1
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Zhang S, Nie S, Ma G, Shen M, Kong L, Zuo Z, Li Y. Identification of novel GSPT1 degraders by virtual screening and bioassay. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 273:116524. [PMID: 38795517 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116524] [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: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
GSPT1 plays crucial physiological functions, such as terminating protein translation, overexpressed in various tumors. It is a promising anti-tumor target, but is also considered as an "undruggable" protein. Recent studies have found that a class of small molecules can degrade GSPT1 through the "molecular glue" mechanism with strong antitumor activity, which is expected to become a new therapy for hematological malignancies. Currently available GSPT1 degraders are mostly derived from the scaffold of immunomodulatory imide drug (IMiD), thus more active compounds with novel structure remain to be found. In this work, using computer-assisted multi-round virtual screening and bioassay, we identified a non-IMiD acylhydrazone compound, AN5782, which can reduce the protein level of GPST1 and obviously inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells. Some analogs were obtained by a substructure search of AN5782. The structure-activity relationship analysis revealed possible interactions between these compounds and CRBN-GSPT1. Further biological mechanistic studies showed that AN5777 decreased GSPT1 remarkably through the ubiquitin-proteasome system, and its effective cytotoxicity was CRBN- and GSPT1-dependent. Furthermore, AN5777 displayed good antiproliferative activities against U937 and OCI-AML-2 cells, and dose-dependently induced G1 phase arrest and apoptosis. The structure found in this work could be good start for antitumor drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuqun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Natural Medicines, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Shiyun Nie
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Research and Development for Natural Products, School of Pharmacy, Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Guangchao Ma
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Research and Development for Natural Products, School of Pharmacy, Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Meiling Shen
- Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Natural Medicines, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Lingmei Kong
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Research and Development for Natural Products, School of Pharmacy, Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Zhili Zuo
- Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Natural Medicines, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Yan Li
- Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Natural Medicines, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China; Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Research and Development for Natural Products, School of Pharmacy, Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China.
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2
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Robinson SA, Co JA, Banik SM. Molecular glues and induced proximity: An evolution of tools and discovery. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:1089-1100. [PMID: 38688281 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2024.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Small molecule molecular glues can nucleate protein complexes and rewire interactomes. Molecular glues are widely used as probes for understanding functional proximity at a systems level, and the potential to instigate event-driven pharmacology has motivated their application as therapeutics. Despite advantages such as cell permeability and the potential for low off-target activity, glues are still rare when compared to canonical inhibitors in therapeutic development. Their often simple structure and specific ability to reshape protein-protein interactions pose several challenges for widespread, designer applications. Molecular glue discovery and design campaigns can find inspiration from the fields of synthetic biology and biophysics to mine chemical libraries for glue-like molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Steven Mark Banik
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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3
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Tsai JM, Nowak RP, Ebert BL, Fischer ES. Targeted protein degradation: from mechanisms to clinic. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2024:10.1038/s41580-024-00729-9. [PMID: 38684868 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-024-00729-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation refers to the use of small molecules to induce the selective degradation of proteins. In its most common form, this degradation is achieved through ligand-mediated neo-interactions between ubiquitin E3 ligases - the principal waste disposal machines of a cell - and the protein targets of interest, resulting in ubiquitylation and subsequent proteasomal degradation. Notable advances have been made in biological and mechanistic understanding of serendipitously discovered degraders. This improved understanding and novel chemistry has not only provided clinical proof of concept for targeted protein degradation but has also led to rapid growth of the field, with dozens of investigational drugs in active clinical trials. Two distinct classes of protein degradation therapeutics are being widely explored: bifunctional PROTACs and molecular glue degraders, both of which have their unique advantages and challenges. Here, we review the current landscape of targeted protein degradation approaches and how they have parallels in biological processes. We also outline the ongoing clinical exploration of novel degraders and provide some perspectives on the directions the field might take.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan M Tsai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Radosław P Nowak
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Institute of Structural Biology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Benjamin L Ebert
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Eric S Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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4
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Barbosa BMG, Sfyaki A, Rafael S, José-Duran F, Pous J, Sánchez-Zarzalejo C, Perez-Lopez C, Vilanova M, Cigler M, Gay M, Vilaseca M, Winter GE, Riera A, Mayor-Ruiz C. Discovery and Mechanistic Elucidation of NQO1-Bioactivatable Small Molecules That Overcome Resistance to Degraders. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202316730. [PMID: 38153885 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202316730] [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: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Degraders hold the promise to efficiently inactivate previously intractable disease-relevant targets. Unlike traditional inhibitors, degraders act substoichiometrically and rely on the hijacked proteolysis machinery, which can also act as an entry point for resistance. To fully harness the potential of targeted protein degradation, it is crucial to comprehend resistance mechanisms and formulate effective strategies to overcome them. We conducted a chemical screening to identify synthetic lethal vulnerabilities of cancer cells that exhibit widespread resistance to degraders. Comparative profiling followed by tailored optimization delivered the small molecule RBS-10, which shows preferential cytotoxicity against cells pan-resistant to degraders. Multiomics deconvolution of the mechanism of action revealed that RBS-10 acts as a prodrug bioactivated by the oxidoreductase enzyme NQO1, which is highly overexpressed in our resistance models. Collectively, our work informs on NQO1 as an actionable vulnerability to overcome resistance to degraders and as a biomarker to selectively exploit bioactivatable prodrugs in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara M G Barbosa
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), the, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aikaterini Sfyaki
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), the, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergi Rafael
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), the, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ferran José-Duran
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), the, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Pous
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), the, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carolina Sánchez-Zarzalejo
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), the, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carles Perez-Lopez
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), the, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mar Vilanova
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), the, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marko Cigler
- Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (CeMM), 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marina Gay
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), the, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Vilaseca
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), the, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Georg E Winter
- Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (CeMM), 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Antoni Riera
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), the, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Secció Química Orgànica, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Mayor-Ruiz
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), the, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
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5
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Hong SH, Divakaran A, Osa A, Huang OW, Wertz IE, Nomura DK. Exploiting the Cullin E3 Ligase Adaptor Protein SKP1 for Targeted Protein Degradation. ACS Chem Biol 2024; 19:442-450. [PMID: 38305738 PMCID: PMC10999000 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00642] [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] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation with proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) is a powerful therapeutic modality for eliminating disease-causing proteins through targeted ubiquitination and proteasome-mediated degradation. Most PROTACs have exploited substrate receptors of Cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligases such as cereblon and VHL. Whether core, shared, and essential components of the Cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase complex can be used for PROTAC applications remains less explored. Here, we discovered a cysteine-reactive covalent recruiter EN884 against the SKP1 adapter protein of the SKP1-CUL1-F-box containing the SCF complex. We further showed that this recruiter can be used in PROTAC applications to degrade neo-substrate proteins such as BRD4 and the androgen receptor in a SKP1- and proteasome-dependent manner. Our studies demonstrate that core and essential adapter proteins within the Cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase complex can be exploited for targeted protein degradation applications and that covalent chemoproteomic strategies can enable recruiter discovery against these targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong Ho Hong
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, 2151 Berkeley Way, Room 312G, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, 2151 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Anand Divakaran
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, 2151 Berkeley Way, Room 312G, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, 2151 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Akane Osa
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, 2151 Berkeley Way, Room 312G, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, 2151 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Oscar W. Huang
- Bristol Myers Squibb, 700 Bay Road, Redwood City, CA 94063 USA
| | - Ingrid E. Wertz
- Bristol Myers Squibb, 700 Bay Road, Redwood City, CA 94063 USA
| | - Daniel K. Nomura
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, 2151 Berkeley Way, Room 312G, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, 2151 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, 2151 Berkeley Way, Room 312G, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
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6
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Meyers M, Cismoski S, Panidapu A, Chie-Leon B, Nomura DK. Targeted Protein Degradation through Recruitment of the CUL4 Complex Adaptor Protein DDB1. ACS Chem Biol 2024; 19:58-68. [PMID: 38192078 PMCID: PMC11003717 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00487] [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] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation has arisen as a powerful therapeutic modality for eliminating proteins. Thus far, most heterobifunctional proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) have utilized recruiters against substrate receptors of Cullin RING E3 ubiquitin ligases, such as cereblon and VHL. However, previous studies have surprisingly uncovered molecular glue degraders that exploit a CUL4 adaptor protein DDB1 to degrade neosubstrate proteins. Here, we sought to investigate whether DDB1 recruiters can be discovered that can be exploited for PROTAC applications. We utilized activity-based protein profiling and cysteine chemoproteomic screening to identify a covalent recruiter that targets C173 on DDB1 and exploited this recruiter to develop PROTACs against BRD4 and androgen receptor (AR). We demonstrated that the BRD4 PROTAC results in selective degradation of the short BRD4 isoform over the long isoform in a proteasome, NEDDylation, and DDB1-dependent manner. We also demonstrated degradation of AR with the AR PROTAC in prostate cancer cells. Our study demonstrated that covalent chemoproteomic approaches can be used to discover recruiters against Cullin RING adapter proteins and that these recruiters can be used for PROTAC applications to degrade neo-substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margot Meyers
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Novartis-Berkeley Translational Chemical Biology Institute, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Sabine Cismoski
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Novartis-Berkeley Translational Chemical Biology Institute, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Anoohya Panidapu
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Novartis-Berkeley Translational Chemical Biology Institute, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Barbara Chie-Leon
- Novartis-Berkeley Translational Chemical Biology Institute, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
| | - Daniel K. Nomura
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Novartis-Berkeley Translational Chemical Biology Institute, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
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7
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Julio AR, Shikwana F, Truong C, Burton NR, Dominguez E, Turmon AC, Cao J, Backus K. Pervasive aggregation and depletion of host and viral proteins in response to cysteine-reactive electrophilic compounds. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.30.564067. [PMID: 38014036 PMCID: PMC10680658 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.30.564067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Protein homeostasis is tightly regulated, with damaged or misfolded proteins quickly eliminated by the proteasome and autophagosome pathways. By co-opting these processes, targeted protein degradation technologies enable pharmacological manipulation of protein abundance. Recently, cysteine-reactive molecules have been added to the degrader toolbox, which offer the benefit of unlocking the therapeutic potential of 'undruggable' protein targets. The proteome-wide impact of these molecules remains to be fully understood and given the general reactivity of many classes of cysteine-reactive electrophiles, on- and off-target effects are likely. Using chemical proteomics, we identified a cysteine-reactive small molecule degrader of the SARS-CoV-2 non- structural protein 14 (nsp14), which effects degradation through direct modification of cysteines in both nsp14 and in host chaperones together with activation of global cell stress response pathways. We find that cysteine-reactive electrophiles increase global protein ubiquitylation, trigger proteasome activation, and result in widespread aggregation and depletion of host proteins, including components of the nuclear pore complex. Formation of stress granules was also found to be a remarkably ubiquitous cellular response to nearly all cysteine-reactive compounds and degraders. Collectively, our study sheds light on complexities of covalent target protein degradation and highlights untapped opportunities in manipulating and characterizing proteostasis processes via deciphering the cysteine-centric regulation of stress response pathways.
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8
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Kwok HS, Freedy AM, Siegenfeld AP, Morriss JW, Waterbury AL, Kissler SM, Liau BB. Drug addiction unveils a repressive methylation ceiling in EZH2-mutant lymphoma. Nat Chem Biol 2023; 19:1105-1115. [PMID: 36973442 PMCID: PMC10522050 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-023-01299-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Drug addiction, a phenomenon where cancer cells paradoxically depend on continuous drug treatment for survival, has uncovered cell signaling mechanisms and cancer codependencies. Here we discover mutations that confer drug addiction to inhibitors of the transcriptional repressor polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Drug addiction is mediated by hypermorphic mutations in the CXC domain of the catalytic subunit EZH2, which maintain H3K27me3 levels even in the presence of PRC2 inhibitors. Discontinuation of inhibitor treatment leads to overspreading of H3K27me3, surpassing a repressive methylation ceiling compatible with lymphoma cell survival. Exploiting this vulnerability, we show that inhibition of SETD2 similarly induces the spread of H3K27me3 and blocks lymphoma growth. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that constraints on chromatin landscapes can yield biphasic dependencies in epigenetic signaling in cancer cells. More broadly, we highlight how approaches to identify drug addiction mutations can be leveraged to discover cancer vulnerabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Si Kwok
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Allyson M Freedy
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Allison P Siegenfeld
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Julia W Morriss
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Amanda L Waterbury
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Stephen M Kissler
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brian B Liau
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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9
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Jones NH, Kapoor TM. Achieving the promise and avoiding the peril of chemical probes using genetics. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2023; 81:102628. [PMID: 37364429 PMCID: PMC10561518 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2023.102628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Chemical probes can be valuable tools for studying protein targets, but addressing concerns about a probe's cellular target or its specificity can be challenging. A reliable strategy is to use a mutation that does not alter a target's function but confers resistance (or sensitizes) to the inhibitor in both cellular and biochemical assays. However, challenges remain in finding such mutations. Here, we discuss structure- and cell-based approaches to identify resistance- and sensitivity-conferring mutations. Further, we describe how resistance-conferring mutations can help with compound design, and the use of saturation mutagenesis to characterize a compound binding site. We highlight how genetic approaches can ensure the proper use of chemical inhibitors to pursue mechanistic studies and test therapeutic hypotheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie H Jones
- Laboratory of Chemistry and Cell Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA; Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tarun M Kapoor
- Laboratory of Chemistry and Cell Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
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10
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Coomar S, Mota P, Penson A, Schwaller J, Abdel-Wahab O, Gillingham D. Overlaid Transcriptional and Proteome Analyses Identify Mitotic Kinesins as Important Targets of Arylsulfonamide-Mediated RBM39 Degradation. Mol Cancer Res 2023; 21:768-778. [PMID: 37255411 PMCID: PMC10395616 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-22-0541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Certain arylsulfonamides (ArSulf) induce an interaction between the E3 ligase substrate adaptor DCAF15 and the critical splicing factor RBM39, ultimately causing its degradation. However, degradation of a splicing factor introduces complex pleiotropic effects that are difficult to untangle, since, aside from direct protein degradation, downstream transcriptional effects also influence the proteome. By overlaying transcriptional data and proteome datasets, we distinguish transcriptional from direct degradation effects, pinpointing those proteins most impacted by splicing changes. Using our workflow, we identify and validate the upregulation of the arginine-and-serine rich protein (RSRP1) and the downregulation of the key kinesin motor proteins KIF20A and KIF20B due to altered splicing in the absence of RBM39. We further show that kinesin downregulation is connected to the multinucleation phenotype observed upon RBM39 depletion by ArSulfs. Our approach should be helpful in the assessment of potential cancer drug candidates which target splicing factors. IMPLICATIONS Our approach provides a workflow for identifying and studying the most strongly modulated proteins when splicing is altered. The work also uncovers a splicing-based approach toward pharmacologic targeting of mitotic kinesins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seemon Coomar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pedro Mota
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Penson
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program and Leukemia Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Jürg Schwaller
- Department of Biomedicine, University Children's Hospital (UKBB), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Omar Abdel-Wahab
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program and Leukemia Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
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11
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Lue NZ, Liau BB. Base editor screens for in situ mutational scanning at scale. Mol Cell 2023; 83:2167-2187. [PMID: 37390819 PMCID: PMC10330937 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
A fundamental challenge in biology is understanding the molecular details of protein function. How mutations alter protein activity, regulation, and response to drugs is of critical importance to human health. Recent years have seen the emergence of pooled base editor screens for in situ mutational scanning: the interrogation of protein sequence-function relationships by directly perturbing endogenous proteins in live cells. These studies have revealed the effects of disease-associated mutations, discovered novel drug resistance mechanisms, and generated biochemical insights into protein function. Here, we discuss how this "base editor scanning" approach has been applied to diverse biological questions, compare it with alternative techniques, and describe the emerging challenges that must be addressed to maximize its utility. Given its broad applicability toward profiling mutations across the proteome, base editor scanning promises to revolutionize the investigation of proteins in their native contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Z Lue
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Brian B Liau
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
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12
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Li Q, Zhou L, Qin S, Huang Z, Li B, Liu R, Yang M, Nice EC, Zhu H, Huang C. Proteolysis-targeting chimeras in biotherapeutics: Current trends and future applications. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 257:115447. [PMID: 37229829 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The success of inhibitor-based therapeutics is largely constrained by the acquisition of therapeutic resistance, which is partially driven by the undruggable proteome. The emergence of proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology, designed for degrading proteins involved in specific biological processes, might provide a novel framework for solving the above constraint. A heterobifunctional PROTAC molecule could structurally connect an E3 ubiquitin ligase ligand with a protein of interest (POI)-binding ligand by chemical linkers. Such technology would result in the degradation of the targeted protein via the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), opening up a novel way of selectively inhibiting undruggable proteins. Herein, we will highlight the advantages of PROTAC technology and summarize the current understanding of the potential mechanisms involved in biotherapeutics, with a particular focus on its application and development where therapeutic benefits over classical small-molecule inhibitors have been achieved. Finally, we discuss how this technology can contribute to developing biotherapeutic drugs, such as antivirals against infectious diseases, for use in clinical practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Li
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, and West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Li Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, PR China
| | - Siyuan Qin
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, and West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Zhao Huang
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, and West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Bowen Li
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, and West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Ruolan Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, PR China
| | - Mei Yang
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, and West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Edouard C Nice
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Huili Zhu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China.
| | - Canhua Huang
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, and West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, PR China; School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, PR China.
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13
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Mekuete LBK, Tsopgni WDT, Nkojap AK, Kojom JJW, Stark TD, Fouokeng Y, Dongmo AB, Azeufack LT, Azebaze AGB. Rotenoids and Isoflavones from Xeroderris stuhlmannii (Taub.) Mendonça & E.P. Souza and Their Biological Activities. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28062846. [PMID: 36985817 PMCID: PMC10059994 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28062846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The phytochemical study of the ethanolic extract of the leaf of Xeroderris stuhlmannii led to the isolation of five hitherto unreported compounds including two isoflavones (1-2), and three rotenoids (3-5), along with eight known isoflavonoid derivatives (6-13) and one pterocarpan derivative (14). The structures of the new compounds and those of the known ones were established by the spectroscopic (1D and 2D NMR) and spectrometric (HRESIMS) techniques as well as a comparison of their spectroscopic data with those reported in the literature. The leaf extract, fractions, and isolated compounds were tested for their antibacterial effects against nine bacterial strains. Compounds 3, 8, 11, and 12 showed a significant antibacterial effect, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 62.5 µg/mL each, against Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Klessiella pneumonae, and Escherichia coli, respectively. In addition, the leaf extract, fractions, and isolated compounds were tested for their antifungal effects against four fungal strains. The hexane fraction showed a significant antifungal effect with an MIC value of 125 µg/mL against Candida parasilosis, whereas compounds 3, 8, and 12 showed significant antifungal activity with an MIC value of 62.5 µg/mL, each against Candida parasilosis, Candida albicans, and Candida krusei, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livie Blondèle Kenou Mekuete
- Research Unit of Environmental and Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Dschang P.O. Box 67, Cameroon
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Douala, Douala 24157, Cameroon
| | - Willifred Dongmo Tékapi Tsopgni
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Douala, Douala 24157, Cameroon
- Lehrstuhl für Lebensmittelchemie und Molekulare Sensorik, Technische Universität München, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Augustine Kuinze Nkojap
- Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Douala, Douala 24517, Cameroon
| | - Jacquy Joyce Wanche Kojom
- Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Douala, Douala 24517, Cameroon
| | - Timo D Stark
- Lehrstuhl für Lebensmittelchemie und Molekulare Sensorik, Technische Universität München, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Yannick Fouokeng
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Douala, Douala 24157, Cameroon
| | - Alain Bertrand Dongmo
- Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Douala, Douala 24517, Cameroon
| | - Léon Tapondjou Azeufack
- Research Unit of Environmental and Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Dschang P.O. Box 67, Cameroon
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14
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Hanzl A, Casement R, Imrichova H, Hughes SJ, Barone E, Testa A, Bauer S, Wright J, Brand M, Ciulli A, Winter GE. Functional E3 ligase hotspots and resistance mechanisms to small-molecule degraders. Nat Chem Biol 2023; 19:323-333. [PMID: 36329119 PMCID: PMC7614256 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-022-01177-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation is a novel pharmacology established by drugs that recruit target proteins to E3 ubiquitin ligases. Based on the structure of the degrader and the target, different E3 interfaces are critically involved, thus forming defined 'functional hotspots'. Understanding disruptive mutations in functional hotspots informs on the architecture of the assembly, and highlights residues susceptible to acquire resistance phenotypes. Here we employ haploid genetics to show that hotspot mutations cluster in substrate receptors of hijacked ligases, where mutation type and frequency correlate with gene essentiality. Intersection with deep mutational scanning revealed hotspots that are conserved or specific for chemically distinct degraders and targets. Biophysical and structural validation suggests that hotspot mutations frequently converge on altered ternary complex assembly. Moreover, we validated hotspots mutated in patients that relapse from degrader treatment. In sum, we present a fast and widely accessible methodology to characterize small-molecule degraders and associated resistance mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Hanzl
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ryan Casement
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, James Black Centre, Dundee, UK
| | - Hana Imrichova
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Scott J Hughes
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, James Black Centre, Dundee, UK
- Amphista Therapeutics Ltd., Newhouse, UK
| | - Eleonora Barone
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andrea Testa
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, James Black Centre, Dundee, UK
- Amphista Therapeutics Ltd., Newhouse, UK
| | - Sophie Bauer
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
- Proxygen GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jane Wright
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, James Black Centre, Dundee, UK
| | - Matthias Brand
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
- Proxygen GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alessio Ciulli
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, James Black Centre, Dundee, UK.
| | - Georg E Winter
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
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15
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Eléouët M, Lu C, Zhou Y, Yang P, Ma J, Xu G. Insights on the biological functions and diverse regulation of RNA-binding protein 39 and their implication in human diseases. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2023; 1866:194902. [PMID: 36535628 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2022.194902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
RNA-binding protein 39 (RBM39) involves in pre-mRNA splicing and transcriptional regulation. RBM39 is dysregulated in many cancers and its upregulation enhances cancer cell proliferation. Recently, it has been discovered that aryl sulfonamides act as molecular glues to recruit RBM39 to the CRL4DCAF15 E3 ubiquitin ligase complex for its ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Therefore, various studies have focused on the degradation of RBM39 by aryl sulfonamides in the aim of finding new cancer therapeutics. These discoveries also attracted focus for thorough study on the biological functions of RBM39. RBM39 was found to regulate the splicing and transcription of genes mainly involved in pre-mRNA splicing, cell cycle regulation, DNA damage response, and metabolism, but the understanding of these regulations is still in its infancy. This article reviews the advances of the current literature and discusses the remaining key issues on the biological function and dynamic regulation of RBM39 at the post-translational level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgane Eléouët
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Precision Diagnostics and Therapeutics Development, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Prevention and Treatment of Hyperlipidemic Diseases, Soochow University, 199 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China; Synbio Technologies Company, BioBay C20, 218 Xinghu Street, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Chengpiao Lu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Precision Diagnostics and Therapeutics Development, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Prevention and Treatment of Hyperlipidemic Diseases, Soochow University, 199 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Yijia Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Precision Diagnostics and Therapeutics Development, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Prevention and Treatment of Hyperlipidemic Diseases, Soochow University, 199 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Ping Yang
- Synbio Technologies Company, BioBay C20, 218 Xinghu Street, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Jingjing Ma
- Department of Pharmacy, Medical Center of Soochow University, Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China.
| | - Guoqiang Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Precision Diagnostics and Therapeutics Development, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Prevention and Treatment of Hyperlipidemic Diseases, Soochow University, 199 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China.
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16
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Lue NZ, Garcia EM, Ngan KC, Lee C, Doench JG, Liau BB. Base editor scanning charts the DNMT3A activity landscape. Nat Chem Biol 2023; 19:176-186. [PMID: 36266353 PMCID: PMC10518564 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-022-01167-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation is critical for regulating gene expression, necessitating its accurate placement by enzymes such as the DNA methyltransferase DNMT3A. Dysregulation of this process is known to cause aberrant development and oncogenesis, yet how DNMT3A is regulated holistically by its three domains remains challenging to study. Here, we integrate base editing with a DNA methylation reporter to perform in situ mutational scanning of DNMT3A in cells. We identify mutations throughout the protein that perturb function, including ones at an interdomain interface that block allosteric activation. Unexpectedly, we also find mutations in the PWWP domain, a histone reader, that modulate enzyme activity despite preserving histone recognition and protein stability. These effects arise from altered PWWP domain DNA affinity, which we show is a noncanonical function required for full activity in cells. Our findings highlight mechanisms of interdomain crosstalk and demonstrate a generalizable strategy to probe sequence-activity relationships of nonessential chromatin regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Z Lue
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Emma M Garcia
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kevin C Ngan
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ceejay Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - John G Doench
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Brian B Liau
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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17
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Huang S, Baskin JM. Adding a Chemical Biology Twist to CRISPR Screening. Isr J Chem 2023; 63:e202200056. [PMID: 37588264 PMCID: PMC10427134 DOI: 10.1002/ijch.202200056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In less than a decade, CRISPR screening has revolutionized forward genetics and cell and molecular biology. Advances in screening technologies, including sgRNA libraries, Cas9-expressing cell lines, and streamlined sequencing pipelines, have democratized pooled CRISPR screens at genome-wide scale. Initially, many such screens were survival-based, identifying essential genes in physiological or perturbed processes. With the application of new chemical biology tools to CRISPR screening, the phenotypic space is no longer limited to live/dead selection or screening for levels of conventional fluorescent protein reporters. Further, the resolution has been increased from cell populations to single cells or even the subcellular level. We highlight advances in pooled CRISPR screening, powered by chemical biology, that have expanded phenotypic space, resolution, scope, and scalability as well as strengthened the CRISPR/Cas enzyme toolkit to enable biological hypothesis generation and discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiying Huang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
| | - Jeremy M Baskin
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
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18
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Duran-Frigola M, Cigler M, Winter GE. Advancing Targeted Protein Degradation via Multiomics Profiling and Artificial Intelligence. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:2711-2732. [PMID: 36706315 PMCID: PMC9912273 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c11098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Only around 20% of the human proteome is considered to be druggable with small-molecule antagonists. This leaves some of the most compelling therapeutic targets outside the reach of ligand discovery. The concept of targeted protein degradation (TPD) promises to overcome some of these limitations. In brief, TPD is dependent on small molecules that induce the proximity between a protein of interest (POI) and an E3 ubiquitin ligase, causing ubiquitination and degradation of the POI. In this perspective, we want to reflect on current challenges in the field, and discuss how advances in multiomics profiling, artificial intelligence, and machine learning (AI/ML) will be vital in overcoming them. The presented roadmap is discussed in the context of small-molecule degraders but is equally applicable for other emerging proximity-inducing modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miquel Duran-Frigola
- CeMM
Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of
Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria,Ersilia
Open Source Initiative, 28 Belgrave Road, CB1 3DE, Cambridge, United Kingdom,
| | - Marko Cigler
- CeMM
Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of
Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg E. Winter
- CeMM
Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of
Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria,
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19
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Ngan KCH, Hoenig SM, Kwok HS, Lue NZ, Gosavi PM, Tanner DA, Garcia EM, Lee C, Liau BB. Activity-based CRISPR scanning uncovers allostery in DNA methylation maintenance machinery. eLife 2023; 12:80640. [PMID: 36762644 PMCID: PMC9946446 DOI: 10.7554/elife.80640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Allostery enables dynamic control of protein function. A paradigmatic example is the tightly orchestrated process of DNA methylation maintenance. Despite the fundamental importance of allosteric sites, their identification remains highly challenging. Here, we perform CRISPR scanning on the essential maintenance methylation machinery-DNMT1 and its partner UHRF1-with the activity-based inhibitor decitabine to uncover allosteric mechanisms regulating DNMT1. In contrast to non-covalent DNMT1 inhibition, activity-based selection implicates numerous regions outside the catalytic domain in DNMT1 function. Through computational analyses, we identify putative mutational hotspots in DNMT1 distal from the active site that encompass mutations spanning a multi-domain autoinhibitory interface and the uncharacterized BAH2 domain. We biochemically characterize these mutations as gain-of-function, exhibiting increased DNMT1 activity. Extrapolating our analysis to UHRF1, we discern putative gain-of-function mutations in multiple domains, including key residues across the autoinhibitory TTD-PBR interface. Collectively, our study highlights the utility of activity-based CRISPR scanning for nominating candidate allosteric sites, and more broadly, introduces new analytical tools that further refine the CRISPR scanning framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Chun-Ho Ngan
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States,Broad Institute of MIT and HarvardCambridgeUnited States
| | - Samuel M Hoenig
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
| | - Hui Si Kwok
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States,Broad Institute of MIT and HarvardCambridgeUnited States
| | - Nicholas Z Lue
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States,Broad Institute of MIT and HarvardCambridgeUnited States
| | - Pallavi M Gosavi
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States,Broad Institute of MIT and HarvardCambridgeUnited States
| | - David A Tanner
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
| | - Emma M Garcia
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States,Broad Institute of MIT and HarvardCambridgeUnited States
| | - Ceejay Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States,Broad Institute of MIT and HarvardCambridgeUnited States
| | - Brian B Liau
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States,Broad Institute of MIT and HarvardCambridgeUnited States
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20
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Fuchs O. Targeting cereblon in hematologic malignancies. Blood Rev 2023; 57:100994. [PMID: 35933246 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2022.100994] [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: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The protein cereblon (CRBN) is a substrate receptor of the cullin 4-really interesting new gene (RING) E3 ubiquitin ligase complex CRL4CRBN. Targeting CRBN mediates selective protein ubiquitination and subsequent degradation via the proteasome. This review describes novel thalidomide analogs, immunomodulatory drugs, also known as CRBN E3 ubiquitin ligase modulators or molecular glues (avadomide, iberdomide, CC-885, CC-90009, BTX-1188, CC-92480, CC-99282, CFT7455, and CC-91633), and CRBN-based proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) with increased efficacy and potent activity for application in hematologic malignancies. Both types of CRBN-binding drugs, molecular glues, and PROTACs stimulate the interaction between CRBN and its neosubstrates, recruiting target disease-promoting proteins and the E3 ubiquitin ligase CRL4CRBN. Proteins that are traditionally difficult to target (transcription factors and oncoproteins) can be polyubiquitinated and degraded in this way. The competition of CRBN neosubstrates with endogenous CRBN-interacting proteins and the pharmacology and rational combination therapies of and mechanisms of resistance to CRL4CRBN modulators or CRBN-based PROTACs are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ota Fuchs
- Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, U Nemocnice 1, 12800 Praha 2, Czech Republic.
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21
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Salama AKAA, Trkulja MV, Casanova E, Uras IZ. Targeted Protein Degradation: Clinical Advances in the Field of Oncology. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:15440. [PMID: 36499765 PMCID: PMC9741350 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The field of targeted protein degradation (TPD) is a rapidly developing therapeutic modality with the promise to tame disease-relevant proteins in ways that are difficult or impossible to tackle with other strategies. While we move into the third decade of TPD, multiple degrader drugs have entered the stage of the clinic and many more are expected to follow. In this review, we provide an update on the most recent advances in the field of targeted degradation with insights into possible clinical implications for cancer prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Iris Z. Uras
- Department of Pharmacology, Center of Physiology and Pharmacology & Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC), Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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22
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Ngan KC, Lue NZ, Lee C, Liau BB. CRISPR-Suppressor Scanning for Systematic Discovery of Drug-Resistance Mutations. Curr Protoc 2022; 2:e614. [PMID: 36541895 PMCID: PMC10073897 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technologies have enabled complex genetic manipulations in situ, including large-scale, pooled screening approaches to probe and uncover mechanistic insights across various biological processes. The RNA-programmable nature of CRISPR-Cas9 greatly empowers tiling mutagenesis approaches to elucidate molecular details of protein function, in particular the interrogation of mechanisms of resistance to small molecules, an approach termed CRISPR-suppressor scanning. In a typical CRISPR-suppressor scanning experiment, a pooled library of single-guide RNAs is designed to target across the coding sequence(s) of one or more genes, enabling the Cas9 nuclease to systematically mutate the targeted proteins and generate large numbers of diverse protein variants in situ. This cellular pool of protein variants is then challenged with drug treatment to identify mutations conferring a fitness advantage. Drug-resistance mutations identified with this approach can not only elucidate drug mechanism of action but also reveal deeper mechanistic insights into protein structure-function relationships. In this article, we outline the framework for a standard CRISPR-suppressor scanning experiment. Specifically, we provide instructions for the design and construction of a pooled sgRNA library, execution of a CRISPR-suppressor scanning screen, and basic computational analysis of the resulting data. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Design and generation of a pooled sgRNA library Support Protocol 1: sgRNA library design using command-line CRISPOR Support Protocol 2: Production and titering of pooled sgRNA library lentivirus Basic Protocol 2: Execution and analysis of a CRISPR-suppressor scanning experiment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin C Ngan
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Nicholas Z Lue
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Ceejay Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Brian B Liau
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts
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23
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Qin L, Dai H, Wang J. Key Considerations in Targeted Protein Degradation Drug Discovery and Development. Front Chem 2022; 10:934337. [PMID: 35978859 PMCID: PMC9376879 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.934337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeting proteins’ enzymatic functions with small molecule inhibitors, as well as functions of receptor proteins with small-molecule agonists and antagonists, were the major forms of small-molecule drug development. These small-molecule modulators are based on a conventional occupancy-driven pharmacological approach. For proteome space traditionally considered undruggable by small-molecule modulators, such as enzymes with scaffolding functions, transcription factors, and proteins that lack well-defined binding pockets for small molecules, targeted protein degraders offer the opportunity to drug the proteome with an event-driven pharmacological approach. A degrader molecule, either PROTAC or molecular glue, brings the protein of interest (POI) and E3 ubiquitin ligase in close proximity and engages the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), the cellular waste disposal system for the degradation of the POI. For the development of targeted protein degraders to meet therapeutic needs, several aspects will be considered, namely, the selective degradation of disease-causing proteins, the oral bioavailability of degraders beyond Lipinski’s rule of five (bRo5) scope, demands of new E3 ubiquitin ligases and molecular glue degraders, and drug resistance of the new drug modality. This review will illustrate several under-discussed key considerations in targeted protein degradation drug discovery and development: 1) the contributing factors for the selectivity of PROTAC molecules and the design of PROTACs to selectively degrade synergistic pathological proteins; 2) assay development in combination with a multi-omics approach for the identification of new E3 ligases and their corresponding ligands, as well as molecular glue degraders; 3) a molecular design to improve the oral bioavailability of bRo5 PROTACs, and 4) drug resistance of degraders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liena Qin
- Insilico Medicine Ltd., Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Liena Qin, ; Han Dai, ; Junfeng Wang,
| | - Han Dai
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Liena Qin, ; Han Dai, ; Junfeng Wang,
| | - Junfeng Wang
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China
- International Magnetobiology Frontier Research Center, Hefei, China
- Institute of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Liena Qin, ; Han Dai, ; Junfeng Wang,
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24
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Domostegui A, Nieto-Barrado L, Perez-Lopez C, Mayor-Ruiz C. Chasing molecular glue degraders: screening approaches. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:5498-5517. [PMID: 35723413 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00197g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) govern all biological processes. Some small molecules modulate PPIs through induced protein proximity. In particular, molecular glue degraders are monovalent compounds that orchestrate interactions between a target protein and an E3 ubiquitin ligase, prompting the proteasomal degradation of the former. This and other pharmacological strategies of targeted protein degradation (e.g. proteolysis-targeting chimeras - PROTACs) overcome some limitations of traditional occupancy-based therapeutics. Here, we provide an overview of the "molecular glue" concept, with a special focus on natural and synthetic inducers of proximity to E3s. We then briefly highlight the serendipitous discoveries of some clinical and preclinical molecular glue degraders, and discuss the first examples of intentional discoveries. Specifically, we outline the different screening strategies reported in this rapidly evolving arena and our thoughts on future perspectives. By mastering the ability to influence PPIs, molecular glue degraders can induce the degradation of unligandable proteins, thus providing an exciting path forward to broaden the targetable proteome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Domostegui
- IRB Barcelona - Institute for Research in Biomedicine, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Luis Nieto-Barrado
- IRB Barcelona - Institute for Research in Biomedicine, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Carles Perez-Lopez
- IRB Barcelona - Institute for Research in Biomedicine, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Cristina Mayor-Ruiz
- IRB Barcelona - Institute for Research in Biomedicine, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
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Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are heterobifunctional molecules consisting of one ligand that binds to a protein of interest (POI) and another that can recruit an E3 ubiquitin ligase. The chemically-induced proximity between the POI and E3 ligase results in ubiquitination and subsequent degradation of the POI by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). The event-driven mechanism of action (MOA) of PROTACs offers several advantages compared to traditional occupancy-driven small molecule inhibitors, such as a catalytic nature, reduced dosing and dosing frequency, a more potent and longer-lasting effect, an added layer of selectivity to reduce potential toxicity, efficacy in the face of drug-resistance mechanisms, targeting nonenzymatic functions, and expanded target space. Here, we highlight important milestones and briefly discuss lessons learned about targeted protein degradation (TPD) in recent years and conjecture on the efforts still needed to expand the toolbox for PROTAC discovery to ultimately provide promising therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Li
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA.
| | - Craig M Crews
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA. .,Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA
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26
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Li F, Aljahdali IAM, Ling X. Molecular Glues: Capable Protein-Binding Small Molecules That Can Change Protein-Protein Interactions and Interactomes for the Potential Treatment of Human Cancer and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116206. [PMID: 35682885 PMCID: PMC9181451 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116206] [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: 05/15/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular glue (MG) compounds are a type of unique small molecule that can change the protein–protein interactions (PPIs) and interactomes by degrading, stabilizing, or activating the target protein after their binging. These small-molecule MGs are gradually being recognized for their potential application in treating human diseases, including cancer. Evidence suggests that small-molecule MG compounds could essentially target any proteins, which play critical roles in human disease etiology, where many of these protein targets were previously considered undruggable. Intriguingly, most MG compounds with high efficacy for cancer treatment can glue on and control multiple key protein targets. On the other hand, a single key protein target can also be glued by multiple MG compounds with distinct chemical structures. The high flexibility of MG–protein interaction profiles provides rich soil for the growth and development of small-molecule MG compounds that can be used as molecular tools to assist in unraveling disease mechanisms, and they can also facilitate drug development for the treatment of human disease, especially human cancer. In this review, we elucidate this concept by using various types of small-molecule MG compounds and their corresponding protein targets that have been documented in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengzhi Li
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; (I.A.M.A.); (X.L.)
- Developmental Therapeutics (DT) Program, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
- Gastrointestinal Translational Research Group (GI TRG), Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(716)-845-4398; Fax: +1-(716)-845-8857
| | - Ieman A. M. Aljahdali
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; (I.A.M.A.); (X.L.)
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Xiang Ling
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; (I.A.M.A.); (X.L.)
- Canget BioTekpharma LLC, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
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27
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Robinson SA, Banik SM. CRISPR-Suppressor Scanning Unsticks Molecular Glues. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2022; 8:408-411. [PMID: 35505876 PMCID: PMC9052799 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.2c00216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
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