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John A Katzenellenbogen

Publications and source records attributed to John A Katzenellenbogen.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Diaryl-substituted salicyl- and anthranyl-ketoximes as potential estrogen receptor ligands.

3,4-diphenylsalicylaldoxime and 3,4-diphenylanthranylaldoxime derivatives, containing small groups (methyl or ethyl) on the imine carbon atom, were synthesized and submitted to biological assays. Binding tests performed on uterine cytosol estrogen receptor (ER) preparation and on purified full-length human ERalpha and ERbeta, showed that the newly synthesised compounds exhibit considerably lower binding affinities with respect to reference non-substituted 3,4-salicylaldoxime.

Binding, Competitive↗

Estrogen receptor-alpha agonists promote angiogenesis in human myometrial microvascular endothelial cells.

OBJECTIVE: The relative role of the two estrogen receptors, ERalpha and ERbeta, in mediating angiogenic responses in adult human endothelium is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether novel ERalpha-selective agonists, propyl pyrazole triol (PPT) and the tetrahydrochrysene (R,R-THC), up-regulate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2), and promote VEGF-stimulated endothelial cell proliferation in primary cultures of adult female microvascular endothelial cells co-expressing endogenous ERalpha and ERbeta. METHODS: Confluent primary cultures of microvascular endothelial cells isolated from human myometrium were incubated with 17beta-estradiol (1 and 10 nM), PPT (10 nM to 3 microM), or R,R-THC (10 nM to 3 microM) for 18 hours and VEGFR-2 expression measured by biotin-VEGF165 binding and flow cytometry. Endothelial cell proliferation was assessed in microvascular endothelial cells after incubation with 17beta-estradiol (10 nM), PPT (100 nM), and R,R-THC (100 nM) for 6 days using a tetrazolium-based bioassay. RESULTS: Both PPT and R,R-THC increased VEGFR-2 expression on myometrial microvascular endothelial cells in a dose-dependent manner, reaching a maximum at 1 microM. Approximately 40% of myometrial microvascular endothelial cell isolates only express ERbeta and do not express ERalpha, and in these neither PPT, R,R-THC, nor 17beta-estradiol increased VEGF binding. PPT- or R,R-THC-stimulated increase in VEGF binding was significantly different between ERalpha+ and ERalpha- microvascular endothelial cell samples (P < .001 and P < .05, respectively). PPT, R,R-THC, and 17beta-estradiol significantly augmented VEGF-stimulated microvascular endothelial cell proliferation in ERalpha+ (P < .05), but not in ERalpha- samples. CONCLUSIONS: This angiogenic effect of 17beta-estradiol on adult female microvascular endothelial cells is mediated by ERalpha, rather than ERbeta.

Cell Division↗

Endogenous estrogen receptor beta is transcriptionally active in primary ovarian cells from estrogen receptor knockout mice.

The estrogen receptor (ER) alpha is a hormone-inducible transcription factor that has a pivotal physiological role. Intriguingly, a clear and undisputed physiological function of the recently described ERbeta remains elusive, with the exception of the ovary where a cooperative role of ERalpha and ERbeta has been demonstrated. We have, therefore, investigated whether endogenous ERs, in particular ERbeta, act as ligand-inducible transcription factors in primary ovarian cells derived from wild-type, ERalpha or ERbeta knockout mice. Granulosa-enriched cell fractions naturally expressing ERbeta and thecal cell fractions that express ERalpha were analyzed in transactivation assays using the vitellogenin A2 consensus estrogen response element and potent ER agonists diethylstilbestrol and S-indenestrol A. We studied also the potency-selective ERbeta agonist R-indenestrol A, the pure ERalpha agonist and ERbeta antagonist R,R-diethyl-tetrahydrochrysene and the pure ERalpha agonist propylpyrazole-triol. Using ER subtype-specific physiological cell models and these ER subtype-specific structural probes, we analyzed trans-activation of ERalpha and ERbeta. This analysis revealed that endogenously expressed ERbeta is indeed functional as a transcription factor, that it responds to estrogens appropriately, and that the ligands used are true ER subtype-specific probes in primary ovarian cells. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that endogenously expressed ERbeta is capable of regulating gene transcription independent of ERalpha.

Animals↗

Estrogen controls lipolysis by up-regulating alpha2A-adrenergic receptors directly in human adipose tissue through the estrogen receptor alpha. Implications for the female fat distribution.

Estrogen seems to promote and maintain the typical female type of fat distribution that is characterized by accumulation of adipose tissue, especially in the sc fat depot, with only modest accumulation of adipose tissue intraabdominally. However, it is completely unknown how estrogen controls the fat accumulation. We studied the effects of estradiol in vivo and in vitro on human adipose tissue metabolism and found that estradiol directly increases the number of antilipolytic alpha2A-adrenergic receptors in sc adipocytes. The increased number of alpha2A-adrenergic receptors caused an attenuated lipolytic response of epinephrine in sc adipocytes; in contrast, no effect of estrogen on alpha2A-adrenergic receptor mRNA expression was observed in adipocytes from the intraabdominal fat depot. These findings show that estrogen lowers the lipolytic response in sc fat depot by increasing the number of antilipolytic alpha2A-adrenergic receptors, whereas estrogen seems not to affect lipolysis in adipocytes from the intraabdominal fat depot. Using estrogen receptor subtype-specific ligands, we found that this effect of estrogen was caused through the estrogen receptor subtype alpha. These findings demonstrate that estrogen attenuates the lipolytic response through up-regulation of the number of antilipolytic alpha2A-adrenergic receptors only in sc and not in visceral fat depots. Thus, our findings offer an explanation how estrogen maintains the typical female sc fat distribution because estrogen seems to inhibit lipolysis only in sc depots and thereby shifts the assimilation of fat from intraabdominal depots to sc depots.

Abdomen↗

Exploration of the bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane system as a template for the development of new ligands for the estrogen receptor.

Three novel structural motifs based on a bicyclo [3.3.1]nonane template were examined as new ligands for estrogen receptor (ER). Type III compounds emerged as the most promising leads for developing high-affinity ER ligands, but they showed little selectivity for either ER subtype. Type II compounds, on the other hand, despite their lower affinity, exhibited significant ERbeta binding selectivity.

Alkanes↗

7alpha- and 17alpha-substituted estrogens containing tridentate tricarbonyl rhenium/technetium complexes: synthesis of estrogen receptor imaging agents and evaluation using microPET with technetium-94m.

To develop technetium and rhenium-labeled imaging agents for estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast tumors, we have prepared tridentate metal tricarbonyl chelates substituted at the 7alpha- and 17alpha-positions of estradiol. Some of the Re(CO)(3) conjugates have high binding for the ER in vitro. The in vivo biodistribution of the highest affinity of these novel metal tricarbonyl conjugates, prepared as the (94m)Tc labeled analogue, was evaluated by tissue dissection and microPET imaging. Although target tissue-selective uptake was not apparent, it is notable that microPET imaging identified the stomach as a major site of activity deposition, a site that might have been missed by standard tissue distribution studies.

Animals↗

Novel estrogen receptor ligands based on an anthranylaldoxime structure: role of the phenol-type pseudocycle in the binding process.

The 3,4-diphenylsalicylaldoxime system 1 is an estrogen receptor (ER) ligand of unusual structure, having a hydrogen-bonded pseudocyclic A'-ring in place of the paradigmatic phenolic A-ring that is characteristic of most estrogens. We have investigated the role played by the pseudocycle A' in binding to the ER by preparing 3,4-diphenylbenzaldoxime (4), a compound that completely lacks this ring but still preserves all of the other features of the original molecule 1, as well as a series of 3,4-diphenylanthranylaldoximes (5a-c) in which the nature of the heteroatom participating in the formation of pseudoring A' has been changed from an oxygen (1) to a nitrogen that is either unsubstituted (5a) or substituted with small alkyl groups (a methyl in 5b, or an ethyl in 5c). The importance of hydrogen-bonded pseudocycle A' in the binding process was confirmed by the fact that benzaldoxime 4 showed a greatly reduced binding affinity compared to salicylaldoxime 1. Moreover, the binding affinity improved considerably when the A'-ring contained either an unsubstituted nitrogen (5a) or an N-Me group (5b). On the other hand, the N-Et-substituted anthranyl derivative 5c showed a marked drop in binding affinity. Molecular modeling docking studies on ERalpha confirmed that compounds 5a and 5b fit nicely in the ligand binding pocket, with an especially comfortable fit for the N-Me group of 5b in a small hydrophobic pocket surrounded by nonpolar residues. The limited size of this pocket does not allow accommodation of N-substituents larger than a methyl group, which is consistent with the low binding affinity of the N-Et compound 5c.

Benzene Derivatives↗

Synthesis of 17-alpha-substituted estradiol-pyridin-2-yl hydrazine conjugates as effective ligands for labeling with Alberto's complex fac-[Re(OH2)3(CO)3]+ in water.

The development of (99m)Tc-estradiol radiopharmaceuticals would be advantageous for the detection of estrogen receptor-positive breast tumors. Estradiol derivatives conjugated to organometallic tricarbonyl-Tc(I) and related Re(I) complexes are capable of achieving high receptor binding affinity, but effective methods for synthesizing radiolabeled complexes in water are not available. Our interest in the synthesis of 2-hydrazinopyridines as ligands for Tc and Re led us to investigate Pd-catalyzed amination reactions of halo-pyridine substrates with di-tert-butyl hydrazodiformate. Both 2- and 4-substituted halo-pyridine substrates undergo C-N coupling with di-tert-butyl hydrazodiformate to produce Boc-protected pyridine hydrazine derivatives. Only highly electrophilic 3-pyridine halides were converted to the hydrazine. The Boc-protected 5-bromopyridin-2-yl hydrazine substrate 3 was prepared by regioselective substitution at the 2-position of 2,5-dibromopyridine. This bifunctional chelate was attached to ethynyl or vinyl groups at the 17alpha position of estradiol, using Sonogashira and Suzuki/Miyaura coupling reactions to synthesize 1 and 2 in high yields, respectively. Deprotection of 1 under acidic conditions provided the hydrazine hydrochloride salt 25. The 17alpha-estradiol-tricarbonylrhenium(I) complex 4 was synthesized by labeling 25 with fac-[Re(OH(2))(3)(CO)(3)](+) in aqueous ethanol. This complex exhibited excellent stability and high receptor binding affinity for the estrogen receptor, and it is a promising model for evaluation of the analogous Tc-99m complexes as diagnostic imaging agents for breast tumors.

Animals↗

Activities of estrogen receptor alpha- and beta-selective ligands at diverse estrogen responsive gene sites mediating transactivation or transrepression.

Estrogens exert their regulatory transcriptional effects, which can be stimulatory or repressive, at diverse gene sites via two estrogen receptors, ERalpha and ERbeta. Since these two ERs have different tissue distributions, ligands that have the capacity to selectively activate or inhibit these two ERs would be useful in elucidating the biology of these two receptors and might assist in the development of estrogen pharmaceuticals with improved tissue selectivity. We have developed several ligands that showed ERalpha or ERbeta selectivity at promoter-gene sites containing consensus estrogen response elements (EREs): ERalpha-selective agonist (propyl-pyrazole-triol (PPT)), ERalpha-selective antagonist (methyl-piperidino-pyrazole (MPP)), ERbeta-potency selective agonist (diarylpropionitrile (DPN)) and ERbeta-selective antagonist/ERalpha-agonist (R,R-tetrahydrochrysene (R,R-THC)). In this study, we have examined the activity of these compounds at a range of gene sites where ER stimulates gene expression through non-consensus EREs (complement C3), or multiple half-EREs (NHE-RF/EBP50), or by tethering to DNA via other proteins (TGF beta3 and progesterone receptor A/AP-1), and at gene sites where ER represses gene transcription (interleukin-6). At all of these genes, PPT showed full stimulation through ERalpha while displaying no agonism through ERbeta. MPP antagonized estradiol actions on gene transactivation and transrepression through ERalpha, with little or no effect on transcription mediated through ERbeta. DPN displayed subtype-selective agonism, being ca. 30-fold more potent through ERbeta. R,R-THC was a complete antagonist through ERbeta and displayed agonism through ERalpha, the level of which was promoter dependent. Because these ligands maintain their agonist or antagonist character and ER subtype-selectivity at gene sites of diverse nature, where estradiol is either stimulatory or inhibitory, these compounds should prove useful in elucidating the biological functions of ERalpha and ERbeta.

Cell Line, Tumor↗

Molecular sensors of estrogen receptor conformations and dynamics.

The ligand-induced conformation of a nuclear receptor ligand-binding domain (LBD) is a principal factor leading to transcriptional activity and determining the pharmacological response. Using the estrogen receptor (ER) LBD-labeled site specifically with a fluorophore, we demonstrate that effects of ligand binding on the conformation and dynamics of this domain can be studied directly, in a quantitative and convenient fashion, by various fluorescence methods. Estrogen ligands of different pharmacological character-agonists, selective ER modulators (SERMs), and pure antagonists-each produce distinctive spectroscopic signatures, characteristic of the conformational or dynamic features of their ER-LBD complexes. We can directly follow the equilibrium of helix 12 positions through the degree of local fluorophore rotational freedom and receptor helicity near the C terminus of helix 11. We observe differences even between ligands within a specific pharmacological class, such as the SERMs raloxifene and trans-4-hydroxytamoxifen, highlighting the ability of these fluorescent receptor sensors to detect unique ER conformations induced even by closely related ligands, yet ones that produce distinctive biological activities in estrogen target cells. Fluorophore-labeled LBDs can serve as versatile molecular sensors predictive of ligand pharmacological character and should be broadly applicable to other members of the nuclear receptor superfamily.

Binding Sites↗

Synthesis and binding affinities of fluoroalkylated raloxifenes.

Three fluoroalkylated derivatives (1-3) of the selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), raloxifene, have been synthesized. The key step in the synthesis is the C-C bond formation of benzo[b]thiophene and a substituted phenyl group (ring C) using a Stille reaction. The in vitro binding affinities of the substituted raloxifenes 1-3 are 45, 60, 89%, respectively, relative to the affinity of estradiol, which is higher than the affinity of raloxifene itself (25%). When labeled with the positron-emitting radionuclide, these compounds might be useful as PET imaging agents for estrogen receptor-positive breast tumors.

Fluorocarbons↗

Bridged bicyclic cores containing a 1,1-diarylethylene motif are high-affinity subtype-selective ligands for the estrogen receptor.

The actions of estrogens are mediated through the two estrogen receptors, ERalpha and ERbeta. Compounds that interact selectively with ERalpha or ERbeta are of interest because they could be used to explore the biological roles of these ER subtypes and they might be interesting estrogen pharmaceuticals. In a new approach to develop ER subtype-selective ligands, we have embellished the 1,1-diarylethylene motif, common to many nonsteroidal estrogens, with various bridged bicyclic or tricyclic cores, including ones based on bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane, bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane, and selected bi- and tricyclic terpenoids. This design leads to three-dimensional ER ligands of unusual structure that we have used to probe the size and shape of the ligand binding pocket of ERalpha and ERbeta. Many of these compounds have high binding affinities, with the best having a bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane core and binding 3-5 times better than estradiol to both ER subtypes. Some of the compounds show significant affinity selectivity in favor of ERbeta (4- to 5-fold), and in cell-based assays for transcriptional activity most are partial agonists on ERalpha and full antagonists on ERbeta.

Binding, Competitive↗

Diethylstilbestrol and tetrahydrochrysenes are calcium channel blockers in human platelets: relationship to the stilbene pharmacophore.

The effects of compounds with the stilbene pharmacophore [diethylstilbestrol (DES), DES derivatives, tetrahydrochrysene (THC), and THC derivatives] were examined for their ability to inhibit thrombin-induced Ca(2+) influx in human platelets. DES derivatives (DES dimethyl ether, DES dipropionate, dienestrol, and hexestrol) had lower inhibitory activity than DES. Esterification of DES with the bulky monobenzyl group eliminated inhibitory activity. Unsubstituted THC diol had the lowest inhibitory activity in the series of the THC derivatives bearing substituents in the 5,11 positions. These derivatives, either diethyl or dipropyl, cis or trans, were potent inhibitors of thrombin-induced [Ca(2+)](i) elevation (near 100% inhibition at 10 microM). Therefore, stilbene pharmacophore having bulk out of the plane of the double bond (from the twisting of the two aromatic rings or from addition of all substituents) seems to be requirement for the inhibitory activity. Free hydroxyl groups are also required for inhibitory activity, most likely for hydrogen bonding, since trans-diethyl tetrahydrochrysene dimethyl ether was inactive. Compounds bearing ethyl substituents (DES and THC derivatives) inhibited thrombin-induced release of calcium from the endoplasmic reticulum. These compounds also inhibited thapsigargin-induced Ca(2+) influx. This result implies that these compounds also block store-operated Ca(2+) influx directly, as well as internal Ca(2+) release. Compounds without ethyl substituents (trans-resveratrol, genistein, daidzein, and THC diol) only inhibited calcium influx into platelets.

Adult↗

Synthesis, binding affinity, and transcriptional activity of hydroxy- and methoxy-substituted 3,4-diarylsalicylaldoximes on estrogen receptors alpha and beta.

An effective, unprecedented replacement of the prototypical phenolic 'A-ring' of estrogens with an oxime and a hydroxy-moiety of the salicylaldoxime derivative 3,4-diphenyl-substituted (1a) opened the way to study structure-activity relationships of a new class of estrogen receptor (ER)-ligands. Herein, we present a study of the ER binding properties and transcriptional activities of analogues of 3,4-diphenylsalicylaldoxime (1a). The introduction of p-OH and p-OMe groups on the phenyl substituents of 1a, as in compounds 1b-g, results in unique structure-activity profiles. The preparation of the hetero-disubstituted compounds (1b-e) was accomplished by a sequential introduction of different 3- and 4-aryl groups, obtained by exploiting the different reactivity of the bromine versus chlorine substituents on the precursor, 2-bromo-3-chloronitrobenzene (5), in the palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. The results of the biological tests show that the introduction of one hydroxy-group on the 3-phenyl substituent of the lead compound 1a improved the binding affinity on ERbeta (1c), whereas the introduction of the same group on the 4-phenyl substituent of 1a gave a compound (1e) with better affinity properties on ERalpha. The introduction of two hydroxyl groups in the para-position of both phenyl substituents of 1a, as in 1g, lowered the binding on both receptor subtypes. In transcription assays, the ERalpha agonist character of this class of ligands is enhanced by the presence of a p-hydroxy or p-methoxy in the 'distal' phenyl ring, whereas substitution on the other phenyl ring does not substantially modify the partial agonist character of 1a. Thus, results from the binding and transcription assays illustrate that this class of ER ligands has a distinct structure-activity profile on the two ER subtypes, being potent nearly full agonists on ERalpha and weak, partial antagonists on ERbeta.

Cloning, Molecular↗

Estrogenic diazenes: heterocyclic non-steroidal estrogens of unusual structure with selectivity for estrogen receptor subtypes.

Estrogens regulate many biological functions, often acting in a tissue-selective manner. Their tissue-selective action is believed to involve differential estrogen action through the two estrogen receptor (ER) subtypes, ERalpha and ERbeta, as well as differential interaction of the ligand-receptor complexes with promoters and coregulator proteins. In the latter case, selectivity is based on the induction of specific conformations of the ligand-ER complex, conformations that are influenced by the structure of the ligand. Estrogen pharmaceuticals having an ideal balance of tissue-selective activity are being sought for menopausal hormone replacement, breast cancer prevention and therapy, and other actions. To expand on the structural diversity of ER ligands that might show such tissue selectivity, we have prepared a series of diazenes (pyrazines, pyrimidines, and pyridazines) substituted with two to four aryl groups and various short-chain aliphatic substituents. All of the pyrazine and pyrimidines bind to ER, some with high affinity and with a considerable degree of preferential binding to either ERalpha or ERbeta. One pyrimidine and one pyrazine have ERalpha affinity preferences as high as 23 and 9, respectively, and one pyrimidine has an ERbeta affinity preference of 8. The pyridazines, by contrast, are quite polar and have only very low binding affinity for the ER. In cell-based transcription assays, several of the pyrimidines and a pyrazine were found to be considerably more agonistic on ERalpha than on ERbeta. Because these triaryl diazenes have the largest volumes among the ER ligands so far investigated, their high affinity demonstrates the flexibility of the ligand binding pocket of the ERs and its tolerance for large substituents. Thus, these novel heterocyclic ligands expand the repertoire of chemical structures that bind to the estrogen receptor, and they could prove to be useful in elucidating the biological behavior of the two ER subtypes and in forming the basis for new estrogen pharmaceuticals having desirable tissue selectivity.

Endometrial Neoplasms↗

Synthesis of novel arylpyrazolo corticosteroids as potential ligands for imaging brain glucocorticoid receptors.

Corticosteroids regulate a variety of essential physiological functions, such as mineral balance and stress. The great interest in these steroids, especially the glucocorticoids, stems from roles they are thought to play in neuropsychiatric disorders, such as severe depression and anxiety.The development of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) ligands which are appropriately labeled with short-lived positron-emitting radioisotopes would allow the non-invasive in-vivo imaging and mapping of brain GRs by means of positron emission tomography (PET). In this context we have synthesized a series of novel arylpyrazolo steroids exhibiting different substitution patterns at the D-ring of the steroid skeleton, as ligands for brain GRs. Special attention was given to 4-fluorophenyl pyrazolo steroids, which are known to display high binding affinity toward the GR. The compounds were evaluated in a competitive radiometric receptor binding assay to determine their relative binding affinities (RBA) to the GR. Some compounds show good binding affinities of up to 56% in comparison to dexamethasone (100%). In initial experiments, selected candidates were labeled with the positron emitter fluorine-18 and in one case with the gamma-emitter iodine-131.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Synthesis and biological evaluation of a fluorine-18 labeled estrogen receptor-alpha selective ligand: [18F] propyl pyrazole triol.

The two estrogen receptor subtypes, ERalpha and ERbeta, play important roles in breast cancer. To develop an ERalpha imaging agent, we synthesized fluoropropyl pyrazole triol (FPPT, 2), an analog of our ERalpha-selective ligand PPT. FPPT retains the high ERalpha binding selectivity of its parent PPT. We prepared [(18)F]FPPT ((18)F-2) in high specific activity, but estrogen target tissue uptake in female rats was minimal and was not displaceable by unlabeled estradiol, probably because of the lipophilicity and triphenolic nature of FPPT.

Animals↗