Endogenous neurosteroids (NS) and their synthetic analogs, neuroactive steroids (NAS), are potentially useful drug-like compounds affecting the pathophysiology of miscellaneous central nervous system disorders (e.g. Alzheimer´s disease, epilepsy, depression, etc.). Additionally, NS have been shown to promote neuron viability and neurite outgrowth upon injury. The molecular, structural and physicochemical basis of the NS effect on neurons is so far not fully understood, and the development of new, biologically relevant assays is essential for their comparative analysis and for assessment of their mechanism of action. Here, we report the development of a novel, plate-based, high-content in vitro assay for screening of NS and newly synthesized, 5β-reduced NAS for the promotion of postnatal neuron survival and neurite growth using fluorescent, postnatal mixed cortical neuron cultures isolated from thy1-YFP transgenic mice. The screen allows a detailed time course analysis of different parameters, such as the number of neurons or neurite lengths of 7-day, in vitro neuron cultures. Using the screen, we identify a new NAS, compound 42, that promotes the survival and growth of postnatal neurons significantly better than several endogenous NS (dehydroepiandrosterone, progesterone, and allopregnanolone). Interestingly, we demonstrate that compound 42 also promotes the proliferation of glia (in particular oligodendrocytes) and that the glial function is critical for its neuron growth support. Computational analysis of the biological data and calculated physicochemical properties of tested NS and NAS demonstrated that their biological activity is proportional to their lipophilicity. Together, the screen proves useful for the selection of neuron-active NAS and the comparative evaluation of their biologically relevant structural and physicochemical features.

• Klíčová slova
• Computational analysis, High-content screening, Myelin basic protein, Neurite growth, Neuroactive steroids, Neurosteroids,
• MeSH
• myši transgenní MeSH
• myši MeSH
• neurity MeSH
• neurony MeSH
• neurosteroidy * MeSH
• oligodendroglie MeSH
• progesteron farmakologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• neurosteroidy * MeSH
• progesteron MeSH

Estrogen receptor alpha (ER) is a key biomarker for breast cancer, and the presence or absence of ER in breast and other hormone-dependent cancers decides treatment regimens and patient prognosis. ER is activated after ligand binding - typically by steroid. 2682 steroid compounds were used in a molecular docking study to identify novel ligands for ER and to predict compounds that may show anticancer activity. The effect of the most promising compounds was determined by a novel luciferase reporter assay. Two compounds, 7 and 12, showing ER inhibitory activity comparable to clinical inhibitors such as tamoxifen or fulvestrant were selected. We propose that the inhibitory effect of compounds 7 and 12 on ER is related to the presence of a double bond in their D-ring, which may protect against ER activation by reducing the electron density of the keto group, or may undergo metabolism leading to an active compound. Western blotting revealed that compound 12 decreased the level of ER in the breast cancer cell line MCF7, which was associated with reduced expression of both isoforms of the progesterone receptor, a well-known downstream target of ER. However, compound 12 has a different mechanism of action from fulvestrant. Furthermore, we found that compound 12 interferes with mitochondrial functions, probably by disrupting the electron transport chain, leading to induction of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway even in ER-negative breast cancer cells. In conclusion, the combination of computational and experimental methods shown here represents a rapid approach to determine the activity of compounds towards ER. Our data will not only contribute to research focused on the regulation of ER activity but may also be useful for the further development of novel steroid receptor-targeted drugs applicable in clinical practice.

• Klíčová slova
• Apoptosis, Docking of steroid library, Estrogen receptor alpha, Luciferase assay, Mitochondrial membrane potential,
• MeSH
• alfa receptor estrogenů genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• estradiol farmakologie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• estron * farmakologie   MeSH
• fulvestrant farmakologie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• nádory prsu * farmakoterapie   metabolismus   MeSH
• receptory pro estrogeny metabolismus   MeSH
• simulace molekulového dockingu MeSH
• tamoxifen farmakologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• alfa receptor estrogenů MeSH
• estradiol MeSH
• estron * MeSH
• fulvestrant MeSH
• receptory pro estrogeny MeSH
• tamoxifen MeSH

Oxysterols play significant roles in many physiological and pathological processes including cancer. They modulate some of the cancer hallmarks pathways, influence the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs, and associate with patient survival. In this study, we aimed to analyze the role of 7-ketocholesterol (7-KC) in breast carcinoma cells and its potential modulation of the tamoxifen effect. 7-KC effects were studied in two estrogen receptor (ER)-positive (MCF-7 and T47D) and one ER-negative (BT-20) breast cancer cell lines. First, we tested the viability of cells in the presence of 7-KC. Next, we co-incubated cells with tamoxifen and sublethal concentrations of 7-KC. We also tested changes in caspase 3/7 activity, deregulation of the cell cycle, and changes in expression of selected genes/proteins in the presence of tamoxifen, 7-KC, or their combination. Finally, we analyzed the effect of 7-KC on cellular migration and invasion. We found that the presence of 7-KC slightly decreases the efficacy of tamoxifen in MCF-7 cells, while an increased effect of tamoxifen and higher caspase 3/7 activity was observed in the BT-20 cell line. In the T47D cell line, we did not find any modulation of tamoxifen efficacy by the presence of 7-KC. Expression analysis showed the deregulation in CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 with the opposite trend in MCF-7 and BT-20 cells. Moreover, 7-KC increased cellular migration and invasion potential regardless of the ER status. This study shows that 7-KC can modulate tamoxifen efficacy as well as cellular migration and invasion, making 7-KC a promising candidate for future studies.

• Klíčová slova
• 7-ketocholesterol, Breast cancer, Migration, Proliferation, Tamoxifen,
• MeSH
• chemorezistence MeSH
• hormonální protinádorové látky farmakologie   MeSH
• kaspasa 3 genetika   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• MFC-7 buňky MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• nádory prsu * farmakoterapie   MeSH
• proliferace buněk MeSH
• receptory pro estrogeny metabolismus   MeSH
• tamoxifen * farmakologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• 7-ketocholesterol MeSH Prohlížeč
• hormonální protinádorové látky MeSH
• kaspasa 3 MeSH
• receptory pro estrogeny MeSH
• tamoxifen * MeSH

Dysfunction of the androgen receptor (AR) signalling axis plays a pivotal role in the development and progression of prostate cancer (PCa). Steroidal and non-steroidal AR antagonists can significantly improve the survival of PCa patients by blocking the action of the endogenous ligand through binding to the hormone receptor and preventing its activation. Herein, we report two synthetic strategies, each utilizing the advantages of microwave irradiation, to modify the A-ring of natural androgen 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) with pyridine scaffolds. Treatment of DHT with appropriate Mannich salts led to 1,5-diketones, which were then converted with hydroxylamine to A-ring-fused 6'-substituted pyridines. To extend the compound library with 4',6'-disubstituted analogues, 2-arylidene derivatives of DHT were subjected to ring closure reactions according to the Kröhnke's pyridine synthesis. The crystal structure of a monosubstituted pyridine product was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. AR transcriptional activity in a reporter cell line was investigated for all novel A-ring-fused pyridines and a number of previously synthesized DHT-based quinolines were included to the biological study to obtain information about the structure-activity relationship. It was shown that several A-ring-fused quinolines acted as AR antagonists, in comparison with the dual or agonist character of the majority of A-ring-fused pyridines. Derivative 1d (A-ring-fused 6'-methoxyquinoline) was studied in detail and showed to be a low-micromolar AR antagonist (IC50 = 10.5 µM), and it suppressed the viability and proliferation of AR-positive PCa cell lines. Moreover, the candidate compound blocked the AR downstream signalling, induced moderate cell-cycle arrest and showed to bind recombinant AR and to target AR in cells. The binding mode and crucial interactions were described using molecular modelling.

• Klíčová slova
• Androgen receptor, Crystal structure, Dihydrotestosterone, Pyridines, Transcriptional activity,
• MeSH
• androgenní receptory metabolismus   MeSH
• antagonisté androgenních receptorů farmakologie   MeSH
• dihydrotestosteron * farmakologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mikrovlny MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• nádory prostaty * farmakoterapie   metabolismus   MeSH
• pyridiny farmakologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• androgenní receptory MeSH
• antagonisté androgenních receptorů MeSH
• dihydrotestosteron * MeSH
• pyridiny MeSH

Androgen and glucocorticoid receptors have been recently described as key players in processes related to prostate cancer and mainly androgen receptor's inactivation was shown as an effective way for the prostate cancer treatment. Unfortunately, androgen deprivation therapy usually loses its effectivity and the disease frequently progresses into castration-resistant prostate cancer with poor prognosis. The role of the glucocorticoid receptor is associated with the mechanism of resistance; therefore, pharmacological targeting of glucocorticoid receptor in combination with antiandrogen treatment was shown as an alternative approach in the prostate cancer treatment. We introduce here the synthesis of novel 17α- and/or 21-ester or carbamate derivatives of hydrocortisone and evaluation of their biological activity towards androgen and glucocorticoid receptors in different prostate cancer cell lines. A 17α-butyryloxy-21-(alkyl)carbamoyloxy derivative 14 was found to diminish the transcriptional activity of both receptors (in single-digit micromolar range), with comparable potency to enzalutamide towards the androgen receptor, but weaker potency compared to mifepristone towards the glucocorticoid receptor. Lead compound inhibited proliferation and the formation of cell colonies in both androgen and glucocortiocid receptors-positive prostate cancer cell lines in low micromolar concentrations. Candidate compound 14 showed to interact with both receptors in cells and inhibited the translocation of receptors to nucleus and their activation phoshorylation. Moreover, binding to receptor's ligand binding domains was assessed by molecular modelling. Lead compound also induced the accumulation of cells in G1 phase and its combination with enzalutamide was shown to be more effective than enzalutamide alone.

• Klíčová slova
• Androgen receptor, Castration resistant prostate cancer, Glucocorticoid receptor, Hydrocortisone derivatives, Prostate cancer, Transcriptional activity,
• MeSH
• androgenní receptory * genetika   chemie   MeSH
• androgeny farmakologie   MeSH
• antagonisté androgenů farmakologie   MeSH
• chemorezistence MeSH
• hydrokortison farmakologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• nádory prostaty rezistentní na kastraci * farmakoterapie   metabolismus   MeSH
• nitrily farmakologie   MeSH
• receptory glukokortikoidů MeSH
• signální transdukce MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• androgenní receptory * MeSH
• androgeny MeSH
• antagonisté androgenů MeSH
• enzalutamide MeSH Prohlížeč
• hydrokortison MeSH
• nitrily MeSH
• receptory glukokortikoidů MeSH

Alzheimer´s disease (AD) is an intellectual disorder caused by organic brain damage and cerebral atrophy, characterized by the loss of memory, judgment, and abstract thinking followed by declining cognitive functions, language, and the ability to perform daily living activities. Many efforts have been made to decrease the effects of the disease but also to block the neurodegenerative process. Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) are a group of medicines that act at the neurotransmission of acetylcholine, preventing its excessive breakdown and helping to improve cognitive functions in patients with AD. In this work, 16 chiral steroids, namely ring-fused 3β-acetoxyandrost-5-ene derivatives, their precursor and two 16-dehydroprogesterone-derived dioximes, were assessed as cholinesterase inhibitors and neuroprotective agents. The results demonstrated that some of the tested steroids are cholinesterase inhibitors and the majority selective for acetylcholinesterase inhibition. Albeit, one ring-fused 3β-acetoxyandrost-5-ene containing N-methylpiperidine ring (compound 2g) demonstrated to be a selective and potent inhibitor of the butyrylcholinesterase enzyme. (S)- 4,4a,5,6,7,8-(hexahydronaphthalen-2-one)-fused 3β-acetoxyandrost-5-ene (compound 6) showed high neuroprotective effect, high ability to restore the mitochondrial membrane potential from glutamate intoxication, and dramatic improvement in cell morphology. The described results provided relevant structure-activity relationship data.

• Klíčová slova
• Acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase enzymes, Cholinesterase inhibitors, Hexacyclic steroids, Neuroprotective agents, Steroidal N-sulfonyl-1-azadiene,
• MeSH
• acetylcholinesterasa metabolismus   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• Alzheimerova nemoc * farmakoterapie   metabolismus   MeSH
• androstany chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• butyrylcholinesterasa metabolismus   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• cholinesterasové inhibitory farmakologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• neuroprotektivní látky * farmakologie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• simulace molekulového dockingu MeSH
• vztahy mezi strukturou a aktivitou MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• acetylcholinesterasa MeSH
• androstany MeSH
• butyrylcholinesterasa MeSH
• cholinesterasové inhibitory MeSH
• neuroprotektivní látky * MeSH

In search of new cytotoxic derivatives based on the lupane scaffold, methyl betulonate and methyl 20,29-dihydrobetulonate were conjugated with Reformatsky reagents to provide homolupanes extended at the C3-carbon atom. Further transformations of the functional groups afforded a series of derivatives with 2-hydroxyethyl and allyl alcohol moieties. Their varying antiproliferative activity in vitro was then investigated in four cancer cell lines and in normal human BJ fibroblasts. In cervical carcinoma HeLa cells, derivatives 5, 6 and 17 were the most promising with lower micromolar IC50s and no toxicity to fibroblasts, thus showing a high therapeutic index. In addition, induction of apoptosis was found in HeLa cells after 24 h treatment with compounds 5, 6, 13 and 29. This newly synthesized series is more interesting than the published lupane and homolupane triterpenes and saponins, due to their nontoxicity towards healthy human cells and stronger cytotoxicity to various cancer cell lines. This approach increases their potential as anticancer agents.

• Klíčová slova
• Antiproliferative activity, Apoptosis, Cancer cells, Fibroblasts, Lupanes, Reformatsky reaction,
• MeSH
• HeLa buňky MeSH
• kyselina betulinová MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• protinádorové látky * farmakologie   MeSH
• screeningové testy protinádorových léčiv MeSH
• triterpeny * farmakologie   MeSH
• vztahy mezi strukturou a aktivitou MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• kyselina betulinová MeSH
• lupane MeSH Prohlížeč
• protinádorové látky * MeSH
• triterpeny * MeSH

One of the main directions of steroid research is the preparation of modified derivatives in which, in addition to changes in physicochemical properties, receptor binding is significantly altered, thus a bioactivity different from that of the parent compound predominates. In the frame of this work, 2-arylidene derivatives were first synthesized by regioselective modification of the A-ring of natural sex hormone, 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). After Claisen-Schmidt condensations of DHT with (hetero)aromatic aldehydes in alkaline EtOH, heterocyclizations of the α,β-enones were performed with 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole, 3-aminopyrazole and 3-amino-5-methylpyrazole in the presence of t-BuOK in DMF to afford 7'-epimeric mixtures of A-ring-fused azolo-dihydropyrimidines, respectively. Depending on the electronic demand of the substituents of the arylidene moiety, spontaneous or 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyanobenzoquinone (DDQ)-induced oxidation of the heteroring led to triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines and pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines in good yields, while, using the Jones reagent as a strong oxidant, 17-oxidation also occurred. The crystal structures of an arylidene and a triazolopyrimidine product have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction and both were found to crystallize in the monoclinic crystal system at P21 space group. Most derivatives were found to diminish the transcriptional activity of androgen receptor (AR) in reporter cell line. The candidate compound (17β-hydroxy-2-(4-chloro)benzylidene-5α-androstan-3-one, 2f) showed to suppress androgen-mediated AR transactivation in a dose-dependent manner. We confirmed the cellular interaction of 2f with AR, described the binding in AR-binding cavity by the flexible docking and showed the ability of the compound to suppress the expression of AR-regulated genes in two prostate cancer cell lines.

• Klíčová slova
• 2-arylidene-dihydrotestosterone, Androgen receptor, Azolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines, Crystal structures, Flexible docking, Heterocyclization, Transcriptional activity,
• MeSH
• androgenní receptory chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• antagonisté androgenních receptorů chemická syntéza   farmakologie   MeSH
• dihydrotestosteron chemie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• molekulární konformace MeSH
• nádorové buňky kultivované MeSH
• nádory prostaty farmakoterapie   metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• viabilita buněk MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• androgenní receptory MeSH
• antagonisté androgenních receptorů MeSH
• AR protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• dihydrotestosteron MeSH

Solasodine analogues containing a seven-membered F ring with a nitrogen atom placed at position 22a were prepared from diosgenin or tigogenin in a four-step synthesis comprising of the simultaneous opening of the F-ring and introduction of cyanide in position 22α, activation of the 26-hydroxyl group as mesylate, nitrile reduction, and N-cyclization. Solasodine, six obtained 22a(N)-homo analogues, as well as four 26a-homosolasodine derivatives and their open-chain precursors (13 in total) were tested as potential inhibitors of acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterases and showed activity at micromolar concentrations. The structure-activity relationship study revealed that activities against studied esterases are affected by the structure of E/F rings and the substitution pattern of ring A. The most potent compound 8 acted as non-competitive inhibitors and exerted IC50 = 8.51 μM and 7.05 μM for eeAChE and eqBChE, respectively. Molecular docking studies revealed the hydrogen bond interaction of 8 with S293 of AChE; further rings are stabilized via hydrophobic interaction (ring A) or interaction with Y341 and W286 (rings B and C). Biological experiments showed no neurotoxicity of differentiated SH-SY5Y cells. More importantly, results from neuroprotective assay based on glutamate-induced cytotoxicity revealed that most derivatives had the ability to increase the viability of differentiated SH-SY5Y cells in comparison to galantamine and lipoic acid assayed as standards. The newly synthesized solasodine analogues are able to inhibit and to bind cholinesterases in noncompetitive mode of inhibition and exhibited neuroprotection potential of differentiated neuroblastoma cells after Glu-induced toxicity.

• Klíčová slova
• Cholinesterase inhibition, Ring expansion, Solasodine, Spiro compounds, Spirostane, Steroidal alkaloids,
• MeSH
• alkaloidy Solanaceí chemická syntéza   chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• cholinesterasové inhibitory chemická syntéza   chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• cholinesterasy chemie   účinky léků   MeSH
• diosgenin chemie   MeSH
• dusík chemie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• molekulární struktura MeSH
• neuroprotektivní látky chemická syntéza   chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• neurotoxické syndromy farmakoterapie   enzymologie   patologie   MeSH
• simulace molekulového dockingu MeSH
• vztahy mezi strukturou a aktivitou MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• alkaloidy Solanaceí MeSH
• cholinesterasové inhibitory MeSH
• cholinesterasy MeSH
• diosgenin MeSH
• dusík MeSH
• neuroprotektivní látky MeSH
• solasodine MeSH Prohlížeč

The family of ATP-gated purinergic P2X receptors comprises seven bunits (P2X1-7) that are unevenly distributed in the central and peripheral nervous systems as well as other organs. Endogenous modulators of P2X receptors are phospholipids, steroids and neurosteroids. Here, we analyzed whether bile acids, which are natural products derived from cholesterol, affect P2X receptor activity. We examined the effects of primary and secondary bile acids and newly synthesized derivatives of lithocholic acid on agonist-induced responses in HEK293T cells expressing rat P2X2, P2X4 and P2X7 receptors. Electrophysiology revealed that low micromolar concentrations of lithocholic acid and its structural analog 4-dafachronic acid strongly inhibit ATP-stimulated P2X2 but potentiate P2X4 responses, whereas primary bile acids and other secondary bile acids exhibit no or reduced effects only at higher concentrations. Agonist-stimulated P2X7 responses are significantly potentiated by lithocholic acid at moderate concentrations. Structural modifications of lithocholic acid at positions C-3, C-5 or C-17 abolish both inhibitory and potentiation effects to varying degrees, and the 3α-hydroxy group contributes to the ability of the molecule to switch between potentiation and inhibition. Lithocholic acid allosterically modulates P2X2 and P2X4 receptor sensitivity to ATP, reduces the rate of P2X4 receptor desensitization and antagonizes the effect of ivermectin on P2X4 receptor deactivation. Alanine-scanning mutagenesis of the upper halve of P2X4 transmembrane domain-1 revealed that residues Phe48, Val43 and Tyr42 are important for potentiating effect of lithocholic acid, indicating that modulatory sites for lithocholic acid and ivermectin partly overlap. Lithocholic acid also inhibits ATP-evoked currents in pituitary gonadotrophs expressing native P2X2, and potentiates ATP currents in nonidentified pituitary cells expressing P2X4 receptors. These results indicate that lithocholic acid is a bioactive steroid that may help to further unveil the importance of the P2X2, and P2X4 receptors in many physiological processes.

• Klíčová slova
• ATP, Allosteric modulation, Bile acids, Ivermectin, Lithocholic acid, Purinergic P2X receptors,
• MeSH
• adenohypofýza cytologie   účinky léků   fyziologie   MeSH
• agonisté purinergního receptoru P2X farmakologie   MeSH
• antagonisté purinergních receptorů P2X farmakologie   MeSH
• gating iontového kanálu účinky léků   MeSH
• HEK293 buňky MeSH
• hypothalamus cytologie   účinky léků   fyziologie   MeSH
• kyselina lithocholová analogy a deriváty   farmakologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• neurony účinky léků   fyziologie   MeSH
• potkani Wistar MeSH
• purinergní receptory P2X2 fyziologie   MeSH
• purinergní receptory P2X4 fyziologie   MeSH
• purinergní receptory P2X7 fyziologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• agonisté purinergního receptoru P2X MeSH
• antagonisté purinergních receptorů P2X MeSH
• kyselina lithocholová MeSH
• purinergní receptory P2X2 MeSH
• purinergní receptory P2X4 MeSH
• purinergní receptory P2X7 MeSH