51
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Koroleva OA, Dutikova YV, Trubnikov AV, Zenov FA, Manasova EV, Shtil AA, Kurkin AV. PROTAC: targeted drug strategy. Principles and limitations. Russ Chem Bull 2022; 71:2310-2334. [PMID: 36569659 PMCID: PMC9762658 DOI: 10.1007/s11172-022-3659-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The PROTAC (PROteolysis TArgeting Chimera) technology is a method of targeting intracellular proteins previously considered undruggable. This technology utilizes the ubiquitin-proteasome system in cells to specifically degrade target proteins, thereby offering significant advantages over conventional small-molecule inhibitors of the enzymatic function. Preclinical and preliminary clinical trials of PROTAC-based compounds (degraders) are presented. The review considers the general principles of the design of degraders. Advances and challenges of the PROTAC technology are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- O. A. Koroleva
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Build. 3, 1 Leninskie Gory, 119991 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Yu. V. Dutikova
- Patent & Law Firm “A. Zalesov and Partners”, Build. 9, 2 ul. Marshala Rybalko, 123060 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - A. V. Trubnikov
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Build. 3, 1 Leninskie Gory, 119991 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - F. A. Zenov
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Build. 3, 1 Leninskie Gory, 119991 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - E. V. Manasova
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Build. 3, 1 Leninskie Gory, 119991 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - A. A. Shtil
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Build. 3, 1 Leninskie Gory, 119991 Moscow, Russian Federation
- N. N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Build. 15, 24 Kashirskoe shosse, 115478 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - A. V. Kurkin
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Build. 3, 1 Leninskie Gory, 119991 Moscow, Russian Federation
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52
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Gai C, Harnor SJ, Zhang S, Cano C, Zhuang C, Zhao Q. Advanced approaches of developing targeted covalent drugs. RSC Med Chem 2022; 13:1460-1475. [PMID: 36561076 PMCID: PMC9749957 DOI: 10.1039/d2md00216g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the development of targeted covalent inhibitors has gained popularity around the world. Specific groups (electrophilic warheads) form irreversible bonds with the side chain of nucleophilic amino acid residues, thus changing the function of biological targets such as proteins. Since the first targeted covalent inhibitor was disclosed in the 1990s, great efforts have been made to develop covalent ligands from known reversible leads or drugs by addition of tolerated electrophilic warheads. However, high reactivity and "off-target" toxicity remain challenging issues. This review covers the concept of targeted covalent inhibition to diseases, discusses traditional and interdisciplinary strategies of cysteine-focused covalent drug discovery, and exhibits newly disclosed electrophilic warheads majorly targeting the cysteine residue. Successful applications to address the challenges of designing effective covalent drugs are also introduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conghao Gai
- Organic Chemistry Group, College of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University Shanghai 200433 P. R. China
| | - Suzannah J Harnor
- Cancer Research UK Newcastle Drug Discovery Unit, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Bedson Building, Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU UK
| | - Shihao Zhang
- Organic Chemistry Group, College of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University Shanghai 200433 P. R. China
| | - Céline Cano
- Cancer Research UK Newcastle Drug Discovery Unit, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Bedson Building, Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU UK
| | - Chunlin Zhuang
- Organic Chemistry Group, College of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University Shanghai 200433 P. R. China
| | - Qingjie Zhao
- Organic Chemistry Group, College of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University Shanghai 200433 P. R. China
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53
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Do TC, Lau JW, Sun C, Liu S, Kha KT, Lim ST, Oon YY, Kwan YP, Ma JJ, Mu Y, Liu X, Carney TJ, Wang X, Xing B. Hypoxia deactivates epigenetic feedbacks via enzyme-derived clicking proteolysis-targeting chimeras. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabq2216. [PMID: 36516252 PMCID: PMC9750146 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abq2216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic mediation through bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins have progressively translated protein imbalance into effective cancer treatment. Perturbation of druggable BET proteins through proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) has recently contributed to the discovery of effective therapeutics. Unfortunately, precise and microenvironment-activatable BET protein degradation content with promising tumor selectivity and pharmacological suitability remains elusive. Here, we present an enzyme-derived clicking PROTACs (ENCTACs) capable of orthogonally cross-linking two disparate small-molecule warhead ligands that recognize BET bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) protein and E3 ligase within tumors only upon hypoxia-induced activation of nitroreductase enzyme. This localized formation of heterobifunctional degraders promotes specific down-regulation of BRD4, which subsequently alters expression of epigenetic targets and, therefore, allows precise modulation of hypoxic signaling in live cells, zebrafish, and living mice with solid tumors. Our activation-feedback system demonstrates compelling superiorities and may enable the PROTAC technology with more flexible practicality and druggable potency for precision medicine in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thang Cong Do
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637371, Singapore
| | - Jun Wei Lau
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637371, Singapore
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Caixia Sun
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637371, Singapore
| | - Songhan Liu
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637371, Singapore
| | - Khoa Tuan Kha
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637371, Singapore
| | - Seok Ting Lim
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore 169856, Singapore
| | - Yu Yang Oon
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Yuet Ping Kwan
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore 169856, Singapore
| | - Jia Jia Ma
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 636921, Singapore
| | - Yuguang Mu
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Xiaogang Liu
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Thomas James Carney
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 636921, Singapore
| | - Xiaomeng Wang
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore 169856, Singapore
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Bengang Xing
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637371, Singapore
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637371, Singapore
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54
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Tran NL, Leconte GA, Ferguson FM. Targeted Protein Degradation: Design Considerations for PROTAC Development. Curr Protoc 2022; 2:e611. [PMID: 36469581 PMCID: PMC9729011 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation has recently gained widespread interest as both a novel therapeutic strategy and a useful tool in biomedical research. Targeted protein degraders are often sub-stoichiometric and do not require strong binding affinity for their targets, enabling access to previously inaccessible targets. Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are one class of targeted protein degraders that promote degradation by recruiting a target protein to an E3-ligase complex via a heterobifunctional molecule. The modular nature of PROTACs allows for their rational design and systematic optimization. Here we suggest resources and methodologies for developing PROTAC degraders for researchers that may be new to the field. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan L Tran
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Georges A Leconte
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Fleur M Ferguson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, California, USA
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, California, USA
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55
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Wang C, Zhang Y, Zhang T, Shi L, Geng Z, Xing D. Proteolysis-targeting chimaeras (PROTACs) as pharmacological tools and therapeutic agents: advances and future challenges. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2022; 37:1667-1693. [PMID: 35702041 PMCID: PMC9225776 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2022.2076675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimaeras (PROTACs) have been developed to be an emerging technology for targeted protein degradation and attracted the favour of academic institutions, large pharmaceutical enterprises, and biotechnology companies. The mechanism is based on the inhibition of protein function by hijacking a ubiquitin E3 ligase for protein degradation. The heterobifunctional PROTACs contain a ligand for recruiting an E3 ligase, a linker, and another ligand to bind with the protein targeted for degradation. To date, PROTACs targeting ∼70 proteins, many of which are clinically validated drug targets, have been successfully developed with several in clinical trials for diseases therapy. In this review, the recent advances in PROTACs against clinically validated drug targets are summarised and the chemical structure, cellular and in vivo activity, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of these PROTACs are highlighted. In addition, the potential advantages, challenges, and prospects of PROTACs technology in disease treatment are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, China
| | - Yujing Zhang
- The Affiliated Cardiovascular Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.,School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Tingting Zhang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, China
| | - Lingyu Shi
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhongmin Geng
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, China
| | - Dongming Xing
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, China.,School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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56
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Jin J, Wu Y, Zhao Z, Wu Y, Zhou YD, Liu S, Sun Q, Yang G, Lin J, Nagle DG, Qin J, Zhang Z, Chen HZ, Zhang W, Sun S, Luan X. Small-molecule PROTAC mediates targeted protein degradation to treat STAT3-dependent epithelial cancer. JCI Insight 2022; 7:160606. [PMID: 36509291 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.160606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The aberrant activation of STAT3 is associated with the etiology and progression in a variety of malignant epithelial-derived tumors, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and colorectal cancer (CRC). Due to the lack of an enzymatic catalytic site or a ligand-binding pocket, there are no small-molecule inhibitors directly targeting STAT3 that have been approved for clinical translation. Emerging proteolysis targeting chimeric (PROTAC) technology-based approach represents a potential strategy to overcome the limitations of conventional inhibitors and inhibit activation of STAT3 and downstream genes. In this study, the heterobifunctional small-molecule-based PROTACs are successfully prepared from toosendanin (TSN), with 1 portion binding to STAT3 and the other portion binding to an E3 ubiquitin ligase. The optimized lead PROTAC (TSM-1) exhibits superior selectivity, potency, and robust antitumor effects in STAT3-dependent HNSCC and CRC - especially in clinically relevant patient-derived xenografts (PDX) and patient-derived organoids (PDO). The following mechanistic investigation identifies the reduced expression of critical downstream STAT3 effectors, through which TSM-1 promotes cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in tumor cells. These findings provide the first demonstration to our knowledge of a successful PROTAC-targeting strategy in STAT3-dependent epithelial cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinmei Jin
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yaping Wu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, National Center for Stomatology, and.,National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
| | - Zeng Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,China Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai, China
| | - Ye Wu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Dong Zhou
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Liberal Arts, and
| | - Sanhong Liu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingyan Sun
- China Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai, China
| | - Guizhu Yang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, National Center for Stomatology, and.,National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiayi Lin
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dale G Nagle
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Liberal Arts, and.,Department of BioMolecular Sciences and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, USA
| | - Jiangjiang Qin
- Zhejiang Provincial Research Center for Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhiyuan Zhang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, National Center for Stomatology, and.,National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong-Zhuan Chen
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Weidong Zhang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuyang Sun
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, National Center for Stomatology, and.,National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Luan
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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57
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Lu D, Yu X, Lin H, Cheng R, Monroy EY, Qi X, Wang MC, Wang J. Applications of covalent chemistry in targeted protein degradation. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:9243-9261. [PMID: 36285735 PMCID: PMC9669245 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00362g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) and targeted covalent inhibitors (TCIs) are currently two exciting strategies in the fields of chemical biology and drug discovery. Extensive research in these two fields has been conducted, and significant progress in these fields has resulted in many clinical candidates, some of which have been approved by FDA. Recently, a novel concept termed covalent PROTACs that combine these two strategies has emerged and gained an increasing interest in the past several years. Herein, we briefly review and highlight the mechanism and advantages of TCIs and PROTACs, respectively, and the recent development of covalent PROTACs using irreversible and reversible covalent chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Lu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA.
| | - Xin Yu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA.
| | - Hanfeng Lin
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA.
| | - Ran Cheng
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA.
| | - Erika Y Monroy
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA.
| | - Xiaoli Qi
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA.
| | - Meng C Wang
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA
- Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA
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58
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McAulay K, Bilsland A, Bon M. Reactivity of Covalent Fragments and Their Role in Fragment Based Drug Discovery. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:1366. [PMID: 36355538 PMCID: PMC9694498 DOI: 10.3390/ph15111366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragment based drug discovery has long been used for the identification of new ligands and interest in targeted covalent inhibitors has continued to grow in recent years, with high profile drugs such as osimertinib and sotorasib gaining FDA approval. It is therefore unsurprising that covalent fragment-based approaches have become popular and have recently led to the identification of novel targets and binding sites, as well as ligands for targets previously thought to be 'undruggable'. Understanding the properties of such covalent fragments is important, and characterizing and/or predicting reactivity can be highly useful. This review aims to discuss the requirements for an electrophilic fragment library and the importance of differing warhead reactivity. Successful case studies from the world of drug discovery are then be examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten McAulay
- Cancer Research Horizons—Therapeutic Innovation, Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, University of Dundee, Nethergate, Dundee DD1 4HN, UK
| | - Alan Bilsland
- Cancer Research Horizons—Therapeutic Innovation, Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
| | - Marta Bon
- Cancer Research Horizons—Therapeutic Innovation, Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
- Exscientia, The Schrödinger Building, Oxford Science Park, Oxford OX4 4GE, UK
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59
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Liu J, Peng Y, Inuzuka H, Wei W. Targeting micro-environmental pathways by PROTACs as a therapeutic strategy. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:269-279. [PMID: 35798235 PMCID: PMC11000491 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Tumor microenvironment (TME) composes of multiple cell types and non-cellular components, which supports the proliferation, metastasis and immune surveillance evasion of tumor cells, as well as accounts for the resistance to therapies. Therefore, therapeutic strategies using small molecule inhibitors (SMIs) and antibodies to block potential targets in TME are practical for cancer treatment. Targeted protein degradation using PROteolysis-TArgeting Chimera (PROTAC) technic has several advantages over traditional SMIs and antibodies, including overcoming drug resistance. Thus many PROTACs are currently under development for cancer treatment. In this review, we summarize the recent progress of PROTAC development that target TME pathways and propose the potential direction of future PROTAC technique to advance as novel cancer treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Yunhua Peng
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Hiroyuki Inuzuka
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Wenyi Wei
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, United States.
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60
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Pu C, Wang S, Liu L, Feng Z, Zhang H, Gong Q, Sun Y, Guo Y, Li R. Current strategies for improving limitations of proteolysis targeting chimeras. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2022.107927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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61
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Ma B, Fan Y, Zhang D, Wei Y, Jian Y, Liu D, Wang Z, Gao Y, Ma J, Chen Y, Xu S, Li L. De Novo Design of an Androgen Receptor DNA Binding Domain-Targeted peptide PROTAC for Prostate Cancer Therapy. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2201859. [PMID: 35971165 PMCID: PMC9534960 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202201859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Androgen receptor splice variant-7 (AR-V7), one of the major driving factors, is the most attractive drug target in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Currently, no available drugs efficiently target AR-V7 in clinical practice. The DNA binding domain (DBD) is indispensable for the transcriptional activity of AR full length and AR splice variants, including AR-V7. Based on the homodimerization structure of the AR DBD, a novel peptide-based proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) drug is designed to induce AR and AR-V7 degradation in a DBD and MDM2-dependent manner, without showing any activity on other hormone receptors. To overcome the short half-life and poor cell penetrability of peptide PROTAC drugs, an ultrasmall gold (Au)-peptide complex platform to deliver the AR DBD PROTAC in vivo is developed. The obtained Au-AR pep-PROTAC effectively degrades AR and AR-V7 in prostate cancer cell lines, particularly in CWR22Rv1 cells with DC50 values 48.8 and 79.2 nM, respectively. Au-AR pep-PROTAC results in suppression of AR levels and induces tumor regression in both enzalutamide sensitive and resistant prostate cancer animal models. Further optimization of the Au-AR pep-PROTAC can ultimately lead to a new therapy for AR-V7-positive CRPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bohan Ma
- Department of UrologyThe First Affiliated HospitalXi'an Jiaotong University#277 Yanta West RoadXi'anChina
| | - Yizeng Fan
- Department of UrologyThe First Affiliated HospitalXi'an Jiaotong University#277 Yanta West RoadXi'anChina
| | - Dize Zhang
- Department of UrologyThe First Affiliated HospitalXi'an Jiaotong University#277 Yanta West RoadXi'anChina
| | - Yi Wei
- Department of UrologyThe First Affiliated HospitalXi'an Jiaotong University#277 Yanta West RoadXi'anChina
| | - Yanlin Jian
- Department of UrologyThe First Affiliated HospitalXi'an Jiaotong University#277 Yanta West RoadXi'anChina
| | - Donghua Liu
- Department of UrologyThe First Affiliated HospitalXi'an Jiaotong University#277 Yanta West RoadXi'anChina
| | - Zixi Wang
- Department of UrologyThe First Affiliated HospitalXi'an Jiaotong University#277 Yanta West RoadXi'anChina
| | - Yang Gao
- Department of UrologyThe First Affiliated HospitalXi'an Jiaotong University#277 Yanta West RoadXi'anChina
| | - Jian Ma
- Department of UrologyThe First Affiliated HospitalXi'an Jiaotong University#277 Yanta West RoadXi'anChina
| | - Yule Chen
- Department of UrologyThe First Affiliated HospitalXi'an Jiaotong University#277 Yanta West RoadXi'anChina
| | - Shan Xu
- Department of UrologyThe First Affiliated HospitalXi'an Jiaotong University#277 Yanta West RoadXi'anChina
| | - Lei Li
- Department of UrologyThe First Affiliated HospitalXi'an Jiaotong University#277 Yanta West RoadXi'anChina
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62
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PROTACs: Current Trends in Protein Degradation by Proteolysis-Targeting Chimeras. BioDrugs 2022; 36:609-623. [PMID: 36098871 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-022-00551-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
In the recent past, proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology has received enormous attention for its ability to overcome the limitations of protein inhibitors and its capability to target undruggable proteins. The PROTAC molecule consists of three components, a ubiquitin E3 ligase ligand, a linker, and a target protein ligand. The application of this technology is rapidly gaining momentum, especially in cancer therapy. In this review, we first look at the history of degraders, followed by a section on the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) and E3 ligases used in PROTAC development. PROTACs are dependent on the UPS for degradation of target proteins. We further discuss the scope and design of degraders and mitigation strategies for overcoming the hook effect seen with degraders. As PROTACs do not follow Lipinski's 'Rule of 5', these molecules face drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic challenges. A detailed section on absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of degraders is provided wherein we discuss methodologies and strategies to surmount the challenges faced by these molecules. For understanding PROTAC-mediated degradation, the characterization and measurement of protein levels in cells is important. Currently used techniques and recent advancements in assessment tools for degraders are discussed. Furthermore, we examine the challenges and emerging technologies that need to be focused on in order to competently develop potent degraders. Many companies are working in this area of emerging new modality and a few PROTACs have already entered clinical trials; the details of the trials are included in this review.
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Anwar Z, Ali MS, Galvano A, Perez A, La Mantia M, Bukhari I, Swiatczak B. PROTACs: The Future of Leukemia Therapeutics. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:851087. [PMID: 36120561 PMCID: PMC9479449 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.851087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The fight to find effective, long-lasting treatments for cancer has led many researchers to consider protein degrading entities. Recent developments in PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs) have signified their potential as possible cancer therapies. PROTACs are small molecule, protein degraders that function by hijacking the built-in Ubiquitin-Proteasome pathway. This review mainly focuses on the general design and functioning of PROTACs as well as current advancements in the development of PROTACs as anticancer therapies. Particular emphasis is given to PROTACs designed against various types of Leukemia/Blood malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zubair Anwar
- Department of Surgical, Oncological, and Oral Sciences, Section of Medical Oncology, Uiniversity of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- *Correspondence: Zubair Anwar, ; Bartlomiej Swiatczak,
| | - Muhammad Shahzad Ali
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, San Luigi Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Antonio Galvano
- Department of Surgical, Oncological, and Oral Sciences, Section of Medical Oncology, Uiniversity of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessandro Perez
- Department of Surgical, Oncological, and Oral Sciences, Section of Medical Oncology, Uiniversity of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria La Mantia
- Department of Surgical, Oncological, and Oral Sciences, Section of Medical Oncology, Uiniversity of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Ihtisham Bukhari
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Bartlomiej Swiatczak
- Department of History of Science and Scientific Archeology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Zubair Anwar, ; Bartlomiej Swiatczak,
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64
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Zheng M, Chen FJ, Li K, Reja RM, Haeffner F, Gao J. Lysine-Targeted Reversible Covalent Ligand Discovery for Proteins via Phage Display. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:15885-15893. [PMID: 35976695 PMCID: PMC9440474 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c07375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Binding via reversible covalent bond formation presents a novel and powerful mechanism to enhance the potency of synthetic inhibitors for therapeutically important proteins. Work on this front has yielded the anticancer drug bortezomib as well as the antisickling drug voxelotor. However, the rational design of reversible covalent inhibitors remains difficult even when noncovalent inhibitors are available as a scaffold. Herein, we report chemically modified phage libraries, both linear and cyclic, that incorporate 2-acetylphenylboronic acid (APBA) as a warhead to bind lysines via reversible iminoboronate formation. To demonstrate their utility, these APBA-presenting phage libraries were screened against sortase A of Staphylococcus aureus, as well as the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. For both protein targets, peptide ligands were readily identified with single-digit micromolar potency and excellent specificity, enabling live-cell sortase inhibition and highly sensitive spike protein detection, respectively. Furthermore, our structure-activity studies unambiguously demonstrate the benefit of the APBA warhead for protein binding. Overall, this contribution shows for the first time that reversible covalent inhibitors can be developed via phage display for a protein of interest. The phage display platform should be widely applicable to proteins including those involved in protein-protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Zheng
- Department of Chemistry, Merkert Chemistry Center, Boston College, 2609 Beacon Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| | - Fa-Jie Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Merkert Chemistry Center, Boston College, 2609 Beacon Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| | - Kaicheng Li
- Department of Chemistry, Merkert Chemistry Center, Boston College, 2609 Beacon Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| | - Rahi M. Reja
- Department of Chemistry, Merkert Chemistry Center, Boston College, 2609 Beacon Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| | - Fredrik Haeffner
- Department of Chemistry, Merkert Chemistry Center, Boston College, 2609 Beacon Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| | - Jianmin Gao
- Department of Chemistry, Merkert Chemistry Center, Boston College, 2609 Beacon Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
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Němec V, Schwalm MP, Müller S, Knapp S. PROTAC degraders as chemical probes for studying target biology and target validation. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:7971-7993. [PMID: 36004812 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00478j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Small molecule degraders such as PROTACs (PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras) have emerged as new promising pharmacological modalities and the first PROTAC drug candidates are now studied clinically. The catalytic properties of PROTACs, acting as chemical degraders of a protein of interest (POI), represent an attractive new strategy for drug development. The development and characterization of PROTACs requires an array of additional assay systems that track the degradation pathway leading ultimately to degradation of the POI, identifying critical steps for PROTAC optimization. In addition to their exciting translational potential, PROTACs represent versatile chemical tools that considerably expanded our chemical biology toolbox and significantly enlarged the proteome that can be modulated by small molecules. Similar to conventional chemical probes, PROTACs used as chemical probes in target validation require comprehensive characterization. As a consequence, PROTAC-specific quality criteria should be defined by the chemical biology community. These criteria need to comprise additional or alternative parameters compared to those for conventional occupancy-driven chemical probes, such as the maximum level of target degradation (Dmax), confirmation of a proteasome dependent degradation mechanism and, importantly, also kinetic parameters of POI degradation. The kinetic aspects are particularly relevant for PROTACs that harbor covalent binding moieties. Here, we review recent progress in the development of assay systems for PROTAC characterization and suggest a set of criteria for PROTACs as high quality chemical probes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Václav Němec
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Biozentrum, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany. .,Structural Genomics Consortium, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Martin P Schwalm
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Biozentrum, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany. .,Structural Genomics Consortium, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Susanne Müller
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Biozentrum, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany. .,Structural Genomics Consortium, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Biozentrum, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany. .,Structural Genomics Consortium, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)/German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), DKTK site Frankfurt-Mainz, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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66
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Cao C, He M, Wang L, He Y, Rao Y. Chemistries of bifunctional PROTAC degraders. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:7066-7114. [PMID: 35916511 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00220e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) technology is a novel and promising therapeutic strategy using small molecules to induce ubiquitin-dependent degradation of proteins. It has received extensive attention from both academia and industry as it can potentially access previously inaccessible targets. However, the design and optimization of PROTACs present big challenges for researchers, and the general strategy for its development and optimization is a lot of trial and error based on experience. This review highlights the important advances in this rapidly growing field and critical limitations of the traditional trial-and-error approach to developing PROTACs by analyzing numerous representative examples of PROTACs development. We summarize and analyze the general principles and strategies for PROTACs design and optimization from the perspective of chemical structure design, and propose potential future pathways to facilitate the development of PROTACs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoguo Cao
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China. .,Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
| | - Ming He
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China.
| | - Liguo Wang
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China.
| | - Yuna He
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China.
| | - Yu Rao
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China.
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Xi JY, Zhang RY, Chen K, Yao L, Li MQ, Jiang R, Li XY, Fan L. Advances and perspectives of proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) in drug discovery. Bioorg Chem 2022; 125:105848. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.105848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Liu F, Wang X, Duan J, Hou Z, Wu Z, Liu L, Lei H, Huang D, Ren Y, Wang Y, Li X, Zhuo J, Zhang Z, He B, Yan M, Yuan H, Zhang L, Yan J, Wen S, Wang Z, Liu Q. A Temporal PROTAC Cocktail-Mediated Sequential Degradation of AURKA Abrogates Acute Myeloid Leukemia Stem Cells. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2104823. [PMID: 35652200 PMCID: PMC9353462 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202104823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
AURKA is a potential kinase target in various malignancies. The kinase-independent oncogenic functions partially disclose the inadequate efficacy of the kinase inhibitor in a Phase III clinical trial. Simultaneously targeting the catalytic and noncatalytic functions of AURKA may be a feasible approach. Here, a set of AURKA proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are developed. The CRBN-based dAurA383 preferentially degrades the highly abundant mitotic AURKA, while cIAP-based dAurA450 degrades the lowly abundant interphase AURKA in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. The proteomic and transcriptomic analyses indicate that dAurA383 triggers the "mitotic cell cycle" and "stem cell" processes, while dAurA450 inhibits the "MYC/E2F targets" and "stem cell" processes. dAurA383 and dAurA450 are combined as a PROTAC cocktail. The cocktail effectively degrades AURKA, relieves the hook effect, and synergistically inhibits AML stem cells. Furthermore, the PROTAC cocktail induces AML regression in a xenograft mouse model and primary patient blasts. These findings establish the PROTAC cocktail as a promising spatial-temporal drug administration strategy to sequentially eliminate the multifaceted functions of oncoproteins, relieve the hook effect, and prevent cancer stem cell-mediated drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Liu
- Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineGuangzhou510060China
| | - Xuan Wang
- Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineGuangzhou510060China
| | - Jianli Duan
- Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineGuangzhou510060China
| | - Zhijie Hou
- Institute of Cancer Stem CellDalian Medical UniversityDalian116044China
| | - Zhouming Wu
- Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineGuangzhou510060China
| | - Lingling Liu
- Department of Hematologythe Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510630China
| | - Hanqi Lei
- Department of UrologyKidney and Urology CenterPelvic Floor Disorders CenterThe Seventh Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityShenzhen518000China
| | - Dan Huang
- Department of Hematologythe Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityDalian116027China
| | - Yifei Ren
- Department of Hematologythe Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityDalian116027China
| | - Yue Wang
- Institute of Cancer Stem CellDalian Medical UniversityDalian116044China
| | - Xinyan Li
- Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineGuangzhou510060China
| | - Junxiao Zhuo
- Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineGuangzhou510060China
| | - Zijian Zhang
- Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineGuangzhou510060China
| | - Bin He
- Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineGuangzhou510060China
| | - Min Yan
- Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineGuangzhou510060China
| | - Huiming Yuan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Sciences for Analytical ChemistryNational Chromatographic R&A CenterDalian Institute of Chemical PhysicsChinese Academy of SciencesDalian116023China
| | - Lihua Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Sciences for Analytical ChemistryNational Chromatographic R&A CenterDalian Institute of Chemical PhysicsChinese Academy of SciencesDalian116023China
| | - Jinsong Yan
- Department of Hematologythe Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityDalian116027China
| | - Shijun Wen
- Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineGuangzhou510060China
| | - Zifeng Wang
- Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineGuangzhou510060China
| | - Quentin Liu
- Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineGuangzhou510060China
- Institute of Cancer Stem CellDalian Medical UniversityDalian116044China
- Department of Hematologythe Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510630China
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69
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Sun D, Gao W, Hu H, Zhou S. Why 90% of clinical drug development fails and how to improve it? Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:3049-3062. [PMID: 35865092 PMCID: PMC9293739 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 377] [Impact Index Per Article: 188.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ninety percent of clinical drug development fails despite implementation of many successful strategies, which raised the question whether certain aspects in target validation and drug optimization are overlooked? Current drug optimization overly emphasizes potency/specificity using structure‒activity-relationship (SAR) but overlooks tissue exposure/selectivity in disease/normal tissues using structure‒tissue exposure/selectivity-relationship (STR), which may mislead the drug candidate selection and impact the balance of clinical dose/efficacy/toxicity. We propose structure‒tissue exposure/selectivity-activity relationship (STAR) to improve drug optimization, which classifies drug candidates based on drug's potency/selectivity, tissue exposure/selectivity, and required dose for balancing clinical efficacy/toxicity. Class I drugs have high specificity/potency and high tissue exposure/selectivity, which needs low dose to achieve superior clinical efficacy/safety with high success rate. Class II drugs have high specificity/potency and low tissue exposure/selectivity, which requires high dose to achieve clinical efficacy with high toxicity and needs to be cautiously evaluated. Class III drugs have relatively low (adequate) specificity/potency but high tissue exposure/selectivity, which requires low dose to achieve clinical efficacy with manageable toxicity but are often overlooked. Class IV drugs have low specificity/potency and low tissue exposure/selectivity, which achieves inadequate efficacy/safety, and should be terminated early. STAR may improve drug optimization and clinical studies for the success of clinical drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duxin Sun
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Wei Gao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Hongxiang Hu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Simon Zhou
- Translational Development and Clinical Pharmacology, Bristol Meyer Squibb Company, Summit, NJ, 07920, USA
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70
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Yan J, Li T, Miao Z, Wang P, Sheng C, Zhuang C. Homobivalent, Trivalent, and Covalent PROTACs: Emerging Strategies for Protein Degradation. J Med Chem 2022; 65:8798-8827. [PMID: 35763424 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) is a fast-growing technology providing many strengths over inhibition of protein activity directly and is attracting increasing interest in new drug discovery and development. However, efficiently identifying potent and drug-like degraders is still challenging in the development of PROTACs. Complementary to traditional PROTACs, several emerging types of PROTACs, such as homobivalent PROTACs based on two E3 ligases (e.g., CRBN, VHL, MDM2, TRIM24), chemical- or biological-based trivalent/multitargeted PROTACs, and covalent PROTACs, are rising for targeted protein degradation. These new types of PROTACs have several advantages over the traditional PROTACs including high selectivity, low toxicity, better therapeutic effects, and so on. In this perspective, we will summarize the latest development of representative PROTACs focusing on research mainly in past 10 years and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. Moreover, the outlook and perspectives on the associated challenges and future directions will be provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyu Yan
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Tengfei Li
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Zhenyuan Miao
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Pei Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Chunquan Sheng
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Chunlin Zhuang
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
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71
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Luo H, Wu L, He Y, Qin C, Tang X. Major Advances in Emerging Degrader Technologies. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:921958. [PMID: 35813205 PMCID: PMC9257139 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.921958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, degrader technologies have attracted increasing interest in the academic field and the pharmaceuticals industry. As one of the degrader technologies, proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) have emerged as an attractive pharmaceutical development approach due to their catalytic ability to degrade numerous undruggable disease-causing proteins. Despite the remarkable progress, many aspects of traditional PROTACs still remain elusive. Its expansion could lead to PROTACs with new paradigm. Currently, many reviews focused on the design and optimization strategies through summarizing classical PROTACs, application in diseases and prospect of PROTACs. In this review, we categorize various emerging PROTACs ranging from simply modified classical PROTACs to atypical PROTACs such as nucleic acid-based PROTACs, and we put more emphasis on molecular design of PROTACs with different strategies. Furthermore, we summarize alternatives of PROTACs as lysosome-targeting chimeras (LYTACs) and macroautophagy degradation targeting chimeras (MADTACs) based on different degradation mechanism despite of lysosomal pathway. Beyond these protein degraders, targeting RNA degradation with the potential for cancer and virus therapeutics has been discussed. In doing so, we provide our perspective on the potential development or concerns of each degrader technology. Overall, we hope this review will offer a better mechanistic understanding of emerging degraders and prove as useful guide for the development of the coming degrader technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Luo
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li Wu
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yujian He
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chong Qin
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Xinjing Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
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Pedrucci F, Pappalardo C, Marzaro G, Ferri N, Ferlin A, De Toni L. Proteolysis Targeting Chimeric Molecules: Tuning Molecular Strategies for a Clinically Sound Listening. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:6630. [PMID: 35743070 PMCID: PMC9223854 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
From seminal evidence in the early 2000s, the opportunity to drive the specific knockdown of a protein of interest (POI) through pharmacological entities called Proteolysis Targeting Chimeric molecules, or PROTACs, has become a possible therapeutic option with the involvement of these compounds in clinical trials for cancers and autoimmune diseases. The fulcrum of PROTACs pharmacodynamics is to favor the juxtaposition between an E3 ligase activity and the POI, followed by the ubiquitination of the latter and its degradation by the proteasome system. In the face of an apparently modular design of these drugs, being constituted by an E3 ligase binding moiety and a POI-binding moiety connected by a linker, the final structure of an efficient PROTAC degradation enhancer often goes beyond the molecular descriptors known to influence the biological activity, specificity, and pharmacokinetics, requiring a rational improvement through appropriate molecular strategies. Starting from the description of the basic principles underlying the activity of the PROTACs to the evaluation of the strategies for the improvement of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics and rational design, this review examines the molecular elements that have been shown to be effective in allowing the evolution of these compounds from interesting proof of concepts to potential aids of clinical interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Pedrucci
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy; (F.P.); (C.P.); (A.F.)
| | - Claudia Pappalardo
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy; (F.P.); (C.P.); (A.F.)
| | - Giovanni Marzaro
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy;
| | - Nicola Ferri
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy;
| | - Alberto Ferlin
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy; (F.P.); (C.P.); (A.F.)
| | - Luca De Toni
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy; (F.P.); (C.P.); (A.F.)
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He M, Cao C, Ni Z, Liu Y, Song P, Hao S, He Y, Sun X, Rao Y. PROTACs: great opportunities for academia and industry (an update from 2020 to 2021). Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:181. [PMID: 35680848 PMCID: PMC9178337 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-00999-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs) technology is a new protein-degradation strategy that has emerged in recent years. It uses bifunctional small molecules to induce the ubiquitination and degradation of target proteins through the ubiquitin-proteasome system. PROTACs can not only be used as potential clinical treatments for diseases such as cancer, immune disorders, viral infections, and neurodegenerative diseases, but also provide unique chemical knockdown tools for biological research in a catalytic, reversible, and rapid manner. In 2019, our group published a review article "PROTACs: great opportunities for academia and industry" in the journal, summarizing the representative compounds of PROTACs reported before the end of 2019. In the past 2 years, the entire field of protein degradation has experienced rapid development, including not only a large increase in the number of research papers on protein-degradation technology but also a rapid increase in the number of small-molecule degraders that have entered the clinical and will enter the clinical stage. In addition to PROTAC and molecular glue technology, other new degradation technologies are also developing rapidly. In this article, we mainly summarize and review the representative PROTACs of related targets published in 2020-2021 to present to researchers the exciting developments in the field of protein degradation. The problems that need to be solved in this field will also be briefly introduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming He
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Chaoguo Cao
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Zhihao Ni
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yongbo Liu
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Peilu Song
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Shuang Hao
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yuna He
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Xiuyun Sun
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yu Rao
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China.
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 450001, Zhengzhou, China.
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74
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Zhang J, Che J, Luo X, Wu M, Kan W, Jin Y, Wang H, Pang A, Li C, Huang W, Zeng S, Zhuang W, Wu Y, Xu Y, Zhou Y, Li J, Dong X. Structural Feature Analyzation Strategies toward Discovery of Orally Bioavailable PROTACs of Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase for the Treatment of Lymphoma. J Med Chem 2022; 65:9096-9125. [PMID: 35671249 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Bruton's tyrosine kinase proteolysis-targeting chimeras (BTK-PROTACs) have emerged as a promising approach to address the limitations of BTK inhibitors. However, conducting the rational discovery of orally bioavailable BTK-PROTACs presents significant challenges. In this study, dimensionality reduction analysis and model molecule validation were utilized to identify some key structural features for improving the oral absorption of BTK-PROTACs. The results were applied to optimize the newly discovered BTK-PROTACs B1 and B2. Compound C13 was discovered with improved oral bioavailability, high BTK degradation activity, and selectivity. It exhibited inhibitory effects against different hematologic cancer cells and attenuated the BTK-related signaling pathway. The oral administration of C13 effectively reduced BTK protein levels and suppressed tumor growth. This study led to the discovery of a new orally bioavailable BTK-PROTAC for the treatment of lymphoma, and we hope that the strategy will find wide utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyu Zhang
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, P. R. China
| | - Jinxin Che
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, P. R. China
| | - Xiaomin Luo
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.,National Center for Drug Screening, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
| | - Mingfei Wu
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, P. R. China
| | - Weijuan Kan
- National Center for Drug Screening, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
| | - Yuheng Jin
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, P. R. China
| | - Hanlin Wang
- National Center for Drug Screening, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China.,School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ao Pang
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, P. R. China
| | - Cong Li
- National Center for Drug Screening, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
| | - Wenhai Huang
- Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310058, P. R. China
| | - Shenxin Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310058, P. R. China
| | - Weihao Zhuang
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, P. R. China
| | - Yizhe Wu
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, P. R. China
| | - Yongjin Xu
- Department of Lymphoma, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310005, P. R. China
| | - Yubo Zhou
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.,National Center for Drug Screening, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China.,Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan, Tsuihang New District, Guangdong 528400, P. R. China
| | - Jia Li
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.,National Center for Drug Screening, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China.,Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan, Tsuihang New District, Guangdong 528400, P. R. China
| | - Xiaowu Dong
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, P. R. China.,Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310018, P. R. China.,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, P. R. China
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75
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Han X, Wei W, Sun Y. PROTAC Degraders with Ligands Recruiting MDM2 E3 Ubiquitin Ligase: An Updated Perspective. ACTA MATERIA MEDICA 2022; 1:244-259. [PMID: 35734447 PMCID: PMC9211018 DOI: 10.15212/amm-2022-0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Mouse double minute 2 (MDM2) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase which effectively degrades tumor suppressor p53. In the past two decades, many MDM2 inhibitors that disrupt the MDM2-p53 binding have been discovered and developed. Given that the MDM2-p53 forms auto-regulatory loop in which p53 is a substrate of MDM2 for targeted degradation, while MDM2 is a p53 target for transcriptional upregulation, these MDM2 inhibitors have limited efficacy due to p53 degradation by accumulated MDM2 upon rapid in vivo clearance of the MDM2 inhibitors. Fortunately, proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs), a novel therapeutic strategy, overcome the limitations of MDM2 inhibitors. Some of MDM2 inhibitors developed in the past two decades have been used in PROTAC technology for two applications: 1) as component 1 to bind with endogenous MDM2 as a target for PROTAC-based degradation of MDM2; and 2) as component 2 to bind with endogenous MDM2 as a PROTAC E3 ligand for PROTAC-based degradation of other oncogenic proteins. In this review, we summarize current progress in the discovery and development of MDM2-based PROTAC drugs with future perspectives and challenges for their applications in effective treatment of human cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Han
- Cancer Institute of the 2nd Affiliated Hospital and Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310029, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Wenyi Wei
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Yi Sun
- Cancer Institute of the 2nd Affiliated Hospital and Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310029, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310014, China
- Research Center for Life Science and Human Health, Binjiang Institute of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310053, China
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76
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Guenette RG, Yang SW, Min J, Pei B, Potts PR. Target and tissue selectivity of PROTAC degraders. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:5740-5756. [PMID: 35587208 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00200k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation (TPD) strategies have revolutionized how scientists tackle challenging protein targets deemed undruggable with traditional small molecule inhibitors. Many promising campaigns to inhibit proteins have failed due to factors surrounding inhibition selectivity and targeting of compounds to specific tissues and cell types. One of the major improvements that PROTAC (proteolysis targeting chimera) and molecular glue technology can exert is highly selective control of target inhibition. Multiple studies have shown that PROTACs can gain selectivity for their protein targets beyond that of their parent ligands via optimization of linker length and stabilization of ternary complexes. Due to the bifunctional nature of PROTACs, the tissue selective nature of E3 ligases can be exploited to uncover novel targeting mechanisms. In this review, we provide critical analysis of the recent progress towards making selective PROTAC molecules and new PROTAC technologies that will continue to push the boundaries of achieving selectivity. These efforts have wide implications in the future of treating disease as they will broaden the possible targets that can be addressed by small molecules, like undruggable proteins or broadly active targets that would benefit from degradation in specific tissue types.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Seung Wook Yang
- Induced Proximity Platform, Amgen, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.
| | - Jaeki Min
- Induced Proximity Platform, Amgen, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.
| | - Baikang Pei
- Genome Analysis Unit, Amgen, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
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77
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Yu X, Guo WH, Lin H, Cheng R, Monroy EY, Jin F, Ding L, Lu D, Qi X, Wang MC, Wang J. Discovery of a potent BTK and IKZF1/3 triple degrader through reversible covalent BTK PROTAC development. CURRENT RESEARCH IN CHEMICAL BIOLOGY 2022; 2:100029. [PMID: 36712232 PMCID: PMC9879287 DOI: 10.1016/j.crchbi.2022.100029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Building on our previous work on ibrutinib-based reversible covalent Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) PROTACs, we explored a different irreversible BTK inhibitor poseltinib as the BTK binder for PROTAC development. Different from ibrutinib, converting the irreversible cysteine reacting acrylamide group of poseltinib to a reversible covalent cyano-acrylamide group dramatically decreases the binding affinity to BTK by over 700 folds. Interestingly, one of the reversible covalent BTK PROTACs based on poseltinib with a rigid linker, dubbed as PS-RC-1, is highly potent (IC50 = ~10 nM) in Mino cells but not in other mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) cell lines, such as Jeko-1 and Rec-R cells. We showed that PS-RC-1 potently induces degradation of IKZF1 and IKZF3 but not BTK or GSPT1, accounting for its toxicity in Mino cells. We further decreased the molecular size of PS-RC-1 by shrinking the BTK binding moiety and developed PS-2 as a potent BTK and IKZF1/3 triple degrader with high specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Wen-Hao Guo
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Hanfeng Lin
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ran Cheng
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Erika Y. Monroy
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Feng Jin
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Lang Ding
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Dong Lu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Xiaoli Qi
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Meng C. Wang
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
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78
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Gao W, Hu H, Dai L, He M, Yuan H, Zhang H, Liao J, Wen B, Li Y, Palmisano M, Traore MDM, Zhou S, Sun D. Structure‒tissue exposure/selectivity relationship (STR) correlates with clinical efficacy/safety. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:2462-2478. [PMID: 35646532 PMCID: PMC9136610 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug optimization, which improves drug potency/specificity by structure‒activity relationship (SAR) and drug-like properties, is rigorously performed to select drug candidates for clinical trials. However, the current drug optimization may overlook the structure‒tissue exposure/selectivity-relationship (STR) in disease-targeted tissues vs. normal tissues, which may mislead the drug candidate selection and impact the balance of clinical efficacy/toxicity. In this study, we investigated the STR in correlation with observed clinical efficacy/toxicity using seven selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) that have similar structures, same molecular target, and similar/different pharmacokinetics. The results showed that drug's plasma exposure was not correlated with drug's exposures in the target tissues (tumor, fat pad, bone, uterus), while tissue exposure/selectivity of SERMs was correlated with clinical efficacy/safety. Slight structure modifications of four SERMs did not change drug's plasma exposure but altered drug's tissue exposure/selectivity. Seven SERMs with high protein binding showed higher accumulation in tumors compared to surrounding normal tissues, which is likely due to tumor EPR effect of protein-bound drugs. These suggest that STR alters drug's tissue exposure/selectivity in disease-targeted tissues vs. normal tissues impacting clinical efficacy/toxicity. Drug optimization needs to balance the SAR and STR in selecting drug candidate for clinical trial to improve success of clinical drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Gao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Hongxiang Hu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Lipeng Dai
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Miao He
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Hebao Yuan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Huixia Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jinhui Liao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Bo Wen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Yan Li
- Translational Development and Clinical Pharmacology, Bristol Myers Squibb, Summit, NJ 07920, USA
| | - Maria Palmisano
- Translational Development and Clinical Pharmacology, Bristol Myers Squibb, Summit, NJ 07920, USA
| | - Mohamed Dit Mady Traore
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Simon Zhou
- Translational Development and Clinical Pharmacology, Bristol Myers Squibb, Summit, NJ 07920, USA
| | - Duxin Sun
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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79
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Grohmann C, Magtoto CM, Walker JR, Chua NK, Gabrielyan A, Hall M, Cobbold SA, Mieruszynski S, Brzozowski M, Simpson DS, Dong H, Dorizzi B, Jacobsen AV, Morrish E, Silke N, Murphy JM, Heath JK, Testa A, Maniaci C, Ciulli A, Lessene G, Silke J, Feltham R. Development of NanoLuc-targeting protein degraders and a universal reporter system to benchmark tag-targeted degradation platforms. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2073. [PMID: 35440107 PMCID: PMC9019100 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29670-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Modulation of protein abundance using tag-Targeted Protein Degrader (tTPD) systems targeting FKBP12F36V (dTAGs) or HaloTag7 (HaloPROTACs) are powerful approaches for preclinical target validation. Interchanging tags and tag-targeting degraders is important to achieve efficient substrate degradation, yet limited degrader/tag pairs are available and side-by-side comparisons have not been performed. To expand the tTPD repertoire we developed catalytic NanoLuc-targeting PROTACs (NanoTACs) to hijack the CRL4CRBN complex and degrade NanoLuc tagged substrates, enabling rapid luminescence-based degradation screening. To benchmark NanoTACs against existing tTPD systems we use an interchangeable reporter system to comparatively test optimal degrader/tag pairs. Overall, we find the dTAG system exhibits superior degradation. To align tag-induced degradation with physiology we demonstrate that NanoTACs limit MLKL-driven necroptosis. In this work we extend the tTPD platform to include NanoTACs adding flexibility to tTPD studies, and benchmark each tTPD system to highlight the importance of comparing each system against each substrate. tag-Targeted Protein Degrader (tTPD) systems are powerful tools for preclinical target validation. Here the authors extend the tTPD platform by developing NanoTACs that degrade NanoLuc tagged substrates and benchmark each tTPD system using an interchangeable tag reporter system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Grohmann
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Charlene M Magtoto
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Joel R Walker
- Promega Biosciences LLC, 277 Granada Drive, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401, USA
| | - Ngee Kiat Chua
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Anna Gabrielyan
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Mary Hall
- Promega Biosciences LLC, 277 Granada Drive, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401, USA
| | - Simon A Cobbold
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Stephen Mieruszynski
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Martin Brzozowski
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Daniel S Simpson
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Hao Dong
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Bridget Dorizzi
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Annette V Jacobsen
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Emma Morrish
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Natasha Silke
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - James M Murphy
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Joan K Heath
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Andrea Testa
- Amphista Therapeutics Ltd, Bo'Ness Road Newhouse, Glasgow, ML1 5UH, UK
| | - Chiara Maniaci
- Chemistry School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Bedson Building, Newcastle University Edwards Walk, Newcastle, NE1 8QB, UK
| | - Alessio Ciulli
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Guillaume Lessene
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - John Silke
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Rebecca Feltham
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia. .,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
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80
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Bartlett DW, Gilbert AM. Translational PK-PD for targeted protein degradation. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:3477-3486. [PMID: 35438107 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00114d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation has emerged from the chemical biology toolbox as one of the most exciting areas for novel therapeutic development across the pharmaceutical industry. The ability to induce the degradation, and not just inhibition, of target proteins of interest (POIs) with high potency and selectivity is a particularly attractive property for a protein degrader therapeutic. However, the physicochemical properties and mechanism of action for protein degraders can lead to unique pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) properties relative to traditional small molecule drugs, requiring a shift in perspective for translational pharmacology. In this review, we provide practical insights for building the PK-PD understanding of protein degraders in the context of translational drug development through the use of quantitative mathematical frameworks and standard experimental assays. Published datasets describing protein degrader pharmacology are used to illustrate the applicability of these insights. The learnings are consolidated into a translational PK-PD roadmap for targeted protein degradation that can enable a systematic, rational design workflow for protein degrader therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek W Bartlett
- Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, & Metabolism, Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer Inc, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - Adam M Gilbert
- Discovery Sciences, Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer Inc, Groton, CT, USA
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81
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Torres-Ayuso P, Brognard J. Degraders: The Ultimate Weapon Against Amplified Driver Kinases in Cancer. Mol Pharmacol 2022; 101:191-200. [PMID: 35115411 PMCID: PMC9092480 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.121.000306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Amplification of pro-oncogenic kinases is a common genetic alteration driving tumorigenic phenotypes. Cancer cells rely on the amplified kinases to sustain cell proliferation, survival, and growth, presenting an opportunity to develop therapies targeting the amplified kinases. Utilizing small molecule catalytic inhibitors as therapies to target amplified kinases is plagued by de novo resistance driven by increased expression of the target, and amplified kinases can drive tumorigenic phenotypes independent of catalytic activity. Here, we discuss the emergence of proteolysis-targeting chimeras that provide an opportunity to target these oncogenic drivers effectively. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Protein kinases contribute to tumorigenesis through catalytic and noncatalytic mechanisms, and kinase gene amplifications are well described mechanisms of resistance to small molecule catalytic inhibitors. Repurposing catalytic inhibitors for the development of protein degraders will offer improved clinical benefits by targeting noncatalytic functions of kinases that promote tumorigenesis and overcoming resistance due to amplification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Torres-Ayuso
- Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Signaling, National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - John Brognard
- Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Signaling, National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
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82
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Zhao HY, Wang HP, Mao YZ, Zhang H, Xin M, Xi XX, Lei H, Mao S, Li DH, Zhang SQ. Discovery of Potent PROTACs Targeting EGFR Mutants through the Optimization of Covalent EGFR Ligands. J Med Chem 2022; 65:4709-4726. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Yi Zhao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an 710061, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Hai-Peng Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shaanxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Xi’an 710068, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Yu-Ze Mao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an 710061, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Hao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Generic Manufacture Technology of Chinese Traditional Medicine, Lunan Pharmaceutical Group Co., LTD., Linyi 276000, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Minhang Xin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an 710061, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Xiao Xi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an 710061, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Hao Lei
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an 710061, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Shuai Mao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an 710061, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Dong-Hui Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shaanxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Xi’an 710068, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - San-Qi Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an 710061, Shaanxi, P. R. China
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83
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Zhong Y, Chi F, Wu H, Liu Y, Xie Z, Huang W, Shi W, Qian H. Emerging targeted protein degradation tools for innovative drug discovery: From classical PROTACs to the novel and beyond. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 231:114142. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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84
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Li Q, Jiang B, Guo J, Shao H, Del Priore IS, Chang Q, Kudo R, Li Z, Razavi P, Liu B, Boghossian AS, Rees MG, Ronan MM, Roth JA, Donovan KA, Palafox M, Reis-Filho JS, de Stanchina E, Fischer ES, Rosen N, Serra V, Koff A, Chodera JD, Gray NS, Chandarlapaty S. INK4 Tumor Suppressor Proteins Mediate Resistance to CDK4/6 Kinase Inhibitors. Cancer Discov 2022; 12:356-371. [PMID: 34544752 PMCID: PMC8831444 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-20-1726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) represent a major therapeutic vulnerability for breast cancer. The kinases are clinically targeted via ATP competitive inhibitors (CDK4/6i); however, drug resistance commonly emerges over time. To understand CDK4/6i resistance, we surveyed over 1,300 breast cancers and identified several genetic alterations (e.g., FAT1, PTEN, or ARID1A loss) converging on upregulation of CDK6. Mechanistically, we demonstrate CDK6 causes resistance by inducing and binding CDK inhibitor INK4 proteins (e.g., p18INK4C). In vitro binding and kinase assays together with physical modeling reveal that the p18INK4C-cyclin D-CDK6 complex occludes CDK4/6i binding while only weakly suppressing ATP binding. Suppression of INK4 expression or its binding to CDK6 restores CDK4/6i sensitivity. To overcome this constraint, we developed bifunctional degraders conjugating palbociclib with E3 ligands. Two resulting lead compounds potently degraded CDK4/6, leading to substantial antitumor effects in vivo, demonstrating the promising therapeutic potential for retargeting CDK4/6 despite CDK4/6i resistance. SIGNIFICANCE: CDK4/6 kinase activation represents a common mechanism by which oncogenic signaling induces proliferation and is potentially targetable by ATP competitive inhibitors. We identify a CDK6-INK4 complex that is resilient to current-generation inhibitors and develop a new strategy for more effective inhibition of CDK4/6 kinases.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 275.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Li
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Baishan Jiang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jiaye Guo
- Computational & Systems Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Hong Shao
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Isabella S Del Priore
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Qing Chang
- Anti-Tumor Assessment, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Rei Kudo
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Zhiqiang Li
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Pedram Razavi
- Breast Medicine Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Bo Liu
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | | | - Matthew G Rees
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Melissa M Ronan
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Jennifer A Roth
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Katherine A Donovan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Marta Palafox
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jorge S Reis-Filho
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Elisa de Stanchina
- Anti-Tumor Assessment, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Eric S Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Neal Rosen
- Program in Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Violeta Serra
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andrew Koff
- Program in Molecular Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - John D Chodera
- Computational & Systems Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sarat Chandarlapaty
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.
- Breast Medicine Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
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85
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Nie W, Lu Y, Pan C, Gao J, Luo M, Du J, Wang J, Luo P, Zhu H, Che J, He Q, Dong X. Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Quinazoline Derivatives with Covalent Reversible Warheads as Potential FGFR4 Inhibitors. Bioorg Chem 2022; 121:105673. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.105673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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86
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Reja RM, Wang W, Lyu Y, Haeffner F, Gao J. Lysine-Targeting Reversible Covalent Inhibitors with Long Residence Time. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:1152-1157. [PMID: 35040658 PMCID: PMC8928449 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c12702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
We report a new reversible lysine conjugation that features a novel diazaborine product and much slowed dissociation kinetics in comparison to the previously known iminoboronate chemistry. Incorporating the diazaborine-forming warhead RMR1 to a peptide ligand gives potent and long-acting reversible covalent inhibitors of the staphylococcal sortase. The efficacy of sortase inhibition is demonstrated via biochemical and cell-based assays. A comparative study of RMR1 and an iminoboronate-forming warhead highlights the significance and potential of modulating bond dissociation kinetics in achieving long-acting reversible covalent inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahi M. Reja
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, 2609 Beacon Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, United States
| | - Wenjian Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, 2609 Beacon Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, United States
| | - Yuhan Lyu
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, 2609 Beacon Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, United States
| | - Fredrik Haeffner
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, 2609 Beacon Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, United States
| | - Jianmin Gao
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, 2609 Beacon Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, United States
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87
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Hu Z, Crews CM. Recent Developments in PROTAC-Mediated Protein Degradation: From Bench to Clinic. Chembiochem 2022; 23:e202100270. [PMID: 34494353 PMCID: PMC9395155 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202100270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), an emerging paradigm-shifting technology, hijacks the ubiquitin-proteasome system for targeted protein degradation. PROTACs induce ternary complexes between an E3 ligase and POI, and this induced proximity leads to polyUb chain formation on substrates and eventual proteasomal-mediated POI degradation. PROTACs have shown great therapeutic potential by degrading many disease-causing proteins, such as the androgen receptor and BRD4. The PROTAC technology has advanced significantly in the last two decades, with the repertoire of PROTAC targets increased tremendously. Herein, we describe recent developments of PROTAC technology, focusing on mechanistic and kinetic studies, pharmacokinetic study, spatiotemporal control of PROTACs, covalent PROTACs, resistance to PROTACs, and new E3 ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyi Hu
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, 260 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Craig M Crews
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, 260 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
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88
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He S, Dong G, Cheng J, Wu Y, Sheng C. Strategies for designing proteolysis targeting chimaeras (PROTACs). Med Res Rev 2022; 42:1280-1342. [PMID: 35001407 DOI: 10.1002/med.21877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Proteolysis targeting chimaeras (PROTACs) is a cutting edge and rapidly growing technique for new drug discovery and development. Currently, the largest challenge in the molecular design and drug development of PROTACs is efficient identification of potent and drug-like degraders. This review aims to comprehensively summarize and analyse state-of-the-art methods and strategies in the design of PROTACs. We provide a detailed illustration of the general principles and tactics for designing potent PROTACs, highlight representative case studies, and discuss the advantages and limitations of these strategies. Particularly, structure-based rational PROTAC design and emerging new types of PROTACs (e.g., homo-PROTACs, multitargeting PROTACs, photo-control PROTACs and PROTAC-based conjugates) will be focused on.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shipeng He
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guoqiang Dong
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Junfei Cheng
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Pharmacy, 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force, Kunming, China
| | - Chunquan Sheng
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
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89
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Yang F, Wen Y, Wang C, Zhou Y, Zhou Y, Zhang ZM, Liu T, Lu X. Efficient targeted oncogenic KRAS G12C degradation via first reversible-covalent PROTAC. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 230:114088. [PMID: 35007863 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.114088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
KRAS is the most frequently mutated oncogene and plays a predominant role in driving initiation and progression of multiple cancers. Attempts to degrade the oncogene KRASG12C with PROTAC strategy have been considered as an alternative strategy to combate cancers. However, the irreversible PROTACs may compromise the substoichiometric activity to decrease the potency. Herein, we report the development of YF135, the first reversible-covalent PROTAC capable of recruiting VHL mediated proteasomal degradation of KRASG12C. YF135 induces the rapid and sustained degradation of endogenous KRASG12C and attenuates pERK signaling in H358 and H23 cells in a reversible manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Yang
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yalei Wen
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Chaofan Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yuee Zhou
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Zhi-Min Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Tongzheng Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
| | - Xiaoyun Lu
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
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90
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Wang B, Wu H, Hu C, Wang H, Liu J, Wang W, Liu Q. An overview of kinase downregulators and recent advances in discovery approaches. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:423. [PMID: 34924565 PMCID: PMC8685278 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00826-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the clinical approval of imatinib, the discovery of protein kinase downregulators entered a prosperous age. However, challenges still exist in the discovery of kinase downregulator drugs, such as the high failure rate during development, side effects, and drug-resistance problems. With the progress made through multidisciplinary efforts, an increasing number of new approaches have been applied to solve the above problems during the discovery process of kinase downregulators. In terms of in vitro and in vivo drug evaluation, progress was also made in cellular and animal model platforms for better and more clinically relevant drug assessment. Here, we review the advances in drug design strategies, drug property evaluation technologies, and efficacy evaluation models and technologies. Finally, we discuss the challenges and perspectives in the development of kinase downregulator drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beilei Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, People's Republic of China
- Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Wu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, People's Republic of China
- Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Hu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, People's Republic of China
- Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, People's Republic of China
| | - Haizhen Wang
- Hefei PreceDo pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, People's Republic of China
- Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenchao Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, People's Republic of China
- Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingsong Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, People's Republic of China.
- Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, People's Republic of China.
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91
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Lu X, Sabbasani VR, Osei-Amponsa V, Evans CN, King JC, Tarasov SG, Dyba M, Das S, Chan KC, Schwieters CD, Choudhari S, Fromont C, Zhao Y, Tran B, Chen X, Matsuo H, Andresson T, Chari R, Swenson RE, Tarasova NI, Walters KJ. Structure-guided bifunctional molecules hit a DEUBAD-lacking hRpn13 species upregulated in multiple myeloma. Nat Commun 2021; 12:7318. [PMID: 34916494 PMCID: PMC8677766 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27570-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteasome substrate receptor hRpn13 is a promising anti-cancer target. By integrated in silico and biophysical screening, we identified a chemical scaffold that binds hRpn13 with non-covalent interactions that mimic the proteasome and a weak electrophile for Michael addition. hRpn13 Pru domain binds proteasomes and ubiquitin whereas its DEUBAD domain binds deubiquitinating enzyme UCHL5. NMR revealed lead compound XL5 to interdigitate into a hydrophobic pocket created by lateral movement of a Pru β-hairpin with an exposed end for Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs). Implementing XL5-PROTACs as chemical probes identified a DEUBAD-lacking hRpn13 species (hRpn13Pru) present naturally with cell type-dependent abundance. XL5-PROTACs preferentially target hRpn13Pru, causing its ubiquitination. Gene-editing and rescue experiments established hRpn13 requirement for XL5-PROTAC-triggered apoptosis. These data establish hRpn13 as an anti-cancer target for multiple myeloma and introduce an hRpn13-targeting scaffold that can be optimized for preclinical trials against hRpn13Pru-producing cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuxiu Lu
- Protein Processing Section, Center for Structural Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Venkata R Sabbasani
- Chemistry and Synthesis Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Vasty Osei-Amponsa
- Protein Processing Section, Center for Structural Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Christine N Evans
- Genome Modification Core, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Julianna C King
- Genome Modification Core, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Sergey G Tarasov
- Biophysics Resource, Center for Structural Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Marzena Dyba
- Biophysics Resource, Center for Structural Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Sudipto Das
- Protein Characterization Laboratory, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - King C Chan
- Protein Characterization Laboratory, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Charles D Schwieters
- Computational Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance Core, Laboratory of Chemical Physics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892-5620, USA
| | - Sulbha Choudhari
- Sequencing Facility Bioinformatics Group, Biomedical Informatics and Data Science Directorate, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21701, USA
| | - Caroline Fromont
- Sequencing Facility, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21701, USA
| | - Yongmei Zhao
- Sequencing Facility Bioinformatics Group, Biomedical Informatics and Data Science Directorate, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21701, USA
| | - Bao Tran
- Sequencing Facility, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21701, USA
| | - Xiang Chen
- Protein Processing Section, Center for Structural Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Hiroshi Matsuo
- Basic Science Program, Center for Structural Biology, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Thorkell Andresson
- Protein Characterization Laboratory, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Raj Chari
- Genome Modification Core, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Rolf E Swenson
- Chemistry and Synthesis Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Nadya I Tarasova
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunometabolism, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Kylie J Walters
- Protein Processing Section, Center for Structural Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA.
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92
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Reddi RN, Rogel A, Resnick E, Gabizon R, Prasad PK, Gurwicz N, Barr H, Shulman Z, London N. Site-Specific Labeling of Endogenous Proteins Using CoLDR Chemistry. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:20095-20108. [PMID: 34817989 PMCID: PMC8662641 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c06167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Chemical modifications
of native proteins can affect their stability,
activity, interactions, localization, and more. However, there are
few nongenetic methods for the installation of chemical modifications
at a specific protein site in cells. Here we report a covalent ligand
directed release (CoLDR) site-specific labeling strategy, which enables
the installation of a variety of functional tags on a target protein
while releasing the directing ligand. Using this approach, we were
able to label various proteins such as BTK, K-RasG12C,
and SARS-CoV-2 PLpro with different tags. For BTK we have
shown selective labeling in cells of both alkyne and fluorophores
tags. Protein labeling by traditional affinity methods often inhibits
protein activity since the directing ligand permanently occupies the
target binding pocket. We have shown that using CoLDR chemistry, modification
of BTK by these probes in cells preserves its activity. We demonstrated
several applications for this approach including determining the half-life
of BTK in its native environment with minimal perturbation, as well
as quantification of BTK degradation by a noncovalent proteolysis
targeting chimera (PROTAC) by in-gel fluorescence. Using an environment-sensitive
“turn-on” fluorescent probe, we were able to monitor
ligand binding to the active site of BTK. Finally, we have demonstrated
efficient CoLDR-based BTK PROTACs (DC50 < 100 nM), which
installed a CRBN binder onto BTK. This approach joins very few available
labeling strategies that maintain the target protein activity and
thus makes an important addition to the toolbox of chemical biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rambabu N Reddi
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Adi Rogel
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Efrat Resnick
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Ronen Gabizon
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Pragati Kishore Prasad
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Neta Gurwicz
- Department of Immunology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Haim Barr
- Wohl Institute for Drug Discovery of the Nancy and Stephen Grand Israel National Center for Personalized Medicine, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Ziv Shulman
- Department of Immunology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Nir London
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
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93
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Zhao Y, Shu Y, Lin J, Chen Z, Xie Q, Bao Y, Lu L, Sun N, Wang Y. Discovery of novel BTK PROTACs for B-Cell lymphomas. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 225:113820. [PMID: 34509879 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) is a key drug target for B-cell related malignancies. Irreversible covalent BTK inhibitors have been approved for the treatment of B-cell malignancies, yet BTK C481S mutation at the covalent binding site has caused drug-resistance of BTK covalent binding inhibitors. The proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology increases the sensitivity to drug-resistant targets compared to classic inhibitors, which provides a new strategy for mutant BTK related B-cell malignancies. ARQ531, a reversible non-covalent BTK inhibitor that inhibits wild type (WT) and mutated BTK with high selectivity, could be an ideal warhead for PROTACs targeting the mutant BTK. Herein, we designed a novel series of PROTACs using the selective non-covalent BTK inhibitor ARQ531 as warhead, with the goal of improving the degradation of both wild-type and C481S mutant BTKs, and increasing the selectivity of BTK over other kinases. This effort will provide some basis for further preclinical study of BTK PROTACs as a novel strategy for treatment of B-cell lymphomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunpeng Zhao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yongzhi Shu
- Shanghai Meizer Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd, 58 Yuanmei Road, Shanghai, 201109, China
| | - Jun Lin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Zhendong Chen
- Shanghai Meizer Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd, 58 Yuanmei Road, Shanghai, 201109, China
| | - Qiong Xie
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yanning Bao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Lixue Lu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Nannan Sun
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
| | - Yonghui Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China.
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94
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Wang C, Zhang Y, Wu Y, Xing D. Developments of CRBN-based PROTACs as potential therapeutic agents. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 225:113749. [PMID: 34411892 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Protease-targeted chimeras (PROTACs) are a new technology that is receiving much attention in the treatment of diseases. The mechanism is to inhibit protein function by hijacking the ubiquitin E3 ligase for protein degradation. Heterogeneous bifunctional PROTACs contain a ligand for recruiting E3 ligase, a linker, and another ligand to bind to the target protein for degradation. A variety of small-molecule PROTACs (CRBN, VHL, IAPs, MDM2, DCAF15, DCAF16, and RNF114-based PROTACs) have been identified so far. In particular, CRBN-based PROTACs (e.g., ARV-110 and ARV-471) have received more attention for their promising therapeutic intervention. To date, CRBN-based PRTOACs have been extensively explored worldwide and have excelled not only in cancer diseases but also in cardiovascular diseases, immune diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and viral infections. In this review, we will provide a comprehensive update on the latest research progress in CRBN-based PRTOACs area. Following the criteria, such as disease area and drug target class, we will present the degradants in alphabetical order by target. We also provide our own perspective on the future prospects and potential challenges facing PROTACs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, China.
| | - Yujing Zhang
- The Affiliated Cardiovascular Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, China.
| | - Yudong Wu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, China.
| | - Dongming Xing
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
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95
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Dale B, Cheng M, Park KS, Kaniskan HÜ, Xiong Y, Jin J. Advancing targeted protein degradation for cancer therapy. Nat Rev Cancer 2021; 21:638-654. [PMID: 34131295 PMCID: PMC8463487 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-021-00365-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 271] [Impact Index Per Article: 90.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The human proteome contains approximately 20,000 proteins, and it is estimated that more than 600 of them are functionally important for various types of cancers, including nearly 400 non-enzyme proteins that are challenging to target by traditional occupancy-driven pharmacology. Recent advances in the development of small-molecule degraders, including molecular glues and heterobifunctional degraders such as proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), have made it possible to target many proteins that were previously considered undruggable. In particular, PROTACs form a ternary complex with a hijacked E3 ubiquitin ligase and a target protein, leading to polyubiquitination and degradation of the target protein. The broad applicability of this approach is facilitated by the flexibility of individual E3 ligases to recognize different substrates. The vast majority of the approximately 600 human E3 ligases have not been explored, thus presenting enormous opportunities to develop degraders that target oncoproteins with tissue, tumour and subcellular selectivity. In this Review, we first discuss the molecular basis of targeted protein degradation. We then offer a comprehensive account of the most promising degraders in development as cancer therapies to date. Lastly, we provide an overview of opportunities and challenges in this exciting field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Dale
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Meng Cheng
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kwang-Su Park
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - H Ümit Kaniskan
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yue Xiong
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Cullgen Inc., San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - Jian Jin
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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96
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Grimster NP. Covalent PROTACs: the best of both worlds? RSC Med Chem 2021; 12:1452-1458. [PMID: 34671730 PMCID: PMC8459387 DOI: 10.1039/d1md00191d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Covalent PROTACs combine the cutting edge research areas of targeted covalent inhibitors (TCIs) and proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs). This nascent field of research has already demonstrated several interesting findings, and holds an immense amount of potential to expand the druggable proteome. In this opinion, we present some of these intriguing early findings and discuss the potential advantages and disadvantages of this approach.
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97
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Cho EJ, Dalby KN. Luminescence Energy Transfer-Based Screening and Target Engagement Approaches for Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery. SLAS DISCOVERY 2021; 26:984-994. [PMID: 34330171 DOI: 10.1177/24725552211036056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Luminescence is characterized by the spontaneous emission of light resulting from either chemical or biological reactions. Because of their high sensitivity, reduced background interference, and applicability to numerous situations, luminescence-based assay strategies play an essential role in early-stage drug discovery. Newer developments in luminescence-based technologies have dramatically affected the ability of researchers to investigate molecular binding events. At the forefront of these developments are the nano bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (NanoBRET) and amplified luminescent proximity homogeneous assay (Alpha) technologies. These technologies have opened up numerous possibilities for analyzing the molecular biophysical properties of complexes in environments such as cell lysates. Moreover, NanoBRET enables the validation and quantitation of the interactions between therapeutic targets and small molecules in live cells, representing an essential benchmark for preclinical drug discovery. Both techniques involve proximity-based luminescence energy transfer, in which excited-state energy is transferred from a donor to an acceptor, where the efficiency of transfer depends on proximity. Both approaches can be applied to high-throughput compound screening in biological samples, with the NanoBRET assay providing opportunities for live-cell screening. Representative applications of both technologies for assessing physical interactions and associated challenges are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Jeong Cho
- Targeted Therapeutic Drug Discovery and Development Program, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Kevin N Dalby
- Targeted Therapeutic Drug Discovery and Development Program, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
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98
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Yuan M, Chu Y, Duan Y. Reversible Covalent PROTACs: Novel and Efficient Targeted Degradation Strategy. Front Chem 2021; 9:691093. [PMID: 34291036 PMCID: PMC8287302 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.691093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs), which are composed of a target protein binding moiety, a linker, and an E3 ubiquitin ligase binder, have been a promising strategy for drug design and discovery. Given the advantages of potency, selectivity, and drug resistance over inhibitors, several PROTACs have been reported in literature, which mostly focus on noncovalent or irreversible covalent binding to the target proteins. However, it must be noted that noncovalent or irreversible PROTACs have several drawbacks such as weak binding affinity and unpredictable off-target effects. Reversible covalent PROTACs, with properties of enhanced potency, selectivity, and long duration of action, have attracted an increasing amount of attention. Here, we propose a comparison between these three patterns and highlight that reversible covalent PROTACs could pave the way for a wide variety of challenging target degradations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghua Yuan
- Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China.,School of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yanan Chu
- Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China.,School of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yongtao Duan
- Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
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99
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Yu F, Cai M, Shao L, Zhang J. Targeting Protein Kinases Degradation by PROTACs. Front Chem 2021; 9:679120. [PMID: 34277564 PMCID: PMC8279777 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.679120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Kinase dysregulation is greatly associated with cell proliferation, migration and survival, indicating the importance of kinases as therapeutic targets for anticancer drug development. However, traditional kinase inhibitors binding to catalytic or allosteric sites are associated with significant challenges. The emergence of resistance and targeting difficult-to-degrade and multi-domain proteins are significant limiting factors affecting the efficacy of targeted anticancer drugs. The next-generation treatment approaches seem to have overcome these concerns, and the use of proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology is one such method. PROTACs bind to proteins of interest and recruit E3 ligase for degrading the whole target protein via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. This review provides a detailed summary of the most recent signs of progress in PROTACs targeting different kinases, primarily focusing on new chemical entities in medicinal chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Yu
- Medical School of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Ming Cai
- Medical School of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Liang Shao
- Medical School of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Jihong Zhang
- Medical School of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
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100
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Quach D, Tang G, Anantharajan J, Baburajendran N, Poulsen A, Wee JLK, Retna P, Li R, Liu B, Tee DHY, Kwek PZ, Joy JK, Yang W, Zhang C, Foo K, Keller TH, Yao SQ. Strategic Design of Catalytic Lysine‐Targeting Reversible Covalent BCR‐ABL Inhibitors**. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202105383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David Quach
- NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering 21 Lower Kent Ridge, University Hall, Tan China Tuan Wing, #04-02 Singapore 119077 Singapore
- Experimental Drug Development Centre 10 Biopolis Road, Chromos, #05-01 Singapore 138670 Singapore
| | - Guanghui Tang
- Department of Chemistry National University of Singapore Singapore 117543 Singapore
| | - Jothi Anantharajan
- Experimental Drug Development Centre 10 Biopolis Road, Chromos, #05-01 Singapore 138670 Singapore
| | - Nithya Baburajendran
- Experimental Drug Development Centre 10 Biopolis Road, Chromos, #05-01 Singapore 138670 Singapore
| | - Anders Poulsen
- Experimental Drug Development Centre 10 Biopolis Road, Chromos, #05-01 Singapore 138670 Singapore
| | - John L. K. Wee
- Experimental Drug Development Centre 10 Biopolis Road, Chromos, #05-01 Singapore 138670 Singapore
| | - Priya Retna
- Experimental Drug Development Centre 10 Biopolis Road, Chromos, #05-01 Singapore 138670 Singapore
| | - Rong Li
- Experimental Drug Development Centre 10 Biopolis Road, Chromos, #05-01 Singapore 138670 Singapore
| | - Boping Liu
- Experimental Drug Development Centre 10 Biopolis Road, Chromos, #05-01 Singapore 138670 Singapore
| | - Doris H. Y. Tee
- Experimental Drug Development Centre 10 Biopolis Road, Chromos, #05-01 Singapore 138670 Singapore
| | - Perlyn Z. Kwek
- Experimental Drug Development Centre 10 Biopolis Road, Chromos, #05-01 Singapore 138670 Singapore
| | - Joma K. Joy
- Experimental Drug Development Centre 10 Biopolis Road, Chromos, #05-01 Singapore 138670 Singapore
| | - Wan‐Qi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines and Beijing Key Laboratory of Active Substances Discovery and Druggability Evaluation Institute of Materia Medica Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Beijing 100050 China
| | - Chong‐Jing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines and Beijing Key Laboratory of Active Substances Discovery and Druggability Evaluation Institute of Materia Medica Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Beijing 100050 China
| | - Klement Foo
- Experimental Drug Development Centre 10 Biopolis Road, Chromos, #05-01 Singapore 138670 Singapore
| | - Thomas H. Keller
- Experimental Drug Development Centre 10 Biopolis Road, Chromos, #05-01 Singapore 138670 Singapore
| | - Shao Q. Yao
- NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering 21 Lower Kent Ridge, University Hall, Tan China Tuan Wing, #04-02 Singapore 119077 Singapore
- Department of Chemistry National University of Singapore Singapore 117543 Singapore
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