Structure-based virtual screening and identification of a novel androgen receptor antagonist

J Biol Chem. 2012 Aug 31;287(36):30769-80. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M112.379107. Epub 2012 Jul 13.

Abstract

Hormonal therapies, mainly combinations of anti-androgens and androgen deprivation, have been the mainstay treatment for advanced prostate cancer because the androgen-androgen receptor (AR) system plays a pivotal role in the development and progression of prostate cancers. However, the emergence of androgen resistance, largely due to inefficient anti-hormone action, limits the therapeutic usefulness of these therapies. Here, we report that 6-(3,4-dihydro-1H-isoquinolin-2-yl)-N-(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)nicotinamide (DIMN) acts as a novel anti-androgenic compound that may be effective in the treatment of both androgen-dependent and androgen-independent prostate cancers. Through AR structure-based virtual screening using the FlexX docking model, fifty-four compounds were selected and further screened for AR antagonism via cell-based tests. One compound, DIMN, showed an antagonistic effect specific to AR with comparable potency to that of the classical AR antagonists, hydroxyflutamide and bicalutamide. Consistent with their anti-androgenic activity, DIMN inhibited the growth of androgen-dependent LNCaP prostate cancer cells. Interestingly, the compound also suppressed the growth of androgen-independent C4-2 and CWR22rv prostate cancer cells, which express a functional AR, but did not suppress the growth of the AR-negative prostate cancer cells PPC-1, DU145, and R3327-AT3.1. Taken together, the results suggest that the synthetic compound DIMN is a novel anti-androgen and strong candidate for useful therapeutic agent against early stage to advanced prostate cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Androgen Receptor Antagonists / chemical synthesis
  • Androgen Receptor Antagonists / chemistry*
  • Androgen Receptor Antagonists / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • COS Cells
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor / methods
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Isoquinolines / chemical synthesis
  • Isoquinolines / chemistry*
  • Isoquinolines / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Niacinamide / analogs & derivatives*
  • Niacinamide / chemical synthesis
  • Niacinamide / chemistry
  • Niacinamide / pharmacology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Receptors, Androgen / genetics
  • Receptors, Androgen / metabolism*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • 6-(3,4-dihydro-1H-isoquinolin-2-yl)-N-(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)nicotinamide
  • Androgen Receptor Antagonists
  • Isoquinolines
  • Receptors, Androgen
  • Niacinamide