SAR study of oxidative DIMs analogs targeting the Nur77-mediated apoptotic pathway of cancer cells.

Nur77, an orphan nuclear receptor, is implicated in regulating diverse cellular biological processes including apoptosis and inflammation. We previously identified BI1071 (DIM-C-pPhCF3+MeSO3-), an oxidized methanesulfonate salt of (4-CF3-Ph-C-DIM), was a direct ligand of Nur77, which could activate the Nur77-Bcl-2 apoptotic pathway. To obtain more effective compounds targeting the Nur77-mediated apoptotic pathway, we designed and synthesized a series of BI1071 analogs by introducing various substituent groups in the indolyl-rings of BI1071. Structure-activity relationship study identified A11, B5 and B15 as improved analogs with stronger binding affinity to Nur77 and enhanced apoptotic activity compared to BI1071. Nur77-binding studies demonstrated that A11, B5 and B15 bind to Nur77 with a Kd of 34 nM, 19 nM and 16 nM, respectively. Furthermore, mechanism studies showed that A11, B5 and B15 induced apoptosis through utilizing the Nur77-Bcl-2 pathway.

NUR77 exerts a protective effect against inflammatory bowel disease by negatively regulating the TRAF6/TLR-IL-1R signalling axis.

Nur77, an immediate-early response gene, participates in a wide range of biological functions. Its human homologue, NUR77, is known by several names and has the HGNC-approved gene symbol NR4A1. However, the role of Nur77 in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and its underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, using public data from the International Inflammatory Bowel Disease Genetics Consortium (IIBDGC) on the most recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), we found that genetic variants of the NUR77 gene are associated with increased risk for both UC and CD. Accordingly, Nur77 expression was significantly reduced in colon tissues from patients with UC or CD and mice treated with DSS. Nur77 deficiency increased the susceptibility of mice to DSS-induced experimental colitis and prevented intestinal recovery, whereas treatment with cytosporone B (Csn-B), an agonist for Nur77, significantly attenuated excessive inflammatory response in the DSS-induced colitis mouse model. Mechanistically, NUR77 acts as a negative regulator of TLR-IL-1R signalling by interacting with TRAF6. This interaction prevented auto-ubiquitination and oligomerization of TRAF6 and subsequently inhibited NF-κB activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Taken together, our GWAS-based analysis and in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that Nur77 is an important regulator of TRAF6/TLR-IL-1R-initiated inflammatory signalling, and loss of Nur77 may contribute to the development of IBD, suggesting Nur77 as a potential target for the prevention and treatment of IBD.

Binding characterization, synthesis and biological evaluation of RXRα antagonists targeting the coactivator binding site.

Previously we identified the first retinoid X receptor-alpha (RXRα) modulators that regulate the RXRα biological function via binding to the coregulator-binding site. Here we report the characterization of the interactions between the hit molecule and RXRα through computational modeling, mutagenesis, SAR and biological evaluation. In addition, we reported studies of additional new compounds and identified a molecule that mediated the NF-κB pathway by inhibiting the TNFα-induced IκBα degradation and p65 nuclear translocation.

Protective Effect of S-Allyl Cysteine Against Neonatal Asthmatic Rats.

S-Allyl cysteine (SAC), an organic compound and a natural constituent of Allium sativum, commonly known as garlic have been consumed in routine foods are known to possess various biological activities. Nevertheless, scientific evidence on the protective effect of SAC against neonatal asthmatic rats is not available. Hence, the present study aimed at investigating the anti-asthmatic activity of SAC in neonatal asthmatic rats using Wistar rats. The study conducted in 4 groups consists of normal control rats, asthma-induced, asthma animals administered with SAC (25 mg/kg), and SAC control. At the end of the experimental period, inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), inflammatory markers, fibrinogen level, activated partial thromboplastin time, coagulation factor activity, and histopathology were elucidated. The current investigation exhibits that SAC significantly reduced the total leukocytes, with restored fibrinogen level, and activated partial thromboplastin time. In addition, the levels of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor- α), IL-6 (Interleukin 6), and IL-1ß have also attenuated in SAC treated animals. Furthermore, the mRNA expression levels of COX2 (cyclooxygenase-2), MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1), RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted), and eotaxin were reduced in SAC treated animals. Treatment of rats with SAC significantly reduced inflammation and eosinophil infiltration in the lungs. These results suggest that SAC exert protection in neonatal asthmatic rats suffering from acute or chronic inflammation by inducing anti-inflammatory and cell-protective responses.

BI1071, a Novel Nur77 Modulator, Induces Apoptosis of Cancer Cells by Activating the Nur77-Bcl-2 Apoptotic Pathway.

Nur77 (also called TR3 or NGFI-B), an orphan member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, induces apoptosis by translocating to mitochondria where it interacts with Bcl-2 to convert Bcl-2 from an antiapoptotic to a pro-apoptotic molecule. Nur77 posttranslational modification such as phosphorylation has been shown to induce Nur77 translocation from the nucleus to mitochondria. However, small molecules that can bind directly to Nur77 to trigger its mitochondrial localization and Bcl-2 interaction remain to be explored. Here, we report our identification and characterization of DIM-C-pPhCF3 +MeSO3 - (BI1071), an oxidized product derived from indole-3-carbinol metabolite, as a modulator of the Nur77-Bcl-2 apoptotic pathway. BI1071 binds Nur77 with high affinity, promotes Nur77 mitochondrial targeting and interaction with Bcl-2, and effectively induces apoptosis of cancer cells in a Nur77- and Bcl-2-dependent manner. Studies with animal model showed that BI1071 potently inhibited the growth of tumor cells in animals through its induction of apoptosis. Our results identify BI1071 as a novel Nur77-binding modulator of the Nur77-Bcl-2 apoptotic pathway, which may serve as a promising lead for treating cancers with overexpression of Bcl-2.

Modulation of nongenomic activation of PI3K signalling by tetramerization of N-terminally-cleaved RXRα.

Retinoid X receptor-alpha (RXRα) binds to DNA either as homodimers or heterodimers, but it also forms homotetramers whose function is poorly defined. We previously discovered that an N-terminally-cleaved form of RXRα (tRXRα), produced in tumour cells, activates phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signalling by binding to the p85α subunit of PI3K and that K-80003, an anti-cancer agent, inhibits this process. Here, we report through crystallographic and biochemical studies that K-80003 binds to and stabilizes tRXRα tetramers via a 'three-pronged' combination of canonical and non-canonical mechanisms. K-80003 binding has no effect on tetramerization of RXRα, owing to the head-tail interaction that is absent in tRXRα. We also identify an LxxLL motif in p85α, which binds to the coactivator-binding groove on tRXRα and dissociates from tRXRα upon tRXRα tetramerization. These results identify conformational selection as the mechanism for inhibiting the nongenomic action of tRXRα and provide molecular insights into the development of RXRα cancer therapeutics.

Honokiol sensitizes breast cancer cells to TNF-α induction of apoptosis by inhibiting Nur77 expression.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The orphan nuclear receptor Nur77 is implicated in the survival and apoptosis of cancer cells. The purpose of this study was to determine whether and how Nur77 serves to mediate the effect of the inflammatory cytokine TNF-α in cancer cells and to identify and characterize new agents targeting Nur77 for cancer therapy. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The effects of TNF-α on the expression and function of Nur77 were studied using in vitro and in vivo models. Nur77 expression was evaluated in tumour tissues from breast cancer patients. The anticancer effects of honokiol and its mechanism of action were assessed by in vitro, cell-based and animal studies. KEY RESULTS: TNF-α rapidly and potently induced the expression of Nur77 in breast cancer cells through activation of IκB kinase and JNK. Knocking down Nur77 resulted in TNF-α-dependent apoptosis, while ectopic Nur77 expression in MCF-7 cells promoted their growth in animals. Levels of Nur77 were higher in tumour tissues than the corresponding tissues surrounding the tumour in about 50% breast cancer patients studied. Our in vitro and animal studies also identified honokiol as an effective sensitizer of TNF-α-induced apoptosis by inhibiting TNF-α-induced Nur77 mRNA expression, which could be attributed to its interference of TNFR1's interaction with receptor-interacting protein 1 (RIPK1). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: TNF-α-induced Nur77 serves as a survival factor to attenuate the death effect of TNF-α in cancer cells. With its proven human safety profile, honokiol represents a promising agent that warrants further clinical development.