ABSTRACT
Retinoid X receptor α (RXRα) and its N-terminally truncated version tRXRα play important roles in tumorigenesis, while some RXRα ligands possess potent anti-cancer activities by targeting and modulating the tumorigenic effects of RXRα and tRXRα. Here we describe NSC-640358 (N-6), a thiazolyl-pyrazole derived compound, acts as a selective RXRα ligand to promote TNFα-mediated apoptosis of cancer cell. N-6 binds to RXRα and inhibits the transactivation of RXRα homodimer and RXRα/TR3 heterodimer. Using mutational analysis and computational study, we determine that Arg316 in RXRα, essential for 9-cis-retinoic acid binding and activating RXRα transactivation, is not required for antagonist effects of N-6, whereas Trp305 and Phe313 are crucial for N-6 binding to RXRα by forming extra π-π stacking interactions with N-6, indicating a distinct RXRα binding mode of N-6. N-6 inhibits TR3-stimulated transactivation of Gal4-DBD-RXRα-LBD by binding to the ligand binding pocket of RXRα-LBD, suggesting a strategy to regulate TR3 activity indirectly by using small molecules to target its interacting partner RXRα. For its physiological activities, we show that N-6 strongly inhibits tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα)-induced AKT activation and stimulates TNFα-mediated apoptosis in cancer cells in an RXRα/tRXRα dependent manner. The inhibition of TNFα-induced tRXRα/p85α complex formation by N-6 implies that N-6 targets tRXRα to inhibit TNFα-induced AKT activation and to induce cancer cell apoptosis. Together, our data illustrate a new RXRα ligand with a unique RXRα binding mode and the abilities to regulate TR3 activity indirectly and to induce TNFα-mediated cancer cell apoptosis by targeting RXRα/tRXRα.
Subject(s)
Humans , Apoptosis , Cell Line, Tumor , Enzyme Activation , Ligands , Molecular Docking Simulation , Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1 , Genetics , Metabolism , Oximes , Metabolism , Pharmacology , Protein Conformation , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt , Metabolism , Pyrazoles , Metabolism , Pharmacology , Retinoid X Receptor alpha , Chemistry , Genetics , Metabolism , Thiazoles , Metabolism , Pharmacology , Transcription, Genetic , Transcriptional Activation , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha , MetabolismABSTRACT
Objective To compare transdermal penetration of triamcinolone acetonide liposparticles (TAA-LPPs) and TAA-Ethosomes in vitro. Methods The TAA-LPPs and TAA-Ethosomes were produced and the morphology was observed by transmission electron microscope,particle size was detected by laser particle analyzer. The percutaneous permeability in vitro was tested by modified Franz diffusion pools. The amount of penetrated triamcinolone acetonide and the retention in the skin were de-termined by HPLC. Results The shape of TAA-LPPs and TAA-Ethosomes was almost spherical with mean diameter of (99. 9±1. 3) and (105±1. 4) nm, respectively. The cumulative transdermal penetration of TAA-LPPs, TAA-Ethosomess and TAA suspension was (53. 59±4. 40),(87. 03±4. 87),and (30. 54±8. 61) μg·(cm2 ) -1 , respectively . The drug retention in the skin after 32 h was (1. 02±0. 13), (0. 62±0. 08), (0. 55±0. 17) μg·(cm2 ) -1 , respectively. Conclusion TAA-LPPs is better for transdermal administration of triamcinolone acetonide by reducing systemic absorption of the drug.