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Muñoz Sosa CJ, Lenz C, Hamann A, Farges F, Dopfer J, Krämer A, Cherkashyna V, Tarnovskiy A, Moroz YS, Proschak E, Němec V, Müller S, Saxena K, Knapp S. A C-Degron Structure-Based Approach for the Development of Ligands Targeting the E3 Ligase TRIM7. ACS Chem Biol 2024; 19:1638-1647. [PMID: 38934237 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.4c00301] [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: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
TRIM7 is a ubiquitin E3 ligase with key regulatory functions, mediating viral infection, tumor biology, innate immunity, and cellular processes, such as autophagy and ferroptosis. It contains a PRYSPRY domain that specifically recognizes degron sequences containing C-terminal glutamine. Ligands that bind to the TRIM7 PRYSPRY domain may have applications in the treatment of viral infections, as modulators of inflammation, and in the design of a new class of PROTACs (PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras) that mediate the selective degradation of therapeutically relevant proteins (POIs). Here, we developed an assay toolbox for the comprehensive evaluation of TRIM7 ligands. Using TRIM7 degron sequences together with a structure-based design, we developed the first series of peptidomimetic ligands with low micromolar affinity. The terminal carboxylate moiety was required for ligand activity but prevented cell penetration. A prodrug strategy using an ethyl ester resulted in enhanced permeability, which was evaluated using confocal imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian J Muñoz Sosa
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Straße 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences (BMLS), Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Straße 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Christopher Lenz
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Straße 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences (BMLS), Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Straße 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Anton Hamann
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Straße 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences (BMLS), Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Straße 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Frederic Farges
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Straße 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences (BMLS), Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Straße 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Johannes Dopfer
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Straße 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences (BMLS), Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Straße 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Andreas Krämer
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Straße 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences (BMLS), Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Straße 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | | | - Yurii S Moroz
- Enamine Ltd., Winston Churchill Street 78, 02094 Kyïv, Ukraine
- Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyïv, Volodymyrska Street 60, Kyïv 01601, Ukraine
| | - Ewgenij Proschak
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Straße 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Václav Němec
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Straße 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences (BMLS), Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Straße 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Susanne Müller
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Straße 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences (BMLS), Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Straße 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Krishna Saxena
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Straße 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences (BMLS), Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Straße 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Straße 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences (BMLS), Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Straße 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Wang B, Cao S, Zheng N. Emerging strategies for prospective discovery of molecular glue degraders. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2024; 86:102811. [PMID: 38598983 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2024.102811] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Molecular glue (MG) degraders are monovalent small molecule compounds that co-opt E3 ubiquitin ligases to target neo-substrates for proteasomal degradation. Here, we provide a concise review of recent advances in rational MG discovery, which are categorized into two major strategies, ligand modification and de novo discovery. We also highlight the structural mechanisms underlying the formation of MG-enabled ternary complexes and their thermodynamic properties. Finally, we summarize the broader category of proximity inducers including MGs, proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), peptides, and viral proteins. MGs are specified as a unique class of proximity inducers with chemical simplicity and a requirement of pre-existing weak protein-protein interactions. We propose that leveraging the weak basal interaction provides a starting point to prospectively develop MGs to degrade high-value therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baiyun Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Box 357280, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Shiyun Cao
- Department of Pharmacology, Box 357280, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ning Zheng
- Department of Pharmacology, Box 357280, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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Tsai JM, Nowak RP, Ebert BL, Fischer ES. Targeted protein degradation: from mechanisms to clinic. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2024:10.1038/s41580-024-00729-9. [PMID: 38684868 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-024-00729-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation refers to the use of small molecules to induce the selective degradation of proteins. In its most common form, this degradation is achieved through ligand-mediated neo-interactions between ubiquitin E3 ligases - the principal waste disposal machines of a cell - and the protein targets of interest, resulting in ubiquitylation and subsequent proteasomal degradation. Notable advances have been made in biological and mechanistic understanding of serendipitously discovered degraders. This improved understanding and novel chemistry has not only provided clinical proof of concept for targeted protein degradation but has also led to rapid growth of the field, with dozens of investigational drugs in active clinical trials. Two distinct classes of protein degradation therapeutics are being widely explored: bifunctional PROTACs and molecular glue degraders, both of which have their unique advantages and challenges. Here, we review the current landscape of targeted protein degradation approaches and how they have parallels in biological processes. We also outline the ongoing clinical exploration of novel degraders and provide some perspectives on the directions the field might take.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan M Tsai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Radosław P Nowak
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Institute of Structural Biology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Benjamin L Ebert
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Eric S Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Hernández-Morán BA, Taylor G, Lorente-Macías Á, Wood AJ. Degron tagging for rapid protein degradation in mice. Dis Model Mech 2024; 17:dmm050613. [PMID: 38666498 PMCID: PMC11073515 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Degron tagging allows proteins of interest to be rapidly degraded, in a reversible and tuneable manner, in response to a chemical stimulus. This provides numerous opportunities for understanding disease mechanisms, modelling therapeutic interventions and constructing synthetic gene networks. In recent years, many laboratories have applied degron tagging successfully in cultured mammalian cells, spurred by rapid advances in the fields of genome editing and targeted protein degradation. In this At a Glance article, we focus on recent efforts to apply degron tagging in mouse models, discussing the distinct set of challenges and opportunities posed by the in vivo environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianda A. Hernández-Morán
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4, 2XR, UK
| | - Gillian Taylor
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4, 2XR, UK
| | - Álvaro Lorente-Macías
- Edinburgh Cancer Research, Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK
| | - Andrew J. Wood
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4, 2XR, UK
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