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Chang X, Qu F, Li C, Zhang J, Zhang Y, Xie Y, Fan Z, Bian J, Wang J, Li Z, Xu X. Development and therapeutic potential of GSPT1 molecular glue degraders: A medicinal chemistry perspective. Med Res Rev 2024; 44:1727-1767. [PMID: 38314926 DOI: 10.1002/med.22024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Unprecedented therapeutic targeting of previously undruggable proteins has now been achieved by molecular-glue-mediated proximity-induced degradation. As a small GTPase, G1 to S phase transition 1 (GSPT1) interacts with eRF1, the translation termination factor, to facilitate the process of translation termination. Studied demonstrated that GSPT1 plays a vital role in the acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and MYC-driven lung cancer. Thus, molecular glue (MG) degraders targeting GSPT1 is a novel and promising approach for treating AML and MYC-driven cancers. In this Perspective, we briefly summarize the structural and functional aspects of GSPT1, highlighting the latest advances and challenges in MG degraders, as well as some representative patents. The structure-activity relationships, mechanism of action and pharmacokinetic features of MG degraders are emphasized to provide a comprehensive compendium on the rational design of GSPT1 MG degraders. We hope to provide an updated overview, and design guide for strategies targeting GSPT1 for the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiujin Chang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fangui Qu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chunxiao Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingtian Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanqing Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuanyuan Xie
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhongpeng Fan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jinlei Bian
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jubo Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhiyu Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xi Xu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
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Chen Y, Xue H, Jin J. Applications of protein ubiquitylation and deubiquitylation in drug discovery. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107264. [PMID: 38582446 PMCID: PMC11087986 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107264] [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: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitin (Ub)-proteasome system (UPS) is the major machinery mediating specific protein turnover in eukaryotic cells. By ubiquitylating unwanted, damaged, or harmful proteins and driving their degradation, UPS is involved in many important cellular processes. Several new UPS-based technologies, including molecular glue degraders and PROTACs (proteolysis-targeting chimeras) to promote protein degradation, and DUBTACs (deubiquitinase-targeting chimeras) to increase protein stability, have been developed. By specifically inducing the interactions between different Ub ligases and targeted proteins that are not otherwise related, molecular glue degraders and PROTACs degrade targeted proteins via the UPS; in contrast, by inducing the proximity of targeted proteins to deubiquitinases, DUBTACs are created to clear degradable poly-Ub chains to stabilize targeted proteins. In this review, we summarize the recent research progress in molecular glue degraders, PROTACs, and DUBTACs and their applications. We discuss immunomodulatory drugs, sulfonamides, cyclin-dependent kinase-targeting molecular glue degraders, and new development of PROTACs. We also introduce the principle of DUBTAC and its applications. Finally, we propose a few future directions of these three technologies related to targeted protein homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilin Chen
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haoan Xue
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Center for Life Sciences, Shaoxing Institute, Zhejiang University, Shaoxing, China
| | - Jianping Jin
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Center for Life Sciences, Shaoxing Institute, Zhejiang University, Shaoxing, China; Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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Zhang D, Lin P, Lin J. Molecular glues targeting GSPT1 in cancers: A potent therapy. Bioorg Chem 2024; 143:107000. [PMID: 38029571 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.107000] [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: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
G1 to S phase transition 1 (GSPT1) is a key translation termination factor that significantly overexpressed in various cancer tissues and cells. Molecular glue is a kind of small molecule, which can bind to an E3 ligase such as cereblon (CRBN) and subsequently recruit neosubstrate proteins for ubiquitination-proteasomal degradation. This emerging therapeutic approach shows great potential in treating cancers and other diseases. This review aims to introduce current understanding of antitumor mechanism of molecular glues targeting GSPT1, summarize pharmacology profiles of existing molecular glues, and outline development strategies of novel molecular glues. The insights provided in this review will be valuable for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Zhang
- School of Life sciences and Health Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Pei Lin
- School of Life sciences and Health Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Jun Lin
- School of Life sciences and Health Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China.
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Wei Y, Xu X, Jiang M, Wang Y, Zhou Y, Wang Z, Zhang Z, Zhou F, Ding K. Discovery of new Lenalidomide derivatives as potent and selective GSPT1 degraders. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 258:115580. [PMID: 37418973 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
G1 to S phase transition 1 (GSPT1) is the requisite release factor for the translation termination. GSPT1 is identified as an oncogenic driver of several types of cancer and considered to be a promising cancer therapeutic target. Although two selective GSPT1 degraders were advanced into clinical trials, neither of them has been approved for clinical use. Here we developed a series of new selective GSPT1 degraders, among which the optimal compound 9q potently induced degradation of GSPT1 with a DC50 of 35 nM in U937 cells, and showed good selectivity in the global proteomic profiling study. Mechanism studies revealed that compound 9q induced GSPT1 degradation through the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Consistent with its potent GSPT1 degradation activity, compound 9q displayed good antiproliferative activities against U937 cells, MOLT-4 cells, and MV4-11 cells, with IC50 values of 0.019 μM, 0.006 μM, and 0.027 μM, respectively. Compound 9q also dose-dependently induced G0/G1 phase arrest and apoptosis in U937 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiying Wei
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development, Ministry of Education (MoE) of the People's Republic of China, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Xinxin Xu
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development, Ministry of Education (MoE) of the People's Republic of China, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Minchuan Jiang
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development, Ministry of Education (MoE) of the People's Republic of China, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yongxing Wang
- Livzon Research Institute, Livzon Pharmaceutical Group Inc., Zhuhai, 519000, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development, Ministry of Education (MoE) of the People's Republic of China, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development, Ministry of Education (MoE) of the People's Republic of China, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Zhang Zhang
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development, Ministry of Education (MoE) of the People's Republic of China, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
| | - Fengtao Zhou
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development, Ministry of Education (MoE) of the People's Republic of China, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
| | - Ke Ding
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development, Ministry of Education (MoE) of the People's Republic of China, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou, 510632, China; State Key Laboratory of Bioorganic & Natural Products Chemistry, Center for Excellence in Molecular Synthesis, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Nowak RP, Che J, Ferrao S, Kong NR, Liu H, Zerfas BL, Jones LH. Structural rationalization of GSPT1 and IKZF1 degradation by thalidomide molecular glue derivatives. RSC Med Chem 2023; 14:501-506. [PMID: 36970148 PMCID: PMC10034078 DOI: 10.1039/d2md00347c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Thalidomide and its derivatives are molecular glues that bind cereblon (CRBN), a component of an E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, and mediate protein interactions with neosubstrates resulting in their polyubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. The structural features of neosubstrate binding have been elucidated that highlight key interactions with a β-hairpin degron containing a glycine, which is present in a wide-range of proteins, including zinc-finger transcription factors such as IKZF1, and the translation termination factor GSPT1. Here, we profile 14 closely-related thalidomide derivatives in CRBN occupancy, and IKZF1 and GSPT1 degradation cell-based assays, and use crystal structures, computational docking and molecular dynamics to delineate subtle structure-activity relationships. Our findings will enable the rational design of CRBN modulators in the future, and help avoid the degradation of GSPT1 which is broadly cytotoxic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radosław P Nowak
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute 360 Longwood Avenue 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 360 Longwood Avenue Boston MA USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
| | - Silas Ferrao
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute 360 Longwood Avenue Boston MA USA
| | - Nikki R Kong
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute 360 Longwood Avenue 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 360 Longwood Avenue 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 360 Longwood Avenue 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 360 Longwood Avenue Boston MA USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
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