Figure 6. RORα activates Alox12-dependent MaR1 synthesis. (A) Seven-week-old C57BL/6 mice were fed with either LFD or HFD for 12 weeks (n = 4) or fed with MCS or MCD for 4 weeks (n = 5) (first and second panels). The LFD-fed C57BL/6 mice were treated with 5 mg/kg BW SR1078 for 5 days (n = 5) (third panel). Seven-week-old LFD-fed floxed and RORα-MKO mice were sacrificed (n = 11) (fourth panel). (B) Liver samples were obtained from the floxed and RORα-MKO mice those described in Supplemental Figure 1 (n = 5). Levels of MaR1 and RvD1 in liver tissues were measured. *P < 0.05 and **P < 0.01; ## P < 0.01 for A and B. (C) DHA-treated peritoneal macrophages (PM) and Raw 264.7 cells were treated with 5 μM SR1078 for 24 hours, or the cells were infected by lenti-shGFP or lenti-shRORα for 48 hours. Intracellular amount of MaR1 were measured. *P < 0.05 (n = 3). (D) A scheme for biosynthesis of MaR1 by LOX family. (E) Expression levels of 12-LOX protein (Alox12 mRNA) and 12/15-LOX protein (Alox15 mRNA) in liver macrophages (LM), PM, Raw 264.7, bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM), and hepatocytes were measured by Western blotting and qRT-PCR. (F) mRNA levels of Alox genes in the isolated LMs from floxed and RORα-MKO mice as shown in A were measured by qRT-PCR. (G) LMs were treated with SR1078 or MaR1 (left). LMs were infected by AAV-GFP/AAV-RORα or lenti-shGFP/lenti-shRORα as indicated (right). The mRNA levels of Alox12 were measured by qRT-PCR. *P < 0.05 (n = 3) for F and G. (H) Schematic representation of the mouse Alox12 promoter with the putative ROREs shown as red boxes (top). Raw 264.7 cells were transfected with the deleted Alox12 promoter-Luc reporter with empty vector (EV) or Myc-RORα. Luciferase activity was measured and normalized by β-galactosidase activity. *P < 0.05 (n = 3) (middle). Raw 264.7 cells were transfected with Myc-RORα, or cells were treated with SR1078 or MaR1. DNA fragments that contain flanking region of the ROREs on the Alox12 promoter were immunoprecipitated with indicated antibodies and then amplified by PCR (bottom). (I) DHA-treated PMs were treated with 5 μM SR1078, 5 μM baicalein, or 10 μM NCTT-956. Intracellular MaR1 content was measured. (J) LMs were treated with baicalein, or NCTT-956 in the presence or absence of DHA. The mRNA levels of Rora were measured by qRT-PCR (left). The CD206 + /CD80 + ratio of F4/80 + cells was determined by flow cytometry (right). *P < 0.05 and # P < 0.05 (n = 3) for I and J. The data represent mean ± SD. Data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test for simple comparisons or Kruskal-Wallis test for multiple groups.

Modification of the functional groups of berberine has a significant effect on the pharmacological activity. However, studies on altering the atoms and size of the berberine skeleton are rare. Thus, it may be beneficial to initiate a drug development program focused on inserting heterocyclic rings of different sizes into berberine. Furthermore, structural modification to improve the safety, efficacy and selectivity is necessary to promote the use of berberine-based drugs in clinical settings.

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Along with conventional techniques, computer-aided VS, molecular modeling and docking studies have been applied for drug design, discovery and development. Computer-aided tools provide a rational way to explain pharmacological activities of topos inhibitors under study. Comparative study of crystal structures of topo I/II-DNA-drug ternary complex and use of appropriate pharmacological screening methods will lead to potential anticancer drugs in the coming days.

Background:The androgen receptor (AR) is the primary drug target for prostate cancer treatment. Results: We have identified a novel AR antagonist, the compound 6-(3,4-dihydro-1H-isoquinolin-2-yl)-N-(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)nicotinamide (DIMN) that inhibits the growth of AR-positive prostate cancer cells. Conclusion: DIMN has been identified as a new lead structure targeting the AR. Significance: This novel AR antagonist could be a useful therapeutic agent for prostate cancer treatment.