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J P Raynaud

Publications and source records attributed to J P Raynaud.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Multivariate analysis by the minimum spanning tree method of the structural determinants of diphenylethylenes and triphenylacrylonitriles implicated in estrogen receptor binding, protein kinase C activity, and MCF7 cell proliferation.

The response profiles of 36 para-substituted diphenylethylenes (DPEs) and triphenylacrylonitriles (TPEs) have been compared by multivariate analysis. The responses measured were (a) relative binding affinity (RBA) for the cytosol estrogen receptor (ER), (b) ability to promote the growth of the human MCF7 breast cancer cell-line, (c) cytotoxicity in MCF7 cells, and (d) ability to stimulate or inhibit protein kinase C (PKC) III activity under three different conditions of enzyme activation. The prime object of the analysis was to observe the simultaneous influence of diverse combinations of substituents on all these in vitro responses. To do this, the minimum spanning tree (MST) method was used to organize the molecules into a network in which proximate molecules are closely related with regard to their responses whereas remote molecules are distinct. The MST of this population of molecules had four main branches. E2 and its TPE mime were located in a central position within the trunk whereas the tips of the branches tended toward molecules of different specificity, i.e., cytotoxic molecules that bind to ER and interfere with PKC, noncytotoxic molecules that also bind to ER and interfere with PKC but promote cell growth, molecules only active on PKC, and molecules active on all parameters except PKC stimulation. A parallel MST analysis of the relationships among the response parameters themselves confirmed previous conclusions: For this population of molecules, RBAs for ER are fairly closely related to ability to promote MCF7 cell growth and only little to cytotoxicity (Bignon et al. J. Med. Chem. 1989, 32, 2092). Cytotoxicity is much more clearly correlated with inhibition of diacylglycerol-stimulated PKC activity than with RBAs for ER. PKC inhibition differs substantially depending upon whether the substrate is H1 histone or protamine sulfate.

Acrylonitrile

A model for the determination of the 3D-spatial distribution of the functions of the hormone-binding domain of receptors that bind 3-keto-4-ene steroids.

A method of comparing the hydrophobic clusters of proteins (hydrophobic cluster analysis, HCA) has revealed that the 3D-folding pattern of the hormone-binding domain (HBD) of steroid hormone receptors (SHRs) may have an unexpectedly high degree of analogy with the known 3D-crystal structures of proteins belonging to the serine proteinase inhibitor (SERPIN) superfamily, e.g. alpha 1-antitrypsin and ovalbumin. The present paper briefly reviews some of the biochemical evidence that supports the structural validity of the SERPIN model and shows how the model can be used to establish hypothetical 3D-locations for functions attributed to different amino-acids or peptide sequences of the HBD: i.e. heat-shock protein binding, transcription activation, phosphorylation, steroid binding, but also ATP-binding. Indeed, the model has enabled the identification of a Rossmann-fold in SHRs that might bind ATP. Visualization of all these functions should help to interpret the chain of concerted events induced by steroid binding.

Amino Acid Sequence

Thiacetarsamide (adulticide) versus melarsomine (RM 340) developed as macrofilaricide (adulticide and larvicide) to cure canine heartworm infection in dogs.

To implement a new macrofilaricide, treatment of heartworm infection or disease in dogs was checked in all the clinical situations ie from subclinical to severe disease. After preliminary toxicity and efficacy models on experimentally infected dogs, in addition, to the reference posology (2.5 mg of melarsomine (RM 340)/kg twice, 24 h apart by deep IM injection) a more practical program for vet practitioners was suggested (2.2 mg/kg twice, 3 h apart) using modelization of the pharmacokinetic data. The two treatments were equivalent as shown on models with experimental infection of dogs, critical tests on naturally infected dogs and clinical trials in veterinary practice. We advise using specific and well adapted therapeutic programs for each of the clinical classes (class 1: subclinical, class 2: moderate, class 3: severe). The safety margin is respectively x 3 or x 2.5 in contrast with thiacetarsamide which, being hepatotoxic, has no safety margin, and sometimes is nephrotoxic at the recommended dose. RM 340 is fully effective on D immitis adults (even on young ones of 7 months old) and L5 immatures (4 months old) when thiacetarsamide is poorly effective on 7 months or ineffective on 4-month-old parasites. Clinical trials in veterinary practice showed that the programs are well adapted to many clinical situations. The product is effective, relatively safe and easy to handle by IM injection. Preliminary results show its possible use as tactical treatment (2.2 mg/kg twice, 3 h apart) twice a year in mid August and December-January to prevent heartworm disease.

Animals

Influence of di- and tri-phenylethylene estrogen/antiestrogen structure on the mechanisms of protein kinase C inhibition and activation as revealed by a multivariate analysis.

We have performed a systematic study of the interaction of 36 di- and tri-phenylethylene derivatives (DPEs and TPEs) with protein kinase C (PKC). The results were submitted to a multivariate analysis in order to identify the structural features that might be implicated in interference with the activity of three PKC subspecies under three enzyme activation conditions. Four groups of test-compounds, each with common chemical features, could be distinguished clearly. The first group comprised all TPEs substituted with at least one basic dialkylaminoethoxy side-chain. These inhibited type alpha, beta and gamma PKC subspecies activated by Ca2+ and phosphatidylserine (PS) with or without diolein (DO) at micromolar concentrations but did not inhibit protamine sulfate phosphorylation. The other effectors, which all possessed a 1,1-bis-(p-hydroxyphenyl) ethylene moiety, influenced PKC activity at high concentrations (30-200 microM) and could be divided into two groups. One group constituted PKC inhibitors in the TPE series and inhibited PKC activated by Ca2+, PS and DO, as well as protamine sulfate phosphorylation. The other group constituted dual-type inhibitors/activators in the DPE series and stimulated PKC in the presence of Ca2+ and low PS concentrations but inhibited the enzyme in the simultaneous presence of DO. The fourth group of compounds was inactive and had, for the most part, one or two substituents with weak steric hindrance. In agreement with previous data for six lead compounds, this study suggests that, in these chemical series, a basic amino side-chain leads to interaction with phospholipid and the regulatory domain of PKC, whereas a 1,1-bis-(p-hydroxyphenyl) ethylene moiety leads to interaction with the catalytic domain of the enzyme.

Animals

Risk assessment of antibiotic residues of beta-lactams and macrolides in food products with regard to their immuno-allergic potential.

In human medicine drug allergy is a well-established side-effect of the therapeutic use of antibiotics, especially the beta-lactams. Side-effects caused by macrolides are uncommon and only a very few of these seem to be caused by allergic mechanisms. Clinically, drug allergy is characterized by a spectrum of reactions ranging from mild skin rashes to angio-oedema or life-threatening anaphylaxis. Concern has been expressed that antibiotic residues in meat and other foods might be responsible for similar hypersensitivity reactions in a small number of individuals. This review assesses the potential risk of such reactions in general, but focuses on allergy to penicillin and macrolide residues in particular. In relation to the risk of primary sensitization, it is unlikely that residues could contribute to the overall immune response in view of the very low levels that are likely to be encountered in comparison with the high levels received during therapeutic use. No evidence has been found that any individual has become sensitized by residues of either penicillins or macrolides. Furthermore, the oral route is much less sensitizing than parenteral administration and immunochemical studies with penicillin indicate that hapten-protein complexes formed in vivo are unlikely to be immunogenic because of their low dose, low epitope density and binding to autologous carrier proteins. For performed allergens, the epitope density was also too low to be immunogenic. Because of the ubiquitous nature of penicillin-producing moulds in nature and the extensive use of beta-lactam antibiotics in human medicine, it is unlikely that epidemiological studies could be undertaken that could allow quantification of the minimal risk. The risk of allergic reactions in pre-sensitized individuals can be assessed similarly and again it is concluded that factors such as dose, oral administration and low epitope density make it unlikely that a significantly antigenic derivative could be formed. However, a review of the literature on penicillin hypersensitivity revealed a very small number of previously sensitized individuals from whom there is reasonable clinical and documentary evidence that penicillin residues in milk triggered an allergic reaction, usually a rash. Although these cases are very rare (less than 10 cases reported in the last 25 years), they illustrate the continuing need to control antibiotic residues vigilantly. Animal models have not proved useful for predicting the risk of hypersensitivity reactions to drugs, since allergy in man is determined by genetic and other factors and no validated methods exist to determine a no-effect level.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals

Hydroxylated triphenylacrylonitriles adopt a unique orientation within the binding site of the estrogen receptor.

The relative binding affinities of a series of twelve para-hydroxylated triphenylethylenes (TPEs) for the estradiol receptor (ER) of calf uterus cytosol were measured by a competition method. The results obtained under equilibrium conditions support the hypothesis of the additivity of the energies corresponding to each of the hydrogen-bond type interactions of di- or tri-hydroxylated TPEs with the estradiol binding site of ER and strongly suggest that, whichever ring is hydroxylated, the orientation of the TPE in the steroid binding site is always the same. A hydroxyl group in a given position always interacts with the same location within the site. Mono-hydroxylation of the highly hydrophobic non-substituted TPE skeleton led to a large increase in relative binding affinity for ER which could be explained by a dual mechanism whereby the interaction specific to the hydroxyl is accompanied by a temperature- or time-dependent binding process that is not related to the hydroxylation position.

Animals

Hydrophobic cluster analysis (HCA) of the hormone-binding domain of receptor proteins.

A new technique of protein sequence analysis, namely, Hydrophobic Cluster Analysis (HCA), has been used to align and compare the sequences of proteins belonging to the receptor superfamily (steroid, thyroid hormone and retinoic acid receptors) and serpin superfamily (corticosteroid binding globulin (CBG) and alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1-AT]. By matching up clusters of hydrophobic amino-acids that oftenmost correspond to identifiable secondary structures (alpha-helices, beta-strands etc.), it has been possible to deduce the following information on the secondary structures of these proteins: CBG is structurally related to alpha 1-AT (HCA score greater than 80%), the structures of the hormone-binding domains of the steroid receptors that bind 3-keto-delta 4-steroids are closely interrelated (greater than 80%) but less closely related to that of the estrogen receptor (ER) (approximately 75%), vitamin D, retinoic acid and thyroid hormone receptors are structurally closely related (greater than or equal to 80%). Their secondary structures are, however, also related to that of the steroid receptors (approximately 70%), and a high degree of analogy exists between the structures of serpins and of the hormone-binding domains of members of the steroid superfamily (60-70%). HCA has clearly shown that a previous local sequence alignment of the estrogen receptor with other steroid receptors and cytochromes P450 has to be reconsidered. The published consensus steroid binding sequence previously identified in cytochromes is in fact 80 amino-acids upstream from its previously defined position. Other regions of contiguous sequence identity have also been identified which may be involved in the hydrophobic core of the protein or in steroid binding. Their positions have been indicated using the crystal structure of alpha 1-AT as a model.

Amino Acid Sequence

Non-michaelian behavior of 5 alpha-reductase in human prostate.

An in-depth analysis of the kinetics of 5 alpha-reductase in human prostatic tissue gave findings inconsistent with the claim that the enzyme is michaelian. In both hyperplastic and malignant tissue, the time-course of the conversion of testosterone (T) into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) was non-linear under conditions ensuring less than 15% conversion of substrate and cofactor. An initial rapid phase of conversion was followed by a long steady-state phase. This time-dependent change in conversion rate was not due to enzyme denaturation, fast inhibition by substrate or product effects. It resulted from a true slow transient kinetic process induced in the reactive enzyme by the substrates. Under our experimental conditions at pH 5.5, 5 alpha-reductase appeared to undergo a conformational change from an initially highly reactive form to a less reactive form. Since this "hysteretic" behavior was correlated with apparently negative cooperativity in enzyme kinetics, we postulate that, as previously described for other key metabolic enzymes, regulation of 5 alpha-reductase activity in the prostate depends on the molecular flexibility of the enzyme and on changes in the cooperativity of different enzyme forms over time. This original non-michaelian behavior may explain the conflicting kinetics reported so far in the literature for this enzyme. The clinical implications of 5 alpha-reductase hysteresis and its involvement in the damping of DHT production within the prostate are discussed.

3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase

Effect of triphenylacrylonitrile derivatives on estradiol-receptor binding and on human breast cancer cell growth.

In a study of a series of 26 triphenylacrylonitrile derivatives (TPEs), we investigated the influence of several possibly interrelated factors on the proliferation of human breast cancer cell lines. (1) Chemical substituents: the test compounds were for the most part para-hydroxylated with increasingly bulky hydrophobic and/or basic side chains [isopropyloxy or (diethylamino)ethoxy] or standard reference compounds. (2) Relative binding affinities (RBAs): they competed diversely for [3H]estradiol (E2) binding to calf uterus cytosol and little, if at all, for binding to the [3H]tamoxifen-labeled antiestrogen binding site (AEBS) in lower speed supernatant. A multiparametric comparison of RBAs recorded for calf, rat, and mouse uterus cytosol estrogen receptor (ER) revealed a possible influence of species-specific receptor conformation and/or environment on binding. (3) Estrogen/antiestrogen potency: their stimulation and inhibition of the proliferation of the ER-positive human breast cancer cell line (MCF7) was measured. Compounds with only hydroxy substituents stimulated proliferation more markedly than methylated derivatives and had a maximum effect at 10(-11)-10(-6) M. Stimulation was related to the RBA for ER. Compounds with isopropyloxy or (diethylamino)ethoxy side chains only weakly stimulated MCF7 cell growth and more powerfully antagonized E2-promoted growth. The extent of inhibition depended upon the bulk of the side chain and could be reversed by 10(-7) M E2. Within the same concentration ranges, the test compounds were without effect on the BT20 ER-negative cell line. (4) Cytostatic and/or cytolytic activity: most compounds could arrest the proliferation of both MCF7 and BT20 cells at concentrations above 3 x 10(-6) M. This activity was thus independent of ER. Nevertheless, those compounds with a charged hydrophobic side chain, which were the most powerful antagonists of E2-promoted cell growth, were also the most cytotoxic. The overall results for all molecules on all parameters were submitted to a multivariate analysis (correspondence analysis) which revealed the progressive influence of increasing substitution by hydroxy and more bulky groups on the generation of antagonist activity and cytotoxicity.

Animals

11 beta-substituted steroids, an original pathway to antihormones.

11 beta-substituted steroids form a novel class of derivative for the study of ligand-receptor interactions. The present review describes the synthetic pathways leading to 11 beta-substituted norsteroids and the kinetics and specificity of their interaction with receptors of several hormone classes as determined in a routine screening programme. The biochemical data on the interaction of one of these compounds, RU 38486, a potent antihormone presently in clinical development, with the progestin (PR) and glucocorticoid (GR) receptors are briefly reviewed. The comparison of the 3D-structures of these antagonists with those of potent hormones can help to map the interaction sites with PR and GR and highlights the potential use of these molecules as labelling agents and molecular probes.

Animals

Binding of steroids to the progestin and glucocorticoid receptors analyzed by correspondence analysis.

The relative binding affinities of over 30 steroids have been measured for the cytosol glucocorticoid receptor (GR) of thymus, liver, and hepatoma tissue culture cells and for progestin, androgen, and mineralocorticoid receptors. The data have been analyzed by correspondence analysis to reveal the singularities among the receptors of different hormonal classes, the similarities in GR of different origins, and the different specificities of the ligands. Additional data on new steroids have been injected into the system as well as results on a further parameter, namely the induction of tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) activity, to illustrate the power and flexibility of the methodology. The analysis has confirmed previous correlations between GR binding and TAT response but also highlighted the antiglucocorticoid activity of progestins. This method should prove to be a substantial aid to the interpretation of increasingly complex data, in particular with regard to the action of existing and newly synthesized steroids on glucocorticoid systems of differential sensitivity.

Animals

Antiandrogens in combination with LH-RH agonists in prostate cancer.

The rationale of the combination of a nonsteroid antiandrogen with an LH-RH analogue (LH-RH-A) in the treatment of prostate cancer is discussed. Whereas the LH-RH-A depresses testosterone (T) levels via an action on the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis, the antiandrogen counters the effect of any residual T, from the testes or adrenals, on the target organ, the prostate. Although bilateral orchiectomy and administration of estrogen or LH-RH-A give equivalent low T levels over long-term treatment, the manner and rate at which T suppression is achieved vary and each treatment presents characteristic disadvantages. Orchiectomy is irreversible, and it is known that approximately 20% of patients will not benefit from such endocrine manipulation, estrogen use is associated with cardiovascular disease, and LH-RH analogues produce an early surge in T. None of these treatments has any significant effect on adrenal androgen levels, which may contribute toward the progression of disease. Nonsteroid antiandrogens such as anandron and flutamide inhibit the uptake of androgen by the prostate by an action that probably involves the androgen receptor. They do not possess the progestational and glucocorticoid component of steroid antiandrogens or their pituitary inhibitory activity but do exert some inhibition of the 17 alpha-hydroxylase and 17,20-lyase enzyme systems. Unlike steroids, the nonsteroid antiandrogens potentiate the activity of LH-RH-A at the central level in the rat. The inhibitory action of the combined treatment of "anandron + buserelin" on the prostate is greater than that of each compound alone. Clinical pharmacology studies have demonstrated that both steroid and nonsteroid antiandrogens can help to control the effect of increased T levels (disease flare) that occur on initiating LH-RH-A administration. Prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) levels decrease immediately in spite of the increase in T. The decrease appears faster when nonsteroid antiandrogens are used. Nonsteroid antiandrogens sensitize the pituitary to stimulation by LH-RH in eugonadal volunteers. The results of randomized clinical studies with the combination of "nonsteroid antiandrogen + LH-RH-A" have established a definite trend toward greater efficacy of the combined treatment over monotherapy. Further data are needed to confirm this trend. In particular, further dose-ranging studies are warranted since the need for LH-RH-A doses that reduce T down to castration levels may not be justified in the presence of a potent antiandrogen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Androgen Antagonists

(De)phosphorylation agents influence 5 alpha-reduction of testosterone in human prostate.

The effects of ATP and of 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) on the kinetics of 5 alpha-reductase were studied in a microsomal preparation from hyperplastic human prostates. DNP decreased and ATP increased enzyme activity in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, in one and the same prostate, activity was inversely correlated to prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) concentration. These observations provide strong support for the contention that in the human prostate 5 alpha-reductase activity and, consequently, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) production may be energy dependent and involve a phosphorylation step.

2,4-Dinitrophenol

Towards the mapping of the progesterone and androgen receptors.

At a time when the secondary structures of receptor proteins are being predicted from sequence data by modeling techniques, knowledge of the ligand characteristics compatible with high-affinity binding to the receptor and with efficient receptor function is indispensable. We have already compared progesterone receptor (PR) ligands in attempts to map the PR hormone-binding site. In the present study, the relative binding affinities (RBAs) of 33 steroid ligands for the cytosol androgen receptor (AR) of rat prostate, measured in a routine screening system, have been compared. Special emphasis has been given to the effects of modifications (unsaturation, methylation, substitution by halogens) that might influence AR recognition by the ring A carbonyl and also to the consequences of these changes on binding specificity. Nonsteroid antiandrogens are reputed to compete with labelled testosterone (or methyltrienolone) binding to AR. Their RBAs, however, are very low compared to those of steroid antiandrogens. It is feasible that such molecules might occupy and interact with the AR site that binds hormone. The solvent accessible surface of one Anandron conformer is highly similar to that of testosterone and this conformer can be adequately superimposed upon the structure of testosterone and of antiandrogenic Des-A steroid derivatives. The nitro group might assume the role of the ring A carbonyl of steroids; reduction of this group to an amine or a hydroxylamine completely suppresses binding. These observations, however, do not eliminate the hypothesis of interference with AR function, and consequent antiandrogenic activity, by interaction with other (adjacent) sites on AR.

Androgen Antagonists

Design of antiandrogens and their mechanisms of action: a case study (anandron).

The design of a new drug is conditioned by knowledge of the biochemical mechanisms involved in the etiology of the disease to be treated. With regard to endocrine pathologies, such knowledge can be obtained in the clinic from systematic assays of urinary and plasma hormones, enzyme activities and target tissue receptor concentrations. The present paper describes the results of our assays of plasma 3 alpha-androstanediol glucuronide, 5 alpha-reductase and androgen receptor in prostate cancer patients. The activity of the nonsteroid antiandrogen anandron is discussed in relation to these parameters: anandron may inhibit slightly adrenal androgen biosynthesis but, in particular, counters the action of these adrenal androgens on the prostate. It does not inhibit rat prostate 5 alpha-reductase activity but interacts with androgen receptor to exert an antiandrogen action.

Androgen Antagonists