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Chiodi D, Ishihara Y. The role of the methoxy group in approved drugs. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 273:116364. [PMID: 38781921 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116364] [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: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
The methoxy substituent is prevalent in natural products and, consequently, is present in many natural product-derived drugs. It has also been installed in modern drug molecules with no remnant of natural product features because medicinal chemists have been taking advantage of the benefits that this small functional group can bestow on ligand-target binding, physicochemical properties, and ADME parameters. Herein, over 230 methoxy-containing small-molecule drugs, as well as several fluoromethoxy-containing drugs, are presented from the vantage point of the methoxy group. Biochemical mechanisms of action, medicinal chemistry SAR studies, and numerous X-ray cocrystal structures are analyzed to identify the precise role of the methoxy group for many of the drugs and drug classes. Although the methoxy substituent can be considered as the hybridization of a hydroxy and a methyl group, the combination of these functionalities often results in unique effects that can amount to more than the sum of the individual parts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora Chiodi
- Department of Chemistry, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Yoshihiro Ishihara
- Department of Chemistry, Vividion Therapeutics, 5820 Nancy Ridge Drive, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA.
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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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An J, Zhang X. Crbn-based molecular Glues: Breakthroughs and perspectives. Bioorg Med Chem 2024; 104:117683. [PMID: 38552596 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2024.117683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
CRBN is a substrate receptor for the Cullin Ring E3 ubiquitin ligase 4 (CRL4) complex. It has been observed that CRBN can be exploited by small molecules to facilitate the recruitment and ubiquitination of non-natural CRL4 substrates, resulting in the degradation of neosubstrate through the ubiquitin-proteasome system. This phenomenon, known as molecular glue-induced protein degradation, has emerged as an innovative therapeutic approach in contrast to traditional small-molecule drugs. One key advantage of molecular glues, in comparison to conventional small-molecule drugs adhering to Lipinski's Rule of Five, is their ability to operate without the necessity for specific binding pockets on target proteins. This unique characteristic empowers molecular glues to interact with conventionally intractable protein targets, such as transcription factors and scaffold proteins. The ability to induce the degradation of these previously elusive targets by hijacking the ubiquitin-proteasome system presents a promising avenue for the treatment of recalcitrant diseases. Nevertheless, the rational design of molecular glues remains a formidable challenge due to the limited understanding of their mechanisms and actions. This review offers an overview of recent advances and breakthroughs in the field of CRBN-based molecular glues, while also exploring the prospects for a systematic approach to designing these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juzeng An
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.
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Kuemper S, Cairns AG, Birchall K, Yao Z, Large JM. Targeted protein degradation in CNS disorders: a promising route to novel therapeutics? Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1370509. [PMID: 38685916 PMCID: PMC11057381 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1370509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation (TPD) is a rapidly expanding field, with various PROTACs (proteolysis-targeting chimeras) in clinical trials and molecular glues such as immunomodulatory imide drugs (IMiDs) already well established in the treatment of certain blood cancers. Many current approaches are focused on oncology targets, leaving numerous potential applications underexplored. Targeting proteins for degradation offers a novel therapeutic route for targets whose inhibition remains challenging, such as protein aggregates in neurodegenerative diseases. This mini review focuses on the prospect of utilizing TPD for neurodegenerative disease targets, particularly PROTAC and molecular glue formats and opportunities for novel CNS E3 ligases. Some key challenges of utilizing such modalities including molecular design of degrader molecules, drug delivery and blood brain barrier penetrance will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Kuemper
- LifeArc, Accelerator Building, Open Innovation Campus, Stevenage, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew G. Cairns
- LifeArc, Accelerator Building, Open Innovation Campus, Stevenage, United Kingdom
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5
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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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6
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Garber K. The glue degraders. Nat Biotechnol 2024; 42:546-550. [PMID: 38448663 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-024-02164-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
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Hsia O, Hinterndorfer M, Cowan AD, Iso K, Ishida T, Sundaramoorthy R, Nakasone MA, Imrichova H, Schätz C, Rukavina A, Husnjak K, Wegner M, Correa-Sáez A, Craigon C, Casement R, Maniaci C, Testa A, Kaulich M, Dikic I, Winter GE, Ciulli A. Targeted protein degradation via intramolecular bivalent glues. Nature 2024; 627:204-211. [PMID: 38383787 PMCID: PMC10917667 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07089-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation is a pharmacological modality that is based on the induced proximity of an E3 ubiquitin ligase and a target protein to promote target ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. This has been achieved either via proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs)-bifunctional compounds composed of two separate moieties that individually bind the target and E3 ligase, or via molecular glues that monovalently bind either the ligase or the target1-4. Here, using orthogonal genetic screening, biophysical characterization and structural reconstitution, we investigate the mechanism of action of bifunctional degraders of BRD2 and BRD4, termed intramolecular bivalent glues (IBGs), and find that instead of connecting target and ligase in trans as PROTACs do, they simultaneously engage and connect two adjacent domains of the target protein in cis. This conformational change 'glues' BRD4 to the E3 ligases DCAF11 or DCAF16, leveraging intrinsic target-ligase affinities that do not translate to BRD4 degradation in the absence of compound. Structural insights into the ternary BRD4-IBG1-DCAF16 complex guided the rational design of improved degraders of low picomolar potency. We thus introduce a new modality in targeted protein degradation, which works by bridging protein domains in cis to enhance surface complementarity with E3 ligases for productive ubiquitination and degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Hsia
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Matthias Hinterndorfer
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Angus D Cowan
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Kentaro Iso
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
- Tsukuba Research Laboratory, Eisai Co., Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Tasuku Ishida
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
- Tsukuba Research Laboratory, Eisai Co., Ibaraki, Japan
| | | | - Mark A Nakasone
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Hana Imrichova
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Caroline Schätz
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andrea Rukavina
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Koraljka Husnjak
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Martin Wegner
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Alejandro Correa-Sáez
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Conner Craigon
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Ryan Casement
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Chiara Maniaci
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Andrea Testa
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
- Amphista Therapeutics, Cambridge, UK
| | - Manuel Kaulich
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ivan Dikic
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Georg E Winter
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Alessio Ciulli
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
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Holdgate GA, Bardelle C, Berry SK, Lanne A, Cuomo ME. Screening for molecular glues - Challenges and opportunities. SLAS DISCOVERY : ADVANCING LIFE SCIENCES R & D 2024; 29:100136. [PMID: 38104659 DOI: 10.1016/j.slasd.2023.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Molecular glues are small molecules, typically smaller than PROTACs, and usually with improved physicochemical properties that aim to stabilise the interaction between two proteins. Most often this approach is used to improve or induce an interaction between the target and an E3 ligase, but other interactions which stabilise interactions to increase activity or to inhibit binding to a natural effector have also been demonstrated. This review will describe the effects of induced proximity, discuss current methods used to identify molecular glues and introduce approaches that could be adapted for molecular glue screening.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Catherine Bardelle
- High-throughput Screening, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Alderley Park, UK
| | - Sophia K Berry
- High-throughput Screening, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Alderley Park, UK
| | - Alice Lanne
- High-throughput Screening, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Alderley Park, UK
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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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10
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Sternicki LM, Poulsen SA. Native Mass Spectrometry: Insights and Opportunities for Targeted Protein Degradation. Anal Chem 2023; 95:18655-18666. [PMID: 38090751 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c03853] [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: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Native mass spectrometry (nMS) is one of the most powerful biophysical methods for the direct observation of noncovalent protein interactions with both small molecules and other proteins. With the advent of targeted protein degradation (TPD), nMS is now emerging as a compelling approach to characterize the multiple fundamental interactions that underpin the TPD mechanism. Specifically, nMS enables the simultaneous observation of the multiple binary and ternary complexes [i.e., all combinations of E3 ligase, target protein of interest, and small molecule proximity-inducing reagents (such as PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs) and molecular glues)], formed as part of the TPD equilibrium; this is not possible with any other biophysical method. In this paper we overview the proof-of-concept applications of nMS within the field of TPD and demonstrate how it is providing researchers with critical insight into the systems under study. We also provide an outlook on the scope and future opportunities offered by nMS as a core and agnostic biophysical tool for advancing research developments in TPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise M Sternicki
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - Sally-Ann Poulsen
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane, Queensland 4111, Australia
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane, Queensland 4111, Australia
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11
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Karki R, Gadiya Y, Gribbon P, Zaliani A. Pharmacophore-Based Machine Learning Model To Predict Ligand Selectivity for E3 Ligase Binders. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:30177-30185. [PMID: 37636935 PMCID: PMC10448689 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c02803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
E3 ligases are enzymes that play a critical role in ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation and are involved in various cellular processes. Pharmacophore analysis is a useful approach for predicting E3 ligase binding selectivity, which involves identifying key chemical features necessary for a ligand to interact with a specific protein target cavity. While pharmacophore analysis is not always sufficient to accurately predict ligand binding affinity, it can be a valuable tool for filtering and/or designing focused libraries for screening campaigns. In this study, we present a fast and an inexpensive approach using a pharmacophore fingerprinting scheme known as ErG, which is used in a multi-class machine learning classification model. This model can assign the correct E3 ligase binder to its known E3 ligase and predict the probability of each molecule to bind to different E3 ligases. Practical applications of this approach are demonstrated on commercial libraries such as Asinex for the rational design of E3 ligase binders. The scripts and data associated with this study can be found on GitHub at https://github.com/Fraunhofer-ITMP/E3_binder_Model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reagon Karki
- Fraunhofer
Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Schnackenburgallee 114, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
- Fraunhofer
Cluster of Excellence for Immune-Mediated Diseases (CIMD), Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Yojana Gadiya
- Fraunhofer
Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Schnackenburgallee 114, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
- Fraunhofer
Cluster of Excellence for Immune-Mediated Diseases (CIMD), Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
- Bonn-Aachen
International Center for Information Technology (B-IT), University of Bonn, 53113 Bonn, Germany
| | - Philip Gribbon
- Fraunhofer
Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Schnackenburgallee 114, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
- Fraunhofer
Cluster of Excellence for Immune-Mediated Diseases (CIMD), Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Andrea Zaliani
- Fraunhofer
Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Schnackenburgallee 114, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
- Fraunhofer
Cluster of Excellence for Immune-Mediated Diseases (CIMD), Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
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