Inhibition of N‐myristoyltransferase activity promotes androgen receptor degradation in prostate cancer

Abstract

BackgroundEven though prostate cancer (PCa) patients initially respond to androgen deprivation therapy, some will eventually develop castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Androgen receptor (AR) mediated cell signaling is a major driver in the progression of CRPC while only a fraction of PCa becomes AR negative. This study aimed to understand the regulation of AR levels by N‐myristoyltransferase in PCa cells.MethodsTwo enantiomers, (1S,2S)‐ d‐NMAPPD and (1R,2R)‐ d‐NMAPPD (LCL4), were characterized by various methods (1H and 13C NMR, UHPLC, high‐resolution mass spectra, circular dichroism) and evaluated for the ability to bind to N‐myristoyltransferase 1 (NMT1) using computational docking analysis. structure–activity relationship analysis of these compounds led to the synthesis of (1R,2R)‐LCL204 and evaluation as a potential NMT1 inhibitor utilizing the purified full length NMT1 enzyme. The NMT inhibitory activity wase determined by Click chemistry and immunoblotting. Regulation of NMT1 on tumor growth was evaluated in a xenograft tumor model.Results(1R,2R)‐ d‐NMAPPD, but not its enantiomer (1S,2S)‐ d‐NMAPPD, inhibited NMT1 activity and reduced AR protein levels. (1R,2R)‐LCL204, a derivative of (1R,2R)‐ d‐NMAPPD, inhibited global protein myristoylation. It also suppressed protein levels, nuclear translocation, and transcriptional activity of AR full‐length or variants in PCa cells. This was due to enhanced ubiquitin and proteasome‐mediated degradation of AR. Knockdown of NMT1 levels inhibited tumor growth and proliferation of cancer cells.ConclusionInhibitory efficacy on N‐myristoyltransferase activity by d‐NMAPPD is stereospecific. (1R,2R)‐LCL204 reduced global N‐myristoylation and androgen receptor protein levels at low micromolar concentrations in prostate cancer cells. pharmacological inhibition of NMT1 enhances ubiquitin‐mediated proteasome degradation of AR. This study illustrates a novel function of N‐myristoyltransferase and provides a potential strategy for treatment of CRPC.