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Shah Zaib Saleem R, Schwalm MP, Knapp S. Expanding the ligand spaces for E3 ligases for the design of protein degraders. Bioorg Med Chem 2024; 105:117718. [PMID: 38621319 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2024.117718] [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: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation (TPD) has recently emerged as an exciting new drug modality. However, the strategy of developing small molecule-based protein degraders has evolved over the past two decades and has now established molecular tags that are already in clinical use, as well as chimeric molecules, PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs), based mainly on ligand systems developed for the two E3 ligases CRBN and VHL. The large size of the human E3 ligase family suggests that PROTACs can be developed by targeting a large diversity of E3 ligases, some of which have restricted expression patterns with the potential to design disease- or tissue-specific degraders. Indeed, many new E3 ligands have been published recently, confirming the druggability of E3 ligases. This review summarises recent data on E3 ligases and highlights the challenges in developing these molecules into efficient PROTACs rivalling the established degrader systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahman Shah Zaib Saleem
- Department of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, SBA School of Sciences & Engineering, LUMS, Pakistan
| | - Martin P Schwalm
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Biozentrum, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Structural Genomics Consortium, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) partner site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Biozentrum, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Structural Genomics Consortium, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) partner site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt, Germany.
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Guo Y, Cheng R, Wang Y, Gonzalez ME, Zhang H, Liu Y, Kleer CG, Xue L. Regulation of EZH2 protein stability: new mechanisms, roles in tumorigenesis, and roads to the clinic. EBioMedicine 2024; 100:104972. [PMID: 38244292 PMCID: PMC10835131 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.104972] [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: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The importance of EZH2 as a key methyltransferase has been well documented theoretically. Practically, the first EZH2 inhibitor Tazemetostat (EPZ6438), was approved by FDA in 2020 and is used in clinic. However, for most solid tumors it is not as effective as desired and the scope of clinical indications is limited, suggesting that targeting its enzymatic activity may not be sufficient. Recent technologies focusing on the degradation of EZH2 protein have drawn attention due to their potential robust effects. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms that regulate EZH2 protein stability via post-translational modifications (PTMs), mainly including ubiquitination, phosphorylation, and acetylation. In addition, we discuss recent advancements of multiple proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) strategies and the latest degraders that can downregulate EZH2 protein. We aim to highlight future directions to expand the application of novel EZH2 inhibitors by targeting both EZH2 enzymatic activity and protein stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunyun Guo
- Cancer Center of Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China; Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Cheng
- Cancer Center of Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China; Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuqing Wang
- Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Maria E Gonzalez
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Hongshan Zhang
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Yang Liu
- Cancer Center of Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China; Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Celina G Kleer
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Lixiang Xue
- Cancer Center of Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China; Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.
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