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Yang J, Wang QL, Wang GN, Ye JC, Li ZQ, Wang JY, Liang ZH, Li SX, Sun C, Liao WT, Gao YJ, Wang J, Mao Y, Yu C, Feng GK, Zeng MS. A pan-KRAS degrader for the treatment of KRAS-mutant cancers. Cell Discov 2024; 10:70. [PMID: 38937452 PMCID: PMC11211324 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-024-00699-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
KRAS mutations are highly prevalent in a wide range of lethal cancers, and these mutant forms of KRAS play a crucial role in driving cancer progression and conferring resistance to treatment. While there have been advancements in the development of small molecules to target specific KRAS mutants, the presence of undruggable mutants and the emergence of secondary mutations continue to pose challenges in the clinical treatment of KRAS-mutant cancers. In this study, we developed a novel molecular tool called tumor-targeting KRAS degrader (TKD) that effectively targets a wide range of KRAS mutants. TKD is composed of a KRAS-binding nanobody, a cell-penetrating peptide selectively targeting cancer cells, and a lysosome-binding motif. Our data revealed that TKD selectively binds to KRAS in cancer cells and effectively induces KRAS degradation via a lysosome-dependent process. Functionally, TKD suppresses tumor growth with no obvious side effects and enhances the antitumor effects of PD-1 antibody and cetuximab. This study not only provides a strategy for developing drugs targeting "undruggable" proteins but also reveals that TKD is a promising therapeutic for treating KRAS-mutant cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Qiao-Li Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Guan-Nan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jia-Cong Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zi-Qian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing-Yun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhao-Hui Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shu-Xin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Cong Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wen-Ting Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yi-Jun Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yong Mao
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chunjing Yu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Guo-Kai Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Mu-Sheng Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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Kunishige R, Murata M, Kano F. Targeted protein degradation by Trim-Away using cell resealing coupled with microscopic image-based quantitative analysis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1027043. [PMID: 36601537 PMCID: PMC9806799 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1027043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
"Trim-Away" technology enables rapid degradation of endogenous proteins without prior modification of protein-coding genes or mRNAs through delivery of antibodies that target proteins of interest. Although this approach can be readily applied to almost any cytosolic protein, strategies for cytosolic antibody delivery have been limited to microinjection or electroporation, which require skill-dependent operation or specialized equipment. Thus, the development of antibody delivery methods that are convenient, scalable, and preferably do not require detachment of adherent cells is required to extend the versatility of the Trim-Away method. Here, we developed a cell resealing technique optimized for Trim-Away degradation, which uses the pore-forming toxin streptolysin O (SLO) to permeabilize the cell membrane and delivered the antibodies of interest into HEK293T, HeLa, and HK-2 cell lines. We demonstrated the ability of Trim-Away protein degradation using IKKα and mTOR as targets, and we showed the availability of the developed system in antibody screening for the Trim-Away method. Furthermore, we effectively coupled Trim-Away with cyclic immunofluorescence and microscopic image-based analysis, which enables single-cell multiplexed imaging analysis. Taking advantage of this new analysis strategy, we were able to compensate for low signal-to-noise due to cell-to-cell variation, which occurs in the Trim-Away method because of the heterogenous contents of the introduced antibody, target protein, and TRIM21 in individual cells. Therefore, the reported cell resealing technique coupled with microscopic image analysis enables Trim-Away users to elucidate target protein function and the effects of target protein degradation on various cellular functions in a more quantitative and precise manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rina Kunishige
- Cell Biology Center, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan,Multimodal Cell Analysis Collaborative Research Cluster, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Masayuki Murata
- Cell Biology Center, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan,Multimodal Cell Analysis Collaborative Research Cluster, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan,International Research Center for Neurointelligence, Institutes for Advanced Study, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Fumi Kano
- Cell Biology Center, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan,Multimodal Cell Analysis Collaborative Research Cluster, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan,*Correspondence: Fumi Kano,
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Li H, Dong J, Cai M, Xu Z, Cheng XD, Qin JJ. Protein degradation technology: a strategic paradigm shift in drug discovery. J Hematol Oncol 2021; 14:138. [PMID: 34488823 PMCID: PMC8419833 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-021-01146-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeting pathogenic proteins with small-molecule inhibitors (SMIs) has become a widely used strategy for treating malignant tumors. However, most intracellular proteins have been proven to be undruggable due to a lack of active sites, leading to a significant challenge in the design and development of SMIs. In recent years, the proteolysis-targeting chimeric technology and related emerging degradation technologies have provided additional approaches for targeting these undruggable proteins. These degradation technologies show a tendency of superiority over SMIs, including the rapid and continuous target consumption as well as the stronger pharmacological effects, being a hot topic in current research. This review mainly focuses on summarizing the development of protein degradation technologies in recent years. Their advantages, potential applications, and limitations are also discussed. We hope this review would shed light on the design, discovery, and clinical application of drugs associated with these degradation technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haobin Li
- Zhejiang Provincial Research Center for Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, 310022 Zhejiang China
- Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310018 Zhejiang China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053 China
| | - Jinyun Dong
- Zhejiang Provincial Research Center for Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, 310022 Zhejiang China
- Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310018 Zhejiang China
| | - Maohua Cai
- Zhejiang Provincial Research Center for Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, 310022 Zhejiang China
- Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310018 Zhejiang China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053 China
| | - Zhiyuan Xu
- Zhejiang Provincial Research Center for Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, 310022 Zhejiang China
- Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310018 Zhejiang China
| | - Xiang-Dong Cheng
- Zhejiang Provincial Research Center for Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, 310022 Zhejiang China
- Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310018 Zhejiang China
| | - Jiang-Jiang Qin
- Zhejiang Provincial Research Center for Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, 310022 Zhejiang China
- Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310018 Zhejiang China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053 China
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