Steroid Binding Site Research Articles

Comparative Modeling of Human P-gp NBD2 and Docking and Binding Mode Analysis of 8-Geranyl Chrysin as a P-gp Modulator

The resistance of tumour cells against cytotoxic drug is significant limitation in successful chemotherapeutic treatment of cancer. To date, no crystal structure is available for human P-gp. We developed homology model for human P-gp NBD2 by using coordinates of transporter associated protein (TAP1). Docking study was performed for 8-geranyl-chrysin (Flavonoids) inhibitor in the NBD2 model. Ligand-protein interactions were determined which indicates that the 8-geranyl chrysin shares two overlapping sites in the cytosolic domains of P-gp, the ATP site and a hydrophobic steroid-binding site.

Phylogenetic Comparisons Implicate Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin in “Masculinization” of the Female Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta)

Exposures to sex steroids during fetal development are thought to contribute to the unique urogenital anatomy and social dominance of the female spotted hyena: overt phenotypes not shared by other hyenids (i.e. striped hyena, brown hyena, and aardwolf). Because both androgens and estrogens influence development of genitalia and behavior, and because plasma SHBG regulates their access to tissues, we compared the Shbg gene sequences, structures, and steroid-binding properties in the four extant hyenids. We found the hyenid Shbg genes (>95% identical) and mature protein sequences (98% identical) are highly conserved. As in other mammals, the hyenid SHBG all bind 5α-dihydrotestosterone with high affinity (K(d) = 0.62-1.47 nm), but they also bind estrone and dehydroepiandrosterone with similarly high affinity, and this unusual property was attributed to specific amino acids within their SHBG steroid-binding sites. Phylogenetic comparisons also indicated that the spotted hyena SHBG precursor uniquely lacks two leucine residues and has a L15W substitution within its secretion signal polypeptide, the reduced size and hydrophobicity of which markedly decreases the production of SHBG and may therefore explain why serum SHBG concentrations in male and female spotted hyenas are approximately five times lower than in other hyenids. This is important because low plasma SHBG concentrations in spotted hyenas will increase exposure to biologically active androgens and estrogen as well as to their precursors (dehydroepiandrosterone and estrone), which may contribute to the masculinized external genitalia of female spotted hyenas and to female social dominance over males.

New Ligands of the Conserved Steroid Binding Site of Cytochrome c Oxidase

Cytochrome c oxidase (CcO), the terminal enzyme in the electron transfer chain of mitochondria and many bacteria, requires the uptake of protons for activity via two pathways, the D-path and the K-path. Among the mutants of Rhodobacter sphaeroides (Rs) CcO that inhibit proton uptake in the K-path is E101A in subunit II, which removes a key carboxyl at the entrance to the pathway and decreases the activity of the purified enzyme over 20-fold. Micromolar levels of the bile acids cholate or deoxycholate were shown to stimulate E101A activity 10-fold, and crystals of wildtype RsCcO grown in the presence of deoxycholate (Qin et al., Biochemistry 47:9931-9933, 2008) showed a single deoxycholate molecule bound close to E101 in the same location as a cholate molecule observed in bovine CcO crystal structure (PDB 1OCC). Evidence of protective effects of steroids against CcO inhibition in bilirubin neurotoxicity and in Alzheimers (Vaz et al., J. Neurochem. 112:56-65, 2010; Tillement et al., Steroids 71:725-735, 2006) suggest that this site could be physiologically relevant to regulation of CcO.Here we use the RsCcO mutant E101A as a sensitive assay to further investigate the nature of this conserved site. Activity assays show that certain other steroids (cholesterol hemisuccinate) and lipidic molecules (phytanic acid, arachidonic acid) and some detergents affect RsCcO in a manner that indicates that these ligands also bind at the same site. The studies reveal a high degree of specificity and suggest possible physiological regulators. Crystallographic and computational approaches are underway to identify additional potential ligands and to determine the physiological significance of this conserved binding site. (NIH GM26916)

Insights into subtle conformational differences in the substrate-binding loop of fungal 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase: a combined structural and kinetic approach

The 17β-HSD (17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) from the filamentous fungus Cochliobolus lunatus (17β-HSDcl) is a NADP(H)-dependent enzyme that preferentially catalyses the interconversion of inactive 17-oxo-steroids and their active 17β-hydroxy counterparts. 17β-HSDcl belongs to the SDR (short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase) superfamily. It is currently the only fungal 17β-HSD member that has been described and represents one of the model enzymes of the cP1 classical subfamily of NADPH-dependent SDR enzymes. A thorough crystallographic analysis has been performed to better understand the structural aspects of this subfamily and provide insights into the evolution of the HSD enzymes. The crystal structures of the 17β-HSDcl apo, holo and coumestrol-inhibited ternary complex, and the active-site Y167F mutant reveal subtle conformational differences in the substrate-binding loop that probably modulate the catalytic activity of 17β-HSDcl. Coumestrol, a plant-derived non-steroidal compound with oestrogenic activity, inhibits 17β-HSDcl [IC50 2.8μM; at 100μM substrate (4-oestrene-3,17-dione)] by occupying the putative steroid-binding site. In addition to an extensive hydrogen-bonding network, coumestrol binding is stabilized further by π-π stacking interactions with Tyr212. A stopped-flow kinetic experiment clearly showed the coenzyme dissociation as the slowest step of the reaction and, in addition to the low steroid solubility, it prevents the accumulation of enzyme-coenzyme-steroid ternary complexes.

The Ouabain-Binding Site of the 2 Isoform of Na,K-ATPase Plays a Role in Blood Pressure Regulation During Pregnancy

The cardiotonic steroid/ouabain-binding site of the α subunit of Na,K-ATPase is thought to play an important role in cardiovascular homeostasis. Previously, we demonstrated the cardiotonic steroid-binding site of the α2 Na,K-ATPase is involved in adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-induced hypertension by using gene-modified α2(R/R) mice in which the cardiotonic steroid-binding site is relatively resistant to ouabain compared to the ouabain-sensitive wild-type α2(S/S) mice. To further explore the importance of this site in the cardiovascular system, we investigated blood pressure regulation during pregnancy in mice with the α2(R/R) isoform. The systolic blood pressure (SBP) of the α2(S/S) and α2(R/R) mice was measured before and during pregnancy by tail-cuff. The expression of the α isoforms of Na, K-ATPase in various tissues and plasma endogenous ouabain contents were assessed prior to pregnancy as well as days 7 and 17 of gestation. The α2(S/S) mice showed a gradual decrease in the SBP during the first two trimesters, followed by an increase above the preconceptional level in the third trimester. However, the α2(R/R) mice exhibited a lower blood pressure in the third trimester. The cardiac expression of the α2 Na,K-ATPase in the α2(S/S) mice was significantly less than that of the α2(R/R) mice throughout the pregnancy. The plasma endogenous ouabain concentration significantly increased by twofold at day 17 of pregnancy in the α2(R/R) mice but not in the α2(S/S) mice. The cardiotonic steroid-binding site of the α2 Na,K-ATPase plays a role in maintaining normal SBP during pregnancy.

Cis-isomerism and other chemical requirements of steroidal agonists and partial agonists acting at TRPM3 channels.

The transient receptor potential melastatin-3 (TRPM3) channel forms calcium-permeable, non-selective, cationic channels that are stimulated by pregnenolone sulphate (PregS). Here, we aimed to define chemical requirements of this acute steroid action and potentially reveal novel stimulators with physiological relevance. We used TRPM3 channels over-expressed in HEK 293 cells, with intracellular calcium measurement and whole-cell patch-clamp recording techniques. The stimulation of TRPM3 channels was confined to PregS and closely related steroids and not mimicked by other major classes of steroids, including progesterone. Relatively potent stimulation of TRPM3-dependent calcium entry was observed. A sulphate group positioned at ring A was important for strong stimulation but more striking was the requirement for a cis (beta) configuration of the side group, revealing previously unrecognized stereo-selectivity and supporting existence of a specific binding site. A cis-oriented side group on ring A was not the only feature necessary for high activity because loss of the double bond in ring B reduced potency and loss of the acetyl group at ring D reduced efficacy and potency. Weak steroid stimulators of TRPM3 channels inhibited effects of PregS, suggesting partial agonism. In silico screening of chemical libraries for non-steroid modulators of TRPM3 channels revealed the importance of the steroid backbone for stimulatory effects. Our data defined some of the chemical requirements for acute stimulation of TRPM3 channels by steroids, supporting the existence of a specific and unique steroid binding site. Epipregnanolone sulphate was identified as a novel TRPM3 channel stimulator.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals bind to a novel receptor, microtubule‐associated protein 2, and positively and negatively regulate dendritic outgrowth in hippocampal neurons

The present study demonstrates a novel high-affinity neuronal target for endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which potentially cause psychological disorders. EDCs competitively inhibited the binding of bovine serum albumin-conjugated progesterone to recombinant human microtubule-associated protein 2C (rhMAP2C) with an inhibition constant at picomolar levels. In the rhMAP2C-stimulated tubulin assembly assay, agonistic enhancement was observed with dibutyl phthalate and pentachlorphenol and pregnenolone, while an inverse agonistic effect was observed with 4-nonylphenol. In contrast, progesterone and many of the EDCs, including bisphenol A, antagonized the pregnenolone-induced enhancement of rhMAP2C-stimulated tubulin assembly. These agonistic and inverse agonistic actions were not observed in tubulin assembly stimulated with Delta1-71 rhMAP2C, which lacks the steroid-binding site. Using a dark-field microscopy, pregnenolone and pentachlorphenol were observed to generate characteristic filamentous microtubules in a progesterone- or bisphenol A-reversible manner. In cultured hippocampal neurons, similar agonist-antagonist relationships were reproduced in terms of dendritic outgrowth. Fluorescent recovery after photobleaching of hippocampal neurons showed that pregnenolone and agonistic EDCs enhanced, but that 4-nonylphenol inhibited the MAP2-mediated neurite outgrowth in a progesterone- or antagonistic EDC-reversible manner. Furthermore, none of the examined effects were affected by mifepristone or ICI-182,786 i.e. the classical progesterone and estrogen receptor antagonists. Taken together, these results suggest that EDCs cause a wide variety of significant disturbances to dendritic outgrowth in hippocampal neurons, which may lead to psychological disorders following chronic exposure during early neuronal development.

Novel Corticosteroid-Binding Globulin Variant That Lacks Steroid Binding Activity

Abstract Background: Corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) is the principal carrier for glucocorticoids in the circulation and a regulator of their bioavailability. Inherited CBG deficiencies are rarely reported, and only three causative mutations in four families have been described. Patients, Methods, and Results: In a 26-yr-old female with hypotension, fatigue, and undetectable serum cortisol at presentation, we have identified a novel homozygous c.776g>t transversion in exon 3 of the CBG (SERPINA6) gene. This results in a p.Gly237Val substitution that is predicted to influence the positioning of two β-sheets that constitute part of the CBG steroid-binding site. Two siblings were also homozygous for the variant, whereas her mother and an unaffected sibling were heterozygous. No other symptomatic family members were identified apart from the proband. Individuals homozygous for the variant had serum CBG levels below the reference range when measured by RIA, but CBG was unmeasurable in cortisol-binding capacity assays. In the same individuals, we observed very low baseline and stimulated serum cortisol levels but normal free serum and salivary cortisol and plasma ACTH. In a study of ultradian cortisol pulsatility, increased pulse frequency was only observed in the proband. Conclusion: We describe a novel CBG variant that lacks steroid binding. All mutant homozygotes have very low serum cortisol, but normal free cortisol levels. The only biochemical feature to distinguish the symptomatic subject was increased cortisol pulsatility, and we suggest that this may influence glucocorticoid signaling and contribute to symptoms previously associated with CBG deficiency.

Novel Corticosteroid-Binding Globulin Variant That Lacks Steroid Binding Activity

Corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) is the principal carrier for glucocorticoids in the circulation and a regulator of their bioavailability. Inherited CBG deficiencies are rarely reported, and only three causative mutations in four families have been described. In a 26-yr-old female with hypotension, fatigue, and undetectable total serum cortisol at presentation, we have identified a novel homozygous c.776g>t transversion in exon 3 of the CBG (SERPINA6) gene. This results in a p.Gly237Val substitution that is predicted to influence the positioning of two β-sheets that constitute part of the CBG steroid-binding site. Two siblings were also homozygous for the variant, whereas her mother and an unaffected sibling were heterozygous. No other symptomatic family members were identified apart from the proband. Individuals homozygous for the variant had serum CBG levels below the reference range when measured by RIA, but CBG was unmeasurable in cortisol-binding capacity assays. In the same individuals, we observed very low baseline and stimulated total serum cortisol levels but normal free serum and salivary cortisol and plasma ACTH. In a study of ultradian cortisol pulsatility, increased pulse frequency was only observed in the proband. We describe a novel CBG variant that lacks steroid binding activity. All mutant homozygotes have very low total serum cortisol, but normal free serum cortisol levels. The only biochemical feature to distinguish the symptomatic subject was increased cortisol pulsatility, and we suggest that this may influence glucocorticoid signaling and contribute to symptoms previously associated with CBG deficiency.

Design, synthesis and evaluation of progesterone–adenine hybrids as bivalent inhibitors of P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug efflux

Steroidal bivalent ligands were designed on the basis of the described closer proximity of the ATP-site and the putative steroid-binding site of P-glycoprotein (ABCB1). The syntheses of seven progesterone–adenine hybrids were described. Their abilities to inhibit P-glycoprotein-mediated daunorubicin efflux in K562/R7 human leukemic cells overexpressing P-glycoprotein were evaluated versus progesterone.

A Synthetic 18-Norsteroid Distinguishes between Two Neuroactive Steroid Binding Sites on GABAA Receptors

In the absence of GABA, neuroactive steroids that enhance GABA-mediated currents modulate binding of [35S]t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate in a biphasic manner, with enhancement of binding at low concentrations (site NS1) and inhibition at higher concentrations (site NS2). In the current study, compound (3alpha,5beta,17beta)-3-hydroxy-18-norandrostane-17-carbonitrile (3alpha5beta-18-norACN), an 18-norsteroid, is shown to be a full agonist at site NS1 and a weak partial agonist at site NS2 in both rat brain membranes and heterologously expressed GABAA receptors. 3alpha5beta-18-norACN also inhibits the action of a full neurosteroid agonist, (3alpha,5alpha,17beta)-3-hydroxy-17-carbonitrile (3alpha5alphaACN), at site NS2. Structure-activity studies demonstrate that absence of the C18 methyl group and the 5beta-reduced configuration both contribute to the weak agonist effect at the NS2 site. Electrophysiological studies using heterologously expressed GABAA receptors show that 3alpha5beta-18-norACN potently and efficaciously potentiates the GABA currents elicited by low concentrations of GABA but that it has low efficacy as a direct activator of GABAA receptors. 3alpha5beta-18-norACN also inhibits direct activation of GABAA receptors by 3alpha5alphaACN. 3alpha5beta-18-norACN also produces loss of righting reflex in tadpoles and mice, indicating that action at NS1 is sufficient to mediate the sedative effects of neurosteroids. These data provide insight into the pharmacophore required for neurosteroid efficacy at the NS2 site and may prove useful in the development of selective agonists and antagonists for neurosteroid sites on the GABAA receptor.

The influence of the membrane on neurosteroid actions at GABA A receptors

Modern views of anesthetic neurosteroid interaction with the GABA(A) receptor conceptualize steroid ligands interacting with a protein binding site on the receptor. It has generally been assumed that the steroid interaction/binding site is contained in an extracellular domain of the receptor, and that steroid interactions are of high potency, evidenced by the low aqueous ligand concentrations required to achieve potentiation of channel function. We have been considering implications of the observations that steroids are quite lipophilic and that recently identified putative steroid binding sites are in transmembrane domains of the receptor. Accordingly, we expect that both the effective plasma membrane steroid concentration and steroid pharmacophore properties will contribute to steady-state potency and to the lifetime of steroid actions following removal of free aqueous steroid. Here we review our recent studies that address the evidence that membrane partitioning and intracellular accumulation are non-specific contributors to the effects of anesthetic steroids at GABA(A) receptors. We compare and contrast the profile of anesthetic steroids with that of sulfated steroids that negatively regulate GABA(A) receptor function. These studies give rise to the view that the inherent affinity of anesthetic steroid for GABA(A) receptors is very low; low effective aqueous concentrations are accounted for by lipid partitioning. This yields a very different picture of the interaction of neurosteroids with the GABA(A) receptor than that of steroid interactions with classical intracellular steroid receptors, which exhibit inherently high affinity. These considerations have practical implications for actions of endogenous neurosteroids. Lipophilicity will tend to promote autocrine actions of neurosteroids at GABA(A) receptors within cells that synthesize neurosteroids, and lipophilic retention will limit intercellular diffusion from the source of steroid synthesis. Lipophilicity and steroid access to the receptor binding sites also must be considerations in drug design if drugs are to effectively reach the target GABA(A) receptor site.

Structure and Inhibitor Binding Mechanisms of 11β -Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1

11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD1) is involved in glucocorticoid activation in a tissue-specific manner. In tissues and intact cells, it functions primarily as a reductase by converting inactive cortisone to cortisol. Since glucocorticoid action is implicated in the development of the metabolic syndrome, inhibition of 11β-HSD1 has been proposed as a therapeutic strategy to treat type 2 diabetes. 11β-HSD1 is a member of the short chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) superfamily with the “Y183SASK187” sequence and Ser170 at the active site that matches the catalytic domain signature motif of “YXXXK” in SDRs. The recent success in the determination of various 11β-HSD1 3-dimentional structures has facilitated a higher level understanding of the interactions among the enzyme, the cofactor and the substrate as well as substrate site inhibitors. In particular, the structural analysis of 11β-HSD1 in complex with a non-selective inhibitor carbenoxolone (CBX) has advanced our knowledge of inhibitor-enzyme interactions. In addition to the catalytic triad, residues close to the steroid binding site and surrounding areas have been identified as important in stabilizing the substrate. These findings have accelerated medicinal chemistry efforts to discover selective 11β-HSD1 inhibitors in the pharmaceutical industry. A large number of chemical classes have been identified as potent and selective 11β-HSD1 inhibitors. Some common features in enzyme-inhibitor interactions were observed with structurally distinct compounds. Chemical class-specific interactions were discovered as well, which explain the structural diversity of selective 11β-HSD1 inhibitors. In this article, we review the structural characteristics of 11β-HSD1 enzymes in several species. By comparing active sites, substrate binding and subunit interactions, we have identified structural features and residues in the active site important for inhibitor binding. Further, through analysis of the major interactions between the active site residues and inhibitors of different chemical classes, we have determined compound class-specific structural requirements for optimal enzyme- inhibitor interaction. Keywords: 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, inhibitor binding, cortisol, CBX, active site, dimer partner, co-crystal structure

Detection of an uncharged steroid with a silicon nanowire field-effect transistor

Among biosensors of various types, the silicon nanowire field-effect transistor (SiNW-FET) is believed to be the most sensitive and powerful device for bio-applications. The principle of sensing is based on the variation of conductivity resulting from a disturbance of charge on the surface of the SiNW-FET, but this detection is feasible predominantly for charged analytes, such as a protein, DNA, antibody, virus etc. The objective of our work was to overcome this intrinsic weakness of a SiNW-FET and to develop a platform to detect steroids. For this purpose, we designed an engineered protein, Δ 5-3-ketosteroid isomerase, to function as a steroid acceptor that was chemically modified with a carbon chain-linked 1,5-EDANS moiety, and further immobilized on the surface of a silicon nanowire. In the presence of a steroid, the negatively charged 1,5-EDANS moiety, which presumably occupies the steroid-binding site, is expelled and exposes to the nanowire surface. The electrical response produced from the 1,5-EDANS moiety is measured and the concentration is calculated accordingly. The sensitivity of this novel nano-bio-device can attain a femtomolar level.

Identification of putative steroid-binding sites in human ABCB1 and ABCG2

Homology modelling was used to generate three-dimensional structures of the nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs) of human ABCB1 and ABCG2. Interactions between a series of steroidal ligands and transporter NBDs were investigated using an in silico docking approach. C-terminal ABCB1 NBD (ABCB1 NBD2) was predicted to bind steroids within a cavity formed partly by the P-Loop, Tyr1044 and Ile1050. The P-Loop within ABCG2 NBD was also predicted to be involved in steroid binding. No overlap between ATP- and RU-486-binding sites was predicted in either NBD, though overlaps between ATP- and steroid-binding sites were predicted in the vicinity of the P-Loop in both nucleotide-binding domains.

A Single Steroid-binding Site is Sufficient for Potentiation of GABA-A Receptors

Neuroactive steroids are efficacious potentiators of GABA-A receptors. Recent work identified a site in the α1 subunit of the GABA-A receptor which is essential for potentiation by steroids. However, each receptor contains two copies of the α1 subunit, leading to questions of whether both sites are required and whether the sites mediate distinguishable effects. We generated subunit concatemers so the α1 subunits could be mutated separately, and examined consequences of a mutation which removes potentiation by most neurosteroids (α1 Q241L) and a mutation which mimics the presence of bound steroid (α1 Q241W). Concatemers were expressed in Xenopus oocytes, and activation by GABA, potentiation by neuroactive steroids and the agonist activity of the partial agonist P4S were determined. When the α1 Q241L mutation is made in both α1 subunits the EC50 for activation by GABA is shifted to higher concentration and the ability of neurosteroids to potentiate responses to a low concentration of GABA is lost. Conversely, when the α1 Q241W mutation is made in both subunits the EC50 for GABA is shifted to lower concentration, the relative ability of P4S to activate the receptor is increased and potentiation by neurosteroids is lost. For both, mutation of only one α1 subunit did not produce the full effect of mutating both sites. Hence, the presence of a single wild-type site is sufficient to mediate all effects seen in macroscopic responses. Overall, mutation of the α1 subunit between the γ and β subunits had a larger effect, which might reflect a subtle difference between sites or a consequence of subunit position. The data demonstrate that at a macroscopic level the presence of a single wild-type steroid-binding site is sufficient to mediate the responses to steroid. Supported by grant P01 GM047969.

Steroid Interaction with a Single Potentiating Site Is Sufficient to Modulate GABA-A Receptor Function

Neuroactive steroids are efficacious potentiators of GABA-A receptors. Recent work has identified a site in the alpha1 subunit of the GABA-A receptor, that is essential for potentiation by steroids. However, each receptor contains two copies of the alpha1 subunit. We generated concatemers of subunits so that the alpha1 subunits could be mutated separately and examined the consequences of mutations that remove potentiation by most neurosteroids (alpha1 Q241L, alpha1 Q241W). Concatemers were expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, and activation by GABA, potentiation by neurosteroids, and the agonist activity of piperidine-4-sulfonic acid (P4S) were determined. When the alpha1 Q241L mutation is present in alpha1 subunits the EC(50) for activation by GABA is shifted to higher concentration and potentiation by neurosteroids is diminished. When the alpha1 Q241W mutation is expressed, the EC(50) for GABA is shifted to lower concentration, the relative efficacy of P4S is increased, and potentiation by neurosteroids is diminished. Mutation of only one alpha1 subunit does not produce the full effect of mutating both sites. Overall, the data demonstrate that at a macroscopic level, the presence of a single wild-type steroid-binding site is sufficient to mediate responses to steroid, but both must be mutated to completely remove the effects of steroids. Differences between the two sites seem to be relatively subtle.

Crystal Structures of Human Δ4-3-Ketosteroid 5β-Reductase (AKR1D1) Reveal the Presence of an Alternative Binding Site Responsible for Substrate Inhibition,

The 5beta-reductases (AKR1D1-3) are unique enzymes able to catalyze efficiently and in a stereospecific manner the 5beta-reduction of the C4-C5 double bond found in Delta4-3-ketosteroids, including steroid hormones and bile acids precursors such as 7alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one and 7alpha,12alpha-dihydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one. In order to elucidate the binding mode and substrate specificity in detail, biochemical and structural studies on human 5beta-reductase (h5beta-red; AKR1D1) have been recently undertaken. The crystal structure of a h5beta-red binary complex provides a complete picture of the NADPH-enzyme interactions involving the flexible loop B, which contributes to the maintenance of the cofactor in its binding site by acting as a "safety belt". Structural comparison with binary complexes of AKR1C enzymes, specifically the human type 3 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (AKR1C2) and the mouse 17alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (AKR1C21), also revealed particularities in loop B positioning that make the steroid-binding cavity of h5beta-red substantially larger than those of the two other enzymes. Kinetic characterization of the purified recombinant h5beta-red has shown that this enzyme exerts a strong activity toward progesterone (Prog) and androstenedione (Delta4) but is rapidly inhibited by these substrates once their concentrations reach 2-times their K(m) value. A crystal structure of the h5beta-red in ternary complex with NADPH and Delta4 has revealed that the large steroid-binding site of this enzyme also contains a subsite in which the Delta4 molecule is found. When bound in this subsite, Delta4 completely impedes the passage of another substrate molecule toward the catalytic site. The importance of this alternative binding site for the inhibition of h5beta-red was finally proven by site-directed mutagenesis, which demonstrated that the replacement of one of the residues delineating this site (Val(309)) by a phenylalanine completely abolishes the substrate inhibition. The results of this report provide structural insights into the substrate inhibition of h5beta-red by C19- and C21-steroids.

A Conserved Steroid Binding Site in Cytochrome c Oxidase

Micromolar concentrations of the bile salt deoxycholate are shown to rescue the activity of an inactive mutant, E101A, in the K proton pathway of Rhodobacter sphaeroides cytochrome c oxidase. A crystal structure of the wild-type enzyme reveals, as predicted, deoxycholate bound with its carboxyl group at the entrance of the K path. Since cholate is a known potent inhibitor of bovine oxidase and is seen in a similar position in the bovine structure, the crystallographically defined, conserved steroid binding site could reveal a regulatory site for steroids or structurally related molecules that act on the essential K proton path.

In silico identification of anthropogenic chemicals as ligands of zebrafish sex hormone binding globulin

Anthropogenic compounds with the capacity to interact with the steroid-binding site of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) pose health risks to humans and other vertebrates including fish. Building on studies of human SHBG, we have applied in silico drug discovery methods to identify potential binders for SHBG in zebrafish ( Danio rerio) as a model aquatic organism. Computational methods, including; homology modeling, molecular dynamics simulations, virtual screening, and 3D QSAR analysis, successfully identified 6 non-steroidal substances from the ZINC chemical database that bind to zebrafish SHBG (zfSHBG) with low-micromolar to nanomolar affinities, as determined by a competitive ligand-binding assay. We also screened 80,000 commercial substances listed by the European Chemicals Bureau and Environment Canada, and 6 non-steroidal hits from this in silico screen were tested experimentally for zfSHBG binding. All 6 of these compounds displaced the [ 3H]5α-dihydrotestosterone used as labeled ligand in the zfSHBG screening assay when tested at a 33 μM concentration, and 3 of them (hexestrol, 4- tert-octylcatechol, and dihydrobenzo(a)pyren-7(8H)-one) bind to zfSHBG in the micromolar range. The study demonstrates the feasibility of large-scale in silico screening of anthropogenic compounds that may disrupt or highjack functionally important protein:ligand interactions. Such studies could increase the awareness of hazards posed by existing commercial chemicals at relatively low cost.