2. Academic Validation
  3. Discovery of the selective androgen receptor modulator MK-0773 using a rational development strategy based on differential transcriptional requirements for androgenic anabolism versus reproductive physiology

Discovery of the selective androgen receptor modulator MK-0773 using a rational development strategy based on differential transcriptional requirements for androgenic anabolism versus reproductive physiology

  • J Biol Chem. 2010 May 28;285(22):17054-64. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M109.099002.
Azriel Schmidt 1,  Donald B Kimmel,  Chang Bai,  Angela Scafonas,  Sujane Rutledge,  Robert L Vogel,  Sheila McElwee-Witmer,  Fang Chen,  Pascale V Nantermet,  Viera Kasparcova,  Chih-Tai Leu,  Hai-Zhuan Zhang,  Mark E Duggan,  Michael A Gentile,  Paul Hodor,  Brenda Pennypacker,  Patricia Masarachia,  Evan E Opas,  Sharon A Adamski,  Tara E Cusick,  Jiabing Wang,  Helen J Mitchell,  Yuntae Kim,  Thomayant Prueksaritanont,  James J Perkins,  Robert S Meissner,  George D Hartman,  Leonard P Freedman,  Shun-ichi Harada,  William J Ray
Affiliations

Affiliation

  • 1 Department of Molecular Endocrinology, Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, USA.
PMID: 20356837 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M109.099002
Abstract

Selective Androgen Receptor modulators (SARMs) are Androgen Receptor (AR) ligands that induce anabolism while having reduced effects in reproductive tissues. In various experimental contexts SARMs fully activate, partially activate, or even antagonize the AR, but how these complex activities translate into tissue selectivity is not known. Here, we probed receptor function using >1000 synthetic AR ligands. These compounds produced a spectrum of activities in each assay ranging from 0 to 100% of maximal response. By testing different classes of compounds in ovariectomized rats, we established that ligands that transactivated a model promoter 40-80% of an agonist, recruited the coactivator GRIP-1 <15%, and stabilized the N-/C-terminal interdomain interaction <7% induced bone formation with reduced effects in the uterus and in sebaceous glands. Using these criteria, multiple SARMs were synthesized including MK-0773, a 4-aza-steroid that exhibited tissue selectivity in humans. Thus, AR activated to moderate levels due to reduced cofactor recruitment, and N-/C-terminal interactions produce a fully anabolic response, whereas more complete receptor activation is required for reproductive effects. This bimodal activation provides a molecular basis for the development of SARMs.

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