101
|
Wang C, Zhang Y, Shi L, Yang S, Chang J, Zhong Y, Li Q, Xing D. Recent advances in IAP-based PROTACs (SNIPERs) as potential therapeutic agents. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2022; 37:1437-1453. [PMID: 35589670 PMCID: PMC9122363 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2022.2074414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteolytic targeting chimaeras (PROTACs) have been developed as an effective technology for targeted protein degradation. PROTACs are heterobifunctional molecules that can trigger the polyubiquitination of proteins of interest (POIs) by recruiting the ubiquitin-proteasome system, thereby inhibiting the intracellular level of POIs. To date, a variety of small-molecule PROTACs (CRBN, VHL, IAP, and MDM2-based PROTACs) have been developed. IAP-based PROTACs, also known as specific and nongenetic IAP-dependent protein erasers (SNIPERs), are used to degrade the target proteins closely related to diseases. Their structures consist of three parts, including target protein ligand, E3 ligase ligand, and the linker between them. So far, many SNIPERs have been extensively studied worldwide and have performed well in multiple diseases, especially cancer. In this review, we will present the most relevant advances in the field of SNIPERs and provide our perspective on the opportunities and challenges for SNIPERs to become therapeutic agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.,Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yujing Zhang
- The Affiliated Cardiovascular Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Lingyu Shi
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.,Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Shanbo Yang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.,Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jing Chang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.,Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yingjie Zhong
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.,Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Qian Li
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.,Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Dongming Xing
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.,Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.,School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
102
|
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.
Collapse
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
| | | |
Collapse
|
103
|
Goebel GL, Qiu X, Wu P. Kinase-targeting small-molecule inhibitors and emerging bifunctional molecules. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2022; 43:866-881. [PMID: 35589447 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2022.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Kinases are among the most successful drug targets. To date, 72 small-molecule kinase inhibitors (SMKIs) have been approved by the US FDA, together with ~500 SMKIs in clinical trials. Although the topic has been heavily reviewed in recent years, an overview that focused on the currently approved SMKIs in combination with the emerging kinase-targeting bifunctional molecules is absent. Herein, we first provide an updated overview of the approved SMKIs, with an emphasis on their binding modes, classified in groups of type I and II ATP-competitive inhibitors, type III and IV allosteric inhibitors, and covalent inhibitors. We then highlight the novel chemical modalities in kinase targeting by using different types of proximity-inducing bifunctional molecules for kinase degradation and modifications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georg L Goebel
- Chemical Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund 44227, Germany; Department of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund 44227, Germany; Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund 44227, Germany
| | - Xiaqiu Qiu
- Chemical Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund 44227, Germany; Department of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund 44227, Germany; Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund 44227, Germany
| | - Peng Wu
- Chemical Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund 44227, Germany; Department of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund 44227, Germany; Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
104
|
Aublette MC, Harrison TA, Thorpe EJ, Gadd MS. Selective Wee1 degradation by PROTAC degraders recruiting VHL and CRBN E3 ubiquitin ligases. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2022; 64:128636. [PMID: 35231578 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2022.128636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The Ser/Thr protein kinase Wee1 plays a regulatory role at the G2/M checkpoint by phosphorylating CDK1 when DNA is damaged to allow time for DNA to repair, disruption of which is a key approach to sensitise cancer cells to DNA-damaging therapies. The main selective inhibitor for Wee1 undergoing development in clinical trials, AZD1775, however, has been shown to have off target effects towards other protein kinases with similar potency. Here we describe the synthesis and assessment of a series of Wee1-degrading PROTACs using AZD1775 linked to either the VHL ligand VH032 or to the CRBN ligand pomalidomide using different types and lengths of linkers. The conversion of AZD1775 into a PROTAC induces selective Wee1 degradation for compounds of both series depending on the nature of the linker.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marine C Aublette
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YG, United Kingdom
| | - Tom A Harrison
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YG, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth J Thorpe
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YG, United Kingdom
| | - Morgan S Gadd
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YG, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
105
|
The state of the art of PROTAC technologies for drug discovery. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 235:114290. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
|
106
|
Gosavi P, Ngan KC, Yeo MJR, Su C, Li J, Lue NZ, Hoenig SM, Liau BB. Profiling the Landscape of Drug Resistance Mutations in Neosubstrates to Molecular Glue Degraders. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2022; 8:417-429. [PMID: 35505873 PMCID: PMC9052798 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.1c01603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation (TPD) holds immense promise for drug discovery, but mechanisms of acquired resistance to degraders remain to be fully identified. Here, we used clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-suppressor scanning to identify mechanistic classes of drug resistance mutations to molecular glue degraders in GSPT1 and RBM39, neosubstrates targeted by E3 ligase substrate receptors cereblon and DCAF15, respectively. While many mutations directly alter the ternary complex heterodimerization surface, distal resistance sites were also identified. Several distal mutations in RBM39 led to modest decreases in degradation, yet can enable cell survival, underscoring how small differences in degradation can lead to resistance. Integrative analysis of resistance sites across GSPT1 and RBM39 revealed varying levels of sequence conservation and mutational constraint that control the emergence of different resistance mechanisms, highlighting that many regions co-opted by TPD are nonessential. Altogether, our study identifies common resistance mechanisms for molecular glue degraders and outlines a general approach to survey neosubstrate requirements necessary for effective degradation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pallavi
M. Gosavi
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard
University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
- Broad
Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Kevin C. Ngan
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard
University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
- Broad
Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Megan J. R. Yeo
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard
University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
- Broad
Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Cindy Su
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard
University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
- Broad
Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Jiaming Li
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard
University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
- Broad
Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Nicholas Z. Lue
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard
University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
- Broad
Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Samuel M. Hoenig
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard
University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
- Broad
Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Brian B. Liau
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard
University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
- Broad
Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| |
Collapse
|
107
|
Barghout SH. New frontiers in the discovery and development of PROTACs. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2022; 22:2656-2661. [PMID: 35418290 DOI: 10.2174/1871520622666220412132759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are an emerging class of targeted protein degraders that coopt the intracellular degradation machinery to selectively deplete their respective targets. PROTACs act as bifunctional degraders that comprise ubiquitin E3 ligase- and target-binding moieties connected by chemical linkers with appropriate physicochemical properties. Through this bivalent structure, PROTACs induce the degradation of their targets via proximity-based pharmacology. Compared to conventional inhibitors, PROTACs exhibit superior pharmacologic properties with respect to efficacy, potency, selectivity, durability of response, and efficacy against undruggable proteins. Over the last few years, the scientific community has witnessed significant endeavors to advance this field and expand the armamentarium of PROTACs. In this perspective, we highlight these advances with an emphasis on emerging PROTAC variants, PROTACtability and degradability of protein targets, expression-guided PROTACs, multivalent PROTACs, preclinical resistance, candidates evaluated in clinical trials, and prospects for the use of PROTACs as a therapeutic modality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samir H Barghout
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
108
|
Cucolo L, Chen Q, Qiu J, Yu Y, Klapholz M, Budinich KA, Zhang Z, Shao Y, Brodsky IE, Jordan MS, Gilliland DG, Zhang NR, Shi J, Minn AJ. The interferon-stimulated gene RIPK1 regulates cancer cell intrinsic and extrinsic resistance to immune checkpoint blockade. Immunity 2022; 55:671-685.e10. [PMID: 35417675 PMCID: PMC11289737 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2022.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) has pleiotropic effects on cancer immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), including roles in ICB resistance. We analyzed gene expression in ICB-sensitive versus ICB-resistant tumor cells and identified a strong association between interferon-mediated resistance and expression of Ripk1, a regulator of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily receptors. Genetic interaction screening revealed that in cancer cells, RIPK1 diverted TNF signaling through NF-κB and away from its role in cell death. This promoted an immunosuppressive chemokine program by cancer cells, enhanced cancer cell survival, and decreased infiltration of T and NK cells expressing TNF superfamily ligands. Deletion of RIPK1 in cancer cells compromised chemokine secretion, decreased ARG1+ suppressive myeloid cells linked to ICB failure in mice and humans, and improved ICB response driven by CASP8-killing and dependent on T and NK cells. RIPK1-mediated resistance required its ubiquitin scaffolding but not kinase function. Thus, cancer cells co-opt RIPK1 to promote cell-intrinsic and cell-extrinsic resistance to immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Cucolo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Qingzhou Chen
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jingya Qiu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yongjun Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Max Klapholz
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Krista A Budinich
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zhaojun Zhang
- Department of Statistics, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Yue Shao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Igor E Brodsky
- Mark Foundation Center for Immunotherapy, Immune Signaling, and Radiation, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Martha S Jordan
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Nancy R Zhang
- Mark Foundation Center for Immunotherapy, Immune Signaling, and Radiation, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Statistics, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Junwei Shi
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Mark Foundation Center for Immunotherapy, Immune Signaling, and Radiation, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Andy J Minn
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Mark Foundation Center for Immunotherapy, Immune Signaling, and Radiation, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
109
|
Li X, Pu W, Zheng Q, Ai M, Chen S, Peng Y. Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) in cancer therapy. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:99. [PMID: 35410300 PMCID: PMC8996410 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01434-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractProteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are engineered techniques for targeted protein degradation. A bifunctional PROTAC molecule with two covalently-linked ligands recruits target protein and E3 ubiquitin ligase together to trigger proteasomal degradation of target protein by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. PROTAC has emerged as a promising approach for targeted therapy in various diseases, particularly in cancers. In this review, we introduce the principle and development of PROTAC technology, as well as the advantages of PROTACs over traditional anti-cancer therapies. Moreover, we summarize the application of PROTACs in targeting critical oncoproteins, provide the guidelines for the molecular design of PROTACs and discuss the challenges in the targeted degradation by PROTACs.
Collapse
|
110
|
Ng CS, Banik SM. Recent advances in induced proximity modalities. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2022; 67:102107. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2021.102107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
|
111
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
112
|
Targeted protein degraders: a call for collective action to advance safety assessment. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2022; 21:401-402. [PMID: 35322806 DOI: 10.1038/d41573-022-00055-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
|
113
|
Pei H, Guo W, Peng Y, Xiong H, Chen Y. Targeting key proteins involved in transcriptional regulation for cancer therapy: Current strategies and future prospective. Med Res Rev 2022; 42:1607-1660. [PMID: 35312190 DOI: 10.1002/med.21886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The key proteins involved in transcriptional regulation play convergent roles in cellular homeostasis, and their dysfunction mediates aberrant gene expressions that underline the hallmarks of tumorigenesis. As tumor progression is dependent on such abnormal regulation of transcription, it is important to discover novel chemical entities as antitumor drugs that target key tumor-associated proteins involved in transcriptional regulation. Despite most key proteins (especially transcription factors) involved in transcriptional regulation are historically recognized as undruggable targets, multiple targeting approaches at diverse levels of transcriptional regulation, such as epigenetic intervention, inhibition of DNA-binding of transcriptional factors, and inhibition of the protein-protein interactions (PPIs), have been established in preclinically or clinically studies. In addition, several new approaches have recently been described, such as targeting proteasomal degradation and eliciting synthetic lethality. This review will emphasize on accentuating these developing therapeutic approaches and provide a thorough conspectus of the drug development to target key proteins involved in transcriptional regulation and their impact on future oncotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haixiang Pei
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University and Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, The Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weikai Guo
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, The Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Yangrui Peng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, The Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hai Xiong
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University and Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yihua Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, The Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
114
|
Gomez-Soler M, Gehring MP, Lechtenberg BC, Zapata-Mercado E, Ruelos A, Matsumoto MW, Hristova K, Pasquale EB. Ligands with different dimeric configurations potently activate the EphA2 receptor and reveal its potential for biased signaling. iScience 2022; 25:103870. [PMID: 35243233 PMCID: PMC8858996 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.103870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The EphA2 receptor tyrosine kinase activates signaling pathways with different, and sometimes opposite, effects in cancer and other pathologies. Thus, highly specific and potent biased ligands that differentially control EphA2 signaling responses could be therapeutically valuable. Here, we use EphA2-specific monomeric peptides to engineer dimeric ligands with three different geometric configurations to combine a potential ability to differentially modulate EphA2 signaling responses with the high potency and prolonged receptor residence time characteristic of dimeric ligands. The different dimeric peptides readily induce EphA2 clustering, autophosphorylation and signaling, the best with sub-nanomolar potency. Yet, there are differences in two EphA2 signaling responses induced by peptides with different configurations, which exhibit distinct potency and efficacy. The peptides bias signaling when compared with the ephrinA1-Fc ligand and do so via different mechanisms. These findings provide insights into Eph receptor signaling, and proof-of-principle that different Eph signaling responses can be distinctly modulated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maricel Gomez-Soler
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Marina P. Gehring
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Bernhard C. Lechtenberg
- Ubiquitin Signalling Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville Victoria 3052, Australia and Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Elmer Zapata-Mercado
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Alyssa Ruelos
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Mike W. Matsumoto
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Kalina Hristova
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Elena B. Pasquale
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| |
Collapse
|
115
|
Han SY. Small Molecule Induced FLT3 Degradation. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15030320. [PMID: 35337118 PMCID: PMC8954439 DOI: 10.3390/ph15030320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Target protein degrader is a new paradigm in the small molecule drug discovery field and relates to the term ‘event-driven pharmacology’. Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) is a significant target for treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML). A few FLT3 kinase inhibitors are currently used in the clinic for AML patients. However, resistance to current FLT3 inhibitors has emerged, and strategies to overcome this resistance are required. Small molecules downregulating FLT3 protein level are reported, exhibiting antileukemic effects against AML cell lines. Small molecules with various mechanisms such as Hsp90 inhibition, proteasome inhibition, RET inhibition, and USP10 inhibition are explained. In addition, reports of FLT3 as a client of Hsp90, current knowledge of the ubiquitin proteasome system for FLT3 degradation, the relationship with FLT3 phosphorylation status and susceptibility of FLT3 degradation are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sun-Young Han
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, 501 Jinju-daero, Jinju-si 52828, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
116
|
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
| |
Collapse
|
117
|
Silva MC, Nandi G, Donovan KA, Cai Q, Berry BC, Nowak RP, Fischer ES, Gray NS, Ferguson FM, Haggarty SJ. Discovery and Optimization of Tau Targeted Protein Degraders Enabled by Patient Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells-Derived Neuronal Models of Tauopathy. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:801179. [PMID: 35317195 PMCID: PMC8934437 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.801179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulation of misfolded, aggregating proteins concurrent with disease onset and progression is a hallmark of neurodegenerative proteinopathies. An important class of these are tauopathies, such as frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), associated with accumulation of aberrant forms of tau protein in the brain. Pathological tau undergoes abnormal post-translational modifications, misfolding, oligomerization and changes in solubility, cellular redistribution, and spreading. Development and testing of experimental therapeutics that target these pathological tau conformers requires use of cellular models that recapitulate neuronal endogenous, non-heterologous tau expression under genomic and physiological contexts relevant to disease. In this study, we employed FTD-patient induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)-derived neurons, expressing a tau variant or mutation, as primary models for driving a medicinal chemistry campaign around tau targeting degrader series. Our screening goal was to establish structure-activity relationships (SAR) for the different chemical series to identify the molecular composition that most efficiently led to tau degradation in human FTD ex vivo neurons. We describe the identification of the lead compound QC-01-175 and follow-up optimization strategies for this molecule. We present three final lead molecules with tau degradation activity in mutant neurons, which establishes potential disease relevance and will drive future studies on specificity and pharmacological properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M. Catarina Silva
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ghata Nandi
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Katherine A. Donovan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Quan Cai
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Bethany C. Berry
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Radoslaw P. Nowak
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Eric S. Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Nathanael S. Gray
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Fleur M. Ferguson
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Fleur M. Ferguson,
| | - Stephen J. Haggarty
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Stephen J. Haggarty,
| |
Collapse
|
118
|
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation (TPD) is an emerging therapeutic modality with the potential to tackle disease-causing proteins that have historically been highly challenging to target with conventional small molecules. In the 20 years since the concept of a proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) molecule harnessing the ubiquitin-proteasome system to degrade a target protein was reported, TPD has moved from academia to industry, where numerous companies have disclosed programmes in preclinical and early clinical development. With clinical proof-of-concept for PROTAC molecules against two well-established cancer targets provided in 2020, the field is poised to pursue targets that were previously considered 'undruggable'. In this Review, we summarize the first two decades of PROTAC discovery and assess the current landscape, with a focus on industry activity. We then discuss key areas for the future of TPD, including establishing the target classes for which TPD is most suitable, expanding the use of ubiquitin ligases to enable precision medicine and extending the modality beyond oncology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Craig M Crews
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
119
|
Pomella S, Cassandri M, Braghini MR, Marampon F, Alisi A, Rota R. New Insights on the Nuclear Functions and Targeting of FAK in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23041998. [PMID: 35216114 PMCID: PMC8874710 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23041998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase over-expressed and activated in both adult and pediatric cancers, where it plays important roles in the regulation of pathogenesis and progression of the malignant phenotype. FAK exerts its functions in cancer by two different ways: a kinase activity in the cytoplasm, mainly dependent on the integrin signaling, and a scaffolding activity into the nucleus by networking with different gene expression regulators. For this reason, FAK has to be considered a target with high therapeutic values. Indeed, evidence suggests that FAK targeting could be effective, either alone or in combination, with other already available treatments. Here, we propose an overview of the novel insights about FAK’s structure and nuclear functions, with a special focus on the recent findings concerning the roles of this protein in cancer. Additionally, we provide a recent update on FAK inhibitors that are currently in clinical trials for patients with cancer, and discuss the challenge and future directions of drug-based anti-FAK targeted therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Pomella
- Department of Oncohematology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (S.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Matteo Cassandri
- Department of Oncohematology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (S.P.); (M.C.)
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Maria Rita Braghini
- Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy;
| | - Francesco Marampon
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Anna Alisi
- Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence: (A.A.); (R.R.); Tel.: +39-06-68592186 (A.A.); +39-06-68592648 (R.R.)
| | - Rossella Rota
- Department of Oncohematology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (S.P.); (M.C.)
- Correspondence: (A.A.); (R.R.); Tel.: +39-06-68592186 (A.A.); +39-06-68592648 (R.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
120
|
Exosome-mediated miR-7-5p delivery enhances the anticancer effect of Everolimus via blocking MNK/eIF4E axis in non-small cell lung cancer. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:129. [PMID: 35136028 PMCID: PMC8827062 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04565-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 12/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Everolimus is a kind of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors. Activated mitogen-activated protein kinase interacting kinases/eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (MNK/eIF4E) axis plays a crucial role in resistance to Everolimus in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The eIF4E phosphorylation increased by mTOR inhibitors is mainly mediated by MNKs. However, the mechanisms are poorly understood. Recently, extensive reprogramming of miRNA profiles has also been found after long-term mTOR inhibitor exposure. Our previous studies have confirmed that tumor suppressor miR-7-5p is decreased in A549 cells after treatment with Everolimus. Exactly, MNK1 is the target of miR-7-5p. In this study, we investigated the biological functions and potential molecular mechanisms of miR-7-5p in the NSCLC undergoing treatment with Everolimus. We confirmed that Everolimus targeted mTORC1 inducing NSCLC cells to secrete miR-7-5p-loaded exosomes in Rab27A and Rab27B-dependent manners. Loss of intracellular miR-7-5p induced phosphorylation of MNK/eIF4E axis, but a supplement of extra exosomal miR-7-5p could reverse it. Of note, both low expression of miR-7-5p and elevated MNK1 protein were associated with a poor prognosis of NSCLC. Both endogenous miR-7-5p and exo-miR-7-5p enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of Everolimus by inhibiting the proliferation, migration, and metastasis of NSCLC in vitro and in vivo. The combination of miR-7-5p with Everolimus induced apoptosis to exhibit a synergistic anticancer therapeutic efficacy through dual abrogation of MNK/eIF4E and mTOR in NSCLC. In conclusion, Everolimus decreases the intracellular miR-7-5p by releasing of miR-7-5p loaded exosomes from NSCLC cells in Rab27A and Rab27B dependent manners. Either endogenous miR-7-5p or exo-miR-7-5p combined with Everolimus can enhance the anticancer efficacy by targeting MNK/eIF4E axis and mTOR. Besides, both low levels of miR-7-5p and positive expression of MNK1 act as independent poor prognostic biomarkers for NSCLC. Therefore, restoring miR-7-5p carried by exosome may be a promising novel combined therapeutic strategy with Everolimus for NSCLC.
Collapse
|
121
|
Li W, Zhang J, Guo L, Wang Q. Importance of Three-Body Problems and Protein-Protein Interactions in Proteolysis-Targeting Chimera Modeling: Insights from Molecular Dynamics Simulations. J Chem Inf Model 2022; 62:523-532. [PMID: 35084845 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c01150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are a class of bifunctional molecules that can induce the ubiquitin degradation of its target protein by hijacking the E3 ligase to form a target protein-PROTAC-E3 ligase ternary complex. Its underlying principle has inspired the development of a wide range of protein degraders that are similar to or beyond PROTACs in recent years. The formation of the ternary complexes is the key to the success of PROTAC-induced protein degradation. Nevertheless, the lack of effective ternary complex modeling techniques has limited the application of computer-aided drug discovery tools to this emerging and fast developing new land in drug industry. Thus, in this study, we explored the application of the more physically sound molecular dynamics simulation and the molecular mechanics combined with the generalized Born and surface area continuum solvation (MM/GBSA) method to solve the underlying three-body problem in PROTAC modeling. We first verified the accuracy of our approach using a series of known Brd4 BD2 degraders. The calculated binding energy showed a good correlation with the experimental Kd values. The modeling of a unique property, namely, the α value, for PROTACs was also first and accurately performed to our best knowledge. The results also demonstrated the importance of PROTAC-induced protein-protein interactions in its modeling, either qualitatively or quantitatively. Finally, by standing on the success of earlier docking-based approaches, our protocol was also applied as a rescoring function in pose prediction. The results showed a notable improvement in reranking the initial poses generated from a modified Rosetta method, which was reportedly one of the best among a handful of PROTAC modeling approaches available in this field. We hope this work could provide a practical protocol and more insights to study the binding and the design of PROTACs and other protein degraders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenqing Li
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jiabin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Li Guo
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qiantao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| |
Collapse
|
122
|
Lin Z, Amako Y, Kabir F, Flaxman HA, Budnik B, Woo CM. Development of Photolenalidomide for Cellular Target Identification. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:606-614. [PMID: 34978798 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c11920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The thalidomide analogue lenalidomide (Len) is a clinical therapeutic that alters the substrate engagement of cereblon (CRBN), a substrate receptor for the CRL4 E3 ubiquitin ligase. Here, we report the development of photolenalidomide (pLen), a Len probe with a photoaffinity label and enrichment handle, designed for target identification by chemical proteomics. pLen preserves the substrate degradation profile, phenotypic antiproliferative and immunomodulatory properties of Len, and enhances interactions with the thalidomide-binding domain of CRBN, as revealed by binding site mapping and molecular modeling. Using pLen, we captured the known targets IKZF1 and CRBN from multiple myeloma MM.1S cells and further identified a new target, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit i (eIF3i), from HEK293T cells. eIF3i is directly labeled by pLen and forms a ternary complex with CRBN in the presence of Len across several epithelial cell lines but is itself not ubiquitylated or degraded. These data point to the existence of a broader array of targets induced by ligands to CRBN that may or may not be degraded, which can be identified by the highly translatable application of pLen to additional biological systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Lin
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Yuka Amako
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Farah Kabir
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Hope A Flaxman
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Bogdan Budnik
- Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Resource (MSPRL), Division of Science, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Christina M Woo
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| |
Collapse
|
123
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
124
|
Hu R, Wang WL, Yang YY, Hu XT, Wang QW, Zuo WQ, Xu Y, Feng Q, Wang NY. Identification of a selective BRD4 PROTAC with potent antiproliferative effects in AR-positive prostate cancer based on a dual BET/PLK1 inhibitor. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 227:113922. [PMID: 34700270 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BRD4-targeted proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) have exhibited promising in vitro and in vivo anticancer activity in a number of cancer models. However, the clinical development of current reported BRD4-PROTACs have stagnated, largely due to the safety risks caused by their poor degradation selectivity. In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of PROTACs based on our recently reported dual BET/PLK1 inhibitor WNY0824, which led to the discovery of an isoform-selective and potent BRD4-PROTAC 12a (WWL0245). WWL0245 exhibited excellent selective cytotoxicity in the BETi sensitive cancer cell lines, including AR-positive prostate cancer cell lines. It could also efficiently induce ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation of BRD4 in AR-positive prostate cancer cell lines, with sub-nanomolar half-maximal degrading concentration (DC50) and maximum degradation (Dmax) > 99%. Moreover, WWL0245 induced cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase and apoptosis in AR-positive prostate cancer by downregulation of the protein levels of AR, PSA and c-Myc as well as transcriptionally suppressed AR-regulated genes. WWL0245 was thus expected to be developed as a promising drug candidate for AR-positive prostate cancer and a valuable tool compound to study the biological function of BRD4.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rong Hu
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wan-Li Wang
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ying-Yue Yang
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xia-Tong Hu
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qi-Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, And Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wei-Qiong Zuo
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, And Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ying Xu
- School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, No.229 North Taibai Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710069, PR China
| | - Qiang Feng
- College of Chemistry and Life Science, Chengdu Normal University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Ning-Yu Wang
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China.
| |
Collapse
|
125
|
Chatterjee D, Preuss F, Dederer V, Knapp S, Mathea S. Structural Aspects of LIMK Regulation and Pharmacology. Cells 2022; 11:cells11010142. [PMID: 35011704 PMCID: PMC8750758 DOI: 10.3390/cells11010142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Malfunction of the actin cytoskeleton is linked to numerous human diseases including neurological disorders and cancer. LIMK1 (LIM domain kinase 1) and its paralogue LIMK2 are two closely related kinases that control actin cytoskeleton dynamics. Consequently, they are potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of such diseases. In the present review, we describe the LIMK conformational space and its dependence on ligand binding. Furthermore, we explain the unique catalytic mechanism of the kinase, shedding light on substrate recognition and how LIMK activity is regulated. The structural features are evaluated for implications on the drug discovery process. Finally, potential future directions for targeting LIMKs pharmacologically, also beyond just inhibiting the kinase domain, are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deep Chatterjee
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (D.C.); (F.P.); (V.D.); (S.K.)
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Str 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Franziska Preuss
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (D.C.); (F.P.); (V.D.); (S.K.)
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Str 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Verena Dederer
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (D.C.); (F.P.); (V.D.); (S.K.)
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Str 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (D.C.); (F.P.); (V.D.); (S.K.)
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Str 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sebastian Mathea
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (D.C.); (F.P.); (V.D.); (S.K.)
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Str 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
126
|
Cruite JT, Dann GP, Che J, Donovan KA, Ferrao S, Ficarro SB, Fischer ES, Gray NS, Huerta F, Kong NR, Liu H, Marto JA, Metivier RJ, Nowak RP, Zerfas BL, Jones LH. Cereblon covalent modulation through structure-based design of histidine targeting chemical probes. RSC Chem Biol 2022; 3:1105-1110. [PMID: 36128501 PMCID: PMC9428674 DOI: 10.1039/d2cb00078d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthetic re-engineering of a surface histidine residue on cereblon using sulfonyl exchange chemistry yielded potent irreversible modulators of the E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, including a molecular glue degrader of the novel neosubstrate NTAQ1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justin T. Cruite
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Geoffrey P. Dann
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jianwei Che
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Katherine A. Donovan
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Silas Ferrao
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Scott B. Ficarro
- Department of Cancer Biology, Department of Oncologic Pathology, and Blais Proteomics Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Eric S. Fischer
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nathanael S. Gray
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, ChEM-H, Stanford Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Fidel Huerta
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nikki R. Kong
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hu Liu
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jarrod A. Marto
- Department of Cancer Biology, Department of Oncologic Pathology, and Blais Proteomics Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Radosław P. Nowak
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Breanna L. Zerfas
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lyn H. Jones
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
127
|
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: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
128
|
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), which selectively induce targeted protein degradation, represent an emerging drug discovery technology. Although numerous PROTACs have been reported, designing potent PROTACs still remains a great challenge, to some extent, due to insufficient structural data of Target-PROTAC-E3 ternary complexes. In this work, PROTAC-Model, an integrative computational method by combining the FRODOCK-based protocol and RosettaDock-based refinement, was developed to predict PROTAC-mediated ternary complex structures and tested on 14 cases. The quality of the models was evaluated using the criteria of the critical assessment of predicted interactions (CAPRI). Using the unbound structures, the FRODOCK-based protocol can generate the ternary complex structures with medium or high quality for 8 cases out of 14. With the refinement by RosettaDock, the cases with medium or high quality increase to 12. Compared with PRosettaC and the method developed by Drummond et al., PROTAC-Model shows better performance. In summary, PROTAC-Model should be useful for the rational design of PROTACs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gaoqi Weng
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Dan Li
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yu Kang
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tingjun Hou
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
- State Key Lab of CAD&CG, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
| |
Collapse
|
129
|
Karim RM, Bikowitz MJ, Chan A, Zhu JY, Grassie D, Becker A, Berndt N, Gunawan S, Lawrence NJ, Schönbrunn E. Differential BET Bromodomain Inhibition by Dihydropteridinone and Pyrimidodiazepinone Kinase Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2021; 64:15772-15786. [PMID: 34710325 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BRD4 and other members of the bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) family of proteins are promising epigenetic targets for the development of novel therapeutics. Among the reported BRD4 inhibitors are dihydropteridinones and benzopyrimidodiazepinones originally designed to target the kinases PLK1, ERK5, and LRRK2. While these kinase inhibitors were identified as BRD4 inhibitors, little is known about their binding potential and structural details of interaction with the other BET bromodomains. We comprehensively characterized a series of known and newly identified dual BRD4-kinase inhibitors against all eight individual BET bromodomains. A detailed analysis of 23 novel cocrystal structures of BET-kinase inhibitor complexes in combination with direct binding assays and cell signaling studies revealed significant differences in molecular shape complementarity and inhibitory potential. Collectively, the data offer new insights into the action of kinase inhibitors across BET bromodomains, which may aid the development of drugs to inhibit certain BET proteins and kinases differentially.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rezaul Md Karim
- Drug Discovery Department, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States.,Department of Molecular Medicine, USF Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Melissa J Bikowitz
- Drug Discovery Department, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States.,Department of Molecular Medicine, USF Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Alice Chan
- Drug Discovery Department, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Jin-Yi Zhu
- Drug Discovery Department, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Dylan Grassie
- Drug Discovery Department, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Andreas Becker
- Chemical Biology Core, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Norbert Berndt
- Drug Discovery Department, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Steven Gunawan
- Drug Discovery Department, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Nicholas J Lawrence
- Drug Discovery Department, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Ernst Schönbrunn
- Drug Discovery Department, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| |
Collapse
|
130
|
Trends in kinase drug discovery: targets, indications and inhibitor design. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2021; 20:839-861. [PMID: 34354255 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-021-00252-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 313] [Impact Index Per Article: 104.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The FDA approval of imatinib in 2001 was a breakthrough in molecularly targeted cancer therapy and heralded the emergence of kinase inhibitors as a key drug class in the oncology area and beyond. Twenty years on, this article analyses the landscape of approved and investigational therapies that target kinases and trends within it, including the most popular targets of kinase inhibitors and their expanding range of indications. There are currently 71 small-molecule kinase inhibitors (SMKIs) approved by the FDA and an additional 16 SMKIs approved by other regulatory agencies. Although oncology is still the predominant area for their application, there have been important approvals for indications such as rheumatoid arthritis, and one-third of the SMKIs in clinical development address disorders beyond oncology. Information on clinical trials of SMKIs reveals that approximately 110 novel kinases are currently being explored as targets, which together with the approximately 45 targets of approved kinase inhibitors represent only about 30% of the human kinome, indicating that there are still substantial unexplored opportunities for this drug class. We also discuss trends in kinase inhibitor design, including the development of allosteric and covalent inhibitors, bifunctional inhibitors and chemical degraders.
Collapse
|
131
|
Xiong Y, Donovan KA, Eleuteri NA, Kirmani N, Yue H, Razov A, Krupnick NM, Nowak RP, Fischer ES. Chemo-proteomics exploration of HDAC degradability by small molecule degraders. Cell Chem Biol 2021; 28:1514-1527.e4. [PMID: 34314730 PMCID: PMC9339248 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation refers to the use of small molecules that recruit a ubiquitin ligase to a target protein for ubiquitination and subsequent proteasome-dependent degradation. While degraders have been developed for many targets, key questions regarding degrader development and the consequences of acute pharmacological degradation remain, specifically for targets that exist in obligate multi-protein complexes. Here, we synthesize a pan-histone deacetylase (HDAC) degrader library for the chemo-proteomic exploration of acute degradation of a key class of chromatin-modifying enzymes. Using chemo-proteomics, we not only map the degradability of the zinc-dependent HDAC family identifying leads for targeting HDACs 1-8 and 10 but also explore important aspects of degrading epigenetic enzymes. We discover cell line-driven target specificity and that HDAC degradation often results in collateral loss of HDAC-containing repressive complexes. These findings potentially offer a new mechanism toward controlling chromatin structure, and our resource will facilitate accelerated degrader design and development for HDACs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Xiong
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Katherine A Donovan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nicholas A Eleuteri
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Nadia Kirmani
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Hong Yue
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Anthony Razov
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Noah M Krupnick
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Radosław P Nowak
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Eric S Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
132
|
Russ N, Schröder M, Berger BT, Mandel S, Aydogan Y, Mauer S, Pohl C, Drewry DH, Chaikuad A, Müller S, Knapp S. Design and Development of a Chemical Probe for Pseudokinase Ca 2+/calmodulin-Dependent Ser/Thr Kinase. J Med Chem 2021; 64:14358-14376. [PMID: 34543009 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
CASK (Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent Ser/Thr kinase) is a member of the MAGUK (membrane-associated guanylate kinase) family that functions as neurexin kinases with roles implicated in neuronal synapses and trafficking. The lack of a canonical DFG motif, which is altered to GFG in CASK, led to the classification as a pseudokinase. However, functional studies revealed that CASK can still phosphorylate substrates in the absence of divalent metals. CASK dysfunction has been linked to many diseases, including colorectal cancer, Parkinson's disease, and X-linked mental retardation, suggesting CASK as a potential drug target. Here, we exploited structure-based design for the development of highly potent and selective CASK inhibitors based on 2,4-diaminopyrimidine-5-carboxamides targeting an unusual pocket created by the GFG motif. The presented inhibitor design offers a more general strategy for the development of pseudokinase ligands that harbor unusual sequence motifs. It also provides a first chemical probe for studying the biological roles of CASK.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Russ
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany.,Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Martin Schröder
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany.,Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Benedict-Tilman Berger
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany.,Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Sebastian Mandel
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany.,Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Yagmur Aydogan
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany.,Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Sandy Mauer
- Buchman Institute for Molecular Life Science and Institute of Biochemistry II, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Christian Pohl
- Buchman Institute for Molecular Life Science and Institute of Biochemistry II, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - David H Drewry
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States.,UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Apirat Chaikuad
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany.,Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Susanne Müller
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany.,Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany.,Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany.,German Cancer Network (DKTK) and Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
133
|
Schneider M, Radoux CJ, Hercules A, Ochoa D, Dunham I, Zalmas LP, Hessler G, Ruf S, Shanmugasundaram V, Hann MM, Thomas PJ, Queisser MA, Benowitz AB, Brown K, Leach AR. The PROTACtable genome. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2021; 20:789-797. [PMID: 34285415 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-021-00245-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are an emerging drug modality that may offer new opportunities to circumvent some of the limitations associated with traditional small-molecule therapeutics. By analogy with the concept of the 'druggable genome', the question arises as to which potential drug targets might PROTAC-mediated protein degradation be most applicable. Here, we present a systematic approach to the assessment of the PROTAC tractability (PROTACtability) of protein targets using a series of criteria based on data and information from a diverse range of relevant publicly available resources. Our approach could support decision-making on whether or not a particular target may be amenable to modulation using a PROTAC. Using our approach, we identified 1,067 proteins of the human proteome that have not yet been described in the literature as PROTAC targets that offer potential opportunities for future PROTAC-based efforts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Schneider
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
- Open Targets, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
| | - Chris J Radoux
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
- Open Targets, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
- Exscientia, Oxford, UK
| | - Andrew Hercules
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
- Open Targets, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
| | - David Ochoa
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
- Open Targets, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
| | - Ian Dunham
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
- Open Targets, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
| | - Lykourgos-Panagiotis Zalmas
- Open Targets, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
| | - Gerhard Hessler
- Integrated Drug Discovery, Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sven Ruf
- Integrated Drug Discovery, Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Michael M Hann
- GlaxoSmithKline, GSK Medicines Research Centre, Stevenage, UK
| | - Pam J Thomas
- GlaxoSmithKline, GSK Medicines Research Centre, Stevenage, UK
| | | | | | - Kris Brown
- GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, PA, USA
- Agenus, Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Andrew R Leach
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK.
- Open Targets, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
134
|
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: 253] [Impact Index Per Article: 84.3] [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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
135
|
Serafim RAM, Elkins JM, Zuercher WJ, Laufer SA, Gehringer M. Chemical Probes for Understudied Kinases: Challenges and Opportunities. J Med Chem 2021; 65:1132-1170. [PMID: 34477374 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Over 20 years after the approval of the first-in-class protein kinase inhibitor imatinib, the biological function of a significant fraction of the human kinome remains poorly understood while most research continues to be focused on few well-validated targets. Given the strong genetic evidence for involvement of many kinases in health and disease, the understudied fraction of the kinome holds a large and unexplored potential for future therapies. Specific chemical probes are indispensable tools to interrogate biology enabling proper preclinical validation of novel kinase targets. In this Perspective, we highlight recent case studies illustrating the development of high-quality chemical probes for less-studied kinases and their application in target validation. We spotlight emerging techniques and approaches employed in the generation of chemical probes for protein kinases and beyond and discuss the associated challenges and opportunities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo A M Serafim
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jonathan M Elkins
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - William J Zuercher
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Stefan A Laufer
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided & Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,Tübingen Center for Academic Drug Discovery, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Matthias Gehringer
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided & Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
136
|
Therapeutic implications of menin inhibition in acute leukemias. Leukemia 2021; 35:2482-2495. [PMID: 34131281 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-021-01309-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Menin inhibitors are novel targeted agents currently in clinical development for the treatment of genetically defined subsets of acute leukemia. Menin has a tumor suppressor function in endocrine glands. Germline mutations in the gene encoding menin cause the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) syndrome, a hereditary condition associated with tumors of the endocrine glands. However, menin is also critical for leukemogenesis in subsets driven by rearrangement of the Lysine Methyltransferase 2A (KMT2A) gene, previously known as mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL), which encodes an epigenetic modifier. These seemingly opposing functions of menin can be explained by its various roles in gene regulation. Therefore, leukemias with rearrangement of KMT2A are predicted to respond to menin inhibition with early clinical data validating this proof-of-concept. These leukemias affect infants, children and adults, and lead to adverse outcomes with current standard therapies. Recent studies have identified novel targets in acute leukemia that are susceptible to menin inhibition, such as mutated Nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1), the most common genetic alteration in adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In addition to these alterations, other leukemia subsets with similar transcriptional dependency could be targeted through menin inhibition. This led to rationally designed clinical studies, investigating small-molecule oral menin inhibitors in relapsed acute leukemias with promising early results. Herein, we discuss the physiologic and malignant biology of menin, the mechanisms of leukemia in these susceptible subsets, and future therapeutic strategies using these inhibitors in acute leukemia.
Collapse
|
137
|
The rise and rise of protein degradation: Opportunities and challenges ahead. Drug Discov Today 2021; 26:2889-2897. [PMID: 34419629 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The transformational mechanism of action underpinning targeted protein degradation strategies, including proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), gives potential for potent in vivo pharmacology and has allowed projects to move rapidly to the clinic. Despite this remarkable progress, there remain many opportunities to improve current, first-generation approaches even further. Our expanding knowledge will allow discovery of new degrading mechanisms with potential to address several limitations of current approaches, including improving scope and efficiency of degradation, improving drug-like properties of degraders, and reducing potential for the emergence of acquired resistance. Here, we discuss potential routes to realize these advances to expand TPD utility even further.
Collapse
|
138
|
Powell CE, Du G, Bushman JW, He Z, Zhang T, Fischer ES, Gray NS. Selective degradation-inducing probes for studying cereblon (CRBN) biology. RSC Med Chem 2021; 12:1381-1390. [PMID: 34458741 PMCID: PMC8372211 DOI: 10.1039/d0md00382d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation represents a rapidly growing area in drug discovery and development. Moreover, small molecules that induce the targeted degradation of a given protein also represent an important addition to the chemical probes toolbox as these compounds can achieve selective protein knockdown, thus providing an approach that is orthogonal to genetic knockdowns. In order to develop degradation-inducing chemical probes for studying cereblon (CRBN) biology, we generated six CRBN-CRBN (homo-PROTAC) degraders and six CRBN-VHL (hetero-PROTAC) degraders. From these compounds we identified two potent and selective CRBN degraders (ZXH-4-130 and ZXH-4-137), both of which are CRBN-VHL compounds. We characterized these lead degraders by quantitative proteomics in five cell lines (MM1.S, Kelly, SK-N-DZ, HEK293T, and MOLT-4) and observed high selectivity for CRBN in all cell lines. Furthermore, we directly compared our compounds to current lead CRBN degraders and demonstrated how these probes can be used as chemical knockdown reagents for studying CRBN-dependent processes. Overall, our work provides a roadmap for thorough degrader characterization by combination western and proteomic analysis, as illustrated by the identification of ZXH-4-130 and ZXH-4-137 as CRBN-knockdown tool compounds suitable for cell-based studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea E Powell
- Department of Biological Chemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts 02115 USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston Massachusetts 02215 USA
| | - Guangyan Du
- Department of Biological Chemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts 02115 USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston Massachusetts 02215 USA
| | - Jonathan W Bushman
- Department of Biological Chemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts 02115 USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston Massachusetts 02215 USA
| | - Zhixiang He
- Department of Biological Chemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts 02115 USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston Massachusetts 02215 USA
| | - Tinghu Zhang
- Department of Biological Chemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts 02115 USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston Massachusetts 02215 USA
| | - Eric S Fischer
- Department of Biological Chemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts 02115 USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston Massachusetts 02215 USA
| | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Biological Chemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts 02115 USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston Massachusetts 02215 USA
| |
Collapse
|
139
|
Liu X, Zhang Y, Ward LD, Yan Q, Bohnuud T, Hernandez R, Lao S, Yuan J, Fan F. A proteomic platform to identify off-target proteins associated with therapeutic modalities that induce protein degradation or gene silencing. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15856. [PMID: 34349202 PMCID: PMC8338952 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95354-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel modalities such as PROTAC and RNAi have the ability to inadvertently alter the abundance of endogenous proteins. Currently available in vitro secondary pharmacology assays, which evaluate off-target binding or activity of small molecules, do not fully assess the off-target effects of PROTAC and are not applicable to RNAi. To address this gap, we developed a proteomics-based platform to comprehensively evaluate the abundance of off-target proteins. First, we selected off-target proteins using genetics and pharmacology evidence. This process yielded 2813 proteins, which we refer to as the “selected off-target proteome” (SOTP). An iterative algorithm was then used to identify four human cell lines out of 932. The 4 cell lines collectively expressed ~ 80% of the SOTP based on transcriptome data. Second, we used mass spectrometry to quantify the intracellular and extracellular proteins from the selected cell lines. Among over 10,000 quantifiable proteins identified, 1828 were part of the predefined SOTP. The SOTP was designed to be easily modified or expanded, owing to the rational selection process developed and the label free LC–MS/MS approach chosen. This versatility inherent to our platform is essential to design fit-for-purpose studies that can address the dynamic questions faced in investigative toxicology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Liu
- Amgen Inc., Translational Safety and Bioanalytical Sciences, 360 Binney St., Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.,Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 500 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Ye Zhang
- Amgen Inc., Translational Safety and Bioanalytical Sciences, 360 Binney St., Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.,Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 500 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Lucas D Ward
- Amgen Inc., Translational Safety and Bioanalytical Sciences, 360 Binney St., Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.,Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 300 Third St., Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Qinghong Yan
- Amgen Inc., Translational Safety and Bioanalytical Sciences, 360 Binney St., Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.,Fosun Pharma, 104 Carnegie Center Drive, Suite 204, Princeton, NJ, 08540, USA
| | - Tanggis Bohnuud
- Amgen Inc., Translational Safety and Bioanalytical Sciences, 360 Binney St., Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.,Beam Pharmaceuticals, 26 Landsdowne St., Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Rocio Hernandez
- Amgen Inc., Translational Safety and Bioanalytical Sciences, 360 Binney St., Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.,Amgen Inc., Translational Safety and Bioanalytical Sciences, 1 Amgen Center Dr., Thousand Oaks, CA, 91320, USA
| | - Socheata Lao
- Amgen Inc., Translational Safety and Bioanalytical Sciences, 360 Binney St., Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.,Amgen Inc., Translational Safety and Bioanalytical Sciences, 1120 Veteran Blvd, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Jing Yuan
- Amgen Inc., Translational Safety and Bioanalytical Sciences, 360 Binney St., Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.,Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., 1 Portland St., Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Fan Fan
- Amgen Inc., Translational Safety and Bioanalytical Sciences, 360 Binney St., Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA. .,Amgen Inc., Translational Safety and Bioanalytical Sciences, 1120 Veteran Blvd, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
140
|
Rodriguez-Rivera FP, Levi SM. Unifying Catalysis Framework to Dissect Proteasomal Degradation Paradigms. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2021; 7:1117-1125. [PMID: 34345664 PMCID: PMC8323112 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.1c00389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Diverging from traditional target inhibition, proteasomal protein degradation approaches have emerged as novel therapeutic modalities that embody distinct pharmacological profiles and can access previously undrugged targets. Small molecule degraders have the potential to catalytically destroy target proteins at substoichiometric concentrations, thus lowering administered doses and extending pharmacological effects. With this mechanistic premise, research efforts have advanced the development of small molecule degraders that benefit from stable and increased affinity ternary complexes. However, a holistic framework that evaluates different degradation modes from a catalytic perspective, including focusing on kinetically favored degradation mechanisms, is lacking. In this Outlook, we introduce the concept of an induced cooperativity spectrum as a unifying framework to mechanistically understand catalytic degradation profiles. This framework is bolstered by key examples of published molecular degraders extending from molecular glues to bivalent degraders. Critically, we discuss remaining challenges and future opportunities in drug discovery to rationally design and phenotypically screen for efficient degraders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frances P. Rodriguez-Rivera
- Discovery
Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, United States
| | - Samuel M. Levi
- Pfizer
Worldwide Research and Development, Pfizer,
Inc., 1 Portland Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| |
Collapse
|
141
|
Scholes NS, Mayor-Ruiz C, Winter GE. Identification and selectivity profiling of small-molecule degraders via multi-omics approaches. Cell Chem Biol 2021; 28:1048-1060. [PMID: 33811812 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The therapeutic modality of targeted protein degradation promises to overcome limitations of traditional pharmacology. Small-molecule degraders recruit disease-causing proteins to E3 ubiquitin ligases, prompting their ubiquitination and degradation by the proteasome. The discovery, mechanistic elucidation, and selectivity profiling of novel degraders are often conducted in cellular systems. This highlights the need for unbiased multi-omics strategies that inform on the functionally involved components. Here, we review how proteomics and functional genomics can be integrated to identify and mechanistically understand degraders, their target selectivity as well as putative resistance mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalie S Scholes
- CeMM - Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Cristina Mayor-Ruiz
- CeMM - Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria; IRB Barcelona - Institute for Research in Biomedicine, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Georg E Winter
- CeMM - Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
142
|
Tomoshige S, Ishikawa M. In vivo synthetic chemistry of proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs). Bioorg Med Chem 2021; 41:116221. [PMID: 34034148 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2021.116221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Chemical knockdown of therapeutic targets using proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) is a rapidly developing field in drug discovery, but PROTACs are bifunctional molecules that generally show poor bioavailability due to their relatively high molecular weight. Recent developments aimed at the development of next-generation PROTACs include the in vivo synthesis of PROTAC molecules, and the exploitation of PROTACs as chemical tools for in vivo synthesis of ubiquitinated proteins. This short review covers recent advances in these areas and discusses the prospects for in vivo synthetic PROTAC technology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shusuke Tomoshige
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan.
| | - Minoru Ishikawa
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
143
|
Ren C, Sun N, Liu H, Kong Y, Sun R, Qiu X, Chen J, Li Y, Zhang J, Zhou Y, Zhong H, Yin Q, Song X, Yang X, Jiang B. Discovery of a Brigatinib Degrader SIAIS164018 with Destroying Metastasis-Related Oncoproteins and a Reshuffling Kinome Profile. J Med Chem 2021; 64:9152-9165. [PMID: 34138566 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) is an attractive technology in drug discovery. Canonically, targets act as a basic starting point in the most previous PROTAC design. Here, we designed degraders considering from the view of clinical benefits. With this novel design, Brigatinib was turned into a degrader SIAIS164018 and endowed with unique features. First, SIAIS164018 could degrade not only ALK fusion proteins in activating or G1202R-mutated form but also mutant EGFR with L858R + T790M, which are two most important targets in non-small-cell lung cancer. Second, SIAIS164018 strongly inhibited cell migration and invasion of Calu-1 and MDA-MB-231. Third and surprisingly, SIAIS164018 degrades several important oncoproteins involved in metastasis such as FAK, PYK2, and PTK6. Interestingly, SIAIS164018 reshuffled the kinome ranking profile when compared to Brigatinib. Finally, SIAIS164018 is orally bioavailable and well tolerated in vivo. SIAIS164018 is an enlightening degrader for us to excavate the charm of protein degradation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chaowei Ren
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ning Sun
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.,Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Haixia Liu
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.,School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ying Kong
- Jing Medicine Technology (Shanghai), Ltd., Y Building, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Renhong Sun
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.,Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Xing Qiu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry of Natural Substances, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jinju Chen
- Jing Medicine Technology (Shanghai), Ltd., Y Building, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yan Li
- Jing Medicine Technology (Shanghai), Ltd., Y Building, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Jianshui Zhang
- Jing Medicine Technology (Shanghai), Ltd., Y Building, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yuedong Zhou
- Jing Medicine Technology (Shanghai), Ltd., Y Building, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Hui Zhong
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.,School of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Life Science, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213164, China
| | - Qianqian Yin
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Xiaoling Song
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Xiaobao Yang
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Biao Jiang
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.,School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry of Natural Substances, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| |
Collapse
|
144
|
Wang ES, Verano AL, Nowak RP, Yuan JC, Donovan KA, Eleuteri NA, Yue H, Ngo KH, Lizotte PH, Gokhale PC, Gray NS, Fischer ES. Acute pharmacological degradation of Helios destabilizes regulatory T cells. Nat Chem Biol 2021; 17:711-717. [PMID: 34035522 PMCID: PMC8162940 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-021-00802-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The zinc-finger transcription factor Helios is critical for maintaining the identity, anergic phenotype and suppressive activity of regulatory T (Treg) cells. While it is an attractive target to enhance the efficacy of currently approved immunotherapies, no existing approaches can directly modulate Helios activity or abundance. Here, we report the structure-guided development of small molecules that recruit the E3 ubiquitin ligase substrate receptor cereblon to Helios, thereby promoting its degradation. Pharmacological Helios degradation destabilized the anergic phenotype and reduced the suppressive activity of Treg cells, establishing a route towards Helios-targeting therapeutics. More generally, this study provides a framework for the development of small-molecule degraders for previously unligandable targets by reprogramming E3 ligase substrate specificity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eric S. Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Alyssa L. Verano
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Radosław P. Nowak
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - J. Christine Yuan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Katherine A. Donovan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | | | - Hong Yue
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Kenneth H. Ngo
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Patrick H. Lizotte
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Prafulla C. Gokhale
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Nathanael S. Gray
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.,Correspondence to: Nathanael S. Gray (); Eric S. Fischer ()
| | - Eric S. Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.,Correspondence to: Nathanael S. Gray (); Eric S. Fischer ()
| |
Collapse
|
145
|
Naso FD, Boi D, Ascanelli C, Pamfil G, Lindon C, Paiardini A, Guarguaglini G. Nuclear localisation of Aurora-A: its regulation and significance for Aurora-A functions in cancer. Oncogene 2021; 40:3917-3928. [PMID: 33981003 PMCID: PMC8195736 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01766-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The Aurora-A kinase regulates cell division, by controlling centrosome biology and spindle assembly. Cancer cells often display elevated levels of the kinase, due to amplification of the gene locus, increased transcription or post-translational modifications. Several inhibitors of Aurora-A activity have been developed as anti-cancer agents and are under evaluation in clinical trials. Although the well-known mitotic roles of Aurora-A point at chromosomal instability, a hallmark of cancer, as a major link between Aurora-A overexpression and disease, recent evidence highlights the existence of non-mitotic functions of potential relevance. Here we focus on a nuclear-localised fraction of Aurora-A with oncogenic roles. Interestingly, this pool would identify not only non-mitotic, but also kinase-independent functions of the kinase. We review existing data in the literature and databases, examining potential links between Aurora-A stabilisation and localisation, and discuss them in the perspective of a more effective targeting of Aurora-A in cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Davide Naso
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council of Italy, c/o Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Dalila Boi
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Georgiana Pamfil
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council of Italy, c/o Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Catherine Lindon
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | | | - Giulia Guarguaglini
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council of Italy, c/o Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
146
|
Henley MJ, Koehler AN. Advances in targeting 'undruggable' transcription factors with small molecules. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2021; 20:669-688. [PMID: 34006959 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-021-00199-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) represent key biological players in diseases including cancer, autoimmunity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. However, outside nuclear receptors, TFs have traditionally been considered 'undruggable' by small-molecule ligands due to significant structural disorder and lack of defined small-molecule binding pockets. Renewed interest in the field has been ignited by significant progress in chemical biology approaches to ligand discovery and optimization, especially the advent of targeted protein degradation approaches, along with increasing appreciation of the critical role a limited number of collaborators play in the regulation of key TF effector genes. Here, we review current understanding of TF-mediated gene regulation, discuss successful targeting strategies and highlight ongoing challenges and emerging approaches to address them.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Henley
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA. .,The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA. .,Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Angela N Koehler
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA. .,The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA. .,Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
147
|
Kozicka Z, Thomä NH. Haven't got a glue: Protein surface variation for the design of molecular glue degraders. Cell Chem Biol 2021; 28:1032-1047. [PMID: 33930325 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Molecular glue degraders are small, drug-like compounds that induce interactions between an E3 ubiquitin ligase and a target, which result in ubiquitination and subsequent degradation of the recruited protein. In recent years, serendipitous discoveries revealed that some preclinical and clinical compounds already work as molecular glue degraders, with many more postulated to destabilize their targets through indirect or yet unresolved mechanisms. Here we review strategies by which E3 ubiquitin ligases can be reprogrammed by monovalent degraders, with a focus on molecular glues hijacking cullin-RING ubiquitin ligases. We argue that such drugs exploit the intrinsic property of proteins to form higher-order assemblies, a phenomenon previously seen with disease-causing sequence variations. Modifications of the protein surface by a bound small molecule can change the interactome of the target protein. By inducing interactions between a ligase and a substrate, molecular glue degraders offer an exciting path for the development of novel therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zuzanna Kozicka
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | |
Collapse
|
148
|
Hughes GR, Dudey AP, Hemmings AM, Chantry A. Frontiers in PROTACs. Drug Discov Today 2021; 26:2377-2383. [PMID: 33872800 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Targeting protein-protein interactions (PPI) is a key focus in the development of new and emerging small-molecule therapeutics. Shallow interacting surfaces can render PPI targeting notoriously difficult. This leaves many therapeutically captivating targets 'undruggable'. Despite these challenges, there has been extraordinary progress circumventing this issue by hijacking the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) to target selected substrates for destruction using target-based degradation (TBD) strategies, including bifunctional molecules known as proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs). In this review, we discuss some of the most recent innovative concepts emerging from PROTAC research and related technologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gregory R Hughes
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK; Department of Chemistry, King's College London, SE1 1DB, UK
| | - Ashley P Dudey
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Andrew M Hemmings
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK; School of Chemistry, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Andrew Chantry
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
149
|
Fischer PD, Papadopoulos E, Dempersmier JM, Wang ZF, Nowak RP, Donovan KA, Kalabathula J, Gorgulla C, Junghanns PPM, Kabha E, Dimitrakakis N, Petrov OI, Mitsiades C, Ducho C, Gelev V, Fischer ES, Wagner G, Arthanari H. A biphenyl inhibitor of eIF4E targeting an internal binding site enables the design of cell-permeable PROTAC-degraders. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 219:113435. [PMID: 33892272 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) is the master regulator of cap-dependent protein synthesis. Overexpression of eIF4E is implicated in diseases such as cancer, where dysregulation of oncogenic protein translation is frequently observed. eIF4E has been an attractive target for cancer treatment. Here we report a high-resolution X-ray crystal structure of eIF4E in complex with a novel inhibitor (i4EG-BiP) that targets an internal binding site, in contrast to the previously described inhibitor, 4EGI-1, which binds to the surface. We demonstrate that i4EG-BiP is able to displace the scaffold protein eIF4G and inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells. We provide insights into how i4EG-BiP is able to inhibit cap-dependent translation by increasing the eIF4E-4E-BP1 interaction while diminishing the interaction of eIF4E with eIF4G. Leveraging structural details, we designed proteolysis targeted chimeras (PROTACs) derived from 4EGI-1 and i4EG-BiP and characterized these on biochemical and cellular levels. We were able to design PROTACs capable of binding eIF4E and successfully engaging Cereblon, which targets proteins for proteolysis. However, these initial PROTACs did not successfully stimulate degradation of eIF4E, possibly due to competitive effects from 4E-BP1 binding. Our results highlight challenges of targeted proteasomal degradation of eIF4E that must be addressed by future efforts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick D Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, 66123, Germany
| | - Evangelos Papadopoulos
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
| | - Jon M Dempersmier
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Zi-Fu Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Radosław P Nowak
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Katherine A Donovan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Joann Kalabathula
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Christoph Gorgulla
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Pierre P M Junghanns
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, 66123, Germany
| | - Eihab Kabha
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Nikolaos Dimitrakakis
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Ognyan I Petrov
- Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Sofia University, 1 James Bourchier Blvd., 1164, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | | | - Christian Ducho
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, 66123, Germany
| | - Vladimir Gelev
- Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Sofia University, 1 James Bourchier Blvd., 1164, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Eric S Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Gerhard Wagner
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Haribabu Arthanari
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
150
|
Spradlin JN, Zhang E, Nomura DK. Reimagining Druggability Using Chemoproteomic Platforms. Acc Chem Res 2021; 54:1801-1813. [PMID: 33733731 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.1c00065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
One of the biggest bottlenecks in modern drug discovery efforts is in tackling the undruggable proteome. Currently, over 85% of the proteome is still considered undruggable because most proteins lack well-defined binding pockets that can be functionally targeted with small molecules. Tackling the undruggable proteome necessitates innovative approaches for ligand discovery against undruggable proteins as well as the development of new therapeutic modalities to functionally manipulate proteins of interest. Chemoproteomic platforms, in particular activity-based protein profiling (ABPP), have arisen to tackle the undruggable proteome by using reactivity-based chemical probes and advanced quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomic approaches to enable the discovery of "ligandable hotspots" or proteome-wide sites that can be targeted with small-molecule ligands. These sites can subsequently be pharmacologically targeted with covalent ligands to rapidly discover functional or nonfunctional binders against therapeutic proteins of interest. Chemoproteomic approaches have also revealed unique insights into ligandability such as the discovery of unique allosteric sites or intrinsically disordered regions of proteins that can be pharmacologically and selectively targeted for biological modulation and therapeutic benefit. Chemoproteomic platforms have also expanded the scope of emerging therapeutic modalities for targeted protein degradation and proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) through the discovery of several new covalent E3 ligase recruiters. Looking into the future, chemoproteomic approaches will unquestionably have a major impact in further expansion of existing efforts toward proteome-wide ligandability mapping, targeted ligand discovery efforts against high-value undruggable therapeutic targets, further expansion of the scope of targeted protein degradation platforms, the discovery of new molecular glue scaffolds that enable unique modulation of protein function, and perhaps most excitingly the development of next-generation small-molecule induced-proximity-based therapeutic modalities that go beyond degradation. Exciting days lie ahead in this field as chemical biology becomes an increasingly major driver in drug discovery, and chemoproteomic approaches are sure to be a mainstay in developing next-generation therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica N. Spradlin
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Novartis-Berkeley Center for Proteomics and Chemistry Technologies, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Erika Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Novartis-Berkeley Center for Proteomics and Chemistry Technologies, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Daniel K. Nomura
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Novartis-Berkeley Center for Proteomics and Chemistry Technologies, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Departments of Molecular and Cell Biology and Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| |
Collapse
|