1
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Lynch TL, Marin VL, McClure RA, Phipps C, Ronau JA, Rouhimoghadam M, Adams AM, Kandi S, Wolke ML, Shergalis AG, Potts GK, Nacham O, Richardson P, Kakavas SJ, Chhor G, Jenkins GJ, Woller KR, Warder SE, Vasudevan A, Reitsma JM. Quantitative Measurement of Rate of Targeted Protein Degradation. ACS Chem Biol 2024. [PMID: 38980123 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.4c00262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation (TPD) is a therapeutic approach that leverages the cell's natural machinery to degrade targets instead of inhibiting them. This is accomplished by using mono- or bifunctional small molecules designed to induce the proximity of target proteins and E3 ubiquitin ligases, leading to ubiquitination and subsequent proteasome-dependent degradation of the target. One of the most significant attributes of the TPD approach is its proposed catalytic mechanism of action, which permits substoichiometric exposure to achieve the desired pharmacological effects. However, apart from one in vitro study, studies supporting the catalytic mechanism of degraders are largely inferred based on potency. A more comprehensive understanding of the degrader catalytic mechanism of action can help aspects of compound development. To address this knowledge gap, we developed a workflow for the quantitative measurement of the catalytic rate of degraders in cells. Comparing a selective and promiscuous BTK degrader, we demonstrate that both compounds function as efficient catalysts of BTK degradation, with the promiscuous degrader exhibiting faster rates due to its ability to induce more favorable ternary complexes. By leveraging computational modeling, we show that the catalytic rate is highly dynamic as the target is depleted from cells. Further investigation of the promiscuous kinase degrader revealed that the catalytic rate is a better predictor of optimal degrader activity toward a specific target compared to degradation magnitude alone. In summary, we present a versatile method for mapping the catalytic activity of any degrader for TPD in cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas L Lynch
- Quantitative, Translational & ADME Sciences, AbbVie Incorporated, 1 North Waukegan Rd., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Violeta L Marin
- Technology & Therapeutic Platforms, AbbVie Incorporated, 1 North Waukegan Rd., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Ryan A McClure
- Technology & Therapeutic Platforms, AbbVie Incorporated, 1 North Waukegan Rd., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Colin Phipps
- Quantitative, Translational & ADME Sciences, AbbVie Incorporated, 1 North Waukegan Rd., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Judith A Ronau
- Technology & Therapeutic Platforms, AbbVie Incorporated, 1 North Waukegan Rd., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Milad Rouhimoghadam
- Technology & Therapeutic Platforms, AbbVie Incorporated, 1 North Waukegan Rd., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Ashley M Adams
- Technology & Therapeutic Platforms, AbbVie Incorporated, 1 North Waukegan Rd., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Soumya Kandi
- Quantitative, Translational & ADME Sciences, AbbVie Incorporated, 1 North Waukegan Rd., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Malerie L Wolke
- Quantitative, Translational & ADME Sciences, AbbVie Incorporated, 1 North Waukegan Rd., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Andrea G Shergalis
- Technology & Therapeutic Platforms, AbbVie Incorporated, 1 North Waukegan Rd., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Gregory K Potts
- Technology & Therapeutic Platforms, AbbVie Incorporated, 1 North Waukegan Rd., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Omprakash Nacham
- Technology & Therapeutic Platforms, AbbVie Incorporated, 1 North Waukegan Rd., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Paul Richardson
- Technology & Therapeutic Platforms, AbbVie Incorporated, 1 North Waukegan Rd., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Stephan J Kakavas
- Target Enabling Technologies, AbbVie Incorporated, 1 North Waukegan Rd., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Gekleng Chhor
- Target Enabling Technologies, AbbVie Incorporated, 1 North Waukegan Rd., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Gary J Jenkins
- Quantitative, Translational & ADME Sciences, AbbVie Incorporated, 1 North Waukegan Rd., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Kevin R Woller
- Technology & Therapeutic Platforms, AbbVie Incorporated, 1 North Waukegan Rd., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Scott E Warder
- Technology & Therapeutic Platforms, AbbVie Incorporated, 1 North Waukegan Rd., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Anil Vasudevan
- Technology & Therapeutic Platforms, AbbVie Incorporated, 1 North Waukegan Rd., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Justin M Reitsma
- Technology & Therapeutic Platforms, AbbVie Incorporated, 1 North Waukegan Rd., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
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2
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Konstantinidou M, Arkin MR. Molecular glues for protein-protein interactions: Progressing toward a new dream. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:1064-1088. [PMID: 38701786 PMCID: PMC11193649 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2024.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
The modulation of protein-protein interactions with small molecules is one of the most rapidly developing areas in drug discovery. In this review, we discuss advances over the past decade (2014-2023) focusing on molecular glues (MGs)-monovalent small molecules that induce proximity, either by stabilizing native interactions or by inducing neomorphic interactions. We include both serendipitous and rational discoveries and describe the different approaches that were used to identify them. We classify the compounds in three main categories: degradative MGs, non-degradative MGs or PPI stabilizers, and MGs that induce self-association. Diverse, illustrative examples with structural data are described in detail, emphasizing the elements of molecular recognition and cooperative binding at the interface that are fundamental for a MG mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markella Konstantinidou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Small Molecule Discovery Center (SMDC), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Michelle R Arkin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Small Molecule Discovery Center (SMDC), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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3
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Kelly LM, Rutter JC, Lin KH, Ling F, Duchmann M, Latour E, Arang N, Pasquer H, Ho Nhat D, Charles J, Killarney ST, Ang HX, Namor F, Culeux C, Lombard B, Loew D, Swaney DL, Krogan NJ, Brunel L, Carretero É, Verdié P, Amblard M, Fodil S, Huynh T, Sebert M, Adès L, Raffoux E, Fenouille N, Itzykson R, Lobry C, Benajiba L, Forget A, Martin AR, Wood KC, Puissant A. Targeting a lineage-specific PI3Kɣ-Akt signaling module in acute myeloid leukemia using a heterobifunctional degrader molecule. NATURE CANCER 2024:10.1038/s43018-024-00782-5. [PMID: 38816660 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-024-00782-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Dose-limiting toxicity poses a major limitation to the clinical utility of targeted cancer therapies, often arising from target engagement in nonmalignant tissues. This obstacle can be minimized by targeting cancer dependencies driven by proteins with tissue-restricted and/or tumor-restricted expression. In line with another recent report, we show here that, in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), suppression of the myeloid-restricted PIK3CG/p110γ-PIK3R5/p101 axis inhibits protein kinase B/Akt signaling and compromises AML cell fitness. Furthermore, silencing the genes encoding PIK3CG/p110γ or PIK3R5/p101 sensitizes AML cells to established AML therapies. Importantly, we find that existing small-molecule inhibitors against PIK3CG are insufficient to achieve a sustained long-term antileukemic effect. To address this concern, we developed a proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) heterobifunctional molecule that specifically degrades PIK3CG and potently suppresses AML progression alone and in combination with venetoclax in human AML cell lines, primary samples from patients with AML and syngeneic mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lois M Kelly
- INSERM UMR 944, IRSL, Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Justine C Rutter
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kevin H Lin
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Frank Ling
- INSERM UMR 944, IRSL, Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Matthieu Duchmann
- INSERM UMR 944, IRSL, Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Emmanuelle Latour
- INSERM UMR 944, IRSL, Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Nadia Arang
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hélène Pasquer
- INSERM UMR 944, IRSL, Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Duong Ho Nhat
- INSERM UMR 944, IRSL, Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Juliette Charles
- INSERM UMR 944, IRSL, Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Shane T Killarney
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Hazel X Ang
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Federica Namor
- INSERM UMR 944, IRSL, Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Cécile Culeux
- INSERM UMR 944, IRSL, Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Bérangère Lombard
- Curie Institute, Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Damarys Loew
- Curie Institute, Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Danielle L Swaney
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Nevan J Krogan
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Luc Brunel
- IBMM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | - Élodie Carretero
- IBMM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | - Pascal Verdié
- IBMM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | - Muriel Amblard
- IBMM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | - Sofiane Fodil
- Department of Hematology and Immunology, Saint-Louis Hospital, AP-HP, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Tony Huynh
- Department of Hematology and Immunology, Saint-Louis Hospital, AP-HP, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Marie Sebert
- INSERM UMR 944, IRSL, Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
- Department of Hematology and Immunology, Saint-Louis Hospital, AP-HP, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Lionel Adès
- INSERM UMR 944, IRSL, Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
- Department of Hematology and Immunology, Saint-Louis Hospital, AP-HP, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Emmanuel Raffoux
- INSERM UMR 944, IRSL, Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
- Department of Hematology and Immunology, Saint-Louis Hospital, AP-HP, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Nina Fenouille
- INSERM UMR 944, IRSL, Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Raphaël Itzykson
- INSERM UMR 944, IRSL, Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
- Department of Hematology and Immunology, Saint-Louis Hospital, AP-HP, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Camille Lobry
- INSERM UMR 944, IRSL, Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Lina Benajiba
- INSERM UMR 944, IRSL, Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
- Clinical Investigation Center, Saint-Louis Hospital, AP-HP, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Antoine Forget
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Anthony R Martin
- IBMM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France.
| | - Kris C Wood
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Alexandre Puissant
- INSERM UMR 944, IRSL, Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris Cité University, Paris, France.
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4
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Zhao H. Structural Basis of Conformational Dynamics in the PROTAC-Induced Protein Degradation. ChemMedChem 2024:e202400171. [PMID: 38655701 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202400171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Pronounced conformational dynamics is unveiled upon analyzing multiple crystal structures of the same proteins recruited to the same E3 ligases by PROTACs, and yet, is largely permissive for targeted protein degradation due to the intrinsic mobility of E3 assemblies creating a large ubiquitylation zone. Mathematical modelling of ternary dynamics on ubiquitylation probability confirms the experimental finding that ternary complex rigidification need not correlate with enhanced protein degradation. Salt bridges are found to prevail in the PROTAC-induced ternary complexes, and may contribute to a positive cooperativity and prolonged half-life. The analysis highlights the importance of presenting lysines close to the active site of the E2 enzyme while constraining ternary dynamics in PROTAC design to achieve high degradation efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongtao Zhao
- Medicinal Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Respiratory and Immunology (R&I), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
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5
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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/.
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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
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6
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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.
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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
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Huang J, Ma Z, Peng X, Yang Z, Wu Y, Zhong G, Ouyang T, Chen Z, Liu Y, Wang Q, Chen J, Chen T, Zeng Z. Discovery of Novel Potent and Fast BTK PROTACs for the Treatment of Osteoclasts-Related Inflammatory Diseases. J Med Chem 2024; 67:2438-2465. [PMID: 38321747 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) is an attractive target in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. However, the effectiveness of BTK inhibitors is limited by side effects and drug resistance. In this study, we report the development of novel BTK proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) with different classes of BTK-targeting ligands (e.g., spebrutinib) other than ibrutinib. Compound 23 was identified as a potent and fast BTK PROTAC degrader, exhibiting outstanding degradation potency and efficiency in Mino cells (DC50, 4 h = 1.29 ± 0.3 nM, t1/2, 20 nM = 0.59 ± 0.20 h). Furthermore, compound 23 forms a stable ternary complex, as confirmed by the HTRF assay. Notably, 23 down-regulated the BTK-PLCγ2-Ca2+-NFATc1 signaling pathway activated by RANKL, thus inhibiting osteoclastogenesis and attenuating alveolar bone resorption in a mouse periodontitis model. These findings suggest that compound 23 is a potent and promising candidate for osteoclast-related inflammatory diseases, expanding the potential of BTK PROTACs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junli Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region & Guangxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Zeli Ma
- Department of Stomatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xiaopeng Peng
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Biomaterials and Biofabrication for Tissue Engineering, School of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 314000, China
| | - Zichao Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yuhao Wu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
| | - Guanghong Zhong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Tianfeng Ouyang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Zhen Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yao Liu
- Instrumental Analysis Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Qirui Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jianjun Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Ting Chen
- Department of Stomatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Zhenhua Zeng
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
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8
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Janero DR. Current strategic trends in drug discovery: the present as prologue. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:147-159. [PMID: 37936504 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2275640] [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: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Escalating costs and inherent uncertainties associated with drug discovery invite initiatives to improve its efficiency and de-risk campaigns for inventing better therapeutics. One such initiative involves recognizing and exploiting current approaches in therapeutics invention with molecular mechanisms of action that hold promise for designing and targeting new chemical entities as drugs. AREAS COVERED This perspective considers the current contextual framework around three drug-discovery approaches and evaluates their potential to help identify new targets/modalities in small-molecule molecular pharmacology: diversifying ligand-directed phenotypes for G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) pharmacotherapeutic signaling; developing therapeutic-protein degraders and stabilizers for proximity-inducing pharmacology; and mining organelle biology for druggable therapeutic targets. EXPERT OPINION The contemporary drug-discovery approaches examined appear generalizable and versatile to have applications in therapeutics invention beyond those case studies discussed herein. Accordingly, they may be considered strategic trends worthy of note in advancing the field toward novel ways of addressing pharmacotherapeutically unmet medical needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Janero
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Health Sciences Entrepreneurs, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
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9
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Zhao H, Narjes F. Kinetic Modeling of PROTAC-Induced Protein Degradation. ChemMedChem 2023; 18:e202300530. [PMID: 37905604 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Kinetics of the PROTAC-induced protein degradation were modelled using the equilibrium approximation, accounting for the protein recovery rate with a time lag. The simulated kinetic curves resemble what is experimentally observed, and the physical formulas of the half-maximal degradation concentration (DC50 ) were derived from them. The equations reveal that DC50 is proportional to the dissociation constant of the ternary complex (Kd ) and inversely proportional to the expression level of the E3 ligase and the effective ubiquitylation rate (kub ). The predicted relationships were rigorously confirmed by experimental evidences from a matched molecular pair analysis using a set of published PROTACs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongtao Zhao
- Medicinal Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Respiratory and Immunology (R&I), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, 43183, Sweden
| | - Frank Narjes
- Medicinal Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Respiratory and Immunology (R&I), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, 43183, Sweden
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10
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Sathe G, Sapkota GP. Proteomic approaches advancing targeted protein degradation. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2023; 44:786-801. [PMID: 37778939 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2023.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation (TPD) is an emerging modality for research and therapeutics. Most TPD approaches harness cellular ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic pathways. Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) and molecular glue (MG) degraders (MGDs) represent the most advanced TPD approaches, with some already used in clinical settings. Despite these advances, TPD still faces many challenges, pertaining to both the development of effective, selective, and tissue-penetrant degraders and understanding their mode of action. In this review, we focus on progress made in addressing these challenges. In particular, we discuss the utility and application of recent proteomic approaches as indispensable tools to enable insights into degrader development, including target engagement, degradation selectivity, efficacy, safety, and mode of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gajanan Sathe
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK.
| | - Gopal P Sapkota
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK.
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11
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Ingersoll J, Shcherbakov AA, Vaish A, Poppe L. PEG: The Magic Bullet for Biophysical Analysis of Highly Aggregating Small Molecules in Aqueous Solutions. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:1063-1066. [PMID: 37583825 PMCID: PMC10424301 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Biophysical research plays a crucial role in drug discovery, but many druglike molecules are poorly soluble and prone to aggregation, making their analysis challenging and susceptible to artifacts. To address this issue, we propose an approach that uses poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as an excipient in aqueous buffers to reduce the propensity of small molecules to aggregate. We show how PEG allows us to measure the thermodynamics of a complex formed by a heterobifunctional Small Molecule (hSM) that brings two proteins together. Our model accounts for all of the equilibrium states of the small molecule in solution, resulting in more precise parameters for describing how the proteins and the ligand interact. These precise parameters are important for designing better lead molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Ingersoll
- Amgen Research, Amgen Inc., Thousand
Oaks, California 91320, United States
| | | | - Amit Vaish
- Amgen Research, Amgen Inc., Thousand
Oaks, California 91320, United States
| | - Leszek Poppe
- Amgen Research, Amgen Inc., Thousand
Oaks, California 91320, United States
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