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Lehmann T, Schneider H, Tonillo J, Schanz J, Schwarz D, Schröter C, Jäger S, Kolmar H, Hecht S, Anderl J, Rasche N, Rieker M, Dickgiesser S. Welding PROxAb Shuttles: A Modular Approach for Generating Bispecific Antibodies via Site-Specific Protein-Protein Conjugation. Bioconjug Chem 2024; 35:780-789. [PMID: 38809610 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.4c00124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation is an innovative therapeutic strategy to selectively eliminate disease-causing proteins. Exemplified by proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), they have shown promise in overcoming drug resistance and targeting previously undruggable proteins. However, PROTACs face challenges, such as low oral bioavailability and limited selectivity. The recently published PROxAb Shuttle technology offers a solution enabling the targeted delivery of PROTACs using antibodies fused with PROTAC-binding domains derived from camelid single-domain antibodies (VHHs). Here, a modular approach to quickly generate PROxAb Shuttles by enzymatically coupling PROTAC-binding VHHs to off-the-shelf antibodies was developed. The resulting conjugates retained their target binding and internalization properties, and incubation with BRD4-targeting PROTACs resulted in formation of defined PROxAb-PROTAC complexes. These complexes selectively induced degradation of the BRD4 protein, resulting in cytotoxicity specifically to cells expressing the antibody's target. The chemoenzymatic approach described herein provides a versatile and efficient solution for generating antibody-VHH conjugates for targeted protein degradation applications, but it could also be used to combine antibodies and VHH binders to generate bispecific antibodies for further applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Lehmann
- Clemens-Schöpf-Institut für Organische Chemie und Biochemie, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
- ADCs & Targeted NBE Therapeutics, Merck KGaA, 64293 Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Hendrik Schneider
- ADCs & Targeted NBE Therapeutics, Merck KGaA, 64293 Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Jason Tonillo
- ADCs & Targeted NBE Therapeutics, Merck KGaA, 64293 Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Jennifer Schanz
- ADCs & Targeted NBE Therapeutics, Merck KGaA, 64293 Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Daniel Schwarz
- Discovery Pharmacology, Merck KGaA, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | - Sebastian Jäger
- ADCs & Targeted NBE Therapeutics, Merck KGaA, 64293 Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Harald Kolmar
- Clemens-Schöpf-Institut für Organische Chemie und Biochemie, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Stefan Hecht
- ADCs & Targeted NBE Therapeutics, Merck KGaA, 64293 Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Jan Anderl
- ADCs & Targeted NBE Therapeutics, Merck KGaA, 64293 Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Nicolas Rasche
- ADCs & Targeted NBE Therapeutics, Merck KGaA, 64293 Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Marcel Rieker
- ADCs & Targeted NBE Therapeutics, Merck KGaA, 64293 Darmstadt , Germany
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Esmaeili Y, Dabiri A, Mashayekhi F, Rahimmanesh I, Bidram E, Karbasi S, Rafienia M, Javanmard SH, Ertas YN, Zarrabi A, Shariati L. Smart co-delivery of plasmid DNA and doxorubicin using MCM-chitosan-PEG polymerization functionalized with MUC-1 aptamer against breast cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 173:116465. [PMID: 38507955 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
This study introduces an innovative co-delivery approach using the MCM-co-polymerized nanosystem, integrating chitosan and polyethylene glycol, and targeted by the MUC-1 aptamer (MCM@CS@PEG-APT). This system enables simultaneous delivery of the GFP plasmid and doxorubicin (DOX). The synthesis of the nanosystem was thoroughly characterized at each step, including FTIR, XRD, BET, DLS, FE-SEM, and HRTEM analyses. The impact of individual polymers (chitosan and PEG) on payload retardation was compared to the co-polymerized MCM@CS@PEG conjugation. Furthermore, the DOX release mechanism was investigated using various kinetic models. The nanosystem's potential for delivering GFP plasmid and DOX separately and simultaneously was assessed through fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. The co-polymerized nanosystem exhibited superior payload entrapment (1:100 ratio of Plasmid:NPs) compared to separately polymer-coated counterparts (1:640 ratio of Plasmid:NPs). Besides, the presence of pH-sensitive chitosan creates a smart nanosystem for efficient DOX and GFP plasmid delivery into tumor cells, along with a Higuchi model pattern for drug release. Toxicity assessments against breast tumor cells also indicated reduced off-target effects compared to pure DOX, introducing it as a promising candidate for targeted cancer therapy. Cellular uptake findings demonstrated the nanosystem's ability to deliver GFP plasmid and DOX separately into MCF-7 cells, with rates of 32% and 98%, respectively. Flow cytometry results confirmed efficient co-delivery, with 42.7% of cells showing the presence of both GFP-plasmid and DOX, while 52.2% exclusively contained DOX. Overall, our study explores the co-delivery potential of the MCM@CS@PEG-APT nanosystem in breast cancer therapy. This system's ability to co-deliver multiple agents preciselyopens new avenues for targeted therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasaman Esmaeili
- Biosensor Research Center (BRC), Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Arezou Dabiri
- Applied Physiology Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Hezarjerib Ave, Isfahan 8174673461, Iran
| | - Fariba Mashayekhi
- Department of Biomaterials, Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - Ilnaz Rahimmanesh
- Applied Physiology Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Hezarjerib Ave, Isfahan 8174673461, Iran
| | - Elham Bidram
- Biosensor Research Center (BRC), Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; Department of Biomaterials, Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - Saeed Karbasi
- Department of Biomaterials, Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - Mohammad Rafienia
- Biosensor Research Center (BRC), Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Shaghayegh Haghjooy Javanmard
- Applied Physiology Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Hezarjerib Ave, Isfahan 8174673461, Iran
| | - Yavuz Nuri Ertas
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38039, Turkiye; ERNAM─Nanotechnology Research and Application Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38039, Turkiye; UNAM-National Nanotechnology Research Center, Bilkent University, Ankara 06800, Turkiye
| | - Ali Zarrabi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Istinye University, Sariyer, Istanbul 34396, Turkey
| | - Laleh Shariati
- Applied Physiology Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Hezarjerib Ave, Isfahan 8174673461, Iran; Department of Biomaterials, Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
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Setia N, Almuqdadi HTA, Abid M. Journey of Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) E3 ligase in PROTACs design: From VHL ligands to VHL-based degraders. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 265:116041. [PMID: 38199162 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
The scientific community has shown considerable interest in proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) in the last decade, indicating their remarkable potential as a means of achieving targeted protein degradation (TPD). Not only are PROTACs seen as valuable tools in molecular biology but their emergence as a modality for drug discovery has also garnered significant attention. PROTACs bind to E3 ligases and target proteins through respective ligands connected via a linker to induce proteasome-mediated protein degradation. The discovery of small molecule ligands for E3 ligases has led to the prevalent use of various E3 ligases in PROTAC design. Furthermore, the incorporation of different types of linkers has proven beneficial in enhancing the efficacy of PROTACs. By far more than 3300 PROTACs have been reported in the literature. Notably, Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL)-based PROTACs have surfaced as a propitious strategy for targeting proteins, even encompassing those that were previously considered non-druggable. VHL is extensively utilized as an E3 ligase in the advancement of PROTACs owing to its widespread expression in various tissues and well-documented binders. Here, we review the discovery of VHL ligands, the types of linkers employed to develop VHL-based PROTACs, and their subsequent modulation to design advanced non-conventional degraders to target various disease-causing proteins. Furthermore, we provide an overview of other E3 ligases recruited in the field of PROTAC technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Setia
- Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | | | - Mohammad Abid
- Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, 110025, India.
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Sincere NI, Anand K, Ashique S, Yang J, You C. PROTACs: Emerging Targeted Protein Degradation Approaches for Advanced Druggable Strategies. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28104014. [PMID: 37241755 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28104014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
A potential therapeutic strategy to treat conditions brought on by the aberrant production of a disease-causing protein is emerging for targeted protein breakdown using the PROTACs technology. Few medications now in use are tiny, component-based and utilize occupancy-driven pharmacology (MOA), which inhibits protein function for a short period of time to temporarily alter it. By utilizing an event-driven MOA, the proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) technology introduces a revolutionary tactic. Small-molecule-based heterobifunctional PROTACs hijack the ubiquitin-proteasome system to trigger the degradation of the target protein. The main challenge PROTAC's development facing now is to find potent, tissue- and cell-specific PROTAC compounds with favorable drug-likeness and standard safety measures. The ways to increase the efficacy and selectivity of PROTACs are the main focus of this review. In this review, we have highlighted the most important discoveries related to the degradation of proteins by PROTACs, new targeted approaches to boost proteolysis' effectiveness and development, and promising future directions in medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuwayo Ishimwe Sincere
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Krishnan Anand
- Department of Chemical Pathology, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
| | - Sumel Ashique
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Bharat Institute of Technology (BIT), School of Pharmacy, Meerut 250103, India
| | - Jing Yang
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Chongge You
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
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Sobhia ME, Kumar H, Kumari S. Bifunctional robots inducing targeted protein degradation. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 255:115384. [PMID: 37119667 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
The gaining importance of Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD) and PROTACs (PROteolysis-TArgeting Chimeras) have drawn the scientific community's attention. PROTACs are considered bifunctional robots owing to their avidity for the protein of interest (POI) and E3-ligase, which induce the ubiquitination of POI. These molecules are based on event-driven pharmacology and are applicable in different conditions such as oncology, antiviral, neurodegenerative disease, acne etc., offering tremendous scope to researchers. In this review, primarily, we attempted to compile the recent works available in the literature on PROTACs for various targeted proteins. We summarized the design and development strategies with a focus on molecular information of protein residues and linker design. Rationalization of the ternary complex formation using Artificial Intelligence including machine & deep learning models and traditionally followed computational tools are also included in this study. Moreover, details describing the optimization of PROTACs chemistry and pharmacokinetic properties are added. Advanced PROTAC designs and targeting complex proteins, is summed up to cover the wide spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Elizabeth Sobhia
- Department of Pharmacoinformatics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sector - 67, S. A. S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 160062, India.
| | - Harish Kumar
- Department of Pharmacoinformatics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sector - 67, S. A. S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 160062, India
| | - Sonia Kumari
- Department of Pharmacoinformatics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sector - 67, S. A. S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 160062, India
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Xie T, Qin H, Yuan Z, Zhang Y, Li X, Zheng L. Emerging Roles of RNF168 in Tumor Progression. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28031417. [PMID: 36771081 PMCID: PMC9920519 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28031417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
RING finger protein 168 (RNF168) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase with the RING finger domain. It is an important protein contributing to the DNA double-strand damage repair pathway. Recent studies have found that RNF168 is significantly implicated in the occurrence and development of various cancers. Additionally, RNF168 contributes to the drug resistance of tumor cells by enhancing their DNA repair ability or regulating the degradation of target proteins. This paper summarizes and prospects the research progress of the structure and main functions of RNF168, especially its roles and the underlying mechanisms in tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyuan Xie
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Road, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Hai Qin
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Guizhou Provincial Orthopedic Hospital, No. 206, Sixian Street, Baiyun District, Guiyang 550007, China
| | - Zhengdong Yuan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Road, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yiwen Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Road, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Xiaoman Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Correspondence: (X.L.); (L.Z.)
| | - Lufeng Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Road, Nanjing 211198, China
- Correspondence: (X.L.); (L.Z.)
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Zhang C, He S, Zeng Z, Cheng P, Pu K. Smart Nano‐PROTACs Reprogram Tumor Microenvironment for Activatable Photo‐metabolic Cancer Immunotherapy. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202114957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chi Zhang
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Nanyang Technological University 70 Nanyang Drive 637457 Singapore Singapore
| | - Shasha He
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Nanyang Technological University 70 Nanyang Drive 637457 Singapore Singapore
| | - Ziling Zeng
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Nanyang Technological University 70 Nanyang Drive 637457 Singapore Singapore
| | - Penghui Cheng
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Nanyang Technological University 70 Nanyang Drive 637457 Singapore Singapore
| | - Kanyi Pu
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Nanyang Technological University 70 Nanyang Drive 637457 Singapore Singapore
- School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Nanyang Technological University 21 Nanyang Link 637371 Singapore Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine Nanyang Technological University 59 Nanyang Drive 636921 Singapore Singapore
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Zhang C, He S, Zeng Z, Cheng P, Pu K. Smart Nano-PROTACs Reprogram Tumor Microenvironment for Activatable Photo-metabolic Cancer Immunotherapy. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 61:e202114957. [PMID: 34927316 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202114957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Protease inhibitors can modulate intratumoral metabolic processes to reprogram the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), which however suffer from the limited efficacy and off-targeted side effects. We report smart nano-proteolysis targeting chimeras (nano-PROTACs) with phototherapeutic ablation and cancer-specific protein degradation to reprogram the TME for photo-metabolic cancer immunotherapy. This nano-PROTAC has a semiconducting polymer backbone linked with a cyclooxygenase 1/2 (COX-1/2)-targeting PROTAC peptide (CPP) via a cathepsin B (CatB)-cleavable segment. CPP can be activated by the tumor-overexpressed CatB to induce the degradation of COX-1/2 via the ubiquitin-proteasome system. The persistent degradation of COX-1/2 depletes their metabolite prostaglandin E2 which is responsible for activation of immune suppressor cells. Such a smart PROTAC strategy synergized with phototherapy specifically reprograms the immunosuppressive TME and reinvigorates antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Zhang
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 70 Nanyang Drive, 637457, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shasha He
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 70 Nanyang Drive, 637457, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ziling Zeng
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 70 Nanyang Drive, 637457, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Penghui Cheng
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 70 Nanyang Drive, 637457, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kanyi Pu
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 70 Nanyang Drive, 637457, Singapore, Singapore.,School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, 637371, Singapore, Singapore.,Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, 59 Nanyang Drive, 636921, Singapore, Singapore
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