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Inhibition of growth and induction of apoptosis by androgens of a variant of LNCaP cell line.

Here are described the effects of androgens, and other molecules known to bind to androgen receptors (AR), on MOP cells established from the human prostate cancer cell line LNCaP. MOP cells contained AR: 100000 binding sites/cell, K(D) for 5alpha dihydrotestosterone (DHT) 0.5 nM, size 110 kDa. The AR gene has the same repetition polymorphism in exon 1 and the T876A mutation in exon 8 as LNCaP. The proliferation of MOP cells in culture was repressed by the synthetic androgen 17beta-hydroxy-17-methyl-estra-4,9,11-trien-3-one (R 1881), the antiandrogen cyproterone acetate (CYPA), estradiol (E2), progesterone and the synthetic progestin promegestone: 17,21 dimethyl-19 nor-4,9 pregnandiene-3,20 dione (R 5020). The number of cells recovered after 7 days decreased to approximately 40% of controls. ED(70)s ranged between 50 pM for R 1881 to 50 nM for E2 and CYPA. Treatment with R 1881 decreased [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA and increased dramatically the doubling time. R 1881, CYPA and E2 blocked the cell cycle between G1 and S phases and they induced apototosis as demonstrated by the increase of blebs on the plasma membrane, nuclear fragmentation, TdT-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells and internucleosomal DNA breaks. In athymic nude mice, testosterone enanthate prevented the growth of MOP tumors and, when tumors did develop, brought about regression. However, the tumors did not regress completely and finally escaped treatment. In conclusion, a variant of the LNCaP cell line has been established. With these cells it was possible to confirm that androgens paradoxically repress the growth of some prostate cancer cells both in culture and in vivo. In addition it is demonstrated in culture but not in vivo, for the first time to the authors' knowledge, that a synthetic androgen is able to induce apoptosis of cells established from human prostate carcinoma.

Androgens↗

Effects of 17 alpha-methyltestosterone on uterine morphology and heat shock protein expression are mediated through estrogen and androgen receptors.

Testosterone and the synthetic androgen, 17 alpha-methyltestosterone (MT), have been shown to increase uterine weights and alter uterine morphology. However, whereas the mechanism of action of testosterone in the uterus has been studied, it is not known if the actions of MT are mediated through androgen (AR) or estrogen (ER) receptors. In the present study, we have shown that MT, at 0.5 or 10 mg/kg per day, increases uterine weight and alters uterine morphology in a dose-dependent manner. Co-administration of the anti-androgen, flutamide, or the anti-estrogen, ICI 182,780, with MT revealed that the effects of the low dose of MT are mediated through the ER, whereas those of the high dose are mediated through both the ER and AR. In addition, we have studied the effects of MT on uterine heat shock proteins (hsps), a group of estrogen-regulated proteins whose levels increase in response to growth signals and protein damage. MT increased levels of hsp90 alpha, hsp72, and grp94. All effects on uterine hsp levels were antagonized by the anti-estrogen and not the anti-androgen. Collectively, the results of the present study indicate that the effects of MT in the uterus are mediated through the AR and ER.

Androgen Antagonists↗

Wide variation in androgen receptor dysfunction in complete androgen insensitivity syndrome.

Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) is a disorder of male sexual differentiation caused by mutations in the androgen receptor (AR) gene. The partial form (PAIS), associated with varying degrees of receptor dysfunction, presents with a range of undervirilization phenotypes. The complete form (CAIS) is characterized by normal female external appearance at birth. In these cases the receptor is often absent or inactive. However, cases have been described where the mutant receptor concerned has considerable residual activity in in vitro assays. Here we describe the effects of five mutations, Gly750Asp, Leu762Phe, Ala765Thr, Asp864Asn and Leu907Phe, identified in complete androgen insensitivity patients. In vitro assays of mutant androgen receptors expressed in a mammalian cell line showed that the Gly750Asp, Leu762Phe and Ala765Thr mutations cause almost complete loss of androgen-binding activity, suggesting that these residues are critical for ligand binding. However, receptors with Asp864Asn and Leu907Phe, although defective, were capable of considerable binding and transactivation activity. Given that some mutations identified in PAIS patients have a more severe effect on androgen receptor function than two CAIS mutations described here, these results provide further evidence that other factors, including genetic background, can have a significant impact on the phenotype associated with a particular AR mutation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Aromatase inhibition in JAr choriocarcinoma cells by 7alpha-arylaliphatic androgens.

The JAr choriocarcinoma cell cultures have demonstrated high levels of aromatase activity and have been useful for assaying a wide variety of aromatase inhibitors for aromatase inhibition in intact cells. Recently, several 7alpha-arylaliphatic androgens have shown effective inhibition of human placental microsomal aromatase in vitro, with apparent Ki values ranging from 10 to 20 nM. A series of 7alpha-arylaliphatic androst-4-ene-3,17-dione compounds demonstrated potent competitive inhibition, and 7alpha-arylaliphatic androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-diones were enzyme-activated irreversible inhibitors. Both series of these potent inhibitors were investigated for the ability to inhibit aromatase activity in JAr cells by measuring the conversion of [1beta-3H]-androstenedione to 3H2O and unlabelled estrone. JAr cell cultures were incubated for 2 h at 37 degrees C with the aromatase inhibitors at concentrations of 10 pM to 10 microM, the percentage of enzyme inhibition was determined, and IC50 values for inhibitors were calculated. Both series of synthetic compounds demonstrated good to excellent aromatase inhibition, and the most effective inhibitors in both series were those compounds with a phenylpropyl substituent at the 7alpha-position of the steroid nucleus. The 7alpha-arylaliphatic androst-4-ene-3,17-diones exhibited inhibition of JAr aromatase activity with IC50 values from 300 to 434 nM. More potent aromatase inhibition was observed with the 7alpha-arylaliphatic androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-diones, which exhibited IC50 values from 64 to 232 nM. Enhanced efficacy of steroidal enzyme-activated irreversible inhibitors compared to competitive inhibitors was observed in these studies and is consistent with previous reports. These results suggest that JAr choriocarcinoma cells with high levels of aromatase activity may be useful in differentiating steroidal aromatase inhibitors exhibiting different mechanisms of enzyme inhibition. In summary, the 7alpha-phenylpropyl androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione analogs, which are enzyme-activated irreversible inhibitors, demonstrated the most effective inhibition of aromatase activity present in the JAr cell cultures among the various 7alpha-arylaliphatic androgens.

Androstenedione↗

LNCaP prostatic adenocarcinoma cells derived from low and high passage numbers display divergent responses not only to androgens but also to retinoids.

In the present paper, two strains of LNCaP cells derived from the same source (American Type Culture Collection), but studied either at a low passage number (LP) or at a high passage number (HP), were compared in their response to R1881 (a synthetic androgen), all-trans-retinoic acid (atRA), and 1alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (VD3). [3H]Thymidine incorporation and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) binding were measured as parameters related to the proliferative response of the cells. The secretion of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and the mRNA expression of PSA, prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), and diazepam-binding inhibitor (DBI) were used as parameters reflecting differentiated function. Marked differences were noted in the response of LP and HP cells to androgens. [3H]Thymidine incorporation displayed a bell-shaped dose-response curve in both strains. The amplitude of the response, however, was much higher in HP cells and growth inhibition at high levels of R1881 was only observed in LP cells. On the contrary, androgen induction of PSA secretion and PSA mRNA expression, as well as the expression of PAP was much more pronounced in LP cells, whereas DBI expression was not altered according to passage number. LP cells and HP cells also displayed striking differences in their response to atRA. An up to 6-fold stimulation of [3H]thymidine incorporation was observed in LP cells, whereas in HP cells the only significant effect was growth inhibition. VD3, on the contrary, inhibited [3H]thymidine incorporation to a comparable degree in LP and HP cells. Only marginal effects of atRA and VD3 were observed on PSA secretion. In both LP and HP cells EGF-R levels were increased by androgens and to a slight extent also by atRA and VD3. It is concluded that LP and HP LNCaP cells display markedly divergent responses not only to androgens but also to atRA. The proliferative rather than antiproliferative effects of atRA in some strains of LNCaP should caution against the uncontrolled use of these agents, or of drugs affecting their metabolism, in patients with prostate cancer.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Control of the proliferation of prostate cancer cells by an androgen and two antiandrogens. Cell specific sets of responses.

The responses, in terms of cell proliferation and c-myc messenger RNA content, of human prostate cancer cells to androgen-receptor ligands were investigated. Experiments were performed with three types of cells (LNCaP, R2 and MOP) and three compounds (the androgen R 1881 and two anti-androgens: cyproterone acetate, CYPA, and RU 56187). MOP cells were established in the laboratory and the effects of RU 56187 had not been studied in culture. In terms of proliferation, LNCaP was stimulated by the three compounds, R2 was inhibited by R 1881 and RU 56187 but was stimulated by CYPA while MOP was inhibited by the three compounds. In the three types of cells, c-myc messenger RNAs were down regulated by R 1881 and RU 56187 but not by CYPA. The conclusions are: (1) the sets of responses of cell proliferation to three androgen-receptor ligands are cell specific; (2) the control of c-myc messenger RNA by R 1881 and RU 56187 may be related to the inhibition of cell proliferation by these compounds but not to their stimulatory effect on cell proliferation; (3) if prostate tumor cells would respond in vivo to androgens and antiandrogens like in culture, patients with prostate cancer could take benefits of reversible medical castration and sequential prescription of various antiandrogens.

Androgen Antagonists↗

7alpha-methyl-19-nortestosterone, a synthetic androgen with high potency: structure-activity comparisons with other androgens.

CNNT. There was a good correlation between bioactivity and binding affinity to AR for the 7alpha-substituted androgens compared to T. In contrast, relative to their binding affinity to AR, the androgenic potency of DHT and 19-NT was lower compared to T. The reason for the lower in vivo androgenic activity of 19-NT is attributable to its enzymatic conversion to 5alpha-reduced-19-NT in the prostate. In the case of DHT, the lower bioactivity could be attributed to its faster metabolic clearance rate relative to T. The correlation was further investigated in vitro by co-transfection of rat ARcDNA expression plasmid and a reporter plasmid encoding the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) gene driven by an androgen inducible promoter into CV-1 cells. All the androgens led to a dose-dependent increase in the CAT activity. MENT was found to be the most potent followed by DHT, 19-NT, T, and CNNT. The specificity of the androgenic response was confirmed by its inhibition with hydroxyflutamide, an antiandrogen. Thus, there was a good correlation between binding affinity and in vitro bioactivity in the transient transfection assay for the androgens. This suggests that the in vivo bioactivity of androgens could be influenced not only by binding affinity to receptors but also by factors such as absorption, binding to serum proteins and metabolism. However, the high potency of MENT is primarily related to its higher affinity to AR.

Androgen Antagonists↗

Metabolism of 19-methyl-substituted steroids by human placental aromatase.

The 19-methyl analogues of androstenedione and its aromatization intermediates (19-hydroxyandrostenedione and 19-oxoandrostenedione) were evaluated as substrates of microsomal aromatase in order to determine the effect of a 19-alkyl substituent on the enzyme's regiospecificity. Neither the androstenedione analogue [10-ethylestr-4-ene-3,17-dione (1c)] nor the 19-oxoandrostenedione analogue [10-acetylestr-4-ene-3,17-dione (3c)] was converted to estrogens or oxygenated metabolites by placental microsomes. In contrast, both analogues of 19-hydroxyandrostenedione [10-[(1S)-1-hydroxyethyl]estr-4-ene-3,17-dione (2c) and 10-[(1R)-1-hydroxyethyl]estr-4-ene-3,17-dione (2e)] were converted to the intermediate analogue 3c in a process requiring O2 and either NADH or NADPH. No change in enzyme regiospecificity was detected. The absolute configuration of 2e was determined by X-ray crystallography. Experiments with 18O2 established that 3c generated from 2c retained little 18O (less than 3%), while 3c arising from 2e retained a significant amount of 18O (approximately equal to 70%). All four 19-methyl steroids elicited type I difference spectra from placental microsomes in addition to acting as competitive inhibitors of aromatase (KI = 81 nM, 11 microM, 9.9 microM, and 150 nM for 1c, 2c, 2e, and 3c, respectively). Pretreatment of microsomes with 4-hydroxyandrostenedione (a suicide inactivator of aromatase) abolished the metabolism of 2c and 2e to 3c, as well as the type I difference spectrum elicited by 2c and 2e.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aromatase↗

Synthesis of 11 beta-[18F]fluoro-5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone and 11 beta-[18F]fluoro-19-nor-5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone: preparation via halofluorination-reduction, receptor binding, and tissue distribution.

We have prepared 11 beta-fluoro-5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (11 beta-F-DHT, 1) and 11 beta-fluoro-19-nor-5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (11 beta-F-19-nor-DHT, 2) in order to investigate the properties of these new androgens labeled with fluorine-18 as potential androgen receptor (AR)-based imaging agents for prostate cancer. These compounds were synthesized in 6 steps from hydrocortisone and in 13 steps from 1,4-androstadiene-3,11,17-trione, respectively. Relative binding affinities (RBA) of 11 beta-F-DHT and 11 beta-F-19-nor-DHT to AR are 53.1 and 75.3 (R1881 = 100), respectively, the latter being the highest reported among fluorine-substituted androgens. The fluorination step, which involves addition of halogen fluoride across the 9(11)-double bond, followed by reductive dehalogenation at the 9 alpha-position has been adapted to introduce a fluorine-18-label at the 11 beta-position of DHT and 19-nor-DHT. The two high-affinity F-18-labeled ligands [18F]-1 and [18F]-2 were evaluated in vivo, in tissue distribution studies using diethylstilbestrol-pretreated mature male rats. 11 beta-F-DHT shows high prostate uptake and selective prostate to blood and prostate to muscle uptake ratios, the latter two ratios increasing from 5 and 8 at 1 h to 12 and 19 at 4 h postinjection. Moreover, this compound has low uptake in bone, displaying the lowest in vivo defluorination among all androgens labeled with fluorine-18 tested so far. The in vivo properties of 11 beta-F-DHT in rats are thus favorable for imaging of prostate cancer. On the other hand, 11 beta-F-19-nor-DHT shows low prostate uptake with low selectivity and high uptake in liver, kidney, and bladder. Even though this ligand has the highest RBA and undergoes little metabolic defluorination, it appears to suffer from rapid metabolism in vivo. Therefore, it is apparent that the biodistribution properties of androgens are affected by their structure and metabolism as well as by their RBA.

Animals↗

Interactions of thiol-containing androgens with human placental aromatase.

A series of thiol androgens were synthesized and investigated to characterize structural features important for the inhibition of aromatase. Analogues of androstenedione with thiol groups in either the 2 alpha-, 10 beta-, or 19-positions caused time-dependent inhibition of human placental aromatase. When their KI and kcat values were compared with those of 4-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione (4-OHa) and 10 beta-propargylestr-4-ene-3,17-dione (PED), the thiol androgen 10 beta-mercaptoestr-4-ene-3,17-dione (10 beta-SHnorA) proved to be the most potent suicide substrate. However, 19-mercaptoandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione (19-SHA) was the best all-around inhibitor. All compounds except 19-SHA exhibited normal type I P-450 difference spectra with partially purified/solubilized, human placental aromatase. The Ks values for the series of compounds compared qualitatively to the KI values determined from the time and concentration-dependent inhibition experiments. 19-SHA induced split Soret peaks at 380 and 474 nm, which suggested binding of the 19-thiolate directly to the ferric iron of aromatase. This binding could be displaced by aminoglutethimide but not by androstenedione. The inhibitory activity of 19-SHA may be explained by two independent mechanisms: (1) suicide inactivation of aromatase in the ferrous state; and (2) a direct "hyper-type II" binding to the remaining portion of the cytochrome in the ferric state. A free thiol group was necessary for the suicide inhibitory activity of 19-SHA; time-dependent inactivation of aromatase by 19-(acetylthio)androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (19-SAcA) and 19-xanthogenylandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione (19-XanA) could be prevented if the microsomes were preincubated with a carboxyesterase inhibitor. Aromatase previously inactivated by either thiol androgens,4-OHA, or PED could not be reactivated after incubation with the disulfide reducing agent dithiothreitol, which suggests that a disulfide bond may not be involved in aromatase inactivation by these inhibitors.

Androstenedione↗

Apparent bioisosteric replacement of--S--by NCN: synthesis of N--cyano-2-aza-A-nor-5alpha-androstan-17beta-ol acetate, an aza steroid androgen.

The synthesis of N-cyano-2-aza-A-nor-5alpha-androstan-17beta-ol acetate is described. Cyclization of 1,4-dibromo-1,4-seco-2,3bisnor-5alpha-androstan-17beta-ol acetate with benzylamine in the presence of potassium iodide gives the N-benzyl-2-aza-A-nor steroid. Debenzylation with cyanogen bromide (Von Braun reaction) affords the N-cyano-2-aza-A-nor steroid, which has androgenic activity slightly weaker than that of the corresponding thia compound. The results indicate that NCN may be substituted for--S--as well as for =S. This compound is the first hormonally active steroid containing nitrogen as a heteroatom in the perhydrocyclopentanophenanthrene nucleus.

Androstanes↗

Anabolic androgenic steroids and suicide.

Eight medicolegally examined cases of suicide, in 21- to 33-year-old males, with a history of current or discontinued use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are described, five of which were approached by means of systematic interviews with survivors. Five suicides were committed during current use of AAS, and two following 2 and 6 months of AAS withdrawal. In one case it was unclear whether the suicide was committed during current use or after recent discontinuation. In five cases family members had noted depressive symptoms associated with AAS withdrawal. After prolonged use, four persons had developed depressive syndromes. Two subjects exhibited hypomania-like symptoms during the time immediately preceding the suicide. Four subjects had recently committed acts of violence while using AAS. In some cases these acts exacerbated the subjects' problems in personal relationships or at work, which in turn seem to have precipitated the suicides. Only one of them had experienced suicidal ideation before starting to use AAS. In all cases examined by psychological autopsy, risk factors of suicidality likely to be independent of the use of AAS were present. In conclusion, this study presents data suggesting that psychiatric symptoms and conflicts resulting from long-term use of AAS may contribute to completed suicide in certain predisposed individuals.

Adult↗

The metalloproteinase inhibitor TIMP-2 is down-regulated by androgens in LNCaP prostate carcinoma cells.

Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) have been shown to perform several biological functions in tumor promotion, principally by their action of inhibiting matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) at different steps of the metastatic process. In particular, TIMP-2 is involved in a functional complex with the membrane-type 1 (MT1) MMP to convert the secreted MMP-2 progelatinase into the fully active proteolytic enzyme. We used the human, androgen-sensitive prostate carcinoma cell line LNCaP in coculture with the human osteosarcoma cell line OHS to experimentally address the possibility of androgen-dependent regulatory effects on the functional MT1-MMP/TIMP-2/MMP-2 complex upon interaction between prostate carcinoma and osteoblastic cells in metastasis of prostate cancer to bone. In the LNCaP cells a gradual, time-dependent decline in TIMP-2 mRNA expression was observed in the presence of the synthetic androgen analogue R1881 (100 nM), reaching approximately 25% of the control level after 48 h of incubation. Consistent with this, the accumulation of secreted TIMP-2 in media from R1881-treated cells was significantly inhibited already after 3 h. Neither MMP-2 gelatinolytic activity nor expression of MT1-MMP was detected in LNCaP cells. In contrast, the OHS cells showed membrane-associated MT1-MMP expression as well as MMP-2 secretion. However, R1881 treatment of the LNCaP/OHS coculture model did not seem to change the overall proteolytic activity of the MT1 -MMP/TIMP-2/MMP-2 complex. Hormonal control of TIMP-2 expression in prostate carcinoma cells has not been previously reported, but whether such regulation has any functional role in the development of osteoblastic metastases in prostate cancer is still unclear.

Androgens↗

Endocrine-disrupting agents on healthy human tissues.

A vast number of substances have been suggested as possibly contributing to perturbation of the endocrine system. Several have been tested with different approaches ranging from yeast expression system of human oestrogenic receptors to human breast cancer cells assays. Surprisingly, no inhibition-binding experiments to steroid receptors on healthy human tissue have been performed so far. Our study provides inhibition binding experiments to oestrogens, progesterone, testosterone and retinoic acid receptors in prostate and uterine human tissue of organochlorine pesticides, phthalate esters, oestrogenic constituents derived from plants and phenol derivates. Affinities of significant extent of phthalates on oestrogenic, progestinic and androgenic receptors have not been detected. As for retinoic acid receptors, mono(2-ethylexyl)phthalate provokes a notable reduction of the binding of the tritiated retinoic acid, phtalic acid ethyl-n-butyl ester and 4-octylphenol show an affinity comparable to that of isoflavonoid genistein, whereas 4-nonylphenol reduces the binding of retinoic acid in prostate.

Androgen Receptor Antagonists↗