Inhibition of brain human steroid 5α-reductase 1 by dithiocarbamates: A Comprehensive enzymatic and structural analysis.

Ren-Shan Ge, Xingwang Li, Yang Zhu, Hang Lin, Qian Zhang, Binbin Lu, Shaowei Wang

Journal: The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology 2025;253():106794

PMID: 40456370

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

We investigated the inhibitory effects of dithiocarbamates (DTCs) on human steroid 5α-reductase 1 (SRD5A1), an enzyme crucial for the conversion of testosterone or pregnenolone into neuroactive steroids. Utilizing a comprehensive approach that included enzyme assays, molecular docking simulations, and both structure-activity relationship (SAR) and 3D quantitative SAR (3D-QSAR) analyses, we assessed the potency and interaction mechanisms of DTCs with SRD5A1 in human SF126 cells. Our results demonstrated that zinc dibutyldithiocarbamate, disulfiram, ferbam, thiram, and ziram displayed significant inhibitory activity against SRD5A1, with IC values of 1.10, 1.62, 2.31, 1.74, and 1.84 μM, respectively. Kinetic studies indicated that these compounds function as mixed inhibitors, suggesting a multifaceted interaction with the enzyme's active site. These DTCs effectively penetrated the cell membrane of SF126 cells to inhibit SRD5A1 at ≥ 5 μM. Molecular docking analyses revealed that these compounds interacted with a distinct domain located between the NADPH and testosterone binding sites of SRD5A1, primarily through sulfur bonds, which are a fundamental component of the DTC structure. Experimental validation of the inhibitory mechanism was achieved by demonstrating that the co-incubation of dithiothreitol, a sulfhydryl-reducing agent, significantly reversed the inhibitory effects of zinc dibutyldithiocarbamate and thiram. SAR analysis revealed a negative correlation between LogP, molecular weight, and IC values, and a positive correlation between LogS, lowest binding energy, and IC values. The 3D-QSAR analysis further indicated that hydrogen bond acceptor and hydrophobic region capabilities significantly contribute to the primary inhibition. In conclusion, this research significantly advances our understanding of the SAR of sulfur-containing DTCs as inhibitors of human SRD5A1, providing valuable insights for identifying toxicity of DTCs targeting this enzyme.

Address: Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Pediatric Anesthesiology, Ministry of Education, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Anesthesiology of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China.; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China.; Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Pediatric Anesthesiology, Ministry of Education, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Anesthesiology of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Environment and Male Reproductive Medicine of Wenzhou, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang Province 325000, China.; Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Pediatric Anesthesiology, Ministry of Education, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Environment and Male Reproductive Medicine of Wenzhou, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang Province 325000, China.; Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Pediatric Anesthesiology, Ministry of Education, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Anesthesiology of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Environment and Male Reproductive Medicine of Wenzhou, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang Province 325000, China. Electronic address: [email protected].; Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Pediatric Anesthesiology, Ministry of Education, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Anesthesiology of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2025.106794

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MeSH Terms: Humans, Molecular Docking Simulation, Thiocarbamates, 3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase, Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship, 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors