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Souza TL, Luz JZD, Barreto LDS, Oliveira Ribeiro CAD, Neto FF. Structure-based modeling to assess binding and endocrine disrupting potential of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Danio rerio. Chem Biol Interact 2024; 398:111109. [PMID: 38871163 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2024.111109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Environmental contaminants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), have raised concerns regarding their potential endocrine-disrupting effects on aquatic organisms, including fish. In this study, molecular docking and molecular dynamics techniques were employed to evaluate the endocrine-disrupting potential of PAHs in zebrafish, as a model organism. A virtual screening with 72 PAHs revealed a correlation between the number of PAH aromatic rings and their binding affinity to proteins involved in endocrine regulation. Furthermore, PAHs with the highest binding affinities for each protein were identified: cyclopenta[cd]pyrene for AR (-9.7 kcal/mol), benzo(g)chrysene for ERα (-11.5 kcal/mol), dibenzo(a,e)pyrene for SHBG (-8.7 kcal/mol), dibenz(a,h)anthracene for StAR (-11.2 kcal/mol), and 2,3-benzofluorene for TRα (-9.8 kcal/mol). Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the stability of the protein-ligand complexes formed by the PAHs with the highest binding affinities throughout the simulations. Additionally, the effectiveness of the protocol used in this study was demonstrated by the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, which effectively distinguished decoys from true ligands. Therefore, this research provides valuable insights into the endocrine-disrupting potential of PAHs in fish, highlighting the importance of assessing their impact on aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tugstênio L Souza
- Laboratório de Toxicologia Celular, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Universidade Federal do Paraná, CEP 81.531-980, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
| | - Jessica Zablocki da Luz
- Laboratório de Toxicologia Celular, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Universidade Federal do Paraná, CEP 81.531-980, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Luiza Dos Santos Barreto
- Laboratório de Toxicologia Celular, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Universidade Federal do Paraná, CEP 81.531-980, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Ciro Alberto de Oliveira Ribeiro
- Laboratório de Toxicologia Celular, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Universidade Federal do Paraná, CEP 81.531-980, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Francisco Filipak Neto
- Laboratório de Toxicologia Celular, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Universidade Federal do Paraná, CEP 81.531-980, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
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Lin JX, Xu CY, Wu XM, Che L, Li TY, Mo SM, Guo DB, Lin ZN, Lin YC. Rab7a-mTORC1 signaling-mediated cholesterol trafficking from the lysosome to mitochondria ameliorates hepatic lipotoxicity induced by aflatoxin B1 exposure. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 320:138071. [PMID: 36754296 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a common contaminant in many foodstuffs and is considered a public health concern worldwide due to its hepatotoxicity caused by lipid metabolism disorders. However, the molecular mechanism underlying AFB1-induced lipotoxicity-dependent liver injury via regulating cholesterol metabolism remains unclear. We established a cholesterol trafficking disorder-mediated hepatic lipotoxicity model with AFB1 mixture exposure in vitro (HepaRG and HepG2 cells, 1.6 μM for 36 h) and in vivo (C57BL/6 mice, 3 mg kg-1, i.g., every other day for 6 weeks). In vitro, the interaction between lysosomal Niemann-Pick type C1 (NPC1) protein and mitochondrial translocator protein (TSPO) regulated lipotoxicity induced by AFB1 mixture exposure, including lysosomal membrane permeabilization and mitochondria-dependent necroptosis. Moreover, the downregulation of lysosomal Ras-associated protein 7a (Rab7a) enhanced the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1)-mediated disorders of cholesterol trafficking from the lysosome to mitochondria. Furthermore, cholesterol trafficking disorder-mediated hepatic lipotoxicity induced by the low-dose level of AFB1 exposure was relieved by genetic or pharmaceutic activation of Rab7a to inhibit mTORC1 in vitro and ex vivo. In vivo, mTORC1 inhibitor (Torin1, 4 mg kg-1, i.p., every other day for 3 weeks) alleviated the cholesterol trafficking disorder-mediated hepatic lipotoxicity via upregulating the molecular machinery of lysosomes and mitochondria contact mediated by NPC1 and TSPO interaction in the low dose of AFB1 exposure. Altogether, our data suggested a novel mechanism that lysosomal Rab7a-mTORC1 signaling determined the cholesterol trafficking regulated by NPC1-TSPO from the lysosome to mitochondria, which promoted hepatic lipotoxicity via lysosomal quality control and mitochondria-dependent necroptosis signaling pathways in chemical mixture exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Xian Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Chi-Yu Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Xin-Mou Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Lin Che
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Ting-Yu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Su-Min Mo
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Dong-Bei Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Zhong-Ning Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China.
| | - Yu-Chun Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China.
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Kumar Konidala K, Bommu U, Pabbaraju N. Integration of in silico methods to determine endocrine-disrupting tobacco pollutants binding potency with steroidogenic genes: comprehensive QSAR modeling and ensemble docking strategies. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:65806-65825. [PMID: 35501431 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-20443-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
A myriad of tobacco-associated chemicals may have possibilities to developmental/reproductive axis and endocrine-disruption impacts. Mostly they breach the biotransformation of cholesterol in mitochondria by interfering with steroidogenic pathway genes, prompting to adverse effects in steroid biosynthesis; however, studies are scanty. The quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) modeling and comparative docking strategies were used to understand structural features of dataset compounds that influence developmental/reproductive toxicity and estrogen and androgen receptor-binding abilities, and to predict binding levels of toxicants with steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (CYP11A1) active sites. Developed QSAR models presented good robustness and predictive ability that were determined from the applicability domain and, clustering and classification of chemicals by performing self-organizing maps. Accordingly, the exorbitant amount of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and a limited number of other chemicals including N-nitrosamines and nicotine was represented as potential developmental/reproductive toxicants as well as estrogen and androgen receptor binders. From the docking analysis, hydrogen bonding, nonpolar, atomic π-stacking, and π-cation interactions were found between PAHs (bay and fjord structural pockets) and functional hotspot residues of StAR and CYP11A1, which strengthened the subtle structural changes at domains. These govern barrier effects to cholesterol binding and/or locking cholesterol to complicate its ejection from the Ω1 loop of StAR, and further mitigates steroid biosynthesis through cholesterol by CYP11A1; therefore, they are presumably considered as block-cluster mechanisms. These outcomes are significant to be hopeful to estimate developmental/reproductive toxicity and endocrine-disruption activities of other environmental pollutants, and could be useful for further assessment to discover binding mechanisms of PAHs with other steroidogenesis pathway genes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Umadevi Bommu
- Department of Zoology, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, 517502 AP, India
| | - Neeraja Pabbaraju
- Department of Zoology, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, 517502 AP, India.
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Darghouthi M, Rezg R, Boughmadi O, Mornagui B. Low-dose bisphenol S exposure induces hypospermatogenesis and mitochondrial dysfunction in rats: A possible implication of StAR protein. Reprod Toxicol 2022; 107:104-111. [PMID: 34838688 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2021.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
A wide variety of environmental chemicals/xenobiotics including bisphenol A (BPA) has been shown to cause male reproductive dysfunctions and infertility. Recently, bisphenol S (BPS) replaces BPA, in several products, including foodstuffs, under the BPA-free label. However, several studies have raised inquietude about the potential adverse effects of BPS. The present study was conducted to evaluate sperm parameters, biochemical parameters, mitochondrial function, and histopathological patterns after post-lactation BPS exposure at a low dose. Male rats (21 days old) were exposed to water containing BPS at 50 μg/L in drinking water for 10 weeks. Results showed no significant alteration in the gonadosomatic index (GSI) and relative reproductive organs weight. However, a significant reduction in epididymal sperm parameters (number, viability, and mobility) with morphological abnormalities were observed in the BPS group compared to control. An increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) level accompanied by antioxidant defense alteration particularly, in glutathione peroxidase activity, as well as a defective mitochondrial function were observed in testicular tissues of BPS treated rats. More importantly, in histopathological diagnosis, BPS treatment induces hypospermatogenesis and alteration in Sertoli cells. In silico docking studies illustrated BPS binds with steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein thereby affecting the transport of cholesterol into mitochondria resulting in decreased steroidogenesis. These results reflect a reprotoxic effect of BPS vould potentially lead to fertility reduction, in sexually maturity age. We highlighted that post-lactation exposure to BPS, equivalent in humans to the period covering childhood and adolescent stages, disrupt male reproduction function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malek Darghouthi
- LR18ES36, University of Gabes, Faculty of Sciences of Gabes, Gabes, Tunisia
| | - Raja Rezg
- BIOLIVAL LR-14ES06, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Olfa Boughmadi
- BIOLIVAL LR-14ES06, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Bessem Mornagui
- LR18ES36, University of Gabes, Faculty of Sciences of Gabes, Gabes, Tunisia.
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Asif K, Memeo L, Palazzolo S, Frión-Herrera Y, Parisi S, Caligiuri I, Canzonieri V, Granchi C, Tuccinardi T, Rizzolio F. STARD3: A Prospective Target for Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4693. [PMID: 34572920 PMCID: PMC8472075 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the major causes of death in developed countries and current therapies are based on surgery, chemotherapeutic agents, and radiation. To overcome side effects induced by chemo- and radiotherapy, in recent decades, targeted therapies have been proposed in second and even first lines. Targeted drugs act on the essential pathways involved in tumor induction, progression, and metastasis, basically all the hallmark of cancers. Among emerging pathways, the cholesterol metabolic pathway is a strong candidate for this purpose. Cancer cells have an accelerated metabolic rate and require a continuous supply of cholesterol for cell division and membrane renewal. Steroidogenic acute regulatory related lipid transfer (START) proteins are a family of proteins involved in the transfer of lipids and some of them are important in non-vesicular cholesterol transportation within the cell. The alteration of their expression levels is implicated in several diseases, including cancers. In this review, we report the latest discoveries on StAR-related lipid transfer protein domain 3 (STARD3), a member of the START family, which has a potential role in cancer, focusing on the structural and biochemical characteristics and mechanisms that regulate its activity. The role of the STARD3 protein as a molecular target for the development of cancer therapies is also discussed. As STARD3 is a key protein in the cholesterol movement in cancer cells, it is of interest to identify inhibitors able to block its activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanwal Asif
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, PhD School in Science and Technology of Bio and Nanomaterials, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, 30172 Venice, Italy;
- Pathology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (C.R.O.) IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (S.P.); (S.P.); (V.C.)
| | - Lorenzo Memeo
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Mediterranean Institute of Oncology, 95029 Catania, Italy;
| | - Stefano Palazzolo
- Pathology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (C.R.O.) IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (S.P.); (S.P.); (V.C.)
| | - Yahima Frión-Herrera
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, 30172 Venice, Italy; or
| | - Salvatore Parisi
- Pathology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (C.R.O.) IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (S.P.); (S.P.); (V.C.)
| | - Isabella Caligiuri
- Pathology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (C.R.O.) IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (S.P.); (S.P.); (V.C.)
| | - Vincenzo Canzonieri
- Pathology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (C.R.O.) IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (S.P.); (S.P.); (V.C.)
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Carlotta Granchi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.G.); (T.T.)
| | - Tiziano Tuccinardi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.G.); (T.T.)
| | - Flavio Rizzolio
- Pathology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (C.R.O.) IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (S.P.); (S.P.); (V.C.)
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, 30172 Venice, Italy; or
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Wu SL, Wang LF, Sun HB, Wang W, Yu YX. Probing molecular mechanism of inhibitor bindings to bromodomain-containing protein 4 based on molecular dynamics simulations and principal component analysis. SAR AND QSAR IN ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 31:547-570. [PMID: 32657160 DOI: 10.1080/1062936x.2020.1777584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
It is well known that bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) has been thought as a promising target utilized for treating various human diseases, such as inflammatory disorders, malignant tumours, acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML), bone diseases, etc. For this study, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, binding free energy calculations, and principal component analysis (PCA) were integrated together to uncover binding modes of inhibitors 8P9, 8PU, and 8PX to BRD4(1). The results obtained from binding free energy calculations show that van der Waals interactions act as the main regulator in bindings of inhibitors to BRD4(1). The information stemming from PCA reveals that inhibitor associations extremely affect conformational changes, internal dynamics, and movement patterns of BRD4(1). Residue-based free energy decomposition method was wielded to unveil contributions of independent residues to inhibitor bindings and the data signify that hydrogen bonding interactions and hydrophobic interactions are decisive factors affecting bindings of inhibitors to BRD4(1). Meanwhile, eight residues Trp81, Pro82, Val87, Leu92, Leu94, Cys136, Asn140, and Ile146 are recognized as the common hot interaction spots of three inhibitors with BRD4(1). The results from this work are expected to provide a meaningfully theoretical guidance for design and development of effective inhibitors inhibiting of the activity of BRD4.
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Affiliation(s)
- S L Wu
- School of Science, Shandong Jiaotong University , Jinan, China
| | - L F Wang
- School of Science, Shandong Jiaotong University , Jinan, China
| | - H B Sun
- School of Science, Shandong Jiaotong University , Jinan, China
| | - W Wang
- School of Science, Shandong Jiaotong University , Jinan, China
| | - Y X Yu
- School of Science, Shandong Jiaotong University , Jinan, China
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Bommu U, Konidala KK, Pabbaraju N, Yeguvapalli S. Gene microarray expression profile analysis of differentially expressed genes of potential alternative pathways in non–small cell lung cancer: In search of biomarkers. GENE REPORTS 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2020.100633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Tugaeva KV, Sluchanko NN. Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein: Structure, Functioning, and Regulation. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2019; 84:S233-S253. [PMID: 31213205 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297919140141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Steroidogenesis takes place mainly in adrenal and gonadal cells that produce a variety of structurally similar hormones regulating numerous body functions. The rate-limiting stage of steroidogenesis is cholesterol delivery to the inner mitochondrial membrane, where it is converted by cytochrome P450scc into pregnenolone, a common precursor of all steroid hormones. The major role of supplying mitochondria with cholesterol belongs to steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STARD1). STARD1, which is synthesized de novo as a precursor containing mitochondrial localization sequence and sterol-binding domain, significantly accelerates cholesterol transport and production of pregnenolone. Despite a tremendous interest in STARD1 fueled by its involvement in hereditary diseases and extensive efforts of numerous laboratories worldwide, many aspects of STARD1 structure, functioning, and regulation remain obscure and debatable. This review presents current concepts on the structure of STARD1 and other lipid transfer proteins, the role of STARD1 in steroidogenesis, and the mechanism of its functioning, as well as identifies the most controversial and least studied questions related to the activity of this protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- K V Tugaeva
- Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119071, Russia. .,Lomonosov Moscow State University, Biological Faculty, Department of Biochemistry, Moscow, 119234, Russia
| | - N N Sluchanko
- Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119071, Russia. .,Lomonosov Moscow State University, Biological Faculty, Department of Biophysics, Moscow, 119991, Russia
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