1
|
Huang J, Su J, Wang H, Chen J, Tian Y, Zhang J, Feng T, Di L, Lu X, Sheng H, Zhu Q, Chen X, Wang J, He X, Yerkinkazhina Y, Xie Z, Shu Y, Kang T, Tang H, Qian J, Zhu WG. Discovery of Novel PROTAC SIRT6 Degraders with Potent Efficacy against Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Med Chem 2024; 67:17319-17349. [PMID: 39323022 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c01223] [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: 09/27/2024]
Abstract
Sirtuin 6 (SIRT6), a member of the SIRT family, plays essential roles in the regulation of metabolism, inflammation, aging, DNA repair, and cancer development, making it a promising anticancer drug target. Herein, we present our use of proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology to formulate a series of highly potent and selective SIRT6 degraders. One of the degraders, SZU-B6, induced the near-complete degradation of SIRT6 in both SK-HEP-1 and Huh-7 cell lines and more potently inhibited hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell proliferation than the parental inhibitors. In preliminary mechanistic studies, SZU-B6 hampered DNA damage repair, promoting the cellular radiosensitization of cancer cells. Our SIRT6 degrader SZU-B6 displayed promising antitumor activity, particularly when combined with the well-known kinase inhibitor sorafenib or irradiation in an SK-HEP-1 xenograft mouse model. Our results suggest that these PROTACs might constitute a potent therapeutic strategy for HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinbo Huang
- International Cancer Center, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Genome Instability and Human Disease Prevention, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Health Science Centre School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen University School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518055, China
- National Engineering Research Centrer for Biotechnology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jiajie Su
- International Cancer Center, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Genome Instability and Human Disease Prevention, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Health Science Centre School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen University School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Haiyu Wang
- International Cancer Center, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Genome Instability and Human Disease Prevention, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Health Science Centre School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen University School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jiayi Chen
- International Cancer Center, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Genome Instability and Human Disease Prevention, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Health Science Centre School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen University School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yuan Tian
- International Cancer Center, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Genome Instability and Human Disease Prevention, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Health Science Centre School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen University School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- International Cancer Center, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Genome Instability and Human Disease Prevention, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Health Science Centre School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen University School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Tingting Feng
- International Cancer Center, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Genome Instability and Human Disease Prevention, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Health Science Centre School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Longjiang Di
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xiaopeng Lu
- International Cancer Center, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Genome Instability and Human Disease Prevention, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Health Science Centre School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen University School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Hao Sheng
- International Cancer Center, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Genome Instability and Human Disease Prevention, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Health Science Centre School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Qian Zhu
- International Cancer Center, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Genome Instability and Human Disease Prevention, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Health Science Centre School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen University School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xinyun Chen
- International Cancer Center, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Genome Instability and Human Disease Prevention, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Health Science Centre School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jingchao Wang
- International Cancer Center, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Genome Instability and Human Disease Prevention, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Health Science Centre School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xingkai He
- International Cancer Center, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Genome Instability and Human Disease Prevention, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Health Science Centre School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yerkezhan Yerkinkazhina
- International Cancer Center, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Genome Instability and Human Disease Prevention, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Health Science Centre School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zhongyi Xie
- International Cancer Center, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Genome Instability and Human Disease Prevention, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Health Science Centre School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yuxin Shu
- International Cancer Center, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Genome Instability and Human Disease Prevention, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Health Science Centre School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui 241002, China
| | - Tianshu Kang
- International Cancer Center, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Genome Instability and Human Disease Prevention, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Health Science Centre School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Huangqi Tang
- International Cancer Center, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Genome Instability and Human Disease Prevention, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Health Science Centre School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jinqin Qian
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100035, China
| | - Wei-Guo Zhu
- International Cancer Center, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Genome Instability and Human Disease Prevention, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Health Science Centre School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen University School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518055, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui 241002, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Huang Z, Li L, Cheng B, Li D. Small molecules targeting HDAC6 for cancer treatment: Current progress and novel strategies. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 178:117218. [PMID: 39084081 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.117218] [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: 05/25/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) plays a crucial role in the initiation and progression of various cancers, as its overexpression is linked to tumor growth, invasion, migration, survival, apoptosis, and angiogenesis. Therefore, HDAC6 has emerged as an attractive target for anticancer drug discovery in the past decade. However, the development of conventional HDAC6 inhibitors has been hampered by their limited clinical efficacy, acquired resistance, and inability to inhibit non-enzymatic functions of HDAC6. To overcome these challenges, new strategies, such as dual-acting inhibitors, targeted protein degradation (TPD) technologies (including PROTACs, HyT), are essential to enhance the anticancer activity of HDAC6 inhibitors. In this review, we focus on the recent advances in the design and development of HDAC6 modulators, including isoform-selective HDAC6 inhibitors, HDAC6-based dual-target inhibitors, and targeted protein degraders (PROTACs, HyT), from the perspectives of rational design, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and clinical status. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future directions for HDAC6-based drug discovery for cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ziqian Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, PR China
| | - Ling Li
- The Eighth Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat-sen University, 3025 Shennan Middle Road, Shenzhen 518000, China.
| | - Binbin Cheng
- School of Medicine, Hubei Polytechnic University, Huangshi 435003, China.
| | - Deping Li
- Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Galla MS, Sharma N, Mishra P, Shankaraiah N. Recent insights of PROTAC developments in inflammation-mediated and autoimmune targets: a critical review. RSC Med Chem 2024; 15:2585-2600. [PMID: 39149114 PMCID: PMC11324044 DOI: 10.1039/d4md00142g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024] Open
Abstract
According to the mounting evidence in the literature, pro-inflammatory mediators/targets activate multiple signalling pathways to trigger illnesses that are ultimately responsible for acute pain, chronic inflammatory diseases, and several auto-immune disorders. Conventional drugs have been ruled out since proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are poised to overcome the limitations of traditional therapies. These heterobifunctional molecules help to degrade the targeted proteins of interest through ubiquitination. This review encompasses current and future aspects of PROTACs in inflammation-mediated and autoimmune targets. Different key points are highlighted and discussed, such as why PROTACs are preferred in this disease area, drawbacks and lessons learnt from the past, the role of linkers in establishing crucial degradation, in vitro findings, pharmacokinetics, in silico parameters, limitations of PROTACs in clinical settings, and future outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mary Sravani Galla
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Hyderabad 500037 India
| | - Nitika Sharma
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Hyderabad 500037 India
| | - Priyanka Mishra
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Hyderabad 500037 India
| | - Nagula Shankaraiah
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Hyderabad 500037 India
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kim J, Byun I, Kim DY, Joh H, Kim HJ, Lee MJ. Targeted protein degradation directly engaging lysosomes or proteasomes. Chem Soc Rev 2024; 53:3253-3272. [PMID: 38369971 DOI: 10.1039/d3cs00344b] [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: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation (TPD) has been established as a viable alternative to attenuate the function of a specific protein of interest in both biological and clinical contexts. The unique TPD mode-of-action has allowed previously undruggable proteins to become feasible targets, expanding the landscape of "druggable" properties and "privileged" target proteins. As TPD continues to evolve, a range of innovative strategies, which do not depend on recruiting E3 ubiquitin ligases as in proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), have emerged. Here, we present an overview of direct lysosome- and proteasome-engaging modalities and discuss their perspectives, advantages, and limitations. We outline the chemical composition, biochemical activity, and pharmaceutical characteristics of each degrader. These alternative TPD approaches not only complement the first generation of PROTACs for intracellular protein degradation but also offer unique strategies for targeting pathologic proteins located on the cell membrane and in the extracellular space.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiseong Kim
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University Graduate School, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Insuk Byun
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University Graduate School, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Do Young Kim
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea.
| | - Hyunhi Joh
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea.
| | - Hak Joong Kim
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea.
| | - Min Jae Lee
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University Graduate School, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Nie X, Zhao Y, Tang H, Zhang Z, Liao J, Almodovar-Rivera CM, Sundaresan R, Xie H, Guo L, Wang B, Guan H, Xing Y, Tang W. Development of Phenyl-substituted Isoindolinone- and Benzimidazole-type Cereblon Ligands for Targeted Protein Degradation. Chembiochem 2024; 25:e202300685. [PMID: 38116854 PMCID: PMC10922875 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300685] [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: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Thalidomide, pomalidomide and lenalidomide, collectively referred to as immunomodulatory imide drugs (IMiDs), are frequently employed in proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) as cereblon (CRBN) E3 ligase-recruiting ligands. However, their molecular glue properties that co-opt the CRL4CRBN to degrade its non-natural substrates may lead to undesired off-target effects for the IMiD-based PROTAC degraders. Herein, we reported a small library of potent and cell-permeable CRBN ligands, which exert high selectivity over the well-known CRBN neo-substrates of IMiDs by structure-based design. They were further utilized to construct bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) degraders, which successfully depleted BRD4 in the tested cells. Overall, we reported a series of functionalized CRBN recruiters that circumvent the promiscuity from traditional IMiDs, and this study is informative to the development of selective CRBN-recruiting PROTACs for many other therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xueqing Nie
- Lachman Institute for Pharmaceutical Development, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Yu Zhao
- Lachman Institute for Pharmaceutical Development, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Hua Tang
- Lachman Institute for Pharmaceutical Development, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Zhongrui Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Junzhuo Liao
- Lachman Institute for Pharmaceutical Development, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Chelsi M Almodovar-Rivera
- Lachman Institute for Pharmaceutical Development, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Ramya Sundaresan
- Department of Oncology, UW Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Haibo Xie
- Lachman Institute for Pharmaceutical Development, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Le Guo
- Lachman Institute for Pharmaceutical Development, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Bo Wang
- Lachman Institute for Pharmaceutical Development, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Hongqing Guan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Yongna Xing
- Department of Oncology, UW Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Weiping Tang
- Lachman Institute for Pharmaceutical Development, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Cheng B, Pan W, Xiao Y, Ding Z, Zhou Y, Fei X, Liu J, Su Z, Peng X, Chen J. HDAC-targeting epigenetic modulators for cancer immunotherapy. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 265:116129. [PMID: 38211468 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116129] [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: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
HDAC inhibitors, which can inhibit the activity of HDAC enzymes, have been extensively studied in tumor immunotherapy and have shown potential therapeutic effects in cancer immunotherapy. To date, numerous small molecule HDAC inhibitors have been identified, but many of them suffer from limited clinical efficacy and serious toxicity. Hence, HDAC inhibitor-based combination therapies, and other HDAC modulators (e.g. PROTAC degraders, dual-acting agents) have attracted great attention with significant advancements achieved in the past few years due to their superior efficacy compared to single-target HDAC inhibitors. In this review, we overviewed the recent progress on HDAC-based drug discovery with a focus on HDAC inhibitor-based drug combination therapy and other HDAC-targeting strategies (e.g. selective HDAC inhibitors, HDAC-based dual-target inhibitors, and PROTAC HDAC degraders) for cancer immunotherapy. In addition, we also summarized the reported co-crystal structures of HDAC inhibitors in complex with their target proteins and the binding interactions. Finally, the challenges and future directions for HDAC-based drug discovery in cancer immunotherapy are also discussed in detail.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Binbin Cheng
- School of Medicine, Hubei Polytechnic University, Huangshi, 435003, PR China; Key Laboratory of Joint Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Liver Disease and Liver Cancer of Lishui, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui People's Hospital, Lishui, Zhejiang, 323000, PR China; Molecular Pharmacology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, PR China
| | - Wei Pan
- CardioIogy Department, Geriatric Department, Foshan Women and Children Hospital, Foshan, Guangdong, 528000, PR China
| | - Yao Xiao
- Wuchang Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan Wuchang Hospital, Wuchang, 430063, PR China
| | - Zongbao Ding
- Department of Bioengineering, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, 519041, PR China
| | - Yingxing Zhou
- School of Medicine, Hubei Polytechnic University, Huangshi, 435003, PR China
| | - Xiaoting Fei
- School of Medicine, Hubei Polytechnic University, Huangshi, 435003, PR China
| | - Jin Liu
- School of Medicine, Hubei Polytechnic University, Huangshi, 435003, PR China
| | - Zhenhong Su
- School of Medicine, Hubei Polytechnic University, Huangshi, 435003, PR China.
| | - Xiaopeng Peng
- College of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 314000, PR China.
| | - Jianjun Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Peng X, Hu Z, Zeng L, Zhang M, Xu C, Lu B, Tao C, Chen W, Hou W, Cheng K, Bi H, Pan W, Chen J. Overview of epigenetic degraders based on PROTAC, molecular glue, and hydrophobic tagging technologies. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:533-578. [PMID: 38322348 PMCID: PMC10840439 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic pathways play a critical role in the initiation, progression, and metastasis of cancer. Over the past few decades, significant progress has been made in the development of targeted epigenetic modulators (e.g., inhibitors). However, epigenetic inhibitors have faced multiple challenges, including limited clinical efficacy, toxicities, lack of subtype selectivity, and drug resistance. As a result, the design of new epigenetic modulators (e.g., degraders) such as PROTACs, molecular glue, and hydrophobic tagging (HyT) degraders has garnered significant attention from both academia and pharmaceutical industry, and numerous epigenetic degraders have been discovered in the past decade. In this review, we aim to provide an in-depth illustration of new degrading strategies (2017-2023) targeting epigenetic proteins for cancer therapy, focusing on the rational design, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, clinical status, and crystal structure information of these degraders. Importantly, we also provide deep insights into the potential challenges and corresponding remedies of this approach to drug design and development. Overall, we hope this review will offer a better mechanistic understanding and serve as a useful guide for the development of emerging epigenetic-targeting degraders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopeng Peng
- College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases of Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 314000, China
| | - Zhihao Hu
- College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases of Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 314000, China
| | - Limei Zeng
- College of Basic Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 314000, China
| | - Meizhu Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases of Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 314000, China
| | - Congcong Xu
- College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases of Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 314000, China
| | - Benyan Lu
- College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases of Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 314000, China
| | - Chengpeng Tao
- College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases of Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 314000, China
| | - Weiming Chen
- College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases of Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 314000, China
| | - Wen Hou
- College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases of Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 314000, China
| | - Kui Cheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Huichang Bi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Wanyi Pan
- College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases of Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 314000, China
| | - Jianjun Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Dai XJ, Ji SK, Fu MJ, Liu GZ, Liu HM, Wang SP, Shen L, Wang N, Herdewijn P, Zheng YC, Wang SQ, Chen XB. Degraders in epigenetic therapy: PROTACs and beyond. Theranostics 2024; 14:1464-1499. [PMID: 38389844 PMCID: PMC10879860 DOI: 10.7150/thno.92526] [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: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics refers to the reversible process through which changes in gene expression occur without changing the nucleotide sequence of DNA. The process is currently gaining prominence as a pivotal objective in the treatment of cancers and other ailments. Numerous drugs that target epigenetic mechanisms have obtained approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the therapeutic intervention of diverse diseases; many have drawbacks, such as limited applicability, toxicity, and resistance. Since the discovery of the first proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) in 2001, studies on targeted protein degradation (TPD)-encompassing PROTACs, molecular glue (MG), hydrophobic tagging (HyT), degradation TAG (dTAG), Trim-Away, a specific and non-genetic inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP)-dependent protein eraser (SNIPER), antibody-PROTACs (Ab-PROTACs), and other lysosome-based strategies-have achieved remarkable progress. In this review, we comprehensively highlight the small-molecule degraders beyond PROTACs that could achieve the degradation of epigenetic proteins (including bromodomain-containing protein-related targets, histone acetylation/deacetylation-related targets, histone methylation/demethylation related targets, and other epigenetic targets) via proteasomal or lysosomal pathways. The present difficulties and forthcoming prospects in this domain are also deliberated upon, which may be valuable for medicinal chemists when developing more potent, selective, and drug-like epigenetic drugs for clinical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Jie Dai
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shi-Kun Ji
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Meng-Jie Fu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Gao-Zhi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hui-Min Liu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shao-Peng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Liang Shen
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ning Wang
- The School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Piet Herdewijn
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- XNA platform, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49-Box 1041, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yi-Chao Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- XNA platform, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Sai-Qi Wang
- Department of Oncology, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Oncology, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Henan Engineering Research Center of Precision Therapy of Gastrointestinal Cancer & Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for Precision Therapy of Gastrointestinal Cancer, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Bing Chen
- Department of Oncology, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Oncology, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Henan Engineering Research Center of Precision Therapy of Gastrointestinal Cancer & Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for Precision Therapy of Gastrointestinal Cancer, Zhengzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Pichlak M, Sobierajski T, Błażewska KM, Gendaszewska-Darmach E. Targeting reversible post-translational modifications with PROTACs: a focus on enzymes modifying protein lysine and arginine residues. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2023; 38:2254012. [PMID: 37667522 PMCID: PMC10481767 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2023.2254012] [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: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
PROTACs represent an emerging field in medicinal chemistry, which has already led to the development of compounds that reached clinical studies. Posttranslational modifications contribute to the complexity of proteomes, with 2846 disease-associated sites. PROTAC field is very advanced in targeting kinases, while its use for enzymes mediating posttranslational modifications of the basic amino acid residues, started to be developed recently. Therefore, we bring together this less popular class of PROTACs, targeting lysine acetyltransferases/deacetylases, lysine and arginine methyltransferases, ADP-ribosyltransferases, E3 ligases, and ubiquitin-specific proteases. We put special emphasis on structural aspects of PROTAC elements to facilitate the lengthy experimental endeavours directed towards developing PROTACs. We will cover the period from the inception of the field, 2017, to April 2023.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Pichlak
- Institute of Molecular and Industrial Biotechnology, Lodz University of Technology, Łódź, Poland
| | - Tomasz Sobierajski
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, Łódź, Poland
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Chen S, Zheng Y, Liang B, Yin Y, Yao J, Wang Q, Liu Y, Neamati N. The application of PROTAC in HDAC. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 260:115746. [PMID: 37607440 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Inducing protein degradation by proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) has provided great opportunities for scientific research and industrial applications. Histone deacetylase (HDAC)-PROTAC has been widely developed since the first report of its ability to induce the degradation of SIRT2 in 2017. To date, ten of the eighteen HDACs (HDACs 1-8, HDAC10, and SIRT2) have been successfully targeted and degraded by HDAC-PROTACs. HDAC-PROTACs surpass traditional HDAC inhibitors in many aspects, such as higher selectivity, more potent antiproliferative activity, and the ability to disrupt the enzyme-independent functions of a multifunctional protein and overcome drug resistance. Rationally designing HDAC-PROTACs is a main challenge in development because slight variations in chemical structure can lead to drastic effects on the efficiency and selectivity of the degradation. In the future, HDAC-PROTACs can potentially be involved in clinical research with the support of the increased amount of in vivo data, pharmacokinetic evaluation, and pharmacological studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shaoting Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, 541004, PR China
| | - Yuxiang Zheng
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, 541004, PR China
| | - Benji Liang
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, 541004, PR China
| | - Yudong Yin
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, 541004, PR China
| | - Jian Yao
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, 541004, PR China
| | - Quande Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, 541004, PR China.
| | - Yanghan Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, 541004, PR China.
| | - Nouri Neamati
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy and Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Etersque JM, Lee IK, Sharma N, Xu K, Ruff A, Northrup JD, Sarkar S, Nguyen T, Lauman R, Burslem GM, Sellmyer MA. Regulation of eDHFR-tagged proteins with trimethoprim PROTACs. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7071. [PMID: 37923771 PMCID: PMC10624689 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42820-3] [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: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Temporal control of protein levels in cells and living animals can be used to improve our understanding of protein function. In addition, control of engineered proteins could be used in therapeutic applications. PRoteolysis-TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs) have emerged as a small-molecule-driven strategy to achieve rapid, post-translational regulation of protein abundance via recruitment of an E3 ligase to the target protein of interest. Here, we develop several PROTAC molecules by covalently linking the antibiotic trimethoprim (TMP) to pomalidomide, a ligand for the E3 ligase, Cereblon. These molecules induce degradation of proteins of interest (POIs) genetically fused to a small protein domain, E. coli dihydrofolate reductase (eDHFR), the molecular target of TMP. We show that various eDHFR-tagged proteins can be robustly degraded to 95% of maximum expression with PROTAC molecule 7c. Moreover, TMP-based PROTACs minimally affect the expression of immunomodulatory imide drug (IMiD)-sensitive neosubstrates using proteomic and biochemical assays. Finally, we show multiplexed regulation with another known degron-PROTAC pair, as well as reversible protein regulation in a rodent model of metastatic cancer, demonstrating the formidable strength of this system. Altogether, TMP PROTACs are a robust approach for selective and reversible degradation of eDHFR-tagged proteins in vitro and in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jean M Etersque
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Iris K Lee
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nitika Sharma
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kexiang Xu
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Andrew Ruff
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Justin D Northrup
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Swarbhanu Sarkar
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Tommy Nguyen
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Richard Lauman
- The Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - George M Burslem
- The Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mark A Sellmyer
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- The Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Zhang C, He Y, Sun X, Wei W, Liu Y, Rao Y. PROTACs Targeting Epigenetic Proteins. ACTA MATERIA MEDICA 2023; 2:409-429. [PMID: 39221114 PMCID: PMC11364368 DOI: 10.15212/amm-2023-0039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Epigenetics, a field that investigates alterations in gene function that can be inherited without changes in DNA sequence, encompasses molecular pathways such as histone variants, posttranslational modifications of amino acids, and covalent modifications of DNA bases. These pathways modulate the transformation of genotypes into specific phenotypes. Epigenetics plays a substantial role in cell growth, development, and differentiation by dynamically regulating gene transcription and ensuring genomic stability. This regulation is carried out by three key players: writers, readers, and erasers. In recent years, epigenetic proteins have played a crucial role in epigenetic regulation and have gradually become important targets in drug research and development. Targeted therapy is an essential strategy; however, the effectiveness of targeted drugs is often limited by drug resistance, posing a significant dilemma in clinical practice. Targeted protein degradation technologies, including proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), have great potential in overcoming drug resistance and targeting undruggable targets. These areas of research are gaining increasing attention to various epigenetic related disease. In this review, we have provided a summary of the recently developed degraders targeting epigenetic readers, writers, and erasers. Additionally, we have outlined new applications for epigenetic protein degraders. Finally, we have addressed several unresolved challenges within the PROTAC field and offered potential solutions from our perspective. As the field continues to advance, the integration of these innovative methodologies holds great promise for addressing the challenges associated with PROTAC development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chao Zhang
- Changping Laboratory, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Yuna He
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xiuyun Sun
- Changping Laboratory, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Wenyi Wei
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Yanlong Liu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Yu Rao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Changping Laboratory, Beijing 102206, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Almodóvar-Rivera CM, Zhang Z, Li J, Xie H, Zhao Y, Guo L, Mannhardt MG, Tang W. A Modular Chemistry Platform for the Development of a Cereblon E3 Ligase-Based Partial PROTAC Library. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202300482. [PMID: 37418320 PMCID: PMC10591699 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are a promising therapeutic strategy to selectively promote the degradation of protein targets by exploiting the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Among the limited number of E3 ligase ligands discovered for the PROTAC technology, ligands of cereblon (CRBN) E3 ligase, such as pomalidomide, thalidomide, or lenalidomide, are the most frequently used for the development of PROTACs. Our group previously reported that a phenyl group could be tolerated on the C4-position of lenalidomide as the ligand of CRBN to develop PROTACs. Herein, we report a modular chemistry platform for the efficient attachment of various ortho-, meta-, and para-substituted phenyls to the C4-position of the lenalidomide via Suzuki cross-coupling reaction, which allows the systematic investigation of the linker effect for the development of PROTACs against any target. We examined the substrate scope by preparing twelve lenalidomide-derived CRBN E3 ligase ligands with different linkers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chelsi M Almodóvar-Rivera
- Lachman Institute for Pharmaceutical Development, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 777 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Lachman Institute for Pharmaceutical Development, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 777 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Jingyao Li
- Lachman Institute for Pharmaceutical Development, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 777 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Haibo Xie
- Lachman Institute for Pharmaceutical Development, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 777 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Yu Zhao
- Lachman Institute for Pharmaceutical Development, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 777 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Le Guo
- Lachman Institute for Pharmaceutical Development, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 777 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Marissa G Mannhardt
- Lachman Institute for Pharmaceutical Development, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 777 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Weiping Tang
- Lachman Institute for Pharmaceutical Development, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 777 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Li J, Li C, Zhang Z, Zhang Z, Wu Z, Liao J, Wang Z, McReynolds M, Xie H, Guo L, Fan Q, Peng J, Tang W. A platform for the rapid synthesis of molecular glues (Rapid-Glue) under miniaturized conditions for direct biological screening. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 258:115567. [PMID: 37390512 PMCID: PMC10529953 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Molecular glues, functioning via inducing degradation of the target protein while having similar molecular weight as traditional small molecule drugs, are emerging as a promising modality for the development of therapeutic agents. However, the development of molecular glues is limited by the lack of general principles and systematic methods. Not surprisingly, most molecular glues have been identified serendipitously or through phenotypic screening of large libraries. However, the preparation of large and diverse molecular glue libraries is not an easy task and requires extensive resources. We previously developed platforms for rapid synthesis of proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) that can be used directly for biological screening with minimal resources. Herein, we report a platform of rapid synthesis of molecular glues (Rapid-Glue) via a micromolar scale coupling reaction between hydrazide motif on the E3 ligase ligands and commercially available aldehydes with diverse structures. A pilot library of 1520 compounds is generated under miniaturized conditions in a high throughput manner without any further manipulation including purification after the synthesis. Through this platform, we identified two highly selective GSPT1 molecular glues through direct screening in cell-based assays. Three additional analogues were prepared from readily available starting materials by replacing the hydrolytic labile acylhydrazone linker with a more stable amide linker based on the two hits. All three analogues showed significant GSPT1 degradation activity and two of them possess comparable activity to the corresponding hit. The feasibility of our strategy is thus verified. Further studies by increasing the diversity and size of the library followed by appropriate assays will likely yield distinct molecular glues targeting novel neo-substrates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingyao Li
- Lachman Institute for Pharmaceutical Development, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 777 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Chunrong Li
- Lachman Institute for Pharmaceutical Development, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 777 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Zhongrui Zhang
- Lachman Institute for Pharmaceutical Development, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 777 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Lachman Institute for Pharmaceutical Development, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 777 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Zhiping Wu
- Department of Structural Biology, Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Junzhuo Liao
- Lachman Institute for Pharmaceutical Development, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 777 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Zhen Wang
- Department of Structural Biology, Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Meghan McReynolds
- Department of Structural Biology, Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Haibo Xie
- Lachman Institute for Pharmaceutical Development, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 777 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Le Guo
- Lachman Institute for Pharmaceutical Development, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 777 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Qiuhua Fan
- Lachman Institute for Pharmaceutical Development, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 777 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Junmin Peng
- Department of Structural Biology, Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Weiping Tang
- Lachman Institute for Pharmaceutical Development, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 777 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53705, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Zhang D, Zhang J, Wang Y, Wang G, Tang P, Liu Y, Zhang Y, Ouyang L. Targeting epigenetic modifications in Parkinson's disease therapy. Med Res Rev 2023; 43:1748-1777. [PMID: 37119043 DOI: 10.1002/med.21962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a multifactorial disease due to a complex interplay between genetic and epigenetic factors. Recent efforts shed new light on the epigenetic mechanisms involved in regulating pathways related to the development of PD, including DNA methylation, posttranslational modifications of histones, and the presence of microRNA (miRNA or miR). Epigenetic regulators are potential therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative disorders. In the review, we aim to summarize mechanisms of epigenetic regulation in PD, and describe how the DNA methyltransferases, histone deacetylases, and histone acetyltransferases that mediate the key processes of PD are attractive therapeutic targets. We discuss the use of inhibitors and/or activators of these regulators in PD models or patients, and how these small molecule epigenetic modulators elicit neuroprotective effects. Further more, given the importance of miRNAs in PD, their contributions to the underlying mechanisms of PD will be discussed as well, together with miRNA-based therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Zhang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics,West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, Chengdu, China
| | - Jifa Zhang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics,West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuxi Wang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics,West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, Chengdu, China
- Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Guan Wang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics,West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, Chengdu, China
| | - Pan Tang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics,West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, Chengdu, China
| | - Yun Liu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics,West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, Chengdu, China
| | - Yiwen Zhang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics,West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, Chengdu, China
| | - Liang Ouyang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics,West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Patel U, Smalley JP, Hodgkinson JT. PROTAC chemical probes for histone deacetylase enzymes. RSC Chem Biol 2023; 4:623-634. [PMID: 37654508 PMCID: PMC10467623 DOI: 10.1039/d3cb00105a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past three decades, we have witnessed the progression of small molecule chemical probes designed to inhibit the catalytic active site of histone deacetylase (HDAC) enzymes into FDA approved drugs. However, it is only in the past five years we have witnessed the emergence of proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) capable of promoting the proteasome mediated degradation of HDACs. This is a field still in its infancy, however given the current progress of PROTACs in clinical trials and the fact that FDA approved HDAC drugs are already in the clinic, there is significant potential in developing PROTACs to target HDACs as therapeutics. Beyond therapeutics, PROTACs also serve important applications as chemical probes to interrogate fundamental biology related to HDACs via their unique degradation mode of action. In this review, we highlight some of the key findings to date in the discovery of PROTACs targeting HDACs by HDAC class and HDAC isoenzyme, current gaps in PROTACs to target HDACs and future outlooks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Urvashi Patel
- Leicester Institute of Structural and Chemical Biology, School of Chemistry, University of Leicester Leicester LE1 7RH UK
| | - Joshua P Smalley
- Leicester Institute of Structural and Chemical Biology, School of Chemistry, University of Leicester Leicester LE1 7RH UK
| | - James T Hodgkinson
- Leicester Institute of Structural and Chemical Biology, School of Chemistry, University of Leicester Leicester LE1 7RH UK
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Han B, Wang M, Li J, Chen Q, Sun N, Yang X, Zhang Q. Perspectives and new aspects of histone deacetylase inhibitors in the therapy of CNS diseases. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 258:115613. [PMID: 37399711 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Many populations worldwide are suffering from central nervous system (CNS) diseases such as brain tumors, neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease) and stroke. There is a shortage of effective drugs for most CNS diseases. As one of the regulatory mechanisms of epigenetics, the particular role and therapeutic benefits of histone deacetylases (HDACs) in the CNS have been extensively studied. In recent years, HDACs have attracted increasing attention as potential drug targets for CNS diseases. In this review, we summarize the recent applications of representative histone deacetylases inhibitors (HDACis) in CNS diseases and discuss the challenges in developing HDACis with different structures and better blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, hoping to promote the development of more effective bioactive HDACis for the treatment of CNS diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Han
- Novel Technology Center of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd., China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Mengfei Wang
- Novel Technology Center of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd., China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jiayi Li
- Novel Technology Center of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd., China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai, 201203, China; School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Qiushi Chen
- Novel Technology Center of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd., China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai, 201203, China; School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Niubing Sun
- Novel Technology Center of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd., China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai, 201203, China; School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Xuezhi Yang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Qingwei Zhang
- Novel Technology Center of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd., China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Li YQ, Lannigan WG, Davoodi S, Daryaee F, Corrionero A, Alfonso P, Rodriguez-Santamaria JA, Wang N, Haley JD, Tonge PJ. Discovery of Novel Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase PROTACs with Enhanced Selectivity and Cellular Efficacy. J Med Chem 2023; 66:7454-7474. [PMID: 37195170 PMCID: PMC10332445 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) is a target for treating B-cell malignancies and autoimmune diseases, and several BTK inhibitors are already approved for use in humans. Heterobivalent BTK protein degraders are also in development, based on the premise that proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) may provide additional therapeutic benefits. However, most BTK PROTACs are based on the BTK inhibitor ibrutinib raising concerns about their selectivity profiles, given the known off-target effects of ibrutinib. Here, we disclose the discovery and in vitro characterization of BTK PROTACs based on the selective BTK inhibitor GDC-0853 and the cereblon recruitment ligand pomalidomide. PTD10 is a highly potent BTK degrader (DC50 0.5 nM) that inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis at lower concentrations than the two parent molecules, as well as three previously reported BTK PROTACs, and had improved selectivity compared to ibrutinib-based BTK PROTACs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Qian Li
- Center for Advanced Study of Drug Action, John S. Toll Drive, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3400, United States
- Department of Chemistry, John S. Toll Drive, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3400, United States
| | - William G. Lannigan
- Department of Chemistry, John S. Toll Drive, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3400, United States
| | - Shabnam Davoodi
- Center for Advanced Study of Drug Action, John S. Toll Drive, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3400, United States
- Department of Chemistry, John S. Toll Drive, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3400, United States
| | - Fereidoon Daryaee
- Center for Advanced Study of Drug Action, John S. Toll Drive, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3400, United States
- Department of Chemistry, John S. Toll Drive, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3400, United States
| | - Ana Corrionero
- Enzymlogic S.L., QUBE Technology Park, C/ Santiago Grisolía, 2, 28760, Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia Alfonso
- Enzymlogic S.L., QUBE Technology Park, C/ Santiago Grisolía, 2, 28760, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Nan Wang
- Center for Advanced Study of Drug Action, John S. Toll Drive, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3400, United States
- Department of Chemistry, John S. Toll Drive, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3400, United States
| | - John D. Haley
- Department of Pathology, John S. Toll Drive, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3400, United States
| | - Peter J. Tonge
- Center for Advanced Study of Drug Action, John S. Toll Drive, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3400, United States
- Department of Chemistry, John S. Toll Drive, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3400, United States
- Department of Radiology, John S. Toll Drive, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3400, United States
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Mi D, Li Y, Gu H, Li Y, Chen Y. Current advances of small molecule E3 ligands for proteolysis-targeting chimeras design. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 256:115444. [PMID: 37178483 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) as an emerging drug discovery modality has been extensively concerned in recent years. Over 20 years development, accumulated studies have demonstrated that PROTACs show unique advantages over traditional therapy in operable target scope, efficacy, and overcoming drug resistance. However, only limited E3 ligases, the essential elements of PROTACs, have been harnessed for PROTACs design. The optimization of novel ligands for well-established E3 ligases and the employment of additional E3 ligases remain urgent challenges for investigators. Here, we systematically summarize the current status of E3 ligases and corresponding ligands for PROTACs design with a focus on their discovery history, design principles, application benefits, and potential defects. Meanwhile, the prospects and future directions for this field are briefly discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dazhao Mi
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, The Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Yuzhan Li
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, The Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Haijun Gu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, The Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Yan Li
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, The Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Yihua Chen
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, The Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Chatree K, Sriboonaied P, Phetkong C, Wattananit W, Chanchao C, Charoenpanich A. Distinctions in bone matrix nanostructure, composition, and formation between osteoblast-like cells, MG-63, and human mesenchymal stem cells, UE7T-13. Heliyon 2023; 9:e15556. [PMID: 37153435 PMCID: PMC10160763 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteoblast-like cells and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are frequently employed as osteoprogenitor cell models for evaluating novel biomaterials in bone healing and tissue engineering. In this study, the characterization of UE7T-13 hMSCs and MG-63 human osteoblast-like cells was examined. Both cells can undergo osteogenesis and produce calcium extracellular matrix; however, calcium nodules produced by MG-63 lacked a central mass and appeared flatter than UE7T-13. The absence of growing calcium nodules in MG-63 was discovered by SEM-EDX to be associated with the formation of alternating layers of cells and calcium extracellular matrix. The nanostructure and composition analysis showed that UE7T-13 had a finer nanostructure of calcium nodules with a higher calcium/phosphate ratio than MG-63. Both cells expressed high intrinsic levels of collagen type I alpha 1 chain, while only UE7T-13 expressed high levels of alkaline phosphatase, biomineralization associated (ALPL). High ALP activity in UE7T-13 was not further enhanced by osteogenic induction, but in MG-63, low intrinsic ALP activity was greatly induced by osteogenic induction. These findings highlight the differences between the two immortal osteoprogenitor cell lines, along with some technical notes that should be considered while selecting and interpreting the pertinent in vitro model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kamonwan Chatree
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Patsawee Sriboonaied
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Chinnatam Phetkong
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Witoon Wattananit
- Scientific and Technological Equipment Centre, Faculty of Science, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Chanpen Chanchao
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Adisri Charoenpanich
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Yang H, Ai H, Zhang J, Ma J, Liu K, Li Z. UPS: Opportunities and challenges for gastric cancer treatment. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1140452. [PMID: 37077823 PMCID: PMC10106573 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1140452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer remains the fourth most frequently diagnosed malignancy and the fifth leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide owning to the lack of efficient drugs and targets for therapy. Accumulating evidence indicates that UPS, which consists of E1, E2, and E3 enzymes and proteasome, plays an important role in the GC tumorigenesis. The imbalance of UPS impairs the protein homeostasis network during development of GC. Therefore, modulating these enzymes and proteasome may be a promising strategy for GC target therapy. Besides, PROTAC, a strategy using UPS to degrade the target protein, is an emerging tool for drug development. Thus far, more and more PROTAC drugs enter clinical trials for cancer therapy. Here, we will analyze the abnormal expression enzymes in UPS and summarize the E3 enzymes which can be developed in PROTAC so that it can contribute to the development of UPS modulator and PROTAC technology for GC therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hang Yang
- The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Huihan Ai
- The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jialin Zhang
- The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jie Ma
- The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Kangdong Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- China-US Hormel (Henan) Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- *Correspondence: Zhi Li, ; Kangdong Liu,
| | - Zhi Li
- The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Zhi Li, ; Kangdong Liu,
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Targeting histone deacetylases for cancer therapy: Trends and challenges. Acta Pharm Sin B 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
|
24
|
Huang J, Zhang J, Xu W, Wu Q, Zeng R, Liu Z, Tao W, Chen Q, Wang Y, Zhu WG. Structure-Based Discovery of Selective Histone Deacetylase 8 Degraders with Potent Anticancer Activity. J Med Chem 2023; 66:1186-1209. [PMID: 36516047 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Inducing protein degradation by proteolysis targeting chimeras has gained tremendous momentum as a promising novel therapeutic strategy. Here, we report the design, synthesis, and biological characterization of highly potent proteolysis targeting chimeric small molecules targeting the epigenetic regulator histone deacetylase 8 (HDAC8). We developed potent and effective HDAC8 degraders, as exemplified by SZUH280 (16e), which effectively induced HDAC8 protein degradation and inhibited cancer cell growth even at low micromolar concentrations. Our preliminary mechanistic studies revealed that SZUH280 hampers DNA damage repair in cancer cells, promoting cellular radiosensitization. In mice, a single SZUH280 dose induced rapid and prolonged HDAC8 protein degradation in xenograft tumor tissues. Moreover, SZUH280 alone or in combination with irradiation resulted in long-lasting tumor regression in an A549 tumor mouse model. Our findings qualify a new chemical tool for HDAC8 knockdown and may lead to the development of a new class of cancer therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinbo Huang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Genome Instability and Human Disease Prevention, and International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen 518055, China.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen 518055, China.,Health Science Centre School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Genome Instability and Human Disease Prevention, and International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen 518055, China.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen 518055, China.,Health Science Centre School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Wenchao Xu
- Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Qiong Wu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Genome Instability and Human Disease Prevention, and International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen 518055, China.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen 518055, China.,Health Science Centre School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Rongsheng Zeng
- Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zhichao Liu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Genome Instability and Human Disease Prevention, and International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen 518055, China.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen 518055, China.,Health Science Centre School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Wenhui Tao
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Genome Instability and Human Disease Prevention, and International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen 518055, China.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen 518055, China.,Health Science Centre School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Qian Chen
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Genome Instability and Human Disease Prevention, and International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen 518055, China.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen 518055, China.,Health Science Centre School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yongqing Wang
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, University of Toledo Medical Center, 3120 Glendale Avenue, Toledo 43614, Ohio, United States
| | - Wei-Guo Zhu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Genome Instability and Human Disease Prevention, and International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen 518055, China.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen 518055, China.,Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen 518055, China.,Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen 518055, China.,Health Science Centre School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Liu X, Wang A, Shi Y, Dai M, Liu M, Cai HB. PROTACs in Epigenetic Cancer Therapy: Current Status and Future Opportunities. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28031217. [PMID: 36770884 PMCID: PMC9919707 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28031217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The epigenetic regulation of gene functions has been proven to be strongly associated with the development and progression of cancer. Reprogramming the cancer epigenome landscape is one of the most promising target therapies in both treatments and in reversing drug resistance. Proteolytic targeted chimeras (PROTACs) are an emerging therapeutic modality for selective degradation via the native ubiquitin-proteasome system. Rapid advances in PROTACs have facilitated the exploration of targeting epigenetic proteins, a lot of PROTAC degraders have already been designed in the field of epigenetic cancer therapy, and PROTACs targeting epigenetic proteins can better exploit target druggability and improve the mechanistic understanding of the epigenetic regulation of cancer. Thus, this review focuses on the progress made in the development of PROTAC degraders and PROTAC drugs targeting epigenetics in cancer and discusses challenges and future opportunities for the field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuelian Liu
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors, Wuhan 430071, China
- Hubei Cancer Clinical Study Center, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Anjin Wang
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors, Wuhan 430071, China
- Hubei Cancer Clinical Study Center, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Yuying Shi
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors, Wuhan 430071, China
- Hubei Cancer Clinical Study Center, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Mengyuan Dai
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors, Wuhan 430071, China
- Hubei Cancer Clinical Study Center, Wuhan 430071, China
- Correspondence: (M.D.); (H.-B.C.)
| | - Miao Liu
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Hong-Bing Cai
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors, Wuhan 430071, China
- Hubei Cancer Clinical Study Center, Wuhan 430071, China
- Correspondence: (M.D.); (H.-B.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Zhao HY, Xin M, Zhang SQ. Progress of small molecules for targeted protein degradation: PROTACs and other technologies. Drug Dev Res 2023; 84:337-394. [PMID: 36606428 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.22026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Recent years have witnessed the rapid development of targeted protein degradation (TPD), especially proteolysis targeting chimeras. These degraders have manifested many advantages over small molecule inhibitors. To date, a huge number of degraders have been excavated against over 70 disease-related targets. In particular, degraders against estrogen receptor and androgen receptor have crowded into phase II clinical trial. TPD technologies largely expand the scope of druggable targets, and provide powerful tools for addressing intractable problems that can not be tackled by traditional small molecule inhibitors. In this review, we mainly focus on the structures and biological activities of small molecule degraders as well as the elucidation of mechanisms of emerging TPD technologies. We also propose the challenges that exist in the TPD field at present.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Yi Zhao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Minhang Xin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - San-Qi Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Sinatra L, Yang J, Schliehe-Diecks J, Dienstbier N, Vogt M, Gebing P, Bachmann LM, Sönnichsen M, Lenz T, Stühler K, Schöler A, Borkhardt A, Bhatia S, Hansen FK. Solid-Phase Synthesis of Cereblon-Recruiting Selective Histone Deacetylase 6 Degraders (HDAC6 PROTACs) with Antileukemic Activity. J Med Chem 2022; 65:16860-16878. [PMID: 36473103 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In this work, we utilized the proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology to achieve the chemical knock-down of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6). Two series of cereblon-recruiting PROTACs were synthesized via a solid-phase parallel synthesis approach, which allowed the rapid preparation of two HDAC6 degrader mini libraries. The PROTACs were either based on an unselective vorinostat-like HDAC ligand or derived from a selective HDAC6 inhibitor. Notably, both PROTAC series demonstrated selective degradation of HDAC6 in leukemia cell lines. The best degraders from each series (denoted A6 and B4) were capable of degrading HDAC6 via ternary complex formation and the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, with DC50 values of 3.5 and 19.4 nM, respectively. PROTAC A6 demonstrated promising antiproliferative activity via inducing apoptosis in myeloid leukemia cell lines. These findings highlight the potential of this series of degraders as effective pharmacological tools for the targeted degradation of HDAC6.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Sinatra
- Institute for Drug Discovery, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Brüderstrasse 34, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.,Department of Medicine, Yangzhou Polytechnic College, West Wenchang Road 458, Yangzhou, 225009, P.R. China
| | - Julian Schliehe-Diecks
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Niklas Dienstbier
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Melina Vogt
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Philip Gebing
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Luisa M Bachmann
- Institute for Drug Discovery, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Brüderstrasse 34, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Melf Sönnichsen
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Thomas Lenz
- Molecular Proteomics Laboratory, Biological Medical Research Center, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Kai Stühler
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Proteome Research, University Hospital and Medical Faculty, Hein-rich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Andrea Schöler
- Institute for Drug Discovery, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Brüderstrasse 34, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Arndt Borkhardt
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Sanil Bhatia
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Finn K Hansen
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Department of Pharmaceutical and Cell Biological Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Li D, Yu D, Li Y, Yang R. A bibliometric analysis of PROTAC from 2001 to 2021. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 244:114838. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
29
|
Liu J, Peng Y, Inuzuka H, Wei W. Targeting micro-environmental pathways by PROTACs as a therapeutic strategy. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:269-279. [PMID: 35798235 PMCID: PMC11000491 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.07.001] [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: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Tumor microenvironment (TME) composes of multiple cell types and non-cellular components, which supports the proliferation, metastasis and immune surveillance evasion of tumor cells, as well as accounts for the resistance to therapies. Therefore, therapeutic strategies using small molecule inhibitors (SMIs) and antibodies to block potential targets in TME are practical for cancer treatment. Targeted protein degradation using PROteolysis-TArgeting Chimera (PROTAC) technic has several advantages over traditional SMIs and antibodies, including overcoming drug resistance. Thus many PROTACs are currently under development for cancer treatment. In this review, we summarize the recent progress of PROTAC development that target TME pathways and propose the potential direction of future PROTAC technique to advance as novel cancer treatment options.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Yunhua Peng
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Hiroyuki Inuzuka
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Wenyi Wei
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Li Y, Lin S, Gu Z, Chen L, He B. Zinc-dependent deacetylases (HDACs) as potential targets for treating Alzheimer’s disease. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2022; 76:129015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2022.129015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
31
|
Sha Y, Wu J, Paul B, Zhao Y, Mathews P, Li Z, Norris J, Wang E, McDonnell DP, Kang Y. PPAR agonists attenuate lenalidomide's anti-myeloma activity in vitro and in vivo. Cancer Lett 2022; 545:215832. [PMID: 35872263 PMCID: PMC10355274 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Many patients with multiple myeloma (MM) have comorbidities and are treated with PPAR agonists. Immunomodulatory agents (IMiDs) are the cornerstones for MM therapy. Currently, little is known about how co-administration of PPAR agonists impacts lenalidomide treatment in patients with MM. Here, we determined the effects of PPAR agonists on anti-myeloma activities of lenalidomide in vitro and in a myeloma xenograft mouse model. Genetic overexpression and CRISPR/cas9 knockout experiments were performed to determine the role of CRBN in the PPAR-mediated pathway. A retrospective cohort study was performed to determine the correlation of PPAR expression with the outcomes of patients with MM. PPAR agonists down-regulated CRBN expression and reduced the anti-myeloma efficacy of lenalidomide in vitro and in vivo. Co-treatment with PPAR antagonists increased CRBN expression and improved sensitivity to lenalidomide. PPAR expression was higher in bone marrow cells of patients with newly diagnosed MM than in normal control bone marrow samples. High PPAR expression was correlated with poor clinical outcomes. Our study provides the first evidence that PPARs transcriptionally regulate CRBN and that drug-drug interactions between PPAR agonists and IMiDs may impact myeloma treatment outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yonggang Sha
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jian Wu
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Barry Paul
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Yue Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Parker Mathews
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Zhiguo Li
- Duke Cancer Institute Bioinformatics Shared Resources, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - John Norris
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Endi Wang
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Donald P McDonnell
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Yubin Kang
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Liu Z, Zhang Y, Xiang Y, Kang X. Small-Molecule PROTACs for Cancer Immunotherapy. Molecules 2022; 27:5439. [PMID: 36080223 PMCID: PMC9458232 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27175439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Unsatisfactory physicochemical properties of macromolecular drugs seriously hinder their application in tumor immunotherapy. However, these problems can be effectively solved by small-molecule compounds. In the promising field of small-molecule drug development, proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) offers a novel mode of action in the interactions between small molecules and therapeutic targets (mainly proteins). This revolutionary technology has shown considerable impact on several proteins related to tumor survival but is rarely exploited in proteins associated with immuno-oncology up until now. This review attempts to comprehensively summarize the well-studied and less-developed immunological targets available for PROTAC technology, as well as some targets to be explored, aiming to provide more options and opportunities for the development of small-molecule-based tumor immunotherapy. In addition, some novel directions that can magnify and broaden the protein degradation efficiency are mentioned to improve PROTAC design in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Xin Kang
- West China (Airport) Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610047, China
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
He M, Cao C, Ni Z, Liu Y, Song P, Hao S, He Y, Sun X, Rao Y. PROTACs: great opportunities for academia and industry (an update from 2020 to 2021). Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:181. [PMID: 35680848 PMCID: PMC9178337 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-00999-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs) technology is a new protein-degradation strategy that has emerged in recent years. It uses bifunctional small molecules to induce the ubiquitination and degradation of target proteins through the ubiquitin-proteasome system. PROTACs can not only be used as potential clinical treatments for diseases such as cancer, immune disorders, viral infections, and neurodegenerative diseases, but also provide unique chemical knockdown tools for biological research in a catalytic, reversible, and rapid manner. In 2019, our group published a review article "PROTACs: great opportunities for academia and industry" in the journal, summarizing the representative compounds of PROTACs reported before the end of 2019. In the past 2 years, the entire field of protein degradation has experienced rapid development, including not only a large increase in the number of research papers on protein-degradation technology but also a rapid increase in the number of small-molecule degraders that have entered the clinical and will enter the clinical stage. In addition to PROTAC and molecular glue technology, other new degradation technologies are also developing rapidly. In this article, we mainly summarize and review the representative PROTACs of related targets published in 2020-2021 to present to researchers the exciting developments in the field of protein degradation. The problems that need to be solved in this field will also be briefly introduced.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ming He
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Chaoguo Cao
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Zhihao Ni
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yongbo Liu
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Peilu Song
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Shuang Hao
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yuna He
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Xiuyun Sun
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yu Rao
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China.
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 450001, Zhengzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Li Y, Gu Z, Lin S, Chen L, Dzreyan V, Eid M, Demyanenko S, He B. Histone Deacetylases as Epigenetic Targets for Treating Parkinson's Disease. Brain Sci 2022; 12:672. [PMID: 35625059 PMCID: PMC9140162 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12050672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic progressive neurodegenerative disease that is increasingly becoming a global threat to the health and life of the elderly worldwide. Although there are some drugs clinically available for treating PD, these treatments can only alleviate the symptoms of PD patients but cannot completely cure the disease. Therefore, exploring other potential mechanisms to develop more effective treatments that can modify the course of PD is still highly desirable. Over the last two decades, histone deacetylases, as an important group of epigenetic targets, have attracted much attention in drug discovery. This review focused on the current knowledge about histone deacetylases involved in PD pathophysiology and their inhibitors used in PD studies. Further perspectives related to small molecules that can inhibit or degrade histone deacetylases to treat PD were also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Engineering Research Center for the Development and Application of Ethnic Medicine and TCM (Ministry of Education), Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, School of Basic Medical Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China; (Y.L.); (Z.G.); (S.L.); (L.C.)
| | - Zhicheng Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Engineering Research Center for the Development and Application of Ethnic Medicine and TCM (Ministry of Education), Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, School of Basic Medical Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China; (Y.L.); (Z.G.); (S.L.); (L.C.)
| | - Shuxian Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Engineering Research Center for the Development and Application of Ethnic Medicine and TCM (Ministry of Education), Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, School of Basic Medical Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China; (Y.L.); (Z.G.); (S.L.); (L.C.)
| | - Lei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Engineering Research Center for the Development and Application of Ethnic Medicine and TCM (Ministry of Education), Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, School of Basic Medical Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China; (Y.L.); (Z.G.); (S.L.); (L.C.)
| | - Valentina Dzreyan
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Academy of Biology and Biotechnology, Southern Federal University, Stachki Ave. 194/1, 344090 Rostov-on-Don, Russia; (V.D.); (M.E.)
| | - Moez Eid
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Academy of Biology and Biotechnology, Southern Federal University, Stachki Ave. 194/1, 344090 Rostov-on-Don, Russia; (V.D.); (M.E.)
| | - Svetlana Demyanenko
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Academy of Biology and Biotechnology, Southern Federal University, Stachki Ave. 194/1, 344090 Rostov-on-Don, Russia; (V.D.); (M.E.)
| | - Bin He
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Engineering Research Center for the Development and Application of Ethnic Medicine and TCM (Ministry of Education), Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, School of Basic Medical Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China; (Y.L.); (Z.G.); (S.L.); (L.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Sosič I, Bricelj A, Steinebach C. E3 ligase ligand chemistries: from building blocks to protein degraders. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:3487-3534. [PMID: 35393989 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00148a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), capable of achieving targeted protein degradation, have proven their great therapeutic potential and usefulness as molecular biology tools. These heterobifunctional compounds are comprised of a protein-targeting ligand, an appropriate linker, and a ligand binding to the E3 ligase of choice. A successful PROTAC induces the formation of a ternary complex, leading to the E3 ligase-mediated ubiquitination of the targeted protein and its proteasomal degradation. In over 20 years since the concept was first demonstrated, the field has grown substantially, mainly due to the advancements in the discovery of non-peptidic E3 ligase ligands. Development of small-molecule E3 binders with favourable physicochemical profiles aided the design of PROTACs, which are known for breaking the rules of established guidelines for discovering small molecules. Synthetic accessibility of the ligands and numerous successful applications led to the prevalent use of cereblon and von Hippel-Lindau as the hijacked E3 ligase. However, the pool of over 600 human E3 ligases is full of untapped potential, which is why expanding the artillery of E3 ligands could contribute to broadening the scope of targeted protein degradation. In this comprehensive review, we focus on the chemistry aspect of the PROTAC design process by providing an overview of liganded E3 ligases, their chemistries, appropriate derivatisation, and synthetic approaches towards their incorporation into heterobifunctional degraders. By covering syntheses of both established and underexploited E3 ligases, this review can serve as a chemistry blueprint for PROTAC researchers during their future ventures into the complex field of targeted protein degradation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Izidor Sosič
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Aleša Bricelj
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Christian Steinebach
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Daśko M, de Pascual-Teresa B, Ortín I, Ramos A. HDAC Inhibitors: Innovative Strategies for Their Design and Applications. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27030715. [PMID: 35163980 PMCID: PMC8837987 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27030715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are a large family of epigenetic metalloenzymes that are involved in gene transcription and regulation, cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and death, as well as angiogenesis. Particularly, disorders of the HDACs expression are linked to the development of many types of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, making them interesting molecular targets for the design of new efficient drugs and imaging agents that facilitate an early diagnosis of these diseases. Thus, their selective inhibition or degradation are the basis for new therapies. This is supported by the fact that many HDAC inhibitors (HDACis) are currently under clinical research for cancer therapy, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already approved some of them. In this review, we will focus on the recent advances and latest discoveries of innovative strategies in the development and applications of compounds that demonstrate inhibitory or degradation activity against HDACs, such as PROteolysis-TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs), tumor-targeted HDACis (e.g., folate conjugates and nanoparticles), and imaging probes (positron emission tomography (PET) and fluorescent ligands).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Daśko
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland;
- Departamento de Química y Bioquímica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, 28925 Alcorcón, Spain;
| | - Beatriz de Pascual-Teresa
- Departamento de Química y Bioquímica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, 28925 Alcorcón, Spain;
| | - Irene Ortín
- Departamento de Química y Bioquímica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, 28925 Alcorcón, Spain;
- Correspondence: (I.O.); (A.R.)
| | - Ana Ramos
- Departamento de Química y Bioquímica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, 28925 Alcorcón, Spain;
- Correspondence: (I.O.); (A.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Frere GA, de Araujo ED, Gunning PT. Emerging mechanisms of targeted protein degradation by molecular glues. Methods Cell Biol 2022; 169:1-26. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2022.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
38
|
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are a powerful tool to hijack the endogenous ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and to degrade the intracellular proteins of therapeutic importance. Recently, two heterobifunctional degraders targeting hormone receptors headed into Phase II clinical trials. Compared to traditional drug design and common modes of action, the PROTAC approach offers new opportunities for the drug research field. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) are well-established drugs for the treatment of hematological malignancies. The integration of HDAC binding motifs in PROTACs explores the possibility of targeted, chemical HDAC degradation. This review provides an overview and a perspective about the key steps in the structure development of HDAC-PROTACs. In particular, the influence of the three canonical PROTAC elements on HDAC-PROTAC efficacy and selectivity are discussed, the HDACi, the linker and the E3 ligase ligand.
Collapse
|
39
|
Cao Z, Gu Z, Lin S, Chen D, Wang J, Zhao Y, Li Y, Liu T, Li Y, Wang Y, Lin H, He B. Attenuation of NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation by Indirubin-Derived PROTAC Targeting HDAC6. ACS Chem Biol 2021; 16:2746-2751. [PMID: 34860497 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) is a potential therapeutic target for treating several diseases. A recent study revealed that HDAC6 is important for NLRP3 inflammasome activation, suggesting that targeting HDAC6 could be useful for treating many inflammatory disorders. Using the proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) strategy, we herein report an HDAC6 degrader with low cytotoxicity by tethering a selective HDAC6 inhibitor derived from a natural product, indirubin, with pomalidomide, a CRBN E3 ligand. Our HDAC6 degrader efficiently and selectively decreased HDAC6 levels in several cell lines, including activated THP-1 cells. Application of this HDAC6 degrader attenuated NLRP3 inflammasome activation in LPS-induced mice, which for the first time demonstrates that HDAC6 PROTAC could be a novel strategy to treat NLRP3 inflammasome-associated diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhuoxian Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Engineering Research Center for the Development and Application of Ethnic Medicine and TCM (Ministry of Education), Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China
| | - Zhicheng Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Engineering Research Center for the Development and Application of Ethnic Medicine and TCM (Ministry of Education), Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China
| | - Shuxian Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Engineering Research Center for the Development and Application of Ethnic Medicine and TCM (Ministry of Education), Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China
| | - Di Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Engineering Research Center for the Development and Application of Ethnic Medicine and TCM (Ministry of Education), Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China
| | - Jie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Engineering Research Center for the Development and Application of Ethnic Medicine and TCM (Ministry of Education), Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China
| | - Yonglong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Engineering Research Center for the Development and Application of Ethnic Medicine and TCM (Ministry of Education), Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China
| | - Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Engineering Research Center for the Development and Application of Ethnic Medicine and TCM (Ministry of Education), Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China
| | - Ting Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Engineering Research Center for the Development and Application of Ethnic Medicine and TCM (Ministry of Education), Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China
| | - Yongjun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Engineering Research Center for the Development and Application of Ethnic Medicine and TCM (Ministry of Education), Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China
| | - Yi Wang
- College of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Hening Lin
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Bin He
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Engineering Research Center for the Development and Application of Ethnic Medicine and TCM (Ministry of Education), Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Wang C, Zhang Y, Wu Y, Xing D. Developments of CRBN-based PROTACs as potential therapeutic agents. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 225:113749. [PMID: 34411892 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Protease-targeted chimeras (PROTACs) are a new technology that is receiving much attention in the treatment of diseases. The mechanism is to inhibit protein function by hijacking the ubiquitin E3 ligase for protein degradation. Heterogeneous bifunctional PROTACs contain a ligand for recruiting E3 ligase, a linker, and another ligand to bind to the target protein for degradation. A variety of small-molecule PROTACs (CRBN, VHL, IAPs, MDM2, DCAF15, DCAF16, and RNF114-based PROTACs) have been identified so far. In particular, CRBN-based PROTACs (e.g., ARV-110 and ARV-471) have received more attention for their promising therapeutic intervention. To date, CRBN-based PRTOACs have been extensively explored worldwide and have excelled not only in cancer diseases but also in cardiovascular diseases, immune diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and viral infections. In this review, we will provide a comprehensive update on the latest research progress in CRBN-based PRTOACs area. Following the criteria, such as disease area and drug target class, we will present the degradants in alphabetical order by target. We also provide our own perspective on the future prospects and potential challenges facing PROTACs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, China.
| | - Yujing Zhang
- The Affiliated Cardiovascular Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, China.
| | - Yudong Wu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, China.
| | - Dongming Xing
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cereblon (CRBN), the substrate receptor of the CRL4CRBN E3 ubiquitin ligase has been extensively studied due to its involvement in many biological processes. It has also been identified as the target for immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs). CRBN ligands are also important components of proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), special bifunctional constructs capable of targeted degradation of aberrantly acting proteins using the cell's ubiquitin-proteasome machinery. AREAS COVERED Due to upsurge of the PROTAC technology, the patenting activity of new CRBN ligands has been on the rise in the last 5 years. The present review covers two broadly defined areas of CRBN ligand design. One covers 'thalidomide-like' molecules representing modifications of various parts of classical IMiDs. The other areas - non-thalidomide-like compounds - are compounds that are structurally distinct from the classical IMiDs. Efforts toward creating new CRBN ligands reflected in non-patent literature are briefly discussed with emphasis on the rational, crystallography-driven approaches. EXPERT OPINION The chemical space of CRBN ligands which is related to the classical IMiDs (thalidomide/lenalidomide/pomalidomide) is comprehensively covered by the current patent literature. The promising area of research is in the identification of non-thalidomide-like chemotypes capable of binding to CRBN. Rational, crystallography-driven approaches currently exploited in academia will significantly aid in this endeavor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Kazantsev
- Institute of Chemistry, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Mikhail Krasavin
- Institute of Chemistry, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Rodrigues DA, Roe A, Griffith D, Chonghaile TN. Advances in the Design and Development of PROTAC-mediated HDAC degradation. Curr Top Med Chem 2021; 22:408-424. [PMID: 34649488 DOI: 10.2174/1568026621666211015092047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Due to developments in modern chemistry, previously undruggable targets are becoming druggable thanks to selective degradation using the ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation system. PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs) are heterobifunctional molecules designed specifically to degrade target proteins (protein of interest, POI). They are of significant interest to industry and academia as they are highly specific and can target previously undruggable target proteins from transcription factors to enzymes. More than 15 degraders are expected to be evaluated in clinical trials by the end of 2021. Herein, we describe recent advances in the design and development of PROTAC-mediated degradation of histone deacetylases (HDACs). PROTAC-mediated degradation of HDACs can offer some significant advantages over direct inhibition, such as the use of substoichiometric doses and the potential to disrupt enzyme-independent HDAC function. Herein, we discuss the potential implications of the degradation of HDACs with HDAC knockout studies and the selection of HDAC inhibitors and E3 ligase ligands for the design of the PROTACs. The potential utility of HDAC PROTACs in various disease pathologies from cancer to inflammation to neurodegeneration is driving the interest in this field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Alencar Rodrigues
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin. Ireland
| | - Andrew Roe
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin. Ireland
| | - Darren Griffith
- Department of Chemistry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin. Ireland
| | - Tríona Ní Chonghaile
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin. Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Jung YJ, Tweedie D, Scerba MT, Kim DS, Palmas MF, Pisanu A, Carta AR, Greig NH. Repurposing Immunomodulatory Imide Drugs (IMiDs) in Neuropsychiatric and Neurodegenerative Disorders. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:656921. [PMID: 33854417 PMCID: PMC8039148 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.656921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation represents a common trait in the pathology and progression of the major psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Neuropsychiatric disorders have emerged as a global crisis, affecting 1 in 4 people, while neurological disorders are the second leading cause of death in the elderly population worldwide (WHO, 2001; GBD 2016 Neurology Collaborators, 2019). However, there remains an immense deficit in availability of effective drug treatments for most neurological disorders. In fact, for disorders such as depression, placebos and behavioral therapies have equal effectiveness as antidepressants. For neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, drugs that can prevent, slow, or cure the disease have yet to be found. Several non-traditional avenues of drug target identification have emerged with ongoing neurological disease research to meet the need for novel and efficacious treatments. Of these novel avenues is that of neuroinflammation, which has been found to be involved in the progression and pathology of many of the leading neurological disorders. Neuroinflammation is characterized by glial inflammatory factors in certain stages of neurological disorders. Although the meta-analyses have provided evidence of genetic/proteomic upregulation of inflammatory factors in certain stages of neurological disorders. Although the mechanisms underpinning the connections between neuroinflammation and neurological disorders are unclear, and meta-analysis results have shown high sensitivity to factors such as disorder severity and sample type, there is significant evidence of neuroinflammation associations across neurological disorders. In this review, we summarize the role of neuroinflammation in psychiatric disorders such as major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and bipolar disorder, as well as in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, and introduce current research on the potential of immunomodulatory imide drugs (IMiDs) as a new treatment strategy for these disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yoo Jin Jung
- Drug Design & Development Section, Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Stanford Neurosciences Interdepartmental Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - David Tweedie
- Drug Design & Development Section, Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Michael T Scerba
- Drug Design & Development Section, Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Dong Seok Kim
- AevisBio, Inc., Gaithersburg, MD, United States
- Aevis Bio, Inc., Daejeon, South Korea
| | | | - Augusta Pisanu
- National Research Council, Institute of Neuroscience, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Anna R Carta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Nigel H Greig
- Drug Design & Development Section, Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Maneiro M, De Vita E, Conole D, Kounde CS, Zhang Q, Tate EW. PROTACs, molecular glues and bifunctionals from bench to bedside: Unlocking the clinical potential of catalytic drugs. PROGRESS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY 2021; 60:67-190. [PMID: 34147206 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmch.2021.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The vast majority of currently marketed drugs rely on small molecules with an 'occupancy-driven' mechanism of action (MOA). Therefore, the efficacy of these therapeutics depends on a high degree of target engagement, which often requires high dosages and enhanced drug exposure at the target site, thus increasing the risk of off-target toxicities (Churcher, 2018 [1]). Although small molecule drugs have been successfully used as treatments for decades, tackling a variety of disease-relevant targets with a defined binding site, many relevant therapeutic targets remain challenging to drug due, for example, to lack of well-defined binding pockets or large protein-protein interaction (PPI) interfaces which resist interference (Dang et al., 2017 [2]). In the quest for alternative therapeutic approaches to address different pathologies and achieve enhanced efficacy with reduced side effects, ligand-induced targeted protein degradation (TPD) has gained the attention of many research groups both in academia and in industry in the last two decades. This therapeutic modality represents a novel paradigm compared to conventional small-molecule inhibitors. To pursue this strategy, heterobifunctional small molecule degraders, termed PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs) have been devised to artificially redirect a protein of interest (POI) to the cellular protein homeostasis machinery for proteasomal degradation (Chamberlain et al., 2019 [3]). In this chapter, the development of PROTACs will first be discussed providing a historical perspective in parallel to the experimental progress made to understand this novel therapeutic modality. Furthermore, common strategies for PROTAC design, including assays and troubleshooting tips will be provided for the reader, before presenting a compendium of all PROTAC targets reported in the literature to date. Due to the recent advancement of these molecules into clinical trials, consideration of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic properties will be introduced, together with the biotech landscape that has developed from the success of PROTACs. Finally, an overview of subsequent strategies for targeted protein degradation will be presented, concluding with further scientific quests triggered by the invention of PROTACs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Maneiro
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - E De Vita
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - D Conole
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - C S Kounde
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Q Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - E W Tate
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Zhou Y, Teng P, Montgomery NT, Li X, Tang W. Development of Triantennary N-Acetylgalactosamine Conjugates as Degraders for Extracellular Proteins. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2021; 7:499-506. [PMID: 33791431 PMCID: PMC8006166 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.1c00146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation (TPD) technology has drawn significant attention from researchers in both academia and industry. It is rapidly evolved as a new therapeutic modality and also a useful chemical tool in selectively depleting various protein targets. As most efforts focus on cytosolic proteins using PROteolysis TArgeting Chimera (PROTAC), LYsosome TArgeting Chimera (LYTAC) recently emerged as a promising technology to deliver extracellular protein targets to lysosome for degradation through the cation-independent mannose-6-phosphate receptor (CI-M6PR). In this study, we exploited the potential of the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR), a lysosomal targeting receptor specifically expressed on liver cells, for the degradation of extracellular proteins including membrane proteins. The ligand of ASGPR, triantennary N-acetylgalactosamine (tri-GalNAc), was conjugated to biotin, antibodies, or fragments of antibodies to generate a new class of degraders. We demonstrated that the extracellular protein targets could be successfully internalized and delivered into lysosome for degradation in liver cell lines specifically by these degraders. This work will add a new dimension to TPD with cell type specificity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yaxian Zhou
- School
of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin−Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 56305, United States
| | - Peng Teng
- School
of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin−Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 56305, United States
| | - Nathan T. Montgomery
- School
of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin−Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 56305, United States
| | - Xiaolei Li
- School
of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin−Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 56305, United States
| | - Weiping Tang
- School
of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin−Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 56305, United States
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin−Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 56306, United States
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Yang K, Zhou Y, Roberts BL, Nie X, Tang W. Evaluation of the binding affinity of E3 ubiquitin ligase ligands by cellular target engagement and in-cell ELISA assay. STAR Protoc 2021; 2:100288. [PMID: 33532735 PMCID: PMC7829257 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2020.100288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of potent cell-permeable E3 ubiquitin ligase ligands can significantly facilitate the development of proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs). Here, we present a protocol to determine the binding affinity of ligands toward CRBN E3 ubiquitin ligase, using a cellular target engagement mechanism and in-cell ELISA assay. This protocol is easy to establish, with relatively low cost and rapid time frame. It can also be modified to measure the level of other proteins or determine the ligand affinity toward other E3s. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Yang et al. (2020).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ka Yang
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Yaxian Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Brett L Roberts
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Xueqing Nie
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Weiping Tang
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA.,Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Jenke R, Reßing N, Hansen FK, Aigner A, Büch T. Anticancer Therapy with HDAC Inhibitors: Mechanism-Based Combination Strategies and Future Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:634. [PMID: 33562653 PMCID: PMC7915831 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing knowledge of molecular drivers of tumorigenesis has fueled targeted cancer therapies based on specific inhibitors. Beyond "classic" oncogene inhibitors, epigenetic therapy is an emerging field. Epigenetic alterations can occur at any time during cancer progression, altering the structure of the chromatin, the accessibility for transcription factors and thus the transcription of genes. They rely on post-translational histone modifications, particularly the acetylation of histone lysine residues, and are determined by the inverse action of histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs). Importantly, HDACs are often aberrantly overexpressed, predominantly leading to the transcriptional repression of tumor suppressor genes. Thus, histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) are powerful drugs, with some already approved for certain hematological cancers. Albeit HDACis show activity in solid tumors as well, further refinement and the development of novel drugs are needed. This review describes the capability of HDACis to influence various pathways and, based on this knowledge, gives a comprehensive overview of various preclinical and clinical studies on solid tumors. A particular focus is placed on strategies for achieving higher efficacy by combination therapies, including phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-EGFR inhibitors and hormone- or immunotherapy. This also includes new bifunctional inhibitors as well as novel approaches for HDAC degradation via PROteolysis-TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Jenke
- University Cancer Center Leipzig (UCCL), University Hospital Leipzig, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Clinical Pharmacology, Rudolf-Boehm-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, D-04107 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Nina Reßing
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Cell Biological Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, Rheinische Fried-rich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, D-53121 Bonn, Germany; (N.R.); (F.K.H.)
| | - Finn K. Hansen
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Cell Biological Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, Rheinische Fried-rich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, D-53121 Bonn, Germany; (N.R.); (F.K.H.)
| | - Achim Aigner
- Clinical Pharmacology, Rudolf-Boehm-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, D-04107 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Thomas Büch
- Clinical Pharmacology, Rudolf-Boehm-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, D-04107 Leipzig, Germany;
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
PROTACs: An Emerging Therapeutic Modality in Precision Medicine. Cell Chem Biol 2020; 27:998-1014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2020.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
|