title: Berberine inhibits androgen synthesis by interaction with aldo-keto reductase 1C3 in 22Rv1 prostate cancer cells.
abstract: Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3 has recently been regarded as a potential therapeutic target in castrate-resistant prostate cancer. Herein, we investigated whether berberine delayed the progression of castrate-resistant prostate cancer by reducing androgen synthesis through the inhibition of Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3. Cell viability and cellular testosterone content were measured in prostate cancer cells. Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3 mRNA and protein level were detected by RT-PCR and Western bolt analyses, respectively. Computer analysis with AutoDock Tools explored the molecular interaction of berberine with Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3. We found that berberine inhibited 22Rv1 cells proliferation and decreased cellular testosterone formation in a dose-dependent manner. Berberine inhibited Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3 enzyme activity, rather than influenced mRNA and protein expressions. Molecular docking study demonstrated that berberine could enter the active center of Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3 and form p-p interaction with the amino-acid residue Phe306 and Phe311. In conclusion, the structural interaction of berberine with Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3 is attributed to the suppression of Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3 enzyme activity and the inhibition of 22Rv1 prostate cancer cell growth by decreasing the intracellular androgen synthesis. Our result provides the experimental basis for the design, research, and development of AKR1C3 inhibitors using berberine as the lead compound.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, College of Basic Medical Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130021; Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, China.
authors.forename: Yuantong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, College of Basic Medical Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.
authors.forename: Lijing
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: School of Life Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China.
authors.forename: Ye
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Tulane Cancer Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Avenue SL-79, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
authors.forename: Haitao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, College of Basic Medical Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.
authors.forename: Duo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, College of Basic Medical Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.
authors.forename: Xuejian
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, College of Basic Medical Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, College of Basic Medical Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000074425:Aldo-Keto Reductase Family 1 Member C3; D001599:Berberine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D006911:Hydroxyprostaglandin Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D011467:Prostate / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D001599:Berberine; D013739:Testosterone; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D006911:Hydroxyprostaglandin Dehydrogenases; C487341:AKR1C3 protein, human; D000074425:Aldo-Keto Reductase Family 1 Member C3