1
|
Mukherjee A, Kadam VD, Miao Q, Zhang W, MacKenzie KR, Tan Z, Teng M. On-demand modular assembly for expedited PROTAC development. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024:1-4. [PMID: 38842359 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2364637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Ayan Mukherjee
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Vilas D Kadam
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Qi Miao
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Wanheng Zhang
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kevin R MacKenzie
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Zhi Tan
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mingxing Teng
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhang D, Ma B, Dragovich PS, Ma L, Chen S, Chen EC, Ye X, Liu J, Pizzano J, Bortolon E, Chan E, Zhang X, Chen YC, Levy ES, Yauch RL, Khojasteh SC, Hop CECA. Tissue distribution and retention drives efficacy of rapidly clearing VHL-based PROTACs. COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE 2024; 4:87. [PMID: 38755248 PMCID: PMC11099041 DOI: 10.1038/s43856-024-00505-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are being developed for therapeutic use. However, they have poor pharmacokinetic profiles and their tissue distribution kinetics are not known. METHODS A typical von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor (VHL)-PROTAC 14C-A947 (BRM degrader)-was synthesized and its tissue distribution kinetics was studied by quantitative whole-body autoradiography (QWBA) and tissue excision in rats following IV dosing. Bile duct-cannulated (BDC) rats allowed the elucidation of in vivo clearance pathways. Distribution kinetics was evaluated in the tissues and tumors of mice to support PK-PD correlation. In vitro studies enabled the evaluation of cell uptake mechanisms and cell retention properties. RESULTS Here, we show that A947 quickly distributes into rat tissues after IV dosing, where it accumulates and is retained in tissues such as the lung and liver although it undergoes fast clearance from circulation. Similar uptake/retention kinetics enable tumor growth inhibition over 2-3 weeks in a lung cancer model. A947 quickly excretes in the bile of rats. Solute carrier (SLC) transporters are involved in hepatocyte uptake of PROTACs. Sustained BRM protein degradation is seen after extensive washout that supports prolonged cell retention of A947 in NCI-H1944 cells. A947 tissue exposure and pharmacodynamics are inversely correlated in tumors. CONCLUSIONS Plasma sampling for VHL-PROTAC does not represent the tissue concentrations necessary for efficacy. Understanding of tissue uptake and retention could enable less frequent IV administration to be used for therapeutic dosing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Donglu Zhang
- Genentech; 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA.
| | - Bin Ma
- Genentech; 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | | | - Li Ma
- Genentech; 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Shu Chen
- Genentech; 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Eugene C Chen
- Genentech; 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Xiaofen Ye
- Genentech; 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Joyce Liu
- Genentech; 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Jennifer Pizzano
- Arvinas; 5 Science Park, 395 Winchester Ave, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | | | - Emily Chan
- Genentech; 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Xing Zhang
- Genentech; 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Yi-Chen Chen
- Genentech; 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | | | - Robert L Yauch
- Genentech; 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mslati H, Gentile F, Pandey M, Ban F, Cherkasov A. PROTACable Is an Integrative Computational Pipeline of 3-D Modeling and Deep Learning To Automate the De Novo Design of PROTACs. J Chem Inf Model 2024; 64:3034-3046. [PMID: 38504115 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c01878] [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: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) that engage two biological targets at once are a promising technology in degrading clinically relevant protein targets. Since factors that influence the biological activities of PROTACs are more complex than those of a small molecule drug, we explored a combination of computational chemistry and deep learning strategies to forecast PROTAC activity and enable automated design. A new method named PROTACable was developed for the de novo design of PROTACs, which includes a robust 3-D modeling workflow to model PROTAC ternary complexes using a library of E3 ligase and linker and an SE(3)-equivariant graph transformer network to predict the activity of newly designed PROTACs. PROTACable is available at https://github.com/giaguaro/PROTACable/.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hazem Mslati
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Francesco Gentile
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
- Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Mohit Pandey
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Fuqiang Ban
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Artem Cherkasov
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6H 3Z6, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chen Z, Wang M, Wu D, Bai L, Xu T, Metwally H, Wang Y, McEachern D, Zhao L, Li R, Takyi-Williams J, Wang M, Wang L, Li Q, Wen B, Sun D, Wang S. Discovery of CBPD-268 as an Exceptionally Potent and Orally Efficacious CBP/p300 PROTAC Degrader Capable of Achieving Tumor Regression. J Med Chem 2024; 67:5275-5304. [PMID: 38477974 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02124] [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: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
CBP/p300 proteins are key epigenetic regulators and promising targets for the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer and other types of human cancers. Herein, we report the discovery and characterization of CBPD-268 as an exceptionally potent, effective, and orally efficacious PROTAC degrader of CBP/p300 proteins. CBPD-268 induces CBP/p300 degradation in three androgen receptor-positive prostate cancer cell lines, with DC50 ≤ 0.03 nM and Dmax > 95%, leading to potent cell growth inhibition. It has an excellent oral bioavailability in mice and rats. Oral administration of CBPD-268 at 0.3-3 mg/kg resulted in profound and persistent CBP/p300 depletion in tumor tissues and achieved strong antitumor activity in the VCaP and 22Rv1 xenograft tumor models in mice, including tumor regression in the VCaP tumor model. CBPD-268 was well tolerated in mice and rats and displayed a therapeutic index of >10. Taking these results together, CBPD-268 is a highly promising CBP/p300 degrader as a potential new cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhixiang Chen
- The Rogel Cancer Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, and Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Mi Wang
- The Rogel Cancer Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, and Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Dimin Wu
- The Rogel Cancer Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, and Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Longchuan Bai
- The Rogel Cancer Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, and Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Tianfeng Xu
- The Rogel Cancer Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, and Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Hoda Metwally
- The Rogel Cancer Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, and Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Yu Wang
- The Rogel Cancer Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, and Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Donna McEachern
- The Rogel Cancer Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, and Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Lijie Zhao
- The Rogel Cancer Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, and Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Ruiting Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - John Takyi-Williams
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Meilin Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Qiuxia Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Bo Wen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Duxin Sun
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Shaomeng Wang
- The Rogel Cancer Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, and Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Price E, Weinheimer M, Rivkin A, Jenkins G, Nijsen M, Cox PB, DeGoey D. Beyond Rule of Five and PROTACs in Modern Drug Discovery: Polarity Reducers, Chameleonicity, and the Evolving Physicochemical Landscape. J Med Chem 2024; 67:5683-5698. [PMID: 38498697 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02332] [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: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Developing orally bioavailable drugs demands an understanding of absorption in early drug development. Traditional methods and physicochemical properties optimize absorption for rule of five (Ro5) compounds; beyond rule of five (bRo5) drugs necessitate advanced tools like the experimental measure of exposed polarity (EPSA) and the AbbVie multiparametric score (AB-MPS). Analyzing AB-MPS and EPSA against ∼1000 compounds with human absorption data and ∼10,000 AbbVie tool compounds (∼1000 proteolysis targeting chimeras or PROTACs, ∼7000 Ro5s, and ∼2000 bRo5s) revealed new patterns of physicochemical trends. We introduced a high-throughput "polarity reduction" descriptor: ETR, the EPSA-to-topological polar surface area (TPSA) ratio, highlights unique bRo5 and PROTAC subsets for specialized drug design strategies for effective absorption. Our methods and guidelines refine drug design by providing innovative in vitro approaches, enhancing physicochemical property optimization, and enabling accurate predictions of intestinal absorption in the complex bRo5 domain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edward Price
- Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Manuel Weinheimer
- Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Alexey Rivkin
- Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Gary Jenkins
- Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Marjoleen Nijsen
- Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Philip B Cox
- Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - David DeGoey
- Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Apprato G, Poongavanam V, Garcia Jimenez D, Atilaw Y, Erdelyi M, Ermondi G, Caron G, Kihlberg J. Exploring the chemical space of orally bioavailable PROTACs. Drug Discov Today 2024; 29:103917. [PMID: 38360147 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2024.103917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
A principal challenge in the discovery of proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) as oral medications is their bioavailability. To facilitate drug design, it is therefore essential to identify the chemical space where orally bioavailable PROTACs are more likely to be situated. To this aim, we extracted structure-bioavailability insights from published data using traditional 2D descriptors, thereby shedding light on their potential and limitations as drug design tools. Subsequently, we describe cutting-edge experimental, computational and hybrid design strategies based on 3D descriptors, which show promise for enhancing the probability of discovering PROTACs with high oral bioavailability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Apprato
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Piazza Nizza 44bis, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | | | - Diego Garcia Jimenez
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Piazza Nizza 44bis, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Yoseph Atilaw
- Department of Chemistry - BMC, Uppsala University, SE-75123 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mate Erdelyi
- Department of Chemistry - BMC, Uppsala University, SE-75123 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Giuseppe Ermondi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Piazza Nizza 44bis, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Giulia Caron
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Piazza Nizza 44bis, 10126 Torino, Italy.
| | - Jan Kihlberg
- Department of Chemistry - BMC, Uppsala University, SE-75123 Uppsala, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Bouvier C, Lawrence R, Cavallo F, Xolalpa W, Jordan A, Hjerpe R, Rodriguez MS. Breaking Bad Proteins-Discovery Approaches and the Road to Clinic for Degraders. Cells 2024; 13:578. [PMID: 38607017 PMCID: PMC11011670 DOI: 10.3390/cells13070578] [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: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) describe compounds that bind to and induce degradation of a target by simultaneously binding to a ubiquitin ligase. More generally referred to as bifunctional degraders, PROTACs have led the way in the field of targeted protein degradation (TPD), with several compounds currently undergoing clinical testing. Alongside bifunctional degraders, single-moiety compounds, or molecular glue degraders (MGDs), are increasingly being considered as a viable approach for development of therapeutics, driven by advances in rational discovery approaches. This review focuses on drug discovery with respect to bifunctional and molecular glue degraders within the ubiquitin proteasome system, including analysis of mechanistic concepts and discovery approaches, with an overview of current clinical and pre-clinical degrader status in oncology, neurodegenerative and inflammatory disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Corentin Bouvier
- Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination LCC-UPR 8241-CNRS, 31077 Toulouse, France; (C.B.); (M.S.R.)
| | - Rachel Lawrence
- Sygnature Discovery, Bio City, Pennyfoot St., Nottingham NG1 1GR, UK (F.C.); (A.J.)
| | - Francesca Cavallo
- Sygnature Discovery, Bio City, Pennyfoot St., Nottingham NG1 1GR, UK (F.C.); (A.J.)
| | - Wendy Xolalpa
- Departamento de Ingeniería Celular y Biocatálisis, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca 62209, Morelos, Mexico;
| | - Allan Jordan
- Sygnature Discovery, Bio City, Pennyfoot St., Nottingham NG1 1GR, UK (F.C.); (A.J.)
| | - Roland Hjerpe
- Sygnature Discovery, Bio City, Pennyfoot St., Nottingham NG1 1GR, UK (F.C.); (A.J.)
| | - Manuel S. Rodriguez
- Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination LCC-UPR 8241-CNRS, 31077 Toulouse, France; (C.B.); (M.S.R.)
- Pharmadev, UMR 152, Université de Toulouse, IRD, UT3, 31400 Toulouse, France
- B Molecular, Centre Pierre Potier, Canceropôle, 31106 Toulouse, France
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Singh S, Srivastava P. Targeted Protein Degraders- The Druggability Perspective. J Pharm Sci 2024; 113:539-554. [PMID: 37926234 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2023.10.023] [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: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Targeted Protein degraders (TPDs) show promise in harnessing cellular machinery to eliminate disease-causing proteins, even those previously considered undruggable. Especially if protein turnover is low, targeted protein removal bestows lasting therapeutic effect over typical inhibition. The demonstrated safety and efficacy profile of clinical candidates has fueled the surge in the number of potential candidates across different therapeutic areas. As TPDs often do not comply with Lipinski's rule of five, developing novel TPDs and unlocking their full potential requires overcoming solubility, permeability and oral bioavailability challenges. Tailored in-vitro assays are key to precise profiling and optimization, propelling breakthroughs in targeted protein degradation.
Collapse
|
9
|
Faris JH, Adaligil E, Popovych N, Ono S, Takahashi M, Nguyen H, Plise E, Taechalertpaisarn J, Lee HW, Koehler MFT, Cunningham CN, Lokey RS. Membrane Permeability in a Large Macrocyclic Peptide Driven by a Saddle-Shaped Conformation. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:4582-4591. [PMID: 38330910 PMCID: PMC10885153 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c10949] [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] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
The effort to modulate challenging protein targets has stimulated interest in ligands that are larger and more complex than typical small-molecule drugs. While combinatorial techniques such as mRNA display routinely produce high-affinity macrocyclic peptides against classically undruggable targets, poor membrane permeability has limited their use toward primarily extracellular targets. Understanding the passive membrane permeability of macrocyclic peptides would, in principle, improve our ability to design libraries whose leads can be more readily optimized against intracellular targets. Here, we investigate the permeabilities of over 200 macrocyclic 10-mers using the thioether cyclization motif commonly found in mRNA display macrocycle libraries. We identified the optimal lipophilicity range for achieving permeability in thioether-cyclized 10-mer cyclic peptide-peptoid hybrid scaffolds and showed that permeability could be maintained upon extensive permutation in the backbone. In one case, changing a single amino acid from d-Pro to d-NMe-Ala, representing the loss of a single methylene group in the side chain, resulted in a highly permeable scaffold in which the low-dielectric conformation shifted from the canonical cross-beta geometry of the parent compounds into a novel saddle-shaped fold in which all four backbone NH groups were sequestered from the solvent. This work provides an example by which pre-existing physicochemical knowledge of a scaffold can benefit the design of macrocyclic peptide mRNA display libraries, pointing toward an approach for biasing libraries toward permeability by design. Moreover, the compounds described herein are a further demonstration that geometrically diverse, highly permeable scaffolds exist well beyond conventional drug-like chemical space.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justin H Faris
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States
| | - Emel Adaligil
- Department of Peptide Therapeutics, Genentech, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Nataliya Popovych
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Satoshi Ono
- Innovative Research Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Kanagawa 227-0033, Japan
| | - Mifune Takahashi
- Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Genentech, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Huy Nguyen
- Department of Analytical Research, Genentech, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Emile Plise
- Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Genentech, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Jaru Taechalertpaisarn
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States
| | - Hsiau-Wei Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States
| | - Michael F T Koehler
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Genentech, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Christian N Cunningham
- Department of Peptide Therapeutics, Genentech, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - R Scott Lokey
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Rahman M, Marzullo B, Holman SW, Barrow M, Ray AD, O’Connor PB. Advancing PROTAC Characterization: Structural Insights through Adducts and Multimodal Tandem-MS Strategies. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2024; 35:285-299. [PMID: 38197777 PMCID: PMC10853971 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.3c00342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are specialized molecules that bind to a target protein and a ubiquitin ligase to facilitate protein degradation. Despite their significance, native PROTACs have not undergone tandem mass spectrometry (MS) analysis. To address this gap, we conducted a pioneering investigation on the fragmentation patterns of two PROTACs in development, dBET1 and VZ185. Employing diverse cations (sodium, lithium, and silver) and multiple tandem-MS techniques, we enhanced their structural characterization. Notably, lithium cations facilitated comprehensive positive-mode coverage for dBET1, while negative polarity mode offered richer insights. Employing de novo structure determination on 2DMS data from degradation studies yielded crucial insights. In the case of VZ185, various charge states were observed, with [M + 2H]2+ revealing fewer moieties than [M + H]+ due to charge-related factors. Augmenting structural details through silver adducts suggested both charge-directed and charge-remote fragmentation. This comprehensive investigation identifies frequently dissociated bonds across multiple fragmentation techniques, pinpointing optimal approaches for elucidating PROTAC structures. The findings contribute to advancing our understanding of PROTACs, pivotal for their continued development as promising therapeutic agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Rahman
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, U.K.
- Department
of Physics, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, U.K.
| | - Bryan Marzullo
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, U.K.
| | - Stephen W. Holman
- Chemical
Development, Pharmaceutical Technology & Development, Operations, AstraZeneca, Macclesfield, SK10 4TF, U.K.
| | - Mark Barrow
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, U.K.
| | - Andrew D. Ray
- New
Modalities and Parenteral Development, Pharmaceutical Technology &
Development, Operations, AstraZeneca, Macclesfield, SK10 4TF, U.K.
| | - Peter B. O’Connor
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, U.K.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Reese TC, Devineni A, Smith T, Lalami I, Ahn JM, Raj GV. Evaluating physiochemical properties of FDA-approved orally administered drugs. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:225-238. [PMID: 37921049 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2275617] [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: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Analyses of orally administered FDA-approved drugs from 1990 to 1993 enabled the identification of a set of physiochemical properties known as Lipinski's Rule of Five (Ro5). The original Ro5 and extended versions still remain the reference criteria for drug development programs. Since many bioactive compounds do not conform to the Ro5, we validated the relevance of and adherence to these rulesets in a contemporary cohort of FDA-approved drugs. AREAS COVERED The authors noted that a significant proportion of FDA-approved orally administered parent compounds from 2011 to 2022 deviate from the original Ro5 criteria (~38%) or the Ro5 with extensions (~53%). They then evaluated if a contemporary Ro5 criteria (cRo5) could be devised to better predict oral bioavailability. Furthermore, they discuss many case studies showcasing the need for and benefit of increasing the size of certain compounds and cover several evolving strategies for improving oral bioavailability. EXPERT OPINION Despite many revisions to the Ro5, the authors find that no single proposed physiochemical rule has universal concordance with absolute oral bioavailability. Innovations in drug delivery and formulation have dramatically expanded the range of physicochemical properties and the chemical diversity for oral administration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tanner C Reese
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA
| | - Anvita Devineni
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA
| | - Tristan Smith
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, USA
| | - Ismail Lalami
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, USA
| | - Jung-Mo Ahn
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, USA
| | - Ganesh V Raj
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Ichikawa S, Payne NC, Xu W, Chang CF, Vallavoju N, Frome S, Flaxman HA, Mazitschek R, Woo CM. The cyclimids: Degron-inspired cereblon binders for targeted protein degradation. Cell Chem Biol 2024:S2451-9456(24)00039-4. [PMID: 38320555 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2024.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Cereblon (CRBN) is an E3 ligase substrate adapter widely exploited for targeted protein degradation (TPD) strategies. However, achieving efficient and selective target degradation is a preeminent challenge with ligands that engage CRBN. Here, we report that the cyclimids, ligands derived from the C-terminal cyclic imide degrons of CRBN, exhibit distinct modes of interaction with CRBN and offer a facile approach for developing potent and selective bifunctional degraders. Quantitative TR-FRET-based characterization of 60 cyclimid degraders in binary and ternary complexes across different substrates revealed that ternary complex binding affinities correlated strongly with cellular degradation efficiency. Our studies establish the unique properties of the cyclimids as versatile warheads in TPD and a systematic biochemical approach for quantifying ternary complex formation to predict their cellular degradation activity, which together will accelerate the development of ligands that engage CRBN.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saki Ichikawa
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - N Connor Payne
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Wenqing Xu
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Chia-Fu Chang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Nandini Vallavoju
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Spencer Frome
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Hope A Flaxman
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Ralph Mazitschek
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Christina M Woo
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Pang X, Cui D, Lv B, Wang CY. Discovery of Potent SOS1 PROTACs with Effective Antitumor Activities against NCI-H358 Tumor Cells In Vitro/In Vivo. J Med Chem 2024; 67:1563-1579. [PMID: 38206836 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02135] [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: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Directly targeted KRAS inhibitors are now facing resistance problems, which might be partially solved by the combination of SOS1 inhibitors with KRAS inhibitors. However, this combination may still have some resistance mitigation potential. Comparatively, SOS1 PROTAC may have promising applications in addressing the drug resistance problem by degrading the SOS1 protein. Herein, we report the discovery of novel SOS1 PROTACs and their antitumor activity both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro studies demonstrated that degrader 4 had strong inhibitory effects on the proliferation of NCI-H358 cells with IC50 of 5 nM, together with significant degradation of SOS1 protein with DC50 of 13 nM. In the NCI-H358 xenograft model, degrader 4 exhibited significant antitumor activities with TGITV values of 58.8% at 30 mg/kg bid. The PK and safety profiles also supported degrader 4 for further studies as an effective tool compound.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xudong Pang
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
- Shanghai Zelgen Pharma-Tech Co., Ltd., Building 3, No. 999, Cailun Road, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Dawei Cui
- Shanghai Zelgen Pharma-Tech Co., Ltd., Building 3, No. 999, Cailun Road, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Binhua Lv
- Shanghai Zelgen Pharma-Tech Co., Ltd., Building 3, No. 999, Cailun Road, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Cheng-Yun Wang
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Poongavanam V, Wieske LHE, Peintner S, Erdélyi M, Kihlberg J. Molecular chameleons in drug discovery. Nat Rev Chem 2024; 8:45-60. [PMID: 38123688 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-023-00563-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Molecular chameleons possess a flexibility that allows them to dynamically shield or expose polar functionalities in response to the properties of the environment. Although the concept of molecular chameleons was introduced already in 1970, interest in them has grown considerably since the 2010s, when drug discovery has focused to an increased extent on new chemical modalities. Such modalities include cyclic peptides, macrocycles and proteolysis-targeting chimeras, all of which reside in a chemical space far from that of traditional small-molecule drugs. Both cell permeability and aqueous solubility are required for the oral absorption of drugs. Engineering these properties, and potent target binding, into the larger new modalities is a more daunting task than for traditional small-molecule drugs. The ability of chameleons to adapt to different environments may be essential for success. In this Review, we provide both general and theoretical insights into the realm of molecular chameleons. We discuss why chameleons have come into fashion and provide a do-it-yourself toolbox for their design; we then provide a glimpse of how advanced in silico methods can support molecular chameleon design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stefan Peintner
- Department of Chemistry - BMC, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Máté Erdélyi
- Department of Chemistry - BMC, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jan Kihlberg
- Department of Chemistry - BMC, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Plesniak MP, Taylor EK, Eisele F, Kourra CMK, Michaelides IN, Oram A, Wernevik J, Valencia ZS, Rowbottom H, Mann N, Fredlund L, Pivnytska V, Novén A, Pirmoradian M, Lundbäck T, Storer RI, Pettersson M, De Donatis GM, Rehnström M. Rapid PROTAC Discovery Platform: Nanomole-Scale Array Synthesis and Direct Screening of Reaction Mixtures. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:1882-1890. [PMID: 38116431 PMCID: PMC10726452 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00314] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Precise length, shape, and linker attachment points are all integral components to designing efficacious proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs). Due to the synthetic complexity of these heterobifunctional degraders and the difficulty of computational modeling to aid PROTAC design, the exploration of structure-activity relationships remains mostly empirical, which requires a significant investment of time and resources. To facilitate rapid hit finding, we developed capabilities for PROTAC parallel synthesis and purification by harnessing an array of preformed E3-ligand-linker intermediates. In the next iteration of this approach, we developed a rapid, nanomole-scale PROTAC synthesis methodology using amide coupling that enables direct screening of nonpurified reaction mixtures in cell-based degradation assays, as well as logD and EPSA measurements. This approach greatly expands and accelerates PROTAC SAR exploration (5 days instead of several weeks) as well as avoids laborious and solvent-demanding purification of the reaction mixtures, thus making it an economical and more sustainable methodology for PROTAC hit finding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz P. Plesniak
- Medicinal
Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and
Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 431 83, Sweden
| | - Emilia K. Taylor
- Medicinal
Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and
Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 431 83, Sweden
| | - Frederik Eisele
- Mechanistic
& Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 431 83, Sweden
| | | | - Iacovos N. Michaelides
- Fragment
Based Lead Generation, Hit Discovery, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, U.K.
| | - Alice Oram
- iLAB,
Compound Synthesis & Management, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 431 83, Sweden
| | - Johan Wernevik
- Mechanistic
& Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 431 83, Sweden
| | | | - Hannah Rowbottom
- Mechanistic
& Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 431 83, Sweden
| | - Nadia Mann
- Mechanistic
& Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 431 83, Sweden
| | - Linda Fredlund
- Mechanistic
& Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 431 83, Sweden
| | - Valentyna Pivnytska
- Mechanistic
& Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 431 83, Sweden
| | - Anna Novén
- Mechanistic
& Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 431 83, Sweden
| | - Mohammad Pirmoradian
- Mechanistic
& Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 431 83, Sweden
| | - Thomas Lundbäck
- Mechanistic
& Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 431 83, Sweden
| | - R. Ian Storer
- Hit
Discovery, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, U.K.
| | - Mariell Pettersson
- Medicinal
Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and
Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 431 83, Sweden
| | - Gian M. De Donatis
- Cellular
Assay Development, Discovery Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, U.K.
| | - Marie Rehnström
- Cell
Culture Sciences & Banking, Discovery Biology, Discovery Sciences,
R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 431 83, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Sinatra L, Vogelmann A, Friedrich F, Tararina MA, Neuwirt E, Colcerasa A, König P, Toy L, Yesiloglu TZ, Hilscher S, Gaitzsch L, Papenkordt N, Zhai S, Zhang L, Romier C, Einsle O, Sippl W, Schutkowski M, Gross O, Bendas G, Christianson DW, Hansen FK, Jung M, Schiedel M. Development of First-in-Class Dual Sirt2/HDAC6 Inhibitors as Molecular Tools for Dual Inhibition of Tubulin Deacetylation. J Med Chem 2023; 66:14787-14814. [PMID: 37902787 PMCID: PMC10641818 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulation of both tubulin deacetylases sirtuin 2 (Sirt2) and the histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) has been associated with the pathogenesis of cancer and neurodegeneration, thus making these two enzymes promising targets for pharmaceutical intervention. Herein, we report the design, synthesis, and biological characterization of the first-in-class dual Sirt2/HDAC6 inhibitors as molecular tools for dual inhibition of tubulin deacetylation. Using biochemical in vitro assays and cell-based methods for target engagement, we identified Mz325 (33) as a potent and selective inhibitor of both target enzymes. Inhibition of both targets was further confirmed by X-ray crystal structures of Sirt2 and HDAC6 in complex with building blocks of 33. In ovarian cancer cells, 33 evoked enhanced effects on cell viability compared to single or combination treatment with the unconjugated Sirt2 and HDAC6 inhibitors. Thus, our dual Sirt2/HDAC6 inhibitors are important new tools to study the consequences and the therapeutic potential of dual inhibition of tubulin deacetylation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Sinatra
- Institute
for Drug Discovery, Medical Faculty, Leipzig
University, Brüderstraße 34, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anja Vogelmann
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Freiburg, Albertstraße 25, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Florian Friedrich
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Freiburg, Albertstraße 25, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Margarita A. Tararina
- Roy
and Diana Vagelos Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6323, United States
| | - Emilia Neuwirt
- Institute
of Neuropathology, Medical Center−University of Freiburg, Faculty
of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Breisacherstraße 64, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- CIBSS−Centre
for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Arianna Colcerasa
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Freiburg, Albertstraße 25, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Philipp König
- Department
of Pharmaceutical & Cell Biological Chemistry, Pharmaceutical
Institute, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Lara Toy
- Department
of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Talha Z. Yesiloglu
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Martin-Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Wolfgang-Langenbeck-Straße 2-4, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Sebastian Hilscher
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Martin-Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Wolfgang-Langenbeck-Straße 2-4, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
- Department
of Enzymology, Charles Tanford Protein Center, Institute of Biochemistry
and Biotechnology, Martin-Luther-University
Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Lena Gaitzsch
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Freiburg, Albertstraße 25, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Niklas Papenkordt
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Freiburg, Albertstraße 25, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Shiyang Zhai
- Department
of Pharmaceutical & Cell Biological Chemistry, Pharmaceutical
Institute, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Lin Zhang
- Institute
of Biochemistry, University of Freiburg, Albertstraße 21, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christophe Romier
- Institut
de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire
(IGBMC), Université de Strasbourg,
CNRS UMR 7104, Inserm UMR-S 1258, 1 rue Laurent Fries, F-67400 Illkirch, France
| | - Oliver Einsle
- Institute
of Biochemistry, University of Freiburg, Albertstraße 21, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Sippl
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Martin-Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Wolfgang-Langenbeck-Straße 2-4, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Mike Schutkowski
- Department
of Enzymology, Charles Tanford Protein Center, Institute of Biochemistry
and Biotechnology, Martin-Luther-University
Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Olaf Gross
- Institute
of Neuropathology, Medical Center−University of Freiburg, Faculty
of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Breisacherstraße 64, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- CIBSS−Centre
for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Center
for Basics in NeuroModulation (NeuroModulBasics), Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Breisacherstraße 64, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Gerd Bendas
- Department
of Pharmaceutical & Cell Biological Chemistry, Pharmaceutical
Institute, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - David W. Christianson
- Roy
and Diana Vagelos Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6323, United States
| | - Finn K. Hansen
- Institute
for Drug Discovery, Medical Faculty, Leipzig
University, Brüderstraße 34, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Department
of Pharmaceutical & Cell Biological Chemistry, Pharmaceutical
Institute, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Manfred Jung
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Freiburg, Albertstraße 25, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Schiedel
- Department
of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
- Institute
of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Beethovenstraße 55, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Castellani B, Eleuteri M, Di Bona S, Cruciani G, Desantis J, Goracci L. VHL-Modified PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs) as a Strategy to Evade Metabolic Degradation in In Vitro Applications. J Med Chem 2023; 66:13148-13171. [PMID: 37699425 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs) are tripartite molecules consisting of a linker connecting a ligand for a protein of interest to an E3 ligase recruiter, whose rationale relies on proteasome-based protein degradation. PROTACs have expanded as a therapeutic strategy to open new avenues for unmet medical needs. Leveraging our expertise, we undertook a series of in vitro experiments aimed at elucidating PROTAC metabolism. In particular, we focused on PROTACs recruiting the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) E3 ligase. After high-resolution mass spectrometry measurements, a characteristic metabolite with mass reduction of 200 units was detected and successively confirmed as a product deriving from the cleavage of the VHL ligand moiety. Subsequently, we identified hepatic and extrahepatic prolyl endopeptidases as the main putative metabolic enzymes involved. Finally, we designed and synthesized analogs of the VHL ligands that we further exploited for the synthesis of novel VHL-directed PROTACs with an improved metabolic stability in in vitro applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Michela Eleuteri
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia 06123, Italy
| | | | - Gabriele Cruciani
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia 06123, Italy
| | - Jenny Desantis
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia 06123, Italy
| | - Laura Goracci
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia 06123, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Mostofian B, Martin HJ, Razavi A, Patel S, Allen B, Sherman W, Izaguirre JA. Targeted Protein Degradation: Advances, Challenges, and Prospects for Computational Methods. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:5408-5432. [PMID: 37602861 PMCID: PMC10498452 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c00603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
The therapeutic approach of targeted protein degradation (TPD) is gaining momentum due to its potentially superior effects compared with protein inhibition. Recent advancements in the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors have led to the development of compounds that are currently in human trials, with some showing promising clinical results. However, the use of computational tools in TPD is still limited, as it has distinct characteristics compared with traditional computational drug design methods. TPD involves creating a ternary structure (protein-degrader-ligase) responsible for the biological function, such as ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation, which depends on the spatial orientation of the protein of interest (POI) relative to E2-loaded ubiquitin. Modeling this structure necessitates a unique blend of tools initially developed for small molecules (e.g., docking) and biologics (e.g., protein-protein interaction modeling). Additionally, degrader molecules, particularly heterobifunctional degraders, are generally larger than conventional small molecule drugs, leading to challenges in determining drug-like properties like solubility and permeability. Furthermore, the catalytic nature of TPD makes occupancy-based modeling insufficient. TPD consists of multiple interconnected yet distinct steps, such as POI binding, E3 ligase binding, ternary structure interactions, ubiquitination, and degradation, along with traditional small molecule properties. A comprehensive set of tools is needed to address the dynamic nature of the induced proximity ternary complex and its implications for ubiquitination. In this Perspective, we discuss the current state of computational tools for TPD. We start by describing the series of steps involved in the degradation process and the experimental methods used to characterize them. Then, we delve into a detailed analysis of the computational tools employed in TPD. We also present an integrative approach that has proven successful for degrader design and its impact on project decisions. Finally, we examine the future prospects of computational methods in TPD and the areas with the greatest potential for impact.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barmak Mostofian
- OpenEye, Cadence Molecular Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts 02114 United States
| | - Holli-Joi Martin
- Laboratory
for Molecular Modeling, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal
Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599 United States
| | - Asghar Razavi
- ENKO
Chem, Inc, Mystic, Connecticut 06355 United States
| | - Shivam Patel
- Psivant
Therapeutics, Boston, Massachusetts 02210 United States
| | - Bryce Allen
- Differentiated
Therapeutics, San Diego, California 92056 United States
| | - Woody Sherman
- Psivant
Therapeutics, Boston, Massachusetts 02210 United States
| | - Jesus A Izaguirre
- Differentiated
Therapeutics, San Diego, California 92056 United States
- Atommap
Corporation, New York, New York 10013 United States
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Rathje OH, Perryman L, Payne RJ, Hamprecht DW. PROTACs Targeting MLKL Protect Cells from Necroptosis. J Med Chem 2023; 66:11216-11236. [PMID: 37535857 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00665] [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: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Mixed Lineage Kinase domain-Like pseudokinase (MLKL) is implicated in a broad range of diseases due to its role as the ultimate effector of necroptosis and has therefore emerged as an attractive drug target. Here, we describe the development of PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs) as a novel approach to knock down MLKL through chemical means. A series of candidate degraders were synthesized from a high-affinity pyrazole carboxamide-based MLKL ligand leading to the identification of a PROTAC molecule that effectively degraded MLKL and completely abrogated cell death in a TSZ model of necroptosis. By leveraging the innate ability of these PROTACs to degrade MLKL in a dose-dependent manner, the quantitative relationship between MLKL levels and necroptosis was interrogated. This work demonstrates the feasibility of targeting MLKL using a PROTAC approach and provides a powerful tool to further our understanding of the role of MLKL within the necroptotic pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oliver H Rathje
- Pharmaxis Ltd., 20 Rodborough Road, Frenchs Forest, NSW 2086, Australia
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Lara Perryman
- Pharmaxis Ltd., 20 Rodborough Road, Frenchs Forest, NSW 2086, Australia
| | - Richard J Payne
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Teng M, Gray NS. The rise of degrader drugs. Cell Chem Biol 2023; 30:864-878. [PMID: 37494935 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
The cancer genomics revolution has served up a plethora of promising and challenging targets for the drug discovery community. The field of targeted protein degradation (TPD) uses small molecules to reprogram the protein homeostasis system to destroy desired target proteins. In the last decade, remarkable progress has enabled the rational development of degraders for a large number of target proteins, with over 20 molecules targeting more than 12 proteins entering clinical development. While TPD has been fully credentialed by the prior development of immunomodulatory drug (IMiD) class for the treatment of multiple myeloma, the field is poised for a "Gleevec moment" in which robust clinical efficacy of a rationally developed novel degrader against a preselected target is firmly established. Here, we endeavor to provide a high-level evaluation of exciting developments in the field and comment on steps that may realize the full potential of this new therapeutic modality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingxing Teng
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pathology & Immunology, and Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, ChEM-H, Stanford Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Garcia Jimenez D, Vallaro M, Rossi Sebastiano M, Apprato G, D’Agostini G, Rossetti P, Ermondi G, Caron G. Chamelogk: A Chromatographic Chameleonicity Quantifier to Design Orally Bioavailable Beyond-Rule-of-5 Drugs. J Med Chem 2023; 66:10681-10693. [PMID: 37490408 PMCID: PMC10424176 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
New chemical modalities in drug discovery include molecules belonging to the bRo5 chemical space. Because of their complex and flexible structure, bRo5 compounds often suffer from a poor solubility/permeability profile. Chameleonicity describes the capacity of a molecule to adapt to the environment through conformational changes; the design of molecular chameleons is a medicinal chemistry strategy simultaneously optimizing solubility and permeability. A default method to quantify chameleonicity in early drug discovery is still missing. Here we introduce Chamelogk, an automated, fast, and cheap chromatographic descriptor of chameleonicity. Moreover, we report measurements for 55 Ro5 and bRo5 compounds and validate our method with literature data. Then, selected case studies (macrocycles, nonmacrocyclic compounds, and PROTACs) are used to illustrate the application of Chamelogk in combination with lipophilicity (BRlogD) and polarity (Δ log kwIAM) descriptors. Overall, we show how Chamelogk deserves being included in property-based drug discovery strategies to design oral bioavailable bRo5 compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diego Garcia Jimenez
- Molecular Biotechnology and
Health Sciences Dept., CASSMedChem, University
of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Maura Vallaro
- Molecular Biotechnology and
Health Sciences Dept., CASSMedChem, University
of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Matteo Rossi Sebastiano
- Molecular Biotechnology and
Health Sciences Dept., CASSMedChem, University
of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Giulia Apprato
- Molecular Biotechnology and
Health Sciences Dept., CASSMedChem, University
of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Giulia D’Agostini
- Molecular Biotechnology and
Health Sciences Dept., CASSMedChem, University
of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Paolo Rossetti
- Molecular Biotechnology and
Health Sciences Dept., CASSMedChem, University
of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ermondi
- Molecular Biotechnology and
Health Sciences Dept., CASSMedChem, University
of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Giulia Caron
- Molecular Biotechnology and
Health Sciences Dept., CASSMedChem, University
of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Zhao C, Wang H, Zhan W, Lv X, Ma X. Exploitation of Proximity-Mediated Effects in Drug Discovery: An Update of Recent Research Highlights in Perturbing Pathogenic Proteins and Correlated Issues. J Med Chem 2023; 66:10122-10149. [PMID: 37489834 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00079] [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: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
The utilization of proximity-mediated effects to perturb pathogenic proteins of interest (POIs) has emerged as a powerful strategic alternative to conventional drug design approaches based on target occupancy. Over the past three years, the burgeoning field of targeted protein degradation (TPD) has witnessed the expansion of degradable POIs to membrane-associated, extracellular, proteasome-resistant, and even microbial proteins. Beyond TPD, researchers have achieved the proximity-mediated targeted protein stabilization, the recruitment of intracellular immunophilins to disturb undruggable targets, and the nonphysiological post-translational modifications of POIs. All of these strides provide new avenues for innovative drug discovery aimed at battling human malignancies and other major diseases. This perspective presents recent research highlights and discusses correlated issues in developing therapeutic modalities that exploit proximity-mediated effects to modulate pathogenic proteins, thereby guiding future academic and industrial efforts in this field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Can Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
| | - Henian Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
| | - Wenhu Zhan
- iCarbonX (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Xiaoqing Lv
- College of Medicine, Jiaxing University, Jiaxing 314001, China
| | - Xiaodong Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Zamora WJ, Viayna A, Pinheiro S, Curutchet C, Bisbal L, Ruiz R, Ràfols C, Luque FJ. Prediction of toluene/water partition coefficients in the SAMPL9 blind challenge: assessment of machine learning and IEF-PCM/MST continuum solvation models. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023. [PMID: 37376995 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp01428b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
In recent years the use of partition systems other than the widely used biphasic n-octanol/water has received increased attention to gain insight into the molecular features that dictate the lipophilicity of compounds. Thus, the difference between n-octanol/water and toluene/water partition coefficients has proven to be a valuable descriptor to study the propensity of molecules to form intramolecular hydrogen bonds and exhibit chameleon-like properties that modulate solubility and permeability. In this context, this study reports the experimental toluene/water partition coefficients (log Ptol/w) for a series of 16 drugs that were selected as an external test set in the framework of the Statistical Assessment of the Modeling of Proteins and Ligands (SAMPL) blind challenge. This external set has been used by the computational community to calibrate their methods in the current edition (SAMPL9) of this contest. Furthermore, the study also investigates the performance of two computational strategies for the prediction of log Ptol/w. The first relies on the development of two machine learning (ML) models, which are built up by combining the selection of 11 molecular descriptors in conjunction with either the multiple linear regression (MLR) or the random forest regression (RFR) model to target a dataset of 252 experimental log Ptol/w values. The second consists of the parametrization of the IEF-PCM/MST continuum solvation model from B3LYP/6-31G(d) calculations to predict the solvation free energies of 163 compounds in toluene and benzene. The performance of the ML and IEF-PCM/MST models has been calibrated against external test sets, including the compounds that define the SAMPL9 log Ptol/w challenge. The results are used to discuss the merits and weaknesses of the two computational approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William J Zamora
- CBio3 Laboratory, School of Chemistry, University of Costa Rica, San Pedro, San José, Costa Rica.
- Laboratory of Computational Toxicology and Artificial Intelligence (LaToxCIA), Biological Testing Laboratory (LEBi), University of Costa Rica, San Pedro, San José, Costa Rica
- Advanced Computing Lab (CNCA), National High Technology Center (CeNAT), Pavas, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Antonio Viayna
- Departament de Nutrició, Ciències de l'Alimentació i Gastronomia, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Av. Prat de la Riba 171, 08921 Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain.
- Institut de Biomedicina (IBUB), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Química Teòrica i Computacional (IQTC-UB), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Silvana Pinheiro
- CBio3 Laboratory, School of Chemistry, University of Costa Rica, San Pedro, San José, Costa Rica.
- Laboratory of Computational Toxicology and Artificial Intelligence (LaToxCIA), Biological Testing Laboratory (LEBi), University of Costa Rica, San Pedro, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Carles Curutchet
- Institut de Química Teòrica i Computacional (IQTC-UB), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Farmàcia i Tecnologia Farmacèutica, i Fisicoquímica, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Av. Joan XXIII 27-31, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laia Bisbal
- Institut de Biomedicina (IBUB), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
- Departament d'Enginyeria Química i Química Analítica, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Martí i Franquès 1-11, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Rebeca Ruiz
- Pion Inc., Forest Row Business Park, Forest Row RH18 5DW, UK
| | - Clara Ràfols
- Institut de Biomedicina (IBUB), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
- Departament d'Enginyeria Química i Química Analítica, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Martí i Franquès 1-11, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - F Javier Luque
- Departament de Nutrició, Ciències de l'Alimentació i Gastronomia, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Av. Prat de la Riba 171, 08921 Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain.
- Institut de Biomedicina (IBUB), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Química Teòrica i Computacional (IQTC-UB), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Zografou-Barredo NA, Hallatt AJ, Goujon-Ricci J, Cano C. A beginner's guide to current synthetic linker strategies towards VHL-recruiting PROTACs. Bioorg Med Chem 2023; 88-89:117334. [PMID: 37224698 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2023.117334] [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: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Over the last two decades, proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) have been revolutionary in drug development rendering targeted protein degradation (TPD) as an emerging therapeutic modality. These heterobifunctional molecules are comprised of three units: a ligand for the protein of interest (POI), a ligand for an E3 ubiquitin ligase, and a linker that tethers the two motifs together. Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) is one of the most widely employed E3 ligases in PROTACs development due to its prevalent expression across tissue types and well-characterised ligands. Linker composition and length has proven to play an important role in determining the physicochemical properties and spatial orientation of the POI-PROTAC-E3 ternary complex, thus influencing the bioactivity of degraders. Numerous articles and reports have been published showcasing the medicinal chemistry aspects of the linker design, but few have focused on the chemistry around tethering linkers to E3 ligase ligands. In this review, we focus on the current synthetic linker strategies employed in the assembly of VHL-recruiting PROTACs. We aim to cover a range of fundamental chemistries used to incorporate linkers of varying length, composition and functionality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nikol A Zografou-Barredo
- Cancer Research UK Newcastle Drug Discovery Unit, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Alex J Hallatt
- Cancer Research UK Newcastle Drug Discovery Unit, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Jennyfer Goujon-Ricci
- Cancer Research UK Newcastle Drug Discovery Unit, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Céline Cano
- Cancer Research UK Newcastle Drug Discovery Unit, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Wieske LHE, Peintner S, Erdélyi M. Ensemble determination by NMR data deconvolution. Nat Rev Chem 2023:10.1038/s41570-023-00494-x. [PMID: 37169885 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-023-00494-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is the spectroscopic technique of choice for determining molecular conformations in solution at atomic resolution. As solution NMR spectra are rich in structural and dynamic information, the way in which the data should be acquired and handled to deliver accurate ensembles is not trivial. This Review provides a guide to the NMR experiment selection and parametrization process, the generation of viable theoretical conformer pools and the deconvolution of time-averaged NMR data into a conformer ensemble that accurately represents a flexible molecule in solution. In addition to reviewing the key elements of solution ensemble determination of flexible mid-sized molecules, the feasibility and pitfalls of data deconvolution are discussed with a comparison of the performance of representative algorithms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefan Peintner
- Department of Chemistry-BMC, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Máté Erdélyi
- Department of Chemistry-BMC, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
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: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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
|
27
|
Sobhia ME, Kumar H, Kumari S. Bifunctional robots inducing targeted protein degradation. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 255:115384. [PMID: 37119667 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
The gaining importance of Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD) and PROTACs (PROteolysis-TArgeting Chimeras) have drawn the scientific community's attention. PROTACs are considered bifunctional robots owing to their avidity for the protein of interest (POI) and E3-ligase, which induce the ubiquitination of POI. These molecules are based on event-driven pharmacology and are applicable in different conditions such as oncology, antiviral, neurodegenerative disease, acne etc., offering tremendous scope to researchers. In this review, primarily, we attempted to compile the recent works available in the literature on PROTACs for various targeted proteins. We summarized the design and development strategies with a focus on molecular information of protein residues and linker design. Rationalization of the ternary complex formation using Artificial Intelligence including machine & deep learning models and traditionally followed computational tools are also included in this study. Moreover, details describing the optimization of PROTACs chemistry and pharmacokinetic properties are added. Advanced PROTAC designs and targeting complex proteins, is summed up to cover the wide spectrum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Elizabeth Sobhia
- Department of Pharmacoinformatics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sector - 67, S. A. S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 160062, India.
| | - Harish Kumar
- Department of Pharmacoinformatics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sector - 67, S. A. S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 160062, India
| | - Sonia Kumari
- Department of Pharmacoinformatics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sector - 67, S. A. S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 160062, India
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Tokarski RJ, Sharpe CM, Huntsman AC, Mize BK, Ayinde OR, Stahl EH, Lerma JR, Reed A, Carmichael B, Muthusamy N, Byrd JC, Fuchs JR. Bifunctional degraders of cyclin dependent kinase 9 (CDK9): Probing the relationship between linker length, properties, and selective protein degradation. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 254:115342. [PMID: 37071962 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) is a promising therapeutic target in multiple cancer types, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Protein degraders, also known as proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs), have emerged as tools for the selective degradation of cancer targets, including CDK9, complementing the activity of traditional small-molecule inhibitors. These compounds typically incorporate previously reported inhibitors and a known E3 ligase ligand to induce ubiquitination and subsequent degradation of the target protein. Although many protein degraders have been reported in the literature, the properties of the linker necessary for efficient degradation still require special attention. In this study, a series of protein degraders was developed, employing the clinically tested CDK inhibitor AT7519. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect that linker composition, specifically chain length, would have on potency. In addition to establishing a baseline of activity for various linker compositions, two distinct homologous series, a fully alkyl series and an amide-containing series, were prepared, demonstrating the dependence of degrader potency in these series on linker length and the correlation with predicted physicochemical properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Tokarski
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States
| | - Chia M Sharpe
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, United States
| | - Andrew C Huntsman
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States
| | - Brittney K Mize
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States
| | - Oluwatosin R Ayinde
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States
| | - Emily H Stahl
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States
| | - James R Lerma
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, United States
| | - Andrew Reed
- CCIC Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States
| | - Bridget Carmichael
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States
| | - Natarajan Muthusamy
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States
| | - John C Byrd
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, United States; University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, United States
| | - James R Fuchs
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Haubrich K, Spiteri VA, Farnaby W, Sobott F, Ciulli A. Breaking free from the crystal lattice: Structural biology in solution to study protein degraders. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2023; 79:102534. [PMID: 36804675 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2023.102534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Structural biology offers a versatile arsenal of techniques and methods to investigate the structure and conformational dynamics of proteins and their assemblies. The growing field of targeted protein degradation centres on the premise of developing small molecules, termed degraders, to induce proximity between an E3 ligase and a protein of interest to be signalled for degradation. This new drug modality brings with it new opportunities and challenges to structural biologists. Here we discuss how several structural biology techniques, including nuclear magnetic resonance, cryo-electron microscopy, structural mass spectrometry and small angle scattering, have been explored to complement X-ray crystallography in studying degraders and their ternary complexes. Together the studies covered in this review make a case for the invaluable perspectives that integrative structural biology techniques in solution can bring to understanding ternary complexes and designing degraders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Haubrich
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation & Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK. https://twitter.com/KevinHaubrich1
| | - Valentina A Spiteri
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation & Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK. https://twitter.com/val_spiteri
| | - William Farnaby
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation & Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK. https://twitter.com/farnaby84
| | - Frank Sobott
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology & Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK. https://twitter.com/FrankSobott
| | - Alessio Ciulli
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation & Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Potjewyd FM, Foley CA, Ong HW, Rectenwald JM, Hanley RP, Norris-Drouin JL, Cholensky SH, Mills CA, Pearce KH, Herring LE, Kireev D, Frye SV, James LI. PROTAC Linkerology Leads to an Optimized Bivalent Chemical Degrader of Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) Components. ACS Chem Biol 2023; 18:494-507. [PMID: 36877831 PMCID: PMC10023369 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Bivalent chemical degraders, otherwise known as proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), have proven to be an efficient strategy for targeting overexpressed or mutated proteins in cancer. PROTACs provide an alternative approach to small-molecule inhibitors, which are restricted by occupancy-driven pharmacology, often resulting in acquired inhibitor resistance via compensatory increases in protein expression. Despite the advantages of bivalent chemical degraders, they often have suboptimal physicochemical properties and optimization for efficient degradation remains highly unpredictable. Herein, we report the development of a potent EED-targeted PRC2 degrader, UNC7700. UNC7700 contains a unique cis-cyclobutane linker and potently degrades PRC2 components EED (DC50 = 111 nM; Dmax = 84%), EZH2WT/EZH2Y641N (DC50 = 275 nM; Dmax = 86%), and to a lesser extent SUZ12 (Dmax = 44%) after 24 h in a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma DB cell line. Characterization of UNC7700 and related compounds for ternary complex formation and cellular permeability to provide a rationale for the observed improvement in degradation efficiency remained challenging. Importantly, UNC7700 dramatically reduces H3K27me3 levels and is anti-proliferative in DB cells (EC50 = 0.79 ± 0.53 μM).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frances M. Potjewyd
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Caroline A. Foley
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Han Wee Ong
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Justin M. Rectenwald
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Ronan P. Hanley
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jacqueline L. Norris-Drouin
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Stephanie H. Cholensky
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Christine A. Mills
- UNC Proteomics Core Facility, Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Kenneth H. Pearce
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Laura E. Herring
- UNC Proteomics Core Facility, Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Dmitri Kireev
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Stephen V. Frye
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Lindsey I. James
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Yang YC, Zhao CJ, Jin ZF, Zheng J, Ma LT. Targeted therapy based on ubiquitin-specific proteases, signalling pathways and E3 ligases in non-small-cell lung cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1120828. [PMID: 36969062 PMCID: PMC10036052 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1120828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is one of the most common malignant tumours worldwide, with the highest mortality rate. Approximately 1.6 million deaths owing to lung cancer are reported annually; of which, 85% of deaths occur owing to non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). At present, the conventional treatment methods for NSCLC include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and surgery. However, drug resistance and tumour invasion or metastasis often lead to treatment failure. The ubiquitin–proteasome pathway (UPP) plays an important role in the occurrence and development of tumours. Upregulation or inhibition of proteins or enzymes involved in UPP can promote or inhibit the occurrence and development of tumours, respectively. As regulators of UPP, ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs) primarily inhibit the degradation of target proteins by proteasomes through deubiquitination and hence play a carcinogenic or anticancer role. This review focuses on the role of USPs in the occurrence and development of NSCLC and the potential of corresponding targeted drugs, PROTACs and small-molecule inhibitors in the treatment of NSCLC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chen Yang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Can-Jun Zhao
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Zhao-Feng Jin
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Jin Zheng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Li-Tian Ma, ; Jin Zheng,
| | - Li-Tian Ma
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Li-Tian Ma, ; Jin Zheng,
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Li M, Zhi Y, Liu B, Yao Q. Advancing Strategies for Proteolysis-Targeting Chimera Design. J Med Chem 2023; 66:2308-2329. [PMID: 36788245 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) have shown great therapeutic potential by degrading various disease-causing proteins, particularly those related to tumors. Therefore, the introduction of PROTACs has ushered in a new chapter of antitumor drug development, marked by significant advances over recent years. Herein, we describe recent developments in PROTAC technology, focusing on design strategy, development workflow, and future outlooks. We also discuss potential opportunities and challenges for PROTAC research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Minglei Li
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250117 Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Ying Zhi
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250117 Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Bo Liu
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250117 Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Qingqiang Yao
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250117 Shandong, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
O' Donovan DH, De Fusco C, Kuhnke L, Reichel A. Trends in Molecular Properties, Bioavailability, and Permeability across the Bayer Compound Collection. J Med Chem 2023; 66:2347-2360. [PMID: 36752336 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
For oral drugs, medicinal chemists aim to design compounds with high oral bioavailability, of which permeability is a key determinant. Taking advantage of >2000 compounds tested in rat bioavailability studies and >20,000 compounds tested in Caco2 assays at Bayer, we have examined the molecular properties governing bioavailability and permeability. In addition to classical parameters such as logD and molecular weight, we also investigated the relationship between calculated pKa and permeability. We find that neutral compounds retain permeability up to a molecular weight limit of 700, while stronger acids and bases are restricted to weights of 400-500. We also investigate trends for common properties such as hydrogen bond donors and acceptors, polar surface area, aromatic ring count, and rotatable bonds, including compounds which exceed Lipinski's rule of five (Ro5). These property-structure relationships are combined to provide design guidelines for bioavailable drugs in both traditional and "beyond rule of 5" (bRo5) chemical space.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lara Kuhnke
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Bayer AG, 13342 Berlin, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
O'Brien Laramy MN, Luthra S, Brown MF, Bartlett DW. Delivering on the promise of protein degraders. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2023; 22:410-427. [PMID: 36810917 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00652-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Over the past 3 years, the first bivalent protein degraders intentionally designed for targeted protein degradation (TPD) have advanced to clinical trials, with an initial focus on established targets. Most of these clinical candidates are designed for oral administration, and many discovery efforts appear to be similarly focused. As we look towards the future, we propose that an oral-centric discovery paradigm will overly constrain the chemical designs that are considered and limit the potential to drug novel targets. In this Perspective, we summarize the current state of the bivalent degrader modality and propose three categories of degrader designs, based on their likely route of administration and requirement for drug delivery technologies. We then describe a vision for how parenteral drug delivery, implemented early in research and supported by pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modelling, can enable exploration of a broader drug design space, expand the scope of accessible targets and deliver on the promise of protein degraders as a therapeutic modality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Suman Luthra
- Discovery Pharmaceutical Sciences, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, MA, USA
| | - Matthew F Brown
- Discovery Sciences, Worldwide Research, Development, and Medical, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT, USA
| | - Derek W Bartlett
- Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, & Metabolism, Worldwide Research, Development, and Medical, Pfizer Inc., San Diego, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Poongavanam V, Kölling F, Giese A, Göller AH, Lehmann L, Meibom D, Kihlberg J. Predictive Modeling of PROTAC Cell Permeability with Machine Learning. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:5901-5916. [PMID: 36816707 PMCID: PMC9933238 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c07717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Approaches for predicting proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) cell permeability are of major interest to reduce resource-demanding synthesis and testing of low-permeable PROTACs. We report a comprehensive investigation of the scope and limitations of machine learning-based binary classification models developed using 17 simple descriptors for large and structurally diverse sets of cereblon (CRBN) and von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) PROTACs. For the VHL PROTAC set, kappa nearest neighbor and random forest models performed best and predicted the permeability of a blinded test set with >80% accuracy (k ≥ 0.57). Models retrained by combining the original training and the blinded test set performed equally well for a second blinded VHL set. However, models for CRBN PROTACs were less successful, mainly due to the imbalanced nature of the CRBN datasets. All descriptors contributed to the models, but size and lipophilicity were the most important. We conclude that properly trained machine learning models can be integrated as effective filters in the PROTAC design process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Florian Kölling
- Computational
Molecular Design, Bayer AG, 42096Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Anja Giese
- Drug
Discovery Sciences, Bayer AG, 13342Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Lutz Lehmann
- Drug
Discovery Sciences, Bayer AG, 42113Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Daniel Meibom
- Drug
Discovery Sciences, Bayer AG, 42113Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Jan Kihlberg
- Department
of Chemistry-BMC, Box 576, Uppsala University, 75123Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Wieske LHE, Atilaw Y, Poongavanam V, Erdélyi M, Kihlberg J. Going Viral: An Investigation into the Chameleonic Behaviour of Antiviral Compounds. Chemistry 2023; 29:e202202798. [PMID: 36286339 PMCID: PMC10107787 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202202798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The ability to adjust conformations in response to the polarity of the environment, i.e. molecular chameleonicity, is considered to be important for conferring both high aqueous solubility and high cell permeability to drugs in chemical space beyond Lipinski's rule of 5. We determined the conformational ensembles populated by the antiviral drugs asunaprevir, simeprevir, atazanavir and daclatasvir in polar (DMSO-d6 ) and non-polar (chloroform) environments with NMR spectroscopy. Daclatasvir was fairly rigid, whereas the first three showed large flexibility in both environments, that translated into major differences in solvent accessible 3D polar surface area within each conformational ensemble. No significant differences in size and polar surface area were observed between the DMSO-d6 and chloroform ensembles of these three drugs. We propose that such flexible compounds are characterized as "partial molecular chameleons" and hypothesize that their ability to adopt conformations with low polar surface area contributes to their membrane permeability and oral absorption.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lianne H E Wieske
- Department of Chemistry - BMC, Uppsala University, Box 576, SE-751 23, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Yoseph Atilaw
- Department of Chemistry - BMC, Uppsala University, Box 576, SE-751 23, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Máté Erdélyi
- Department of Chemistry - BMC, Uppsala University, Box 576, SE-751 23, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jan Kihlberg
- Department of Chemistry - BMC, Uppsala University, Box 576, SE-751 23, Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Moon Y, Jeon SI, Shim MK, Kim K. Cancer-Specific Delivery of Proteolysis-Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs) and Their Application to Cancer Immunotherapy. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15020411. [PMID: 36839734 PMCID: PMC9965039 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are rapidly emerging as a potential therapeutic strategy for cancer therapy by inducing the degradation of tumor-overexpressing oncogenic proteins. They can specifically catalyze the degradation of target oncogenic proteins by recruiting E3 ligases and utilizing the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Since their mode of action is universal, irreversible, recyclable, long-lasting, and applicable to 'undruggable' proteins, PROTACs are gradually replacing the role of conventional small molecular inhibitors. Moreover, their application areas are being expanded to cancer immunotherapy as various types of oncogenic proteins that are involved in immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments. However, poor water solubility and low cell permeability considerably restrict the pharmacokinetic (PK) property, which necessitates the use of appropriate delivery systems for cancer immunotherapy. In this review, the general characteristics, developmental status, and PK of PROTACs are first briefly covered. Next, recent studies on the application of various types of passive or active targeting delivery systems for PROTACs are introduced, and their effects on the PK and tumor-targeting ability of PROTACs are described. Finally, recent drug delivery systems of PROTACs for cancer immunotherapy are summarized. The adoption of an adequate delivery system for PROTAC is expected to accelerate the clinical translation of PROTACs, as well as improve its efficacy for cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yujeong Moon
- Department of Bioengineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
- Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Ik Jeon
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Ewha Woman’s University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Man Kyu Shim
- Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwangmeyung Kim
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Ewha Woman’s University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Conformational Sampling Deciphers the Chameleonic Properties of a VHL-Based Degrader. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15010272. [PMID: 36678900 PMCID: PMC9861353 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15010272] [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: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Chameleonicity (the capacity of a molecule to adapt its conformations to the environment) may help to identify orally bioavailable drugs in the beyond-Rule-of-5 chemical space. Computational methods to predict the chameleonic behaviour of degraders have not yet been reported and the identification of molecular chameleons still relies on experimental evidence. Therefore, there is a need to tune predictions with experimental data. Here, we employ PROTAC-1 (a passively cell-permeable degrader), for which NMR and physicochemical data prove the chameleonic behaviour, to benchmark the capacity of two conformational sampling algorithms and selection schemes. To characterize the conformational ensembles in both polar and nonpolar environments, we compute three molecular properties proven to be essential for cell permeability: conformer shape (radius of gyration), polarity (3D PSA), and the number of intramolecular hydrogen bonds. Energetic criteria were also considered. Infographics monitored the simultaneous variation of those properties in computed and NMR conformers. Overall, we provide key points for tuning conformational sampling tools to reproduce PROTAC-1 chameleonicity according to NMR evidence. This study is expected to improve the design of PROTAC drugs and the development of computational sustainable strategies to exploit the potential of new modalities in drug discovery.
Collapse
|
39
|
Emerging TACnology: Heterobifunctional Small Molecule Inducers of Targeted Posttranslational Protein Modifications. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 28:molecules28020690. [PMID: 36677746 PMCID: PMC9867477 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28020690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Posttranslational modifications (PTMs) play an important role in cell signaling and they are often deregulated in disease. This review addresses recent advances in the development of heterobifunctional small molecules that enable targeting or hijacking PTMs. This emerging field is spearheaded by proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), that induce ubiquitination of their targets and, thus, tag them for degradation by the proteasome. Within the last decade, several improvements have been made to enhance spatiotemporal control of PROTAC-induced degradation as well as cell permeability. Inspired by the success story of PROTACs, additional concepts based on chimeric small molecules have emerged such as phosphatase-recruiting chimeras (PhoRCs). Herein, an overview of strategies causing (de-)phosphorylation, deubiquitination as well as acetylation is provided, and the opportunities and challenges of heterobifunctional molecules for drug discovery are highlighted. Although significant progress has been achieved, a plethora of PTMs have not yet been covered and PTM-inducing chimeras will be helpful tools for chemical biology and could even find application in pharmacotherapy.
Collapse
|
40
|
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: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 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
|
41
|
Huber ME, Toy L, Schmidt MF, Weikert D, Schiedel M. Small Molecule Tools to Study Cellular Target Engagement for the Intracellular Allosteric Binding Site of GPCRs. Chemistry 2023; 29:e202202565. [PMID: 36193681 PMCID: PMC10100284 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202202565] [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: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
A conserved intracellular allosteric binding site (IABS) has recently been identified at several G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Ligands targeting the IABS, so-called intracellular allosteric antagonists, are highly promising compounds for pharmaceutical intervention and currently evaluated in several clinical trials. Beside co-crystal structures that laid the foundation for the structure-based development of intracellular allosteric GPCR antagonists, small molecule tools that enable an unambiguous identification and characterization of intracellular allosteric GPCR ligands are of utmost importance for drug discovery campaigns in this field. Herein, we discuss recent approaches that leverage cellular target engagement studies for the IABS and thus play a critical role in the evaluation of IABS-targeted ligands as potential therapeutic agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Max E Huber
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lara Toy
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Maximilian F Schmidt
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Dorothee Weikert
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias Schiedel
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Guedeney N, Cornu M, Schwalen F, Kieffer C, Voisin-Chiret AS. PROTAC technology: A new drug design for chemical biology with many challenges in drug discovery. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103395. [PMID: 36228895 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.103395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Target Protein Degradation TPD is a new avenue and revolutionary for therapeutics because redefining the principles of classical drug discovery and guided by event-based target activity rather than the occupancy-driven activity. Since the discovery of the first PROTAC in 2001, TPD represents a rapidly growing technology, with applications in both drug discovery and chemical biology. Over the last decade, many questions have been raised and today the knowledge gained by each team has elucidated a number of them, although there is still a long way to go. The objective of this work is to present the challenges that the PROTAC strategy has very recently addressed in drug design and discovery by presenting extremely recent results from the literature and to provide guidelines in the drug design of new PROTACs as successful therapeutic modality for medicinal chemists.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Marie Cornu
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, CERMN, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Florian Schwalen
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, CERMN, 14000 Caen, France; Department of Pharmacy, Caen University Hospital, Caen 14000, France
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Liu M, Martyn AP, Quinn RJ. Natural product-based PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs). Nat Prod Rep 2022; 39:2292-2307. [PMID: 36196977 DOI: 10.1039/d2np00038e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Covering: upto 2022Natural products have an embedded recognition of protein surfaces. They possess this property as they are produced by biosynthetic enzymes and are substrates for one or more enzymes in the biosynthetic pathway. The inherent advantages, compared to synthetic compound libraries, is this ligand-protein binding which is, in many cases, a function of the 3-dimensional properties. Protein degradation is a recent novel therapeutic approach with several compounds now in the clinic. This review highlights the potential of PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs) in the area of natural products. The approach will complement existing approaches such as the direct use of a bioactive natural product or its analogues, pharmacophore development and drug-antibody conjugates. The chemical synthesis and challenges of using natural product-based PROTACs are summarised. The review also highlights methods to detect the ternary complexes necessary for PROTAC mechanism of action.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miaomiao Liu
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Alexander P Martyn
- Cancer and Ageing Research Program (CARP), Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health (CGPH), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Ronald J Quinn
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Lou K, Wassarman DR, Yang T, Paung Y, Zhang Z, O’Loughlin TA, Moore MK, Egan RK, Greninger P, Benes CH, Seeliger MA, Taunton J, Gilbert LA, Shokat KM. IFITM proteins assist cellular uptake of diverse linked chemotypes. Science 2022; 378:1097-1104. [PMID: 36480603 PMCID: PMC9924227 DOI: 10.1126/science.abl5829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The search for cell-permeable drugs has conventionally focused on low-molecular weight (MW), nonpolar, rigid chemical structures. However, emerging therapeutic strategies break traditional drug design rules by employing flexibly linked chemical entities composed of more than one ligand. Using complementary genome-scale chemical-genetic approaches we identified an endogenous chemical uptake pathway involving interferon-induced transmembrane proteins (IFITMs) that modulates the cell permeability of a prototypical biopic inhibitor of MTOR (RapaLink-1, MW: 1784 g/mol). We devised additional linked inhibitors targeting BCR-ABL1 (DasatiLink-1, MW: 1518 g/mol) and EIF4A1 (BisRoc-1, MW: 1466 g/mol), uptake of which was facilitated by IFITMs. We also found that IFITMs moderately assisted some proteolysis-targeting chimeras and examined the physicochemical requirements for involvement of this uptake pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Lou
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology,
University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, United
States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California,
San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, United States
| | - Douglas R. Wassarman
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology,
University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, United
States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California,
San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, United States
| | - Tangpo Yang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology,
University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, United
States
| | - YiTing Paung
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook
University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-8651, United States
| | - Ziyang Zhang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology,
University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, United
States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California,
San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of California,
Berkeley, Berkeley, 94720, CA, United States
| | - Thomas A. O’Loughlin
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University
of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, United States
- Department of Urology, University of California, San
Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, United States
| | - Megan K. Moore
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology,
University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, United
States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California,
San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, United States
| | - Regina K. Egan
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital
Cancer Center, Charlestown, MA 02129, United States
| | - Patricia Greninger
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital
Cancer Center, Charlestown, MA 02129, United States
| | - Cyril H. Benes
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital
Cancer Center, Charlestown, MA 02129, United States
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
02115, United States
| | - Markus A. Seeliger
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook
University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-8651, United States
| | - Jack Taunton
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology,
University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, United
States
| | - Luke A. Gilbert
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University
of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, United States
- Department of Urology, University of California, San
Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, United States
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California,
San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, United States
- Arc Institute, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, United States
| | - Kevan M. Shokat
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology,
University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, United
States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California,
San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of California,
Berkeley, Berkeley, 94720, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Lokey RS, Pye C. Getting bifunctional molecules into cells. Science 2022; 378:1054-1055. [PMID: 36480613 DOI: 10.1126/science.adf4412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A class of transmembrane proteins helps shuttle large drugs across the cell membrane.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Scott Lokey
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
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]
|
47
|
Kofink C, Trainor N, Mair B, Wöhrle S, Wurm M, Mischerikow N, Roy MJ, Bader G, Greb P, Garavel G, Diers E, McLennan R, Whitworth C, Vetma V, Rumpel K, Scharnweber M, Fuchs JE, Gerstberger T, Cui Y, Gremel G, Chetta P, Hopf S, Budano N, Rinnenthal J, Gmaschitz G, Mayer M, Koegl M, Ciulli A, Weinstabl H, Farnaby W. A selective and orally bioavailable VHL-recruiting PROTAC achieves SMARCA2 degradation in vivo. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5969. [PMID: 36216795 PMCID: PMC9551036 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33430-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation offers an alternative modality to classical inhibition and holds the promise of addressing previously undruggable targets to provide novel therapeutic options for patients. Heterobifunctional molecules co-recruit a target protein and an E3 ligase, resulting in ubiquitylation and proteosome-dependent degradation of the target. In the clinic, the oral route of administration is the option of choice but has only been achieved so far by CRBN- recruiting bifunctional degrader molecules. We aimed to achieve orally bioavailable molecules that selectively degrade the BAF Chromatin Remodelling complex ATPase SMARCA2 over its closely related paralogue SMARCA4, to allow in vivo evaluation of the synthetic lethality concept of SMARCA2 dependency in SMARCA4-deficient cancers. Here we outline structure- and property-guided approaches that led to orally bioavailable VHL-recruiting degraders. Our tool compound, ACBI2, shows selective degradation of SMARCA2 over SMARCA4 in ex vivo human whole blood assays and in vivo efficacy in SMARCA4-deficient cancer models. This study demonstrates the feasibility for broadening the E3 ligase and physicochemical space that can be utilised for achieving oral efficacy with bifunctional molecules.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicole Trainor
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
- ACRF Chemical Biology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Barbara Mair
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | - Simon Wöhrle
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | - Melanie Wurm
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Michael J Roy
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
- ACRF Chemical Biology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Gerd Bader
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Greb
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Emelyne Diers
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Ross McLennan
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Claire Whitworth
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Vesna Vetma
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Klaus Rumpel
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | | | - Yunhai Cui
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Biberach, Germany
| | | | - Paolo Chetta
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Hopf
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nicole Budano
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Moriz Mayer
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | - Manfred Koegl
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alessio Ciulli
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | | | - William Farnaby
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Poongavanam V, Atilaw Y, Siegel S, Giese A, Lehmann L, Meibom D, Erdelyi M, Kihlberg J. Linker-Dependent Folding Rationalizes PROTAC Cell Permeability. J Med Chem 2022; 65:13029-13040. [PMID: 36170570 PMCID: PMC9574858 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) must be cell permeable to reach their target proteins. This is challenging as the bivalent structure of PROTACs puts them in chemical space at, or beyond, the outer limits of oral druggable space. We used NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations independently to gain insights into the origin of the differences in cell permeability displayed by three flexible cereblon PROTACs having closely related structures. Both methods revealed that the propensity of the PROTACs to adopt folded conformations with a low solvent-accessible 3D polar surface area in an apolar environment is correlated to high cell permeability. The chemical nature and the flexibility of the linker were essential for the PROTACs to populate folded conformations stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonds, π-π interactions, and van der Waals interactions. We conclude that MD simulations may be used for the prospective ranking of cell permeability in the design of cereblon PROTACs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Yoseph Atilaw
- Department of Chemistry─BMC, Uppsala University, Box 576, 75123 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Stephan Siegel
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Bayer AG, 13342 Berlin, Germany
| | - Anja Giese
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Bayer AG, 13342 Berlin, Germany
| | - Lutz Lehmann
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Bayer AG, 42113 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Daniel Meibom
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Bayer AG, 42113 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Mate Erdelyi
- Department of Chemistry─BMC, Uppsala University, Box 576, 75123 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jan Kihlberg
- Department of Chemistry─BMC, Uppsala University, Box 576, 75123 Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Macabuag N, Esmieu W, Breccia P, Jarvis R, Blackaby W, Lazari O, Urbonas L, Eznarriaga M, Williams R, Strijbosch A, Van de Bospoort R, Matthews K, Clissold C, Ladduwahetty T, Vater H, Heaphy P, Stafford DG, Wang HJ, Mangette JE, McAllister G, Beaumont V, Vogt TF, Wilkinson HA, Doherty EM, Dominguez C. Developing HDAC4-Selective Protein Degraders To Investigate the Role of HDAC4 in Huntington's Disease Pathology. J Med Chem 2022; 65:12445-12459. [PMID: 36098485 PMCID: PMC9512014 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a lethal autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder resulting from a CAG repeat expansion in the huntingtin (HTT) gene. The product of translation of this gene is a highly aggregation-prone protein containing a polyglutamine tract >35 repeats (mHTT) that has been shown to colocalize with histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) in cytoplasmic inclusions in HD mouse models. Genetic reduction of HDAC4 in an HD mouse model resulted in delayed aggregation of mHTT, along with amelioration of neurological phenotypes and extended lifespan. To further investigate the role of HDAC4 in cellular models of HD, we have developed bifunctional degraders of the protein and report the first potent and selective degraders of HDAC4 that show an effect in multiple cell lines, including HD mouse model-derived cortical neurons. These degraders act via the ubiquitin-proteasomal pathway and selectively degrade HDAC4 over other class IIa HDAC isoforms (HDAC5, HDAC7, and HDAC9).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natsuko Macabuag
- Discovery
from Charles River, Charles River, Chesterford Research Park, Saffron Walden CB10 1XL, U.K.
| | - William Esmieu
- Discovery
from Charles River, Charles River, Chesterford Research Park, Saffron Walden CB10 1XL, U.K.
| | - Perla Breccia
- Discovery
from Charles River, Charles River, Chesterford Research Park, Saffron Walden CB10 1XL, U.K.
| | - Rebecca Jarvis
- Discovery
from Charles River, Charles River, Chesterford Research Park, Saffron Walden CB10 1XL, U.K.
| | - Wesley Blackaby
- Discovery
from Charles River, Charles River, Chesterford Research Park, Saffron Walden CB10 1XL, U.K.
| | - Ovadia Lazari
- Discovery
from Charles River, Charles River, Chesterford Research Park, Saffron Walden CB10 1XL, U.K.
| | - Liudvikas Urbonas
- Discovery
from Charles River, Charles River, Chesterford Research Park, Saffron Walden CB10 1XL, U.K.
| | - Maria Eznarriaga
- Discovery
from Charles River, Charles River, Chesterford Research Park, Saffron Walden CB10 1XL, U.K.
| | - Rachel Williams
- Discovery
from Charles River, Charles River, Chesterford Research Park, Saffron Walden CB10 1XL, U.K.
| | | | | | - Kim Matthews
- Discovery
from Charles River, Charles River, Chesterford Research Park, Saffron Walden CB10 1XL, U.K.
| | - Cole Clissold
- Discovery
from Charles River, Charles River, Chesterford Research Park, Saffron Walden CB10 1XL, U.K.
| | - Tammy Ladduwahetty
- Discovery
from Charles River, Charles River, Chesterford Research Park, Saffron Walden CB10 1XL, U.K.
| | - Huw Vater
- Discovery
from Charles River, Charles River, Chesterford Research Park, Saffron Walden CB10 1XL, U.K.
| | - Patrick Heaphy
- Curia, The Conventus Building, 1001 Main
Street, Buffalo, New York 14203, United States
| | - Douglas G. Stafford
- Curia, The Conventus Building, 1001 Main
Street, Buffalo, New York 14203, United States
| | - Hong-Jun Wang
- Curia, The Conventus Building, 1001 Main
Street, Buffalo, New York 14203, United States
| | - John E. Mangette
- Curia, The Conventus Building, 1001 Main
Street, Buffalo, New York 14203, United States
| | - George McAllister
- CHDI
Management/CHDI Foundation, 6080 Center Drive, Los Angeles, California 90045, United States
| | - Vahri Beaumont
- CHDI
Management/CHDI Foundation, 6080 Center Drive, Los Angeles, California 90045, United States
| | - Thomas F. Vogt
- CHDI
Management/CHDI Foundation, 6080 Center Drive, Los Angeles, California 90045, United States
| | - Hilary A. Wilkinson
- CHDI
Management/CHDI Foundation, 6080 Center Drive, Los Angeles, California 90045, United States
| | - Elizabeth M. Doherty
- CHDI
Management/CHDI Foundation, 6080 Center Drive, Los Angeles, California 90045, United States
| | - Celia Dominguez
- CHDI
Management/CHDI Foundation, 6080 Center Drive, Los Angeles, California 90045, United States
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
PROTACs: Current Trends in Protein Degradation by Proteolysis-Targeting Chimeras. BioDrugs 2022; 36:609-623. [PMID: 36098871 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-022-00551-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
In the recent past, proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology has received enormous attention for its ability to overcome the limitations of protein inhibitors and its capability to target undruggable proteins. The PROTAC molecule consists of three components, a ubiquitin E3 ligase ligand, a linker, and a target protein ligand. The application of this technology is rapidly gaining momentum, especially in cancer therapy. In this review, we first look at the history of degraders, followed by a section on the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) and E3 ligases used in PROTAC development. PROTACs are dependent on the UPS for degradation of target proteins. We further discuss the scope and design of degraders and mitigation strategies for overcoming the hook effect seen with degraders. As PROTACs do not follow Lipinski's 'Rule of 5', these molecules face drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic challenges. A detailed section on absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of degraders is provided wherein we discuss methodologies and strategies to surmount the challenges faced by these molecules. For understanding PROTAC-mediated degradation, the characterization and measurement of protein levels in cells is important. Currently used techniques and recent advancements in assessment tools for degraders are discussed. Furthermore, we examine the challenges and emerging technologies that need to be focused on in order to competently develop potent degraders. Many companies are working in this area of emerging new modality and a few PROTACs have already entered clinical trials; the details of the trials are included in this review.
Collapse
|