Development of BODIPY FL vindoline as a novel and high-affinity pregnane X receptor fluorescent probe

Bioconjug Chem. 2014 Sep 17;25(9):1664-77. doi: 10.1021/bc5002856. Epub 2014 Aug 18.

Abstract

The pregnane X receptor (PXR) regulates the metabolism and excretion of xenobiotics and endobiotics by regulating the expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters. The unique structure of PXR allows it to bind many drugs and drug leads, possibly causing undesired drug-drug interactions. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate whether chemicals or drugs bind to PXR. Fluorescence-based assays are preferred because of their sensitivity and nonradioactive nature. On the basis of our previously characterized 4 (BODIPY FL vinblastine), a high-affinity PXR probe, we developed 20 (BODIPY FL vindoline) and showed that it is a novel and potent PXR fluorescent probe with Kd of 256 nM in a time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET) binding assay with PXR. By using 20 (BODIPY FL vindoline) in the PXR TR-FRET assay, we obtained a more than 7-fold signal-to-background ratio and high signal stability (signal was stable for at least 120 min, and Z'-factor > 0.85 from 30 to 240 min). The assay can tolerate DMSO up to 2%. This assay has been used to evaluate a panel of PXR ligands for their PXR-binding affinities. The performance of 20 (BODIPY FL vindoline) in the PXR TR-FRET assay makes it an ideal PXR fluorescent probe, and the newly developed PXR TR-FRET assay with 20 (BODIPY FL vindoline) as a fluorescent probe is suitable for high-throughput screening to identify PXR-binding ligands.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Boron Compounds / chemistry*
  • Boron Compounds / metabolism*
  • Dimethyl Sulfoxide / chemistry
  • Drug Design*
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry*
  • Fluorescent Dyes / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Pregnane X Receptor
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Receptors, Steroid / chemistry
  • Receptors, Steroid / metabolism*
  • Vinblastine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Vinblastine / chemistry

Substances

  • 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene
  • Boron Compounds
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Pregnane X Receptor
  • Receptors, Steroid
  • vindoline
  • Vinblastine
  • Dimethyl Sulfoxide