Identification
Name Calusterone
Accession Number DB01564
Type small molecule
Description A 17-alkylated orally active androgenic steroid. A Schedule IV drug in Canada.
Structure
Categories (*)
Molecular Weight 316.4776
Groups illicit
Monoisotopic Weight 316.240230268
Pharmacology
Indication An anabolic steroid which can theoretically aid in restauration and buildup of certain tissues, especially muscle. It is similar to synthetic testosterone and is still in early investigation. It was also investigated for use as a treatment for metastatic breast cancer.
Mechanism of action The effects of calusterone in humans most likely occur by way of two main mechanisms: by activation of the androgen receptor, and by conversion to estradiol and activation of certain estrogen receptors. Using testosterone as the prime example, free testosterone (T) is transported into the cytoplasm of target tissue cells, where it can bind to the androgen receptor, or can be reduced to 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by the cytoplasmic enzyme 5α-reductase. DHT binds to the same androgen receptor even more strongly than T, so that its androgenic potency is about 2.5 times that of T. The T-receptor or DHT-receptor complex undergoes a structural change that allows it to move into the cell nucleus and bind directly to specific nucleotide sequences of the chromosomal DNA. The areas of binding are called hormone response elements (HREs), and influence transcriptional activity of certain genes, producing the androgen effects.
Absorption Not Available
Protein binding Not Available
Biotransformation Not Available
Route of elimination Not Available
Toxicity Not Available
Affected organisms
  • Humans and other mammals
Interactions
Drug Interactions Not Available
Food Interactions Not Available
Androgen receptor
Name Androgen receptor
Gene Name AR
Pharmacological action yes
Actions Not Available
References
  • Imming P, Sinning C, Meyer A: Drugs, their targets and the nature and number of drug targets. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2006 Oct;5(10):821-34. - Pubmed
  • Brodkin RA, Cooper MR: Calusterone. Ann Intern Med. 1978 Dec;89(6):945-8. - Pubmed
  • Lapauw B, Goemaere S, Crabbe P, Kaufman JM, Ruige JB: Is the effect of testosterone on body composition modulated by the androgen receptor gene CAG repeat polymorphism in elderly men? Eur J Endocrinol. 2007 Mar;156(3):395-401. - Pubmed
  • Small EJ, Ryan CJ: The case for secondary hormonal therapies in the chemotherapy age. J Urol. 2006 Dec;176(6 Pt 2):S66-71. - Pubmed
  • Omwancha J, Brown TR: Selective androgen receptor modulators: in pursuit of tissue-selective androgens. Curr Opin Investig Drugs. 2006 Oct;7(10):873-81. - Pubmed
  • McPhaul MJ, Young M: Complexities of androgen action. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2001 Sep;45(3 Suppl):S87-94. - Pubmed
DTHybrid score 1.0315
Id Partner name Gene Name Score
3811 Cytochrome P450 19A1 CYP19A1 0.0627
756 Sex hormone-binding globulin SHBG 0.0394
614 Progesterone receptor PGR 0.0297
737 Mineralocorticoid receptor NR3C2 0.0267
871 Glucocorticoid receptor NR3C1 0.0158
4512 Cytochrome P450 3A4 CYP3A4 0.0146
136 Estrogen receptor ESR1 0.0145
381 Prolactin receptor PRLR 0.013
6241 Nuclear receptor coactivator 2 NCOA2 0.013
6016 Cytochrome P450 2C19 CYP2C19 0.0129
3810 Catechol O-methyltransferase COMT 0.0119
4757 Cytochrome P450 2C9 CYP2C9 0.01
4924 Cytochrome P450 2C8 CYP2C8 0.0098
6022 UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1-1 UGT1A1 0.0096
290 Prostaglandin G/H synthase 2 PTGS2 0.0092
3941 Amine oxidase [flavin-containing] A MAOA 0.0084
596 3-oxo-5-alpha-steroid 4-dehydrogenase 1 SRD5A1 0.0082
6139 Solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 1A2 SLCO1A2 0.0081
1588 Multidrug resistance protein 1 ABCB1 0.008
3939 Amine oxidase [flavin-containing] B MAOB 0.0078
4120 NADPH--cytochrome P450 reductase POR 0.0074
650 Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3 AKR1C3 0.0071
217 Estradiol 17-beta-dehydrogenase 1 HSD17B1 0.0066
1649 Small inducible cytokine A2 CCL2 0.0063
380 Cytochrome P450 17A1 CYP17A1 0.0062
6017 Cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme, mitochondrial CYP11A1 0.0061
587 Serum albumin ALB 0.0059
6030 Cytochrome P450 2B6 CYP2B6 0.0059
4119 Cytochrome P450 2D6 CYP2D6 0.0055
226 Gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor GNRHR 0.0054
373 Transthyretin TTR 0.0054
4118 Cytochrome P450 3A5 CYP3A5 0.0054
6220 Aryl hydrocarbon receptor AHR 0.0053
3923 Cholinesterase BCHE 0.0052
805 Cytochrome P450 11B1, mitochondrial CYP11B1 0.0048
1898 Cytochrome P450 1B1 CYP1B1 0.0047
6142 Solute carrier family 22 member 8 SLC22A8 0.004
20 Prostaglandin G/H synthase 1 PTGS1 0.0039
6024 Cytochrome P450 1A1 CYP1A1 0.0038
1729 Solute carrier family 22 member 6 SLC22A6 0.0037
1735 Canalicular multispecific organic anion transporter 1 ABCC2 0.0035
4200 Cytochrome P450 1A2 CYP1A2 0.0024
6014 Cytochrome P450 2A13 CYP2A13 0.0018
6141 Sodium/bile acid cotransporter SLC10A1 0.0014
6031 Cytochrome P450 3A43 CYP3A43 0.0014
833 Organic cation/carnitine transporter 1 SLC22A4 0.0011
6147 Solute carrier family 22 member 3 SLC22A3 0.0011
6143 Solute carrier family 22 member 7 SLC22A7 0.001
6145 Solute carrier family 22 member 1 SLC22A1 0.0009
1732 ATP-binding cassette sub-family G member 2 ABCG2 0.0009
6107 Cytochrome P450 3A7 CYP3A7 0.0008