11A1) reconstituted system. NMR analyses identified solely 20-hydroxyvitamin D2 and 17,20-dihydroxyvitamin D2 derivatives. 20-Hydroxyvitamin D2 was produced at a rate of 0.34 mol x min(-1) x mol(-1) P450scc, and 17,20-dihydroxyvitamin D2 was produced at a rate of 0.13 mol x min(-1) x mol(-1). In adrenal mitochondria, vitamin D2 was metabolized to six monohydroxy products. Nevertheless, aminoglutethimide (a P450scc inhibitor) inhibited this adrenal metabolite formation. Initial testing of metabolites for biological activity showed that, similar to vitamin D2, 20-hydroxyvitamin D2 and 17,20-dihydroxyvitamin D2 inhibited DNA synthesis in human epidermal HaCaT keratinocytes, although to a greater degree. 17,20-Dihydroxyvitamin D2 stimulated transcriptional activity of the involucrin promoter, again to a significantly greater extent than vitamin D2, while the effect of 20-hydroxyvitamin D2 was statistically insignificant. Thus, P450scc can metabolize vitamin D2 to generate novel products, with intrinsic biological activity (at least in keratinocytes).

Use of vitamin D(4) analogs to investigate differences in hepatic and target cell metabolism of vitamins D(2) and D(3).

In this study, we used molecules with either of the structural differences in the side chains of vitamin D(2) and vitamin D(3) to investigate which feature is responsible for the significant differences in their respective metabolism, pharmacokinetics and toxicity. We used two cell model systems-HepG2 and HPK1A-ras-to study hepatic and target cell metabolism, respectively. Studies with HepG2 revealed that the pattern of 24- and 26-hydroxylation of the side chain reported for 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D(2) (1alpha-OH-D(2)) but not for 1alpha-OH-D(3) is also observed in both 1alpha-OH-D(4) and Delta(22)-1alpha-OH-D(3) metabolism. This suggests that the structural feature responsible for targeting the enzyme to the C24 or C26 site could be either the C24 methyl group or the 22-23 double bond. In HPK1A-ras cells, the pattern of metabolism observed for the 24-methylated derivative, 1alpha,25-(OH)(2)D(4), was the same pattern of multiple hydroxylations at C24, C26 and C28 seen for vitamin D(2) compounds without evidence of side chain cleavage observed for vitamin D(3) derivatives, suggesting that the C24 methyl group plays a major role in this difference in target cell metabolism of D(2) and D(3) compounds. Novel vitamin D(4) compounds were tested and found to be active in a variety of in vitro biological assays. We conclude that vitamin D(4) analogs and their metabolites offer valuable insights into vitamin D analog design, metabolic enzymes and maybe useful clinically.

Improved and efficient synthesis of 1alpha-hydroxy-[6-(2)H] and 1alpha-hydroxy-[6,19,19-(2)H]vitamin D3 derivatives.

Improved and efficient procedures for deuterium-labeling at the 6,19,19 positions of 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 derivatives via its sulfur dioxide-adduct by using a base-catalyzed H-D exchange reaction are described. Application of the known procedure using tBuOK/DMF-D2O, which is effective for labeling vitamin D3 derivatives, to 1alpha-hydroxy compounds gave only poor results because of isomerization and decomposition. We found that this procedure is improved by the use of iPrONa/iPrOD. During this study, we also found that the 6-monodeuterated product was selectively obtained when MeONa/CD3OD was employed instead of iPrONa/iPrOD. On the other hand, simple addition of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone as a co-solvent to the above conditions was effective for 1alpha,25-dihydroxy compounds. These improved procedures were successfully applied to the synthesis of 1alpha-hydroxy-[6,19,19-(2)H]vitamin D3 derivatives 4 and 1alpha-hydroxy-[6-(2)H]vitamin D3 derivatives 6 from the corresponding 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 derivatives 1 via its sulfur dioxide-adducts 2, 3 and 5 in good over-all yield with high deuterium incorporation.

Effect of solvents on the thermal isomerization of 1 alpha-hydroxyprevitamin D3 diacetate to 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 diacetate.

The thermal conversion of 1 alpha-hydroxyprevitamin D3 (1 alpha-OH-previtamin D3) diacetate to 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 (1 alpha-OH-vitamin D3) diacetate was investigated in five solvents. The fraction of 1 alpha-OH-vitamin D3 diacetate was calculated from the HPLC peak areas (UV detection) of 1 alpha-OH-previtamin D3 diacetate and 1 alpha-OH-vitamin D3 diacetate. When 1 alpha-OH-previtamin D3 diacetate was dissolved in ethanol, benzene, toluene, isopropyl ether, or n-hexane, and heated at 60 degrees C, the yield of 1 alpha-OH-vitamin D3 diacetate increased during the first 4 h, and reached an equilibrium level after 8.5 h. Differences in the ratio of 1 alpha-OH-previtamin D3 diacetate to 1 alpha-OH-vitamin D3 diacetate at thermal equilibrium, and in the rate of the thermal isomerization were observed among these five solvents. Molecular mechanics (MM) calculations were performed in order to estimate solvent effects on conformation for 1 alpha-OH-previtamin D3 diacetate and 1 alpha-OH-vitamin D3 diacetate. The solvent effect was treated by specifying a dielectric constant representative of each of the three solvents: ethanol (polar), n-hexane (nonpolar), and benzene (aromatic). The dielectric constants used were 24.3 for ethanol, 1.5 for n-hexane, and 2.3 for benzene. It is suggested that the conformation of 1 alpha-OH-vitamin D3 diacetate is stabilized in polar solvent. However, the order of conformational stability when solvent effects are included in the calculations is: ethanol greater than benzene greater than n-hexane. This order does not follow the experimental results. The proton NMR chemical shifts of 1 alpha-OH-vitamin D3 diacetate are different in deuterated n-hexane, ethanol, and benzene. The downfield shift of the C-6 vinyl proton of 1 alpha-OH-vitamin D3 diacetate, when compared to the chemical shift in benzene, is 0.15 and 0.11 ppm relative to the chemical shift in n-hexane and ethanol, respectively, and that of the C-7 proton was 0.30 and 0.33 ppm, respectively. No significant proton shift of 1 alpha-OH-previtamin D3 diacetate is recorded in these three solvents. To account for the increased ratio of 1 alpha-OH-vitamin D3 diacetate to 1 alpha-OH-previtamin D3 diacetate ratio in benzene, we suggest that 1 alpha-OH-vitamin D3 diacetate may be stabilized via specific solute-solvent interactions in benzene.

[Immune modulation by vitamin D analogs in the prevention of autoimmune diseases]. / Immuunmodulatie door vitamine D analogen ter preventie van autoimmune ziekten.

Vitamin D has been discovered at the beginning of this century. 7-Dehydrocholesterol is converted to vitamin D3 in the skin and after several hydroxylations it is further converted to the active hormonal form, 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3. Vitamin D stimulates the absorption of calcium and phosphate and is an essential link in bone resorption and formation and calcium metabolism. 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 acts through a vitamin D receptor. These receptors are not only present in clinical target organs (kidney, gut, liver) but can also be found in a wide variety of "non-classical" tissues (keratinocytes, cells belonging to the immune system). Moreover, numerous cells (keratinocytes, macrophages) can locally synthetize or can be induced to synthetize 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 and these cells are responsive to its action. When these data are combined, a possible paracrine function of 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 can be suspected. Via this paracrine function 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 can suppress the cellular and humoral immunity. Based on the discovery of these effects on immune cells in vitro it became clear that 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 might be an interesting molecule to prevent autoimmune diseases and organ transplantation. This has already been shown in several animal models (Heymann nephritis, diabetes mellitus, experimental allergic-encephalomyelitis, lupus). 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 demonstrates however some side-effects (hypercalciuria, hypercalcemia, bone resorption) and for this reason 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3-analogs are developed with dissociated effects i.e. an activity profile that allows a specific action on non-classical tissues without calcemic effects. Some chemical modifications of the side chain, A and/or CD-ring results in "superanalogs" with 10 to 100-fold more activity on cell differentiation and the immune system then 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 but with less calcemic activity in vivo. These biological effects can be explained by differences in pharmacokinetics (low affinity for the plasma vitamin D-binding protein and short extracellular half-life) and increased intracellular activation and gen transactivation. Preclinical research must still be done to select the most potent superanalogs and to find the exact protocols for the prevention and treatment of autoimmune diseases and rejection of transplanted organs.

Microbial production of 1α-hydroxyvitamin D3 from vitamin D3.

The microbial transformation of vitamin D3 (1) by the fungi Candida maltosa R42 and Botrytis allii NRRL 2502 was investigated. Incubation of compound 1 with C. maltosa R42 and B. allii NRRL 2502 produced the same three more polar metabolites in small yields. The main metabolite was identified as 1α-hydroxyvitamin D3 (2). This biotransformation has utility as a possible tool for the production of 1α-hydroxyvitamin D3 from the readily available vitamin D3 for patients with compromised kidney function.

Synthesis and biological activities of vitamin D-like inhibitors of CYP24 hydroxylase.

Selective inhibitors of CYP24A1 represent an important synthetic target in a search for novel vitamin D compounds of therapeutic value. In the present work, we show the synthesis and biological properties of two novel side chain modified 2-methylene-19-nor-1,25(OH)(2)D(3) analogs, the 22-imidazole-1-yl derivative 2 (VIMI) and the 25-N-cyclopropylamine compound 3 (CPA1), which were efficiently prepared in convergent syntheses utilizing the Lythgoe type Horner-Wittig olefination reaction. When tested in a cell-free assay, both compounds were found to be potent competitive inhibitors of CYP24A1, with the cyclopropylamine analog 3 exhibiting an 80-1 selective inhibition of CYP24A1 over CYP27B1. Addition of 3 to a mouse osteoblast culture sustained the level of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3), further demonstrating its effectiveness in CYP24A1 inhibition. Importantly, the in vitro effects on human promyeloid leukemia (HL-60) cell differentiation by 3 were nearly identical to those of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) and in vivo the compound showed low calcemic activity. Finally, the results of preliminary theoretical studies provide useful insights to rationalize the ability of analog 3 to selectively inhibit the cytochrome P450 isoform CYP24A1.

Hydrogen/deuterium exchange reveals distinct agonist/partial agonist receptor dynamics within vitamin D receptor/retinoid X receptor heterodimer.

Regulation of nuclear receptor (NR) activity is driven by alterations in the conformational dynamics of the receptor upon ligand binding. Previously, we demonstrated that hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX) can be applied to determine novel mechanism of action of PPARγ ligands and in predicting tissue specificity of selective estrogen receptor modulators. Here, we applied HDX to probe the conformational dynamics of the ligand binding domain (LBD) of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) upon binding its natural ligand 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D3), and two analogs, alfacalcidol and ED-71. Comparison of HDX profiles from ligands in complex with the LBD with full-length receptor bound to its cognate receptor retinoid X receptor (RXR) revealed unique receptor dynamics that could not be inferred from static crystal structures. These results demonstrate that ligands modulate the dynamics of the heterodimer interface as well as provide insight into the role of AF-2 dynamics in the action of VDR partial agonists.