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Mori Y, Akizuki Y, Honda R, Takao M, Tsuchimoto A, Hashimoto S, Iio H, Kato M, Kaiho-Soma A, Saeki Y, Hamazaki J, Murata S, Ushijima T, Hattori N, Ohtake F. Intrinsic signaling pathways modulate targeted protein degradation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5379. [PMID: 38956052 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49519-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation is a groundbreaking modality in drug discovery; however, the regulatory mechanisms are still not fully understood. Here, we identify cellular signaling pathways that modulate the targeted degradation of the anticancer target BRD4 and related neosubstrates BRD2/3 and CDK9 induced by CRL2VHL- or CRL4CRBN -based PROTACs. The chemicals identified as degradation enhancers include inhibitors of cellular signaling pathways such as poly-ADP ribosylation (PARG inhibitor PDD00017273), unfolded protein response (PERK inhibitor GSK2606414), and protein stabilization (HSP90 inhibitor luminespib). Mechanistically, PARG inhibition promotes TRIP12-mediated K29/K48-linked branched ubiquitylation of BRD4 by facilitating chromatin dissociation of BRD4 and formation of the BRD4-PROTAC-CRL2VHL ternary complex; by contrast, HSP90 inhibition promotes BRD4 degradation after the ubiquitylation step. Consequently, these signal inhibitors sensitize cells to the PROTAC-induced apoptosis. These results suggest that various cell-intrinsic signaling pathways spontaneously counteract chemically induced target degradation at multiple steps, which could be liberated by specific inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Mori
- Laboratory of Protein Degradation, Institute for Advanced Life Sciences, Hoshi University, 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8501, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hoshi University, 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8501, Japan
| | - Yoshino Akizuki
- Laboratory of Protein Degradation, Institute for Advanced Life Sciences, Hoshi University, 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8501, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hoshi University, 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8501, Japan
| | - Rikuto Honda
- Laboratory of Protein Degradation, Institute for Advanced Life Sciences, Hoshi University, 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8501, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hoshi University, 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8501, Japan
| | - Miyu Takao
- Graduate School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hoshi University, 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8501, Japan
| | - Ayaka Tsuchimoto
- Laboratory of Protein Degradation, Institute for Advanced Life Sciences, Hoshi University, 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8501, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hoshi University, 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8501, Japan
| | - Sota Hashimoto
- Laboratory of Protein Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Iio
- Laboratory of Protein Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Masakazu Kato
- Laboratory of Protein Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo Heisei University, Nakano-ku, Tokyo, 1648530, Japan
| | - Ai Kaiho-Soma
- Laboratory of Protein Degradation, Institute for Advanced Life Sciences, Hoshi University, 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8501, Japan
| | - Yasushi Saeki
- Division of Protein Metabolism, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
- Protein Metabolism Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Sciences, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 156-8506, Japan
| | - Jun Hamazaki
- Laboratory of Protein Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Shigeo Murata
- Laboratory of Protein Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Toshikazu Ushijima
- Department of Epigenomics, Institute for Advanced Life Sciences, Hoshi University, 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8501, Japan
| | - Naoko Hattori
- Department of Epigenomics, Institute for Advanced Life Sciences, Hoshi University, 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8501, Japan
| | - Fumiaki Ohtake
- Laboratory of Protein Degradation, Institute for Advanced Life Sciences, Hoshi University, 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8501, Japan.
- Graduate School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hoshi University, 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8501, Japan.
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Zhang Y, Ming A, Wang J, Chen W, Fang Z. PROTACs targeting androgen receptor signaling: Potential therapeutic agents for castration-resistant prostate cancer. Pharmacol Res 2024; 205:107234. [PMID: 38815882 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
After the initial androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), part of the prostate cancer may continuously deteriorate into castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The majority of patients suffer from the localized illness at primary diagnosis that could rapidly assault other organs. This disease stage is referred as metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Surgery and radiation are still the treatment of CRPC, but have some adverse effects such as urinary symptoms and sexual dysfunction. Hormonal castration therapy interfering androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway is indispensable for most advanced prostate cancer patients, and the first- and second-generation of novel AR inhibitors could effectively cure hormone sensitive prostate cancer (HSPC). However, the resistance to these chemical agents is inevitable, so many of patients may experience relapses. The resistance to AR inhibitor mainly involves AR mutation, splice variant formation and amplification, which indicates the important role in CRPC. Proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC), a potent technique to degrade targeted protein, has recently undergone extensive development as a biological tool and therapeutic drug. This technique has the potential to become the next generation of antitumor therapeutics as it could overcome the shortcomings of conventional small molecule inhibitors. In this review, we summarize the molecular mechanisms on PROTACs targeting AR signaling for CRPC, hoping to provide insights into drug development and clinical medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulu Zhang
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Ji'nan, China; Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Ji'nan, China
| | - Annan Ming
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Ji'nan, China; Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Ji'nan, China
| | - Junyan Wang
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Ji'nan, China
| | | | - Zhiqing Fang
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Ji'nan, China.
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3
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Viviano M, Cipriano A, Fabbrizi E, Feoli A, Castellano S, Sbardella G, Mai A, Milite C, Rotili D. Successes and challenges in the development of BD1-selective BET inhibitors: a patent review. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2024; 34:529-545. [PMID: 38465537 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2024.2327300] [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: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Bromodomain and ExtraTerminal (BET) domain proteins are transcriptional cofactors that, recognizing acetylated lysines of histone and non-histone proteins, can modulate gene expression. The BET family consists of four members, each of which contains two bromodomains (BD1 and BD2) able to recognize the acetylated mark. Pan-BET inhibitors (BETi) have shown a promising anticancer potential in many clinical trials; however, their further development has been in part hampered by the side effects due to their lack of selectivity. Mounting evidence suggests that BD1 is primarily involved in cancer and that its selective inhibition can phenocopy the anticancer effects of pan-BETi with increased tolerability. Therefore, the development of BD1 selective inhibitors is highly pursed in both academia and industry. AREAS COVERED This review aims at giving an overview of the patent literature of BD1-selective BETi between 2014 and 2023. WIPO, USPTO, EPO, and SciFinder® databases were used for the search of patents. EXPERT OPINION The development of BD1-selective BETi, despite challenging, is highly desirable as it could have a great impact on the development of new safer anticancer therapeutics. Several strategies could be applied to discover potent and selective compounds with limited side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Viviano
- Department of Pharmacy, Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Alessandra Cipriano
- Department of Pharmacy, Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Emanuele Fabbrizi
- Department of Drug Chemistry & Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Feoli
- Department of Pharmacy, Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Sabrina Castellano
- Department of Pharmacy, Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Gianluca Sbardella
- Department of Pharmacy, Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Antonello Mai
- Department of Drug Chemistry & Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Ciro Milite
- Department of Pharmacy, Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Dante Rotili
- Department of Drug Chemistry & Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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4
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Wang S, Feng Z, Qu C, Yu S, Zhang H, Deng R, Luo D, Pu C, Zhang Y, Li R. Novel Amphiphilic PROTAC with Enhanced Pharmacokinetic Properties for ALK Protein Degradation. J Med Chem 2024; 67:9842-9856. [PMID: 38839424 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02340] [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: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Advancements in anticancer strategies spotlight proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology, yet it is hindered by poor water solubility and bioavailability. This study introduces a novel amphiphilic PROTAC, B1-PEG, synthesized through PEGylation of an optimized PROTAC molecule, B1, to enhance its properties. B1-PEG is engineered to self-organize into micelles in water and releases its active form in response to the tumor-specific high GSH environment. Comparative pharmacokinetic analysis revealed B1-PEG's superior bioavailability at 84.8%, outperforming the unmodified PROTAC molecule B1. When tested in a H3122 xenograft mouse model, B1-PEG significantly regressed tumors, underscoring its potential as a formidable candidate in targeted cancer therapy. Our findings offer a promising direction for overcoming bioavailability limitations in PROTAC drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirui Wang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Zhanzhan Feng
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Can Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Su Yu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Hongjia Zhang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Rui Deng
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Dan Luo
- Department of Pharmacy, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Chunlan Pu
- Medical Research Center, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, The Second Chengdu Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
- Lung Cancer Center/Lung Cancer Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Rui Li
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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5
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Alamgir A, Ghosal S, DeLisa MP, Alabi CA. Bioreversible Anionic Cloaking Enables Intracellular Protein Delivery with Ionizable Lipid Nanoparticles. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2024; 10:1179-1190. [PMID: 38947210 PMCID: PMC11212127 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.4c00071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Protein-based therapeutics comprise a rapidly growing subset of pharmaceuticals, but enabling their delivery into cells for intracellular applications has been a longstanding challenge. To overcome the delivery barrier, we explored a reversible, bioconjugation-based approach to modify the surface charge of protein cargos with an anionic "cloak" to facilitate electrostatic complexation and delivery with lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations. We demonstrate that the conjugation of lysine-reactive sulfonated compounds can allow for the delivery of various protein cargos using FDA-approved LNP formulations of the ionizable cationic lipid DLin-MC3-DMA (MC3). We apply this strategy to functionally deliver RNase A for cancer cell killing as well as a full-length antibody to inhibit oncogenic β-catenin signaling. Further, we show that LNPs encapsulating cloaked fluorescent proteins distribute to major organs in mice following systemic administration. Overall, our results point toward a generalizable platform that can be employed for intracellular delivery of a wide range of protein cargos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azmain Alamgir
- Robert
F. Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Souvik Ghosal
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell
University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Matthew P. DeLisa
- Robert
F. Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
- Cornell
Institute of Biotechnology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Christopher A. Alabi
- Robert
F. Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell
University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
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6
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Lehmann T, Schneider H, Tonillo J, Schanz J, Schwarz D, Schröter C, Jäger S, Kolmar H, Hecht S, Anderl J, Rasche N, Rieker M, Dickgiesser S. Welding PROxAb Shuttles: A Modular Approach for Generating Bispecific Antibodies via Site-Specific Protein-Protein Conjugation. Bioconjug Chem 2024; 35:780-789. [PMID: 38809610 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.4c00124] [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: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation is an innovative therapeutic strategy to selectively eliminate disease-causing proteins. Exemplified by proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), they have shown promise in overcoming drug resistance and targeting previously undruggable proteins. However, PROTACs face challenges, such as low oral bioavailability and limited selectivity. The recently published PROxAb Shuttle technology offers a solution enabling the targeted delivery of PROTACs using antibodies fused with PROTAC-binding domains derived from camelid single-domain antibodies (VHHs). Here, a modular approach to quickly generate PROxAb Shuttles by enzymatically coupling PROTAC-binding VHHs to off-the-shelf antibodies was developed. The resulting conjugates retained their target binding and internalization properties, and incubation with BRD4-targeting PROTACs resulted in formation of defined PROxAb-PROTAC complexes. These complexes selectively induced degradation of the BRD4 protein, resulting in cytotoxicity specifically to cells expressing the antibody's target. The chemoenzymatic approach described herein provides a versatile and efficient solution for generating antibody-VHH conjugates for targeted protein degradation applications, but it could also be used to combine antibodies and VHH binders to generate bispecific antibodies for further applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Lehmann
- Clemens-Schöpf-Institut für Organische Chemie und Biochemie, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
- ADCs & Targeted NBE Therapeutics, Merck KGaA, 64293 Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Hendrik Schneider
- ADCs & Targeted NBE Therapeutics, Merck KGaA, 64293 Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Jason Tonillo
- ADCs & Targeted NBE Therapeutics, Merck KGaA, 64293 Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Jennifer Schanz
- ADCs & Targeted NBE Therapeutics, Merck KGaA, 64293 Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Daniel Schwarz
- Discovery Pharmacology, Merck KGaA, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | - Sebastian Jäger
- ADCs & Targeted NBE Therapeutics, Merck KGaA, 64293 Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Harald Kolmar
- Clemens-Schöpf-Institut für Organische Chemie und Biochemie, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Stefan Hecht
- ADCs & Targeted NBE Therapeutics, Merck KGaA, 64293 Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Jan Anderl
- ADCs & Targeted NBE Therapeutics, Merck KGaA, 64293 Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Nicolas Rasche
- ADCs & Targeted NBE Therapeutics, Merck KGaA, 64293 Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Marcel Rieker
- ADCs & Targeted NBE Therapeutics, Merck KGaA, 64293 Darmstadt , Germany
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7
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Teufelsbauer M, Stickler S, Eggerstorfer MT, Hammond DC, Hamilton G. BET-directed PROTACs in triple negative breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-436. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2024:10.1007/s10549-024-07403-w. [PMID: 38896334 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-024-07403-w] [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: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aims to find whether the proliferation and migration of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines can be reduced by treatment with bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) inhibitor JQ1 and BET protein targeting chimeras (PROTACs) ARV-771 and MZ1. METHODS Cytotoxicity tests, scratch migration assays and western blot proteome profiler arrays for protein expression of cancer-related proteins were used to evaluate the impact of a BET-inhibitor and two BET-directed PROTACs on cell viability, migration and on protein expression. RESULTS JQ1 and the PROTACs MZ1 and ARV-771 significantly inhibited the growth and migration of the KRAS G13D-mutated MDA-MB-231 cells. In this cell line, the PROTACs suppressed the residual expression of ERBB2/HER2, 3 and 4 that are essential for the proliferation of breast cancer cells and this cell line proved sensitive to HER2 inhibitors. In contrast, the effects of the PROTACs on the protein expression of MDA-MB-436 cells mostly affected cytokines and their cognate receptors. CONCLUSION The degradation of BET-protein by PROTACs demonstrated significant anti-proliferative effects. The KRAS-mutated MDA-MB-231 cells belong to the low-HER2 expressing tumors that have a poorer prognosis compared to HER2-null patients. Since first oral PROTACs against tumor hormone receptors are in clinical trials, this mode of tumor therapy is expected to become an important therapeutic strategy in the future treatment of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryana Teufelsbauer
- Clinics of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sandra Stickler
- Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Gerhard Hamilton
- Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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8
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Diehl CJ, Salerno A, Ciulli A. Ternary Complex-Templated Dynamic Combinatorial Chemistry for the Selection and Identification of Homo-PROTACs. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202319456. [PMID: 38626385 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202319456] [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: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
Dynamic combinatorial chemistry (DCC) leverages a reversible reaction to generate compound libraries from constituting building blocks under thermodynamic control. The position of this equilibrium can be biased by addition of a target macromolecule towards enrichment of bound ligands. While DCC has been applied to select ligands for a single target protein, its application to identifying chimeric molecules inducing proximity between two proteins is unprecedented. In this proof-of-concept study, we develop a DCC approach to select bifunctional proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) based on their ability to stabilize the ternary complex. We focus on VHL-targeting Homo-PROTACs as model system, and show that the formation of a VHL2 : Homo-PROTAC ternary complex reversibly assembled using thiol-disulfide exchange chemistry leads to amplification of potent VHL Homo-PROTACs with degradation activities which correlated well with their biophysical ability to dimerize VHL. Ternary complex templated dynamic combinatorial libraries allowed identification of novel Homo-PROTAC degraders. We anticipate future applications of ternary-complex directed DCC to early PROTAC screenings and expansion to other proximity-inducing modalities beyond PROTACs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia J Diehl
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, 1 James Lindsay Place, DD1 5JJ, Dundee, Scotland, U.K
| | - Alessandra Salerno
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, 1 James Lindsay Place, DD1 5JJ, Dundee, Scotland, U.K
| | - Alessio Ciulli
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, 1 James Lindsay Place, DD1 5JJ, Dundee, Scotland, U.K
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9
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Matsumoto K, Ikliptikawati DK, Makiyama K, Mochizuki K, Tobita M, Kobayashi I, Voon DCC, Lim K, Ogawa K, Kashiwakura I, Suzuki HI, Yoshino H, Wong RW, Hazawa M. Phase-separated super-enhancers confer an innate radioresistance on genomic DNA. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH 2024:rrae044. [PMID: 38874522 DOI: 10.1093/jrr/rrae044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Recently, biomolecular condensates formed through liquid-liquid phase separation have been widely reported to regulate key intracellular processes involved in cell biology and pathogenesis. BRD4 is a nuclear protein instrumental to the establishment of phase-separated super-enhancers (SEs) to direct the transcription of important genes. We previously observed that protein droplets of BRD4 became hydrophobic as their size increase, implying an ability of SEs to limit the ionization of water molecules by irradiation. Here, we aim to establish if SEs confer radiation resistance in cancer cells. We established an in vitro DNA damage assay that measures the effect of radicals provoked by the Fenton reaction on DNA integrity. This revealed that DNA damage was markedly reduced when BRD4 underwent phase separation with DNA. Accordingly, co-focal imaging analyses revealed that SE foci and DNA damage foci are mutually exclusive in irradiated cells. Lastly, we observed that the radioresistance of cancer cells was significantly reduced when irradiation was combined with ARV-771, a BRD4 de-stabilizer. Our data revealed the existence of innately radioresistant genomic regions driven by phase separation in cancer cells. The disruption of these phase-separated components enfolding genomic DNA may represent a novel strategy to augment the effects of radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koki Matsumoto
- Division of Transdisciplinary Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
| | | | - Kei Makiyama
- Division of Transdisciplinary Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Kako Mochizuki
- Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, Institute of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Maho Tobita
- Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, Institute of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Isao Kobayashi
- Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, Institute of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Dominic Chih-Cheng Voon
- Division of Transdisciplinary Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
- Institute for Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
- Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Keesiang Lim
- WPI Nano Life Science Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Kazuma Ogawa
- Division of Transdisciplinary Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
- Institute for Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Ikuo Kashiwakura
- Department of Radiation Science, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | - Hiroshi I Suzuki
- Division of Molecular Oncology, Center for Neurological Diseases and Cancer, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan
- Institute for Glyco-Core Research (iGCORE), Nagoya University, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan
- Center for One Medicine Innovative Translational Research (COMIT), Nagoya University, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan
| | - Hironori Yoshino
- Department of Radiation Science, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | - Richard W Wong
- Division of Transdisciplinary Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
- WPI Nano Life Science Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
- Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, Institute of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
- Institute for Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Masaharu Hazawa
- Division of Transdisciplinary Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
- WPI Nano Life Science Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
- Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, Institute of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
- Institute for Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
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10
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Wu H, Murray J, Ishisoko N, Frommlet A, Deshmukh G, DiPasquale A, Mulvihill MM, Zhang D, Quinn JG, Blake RA, Fairbrother WJ, Fuhrmann J. Potency-Enhanced Peptidomimetic VHL Ligands with Improved Oral Bioavailability. J Med Chem 2024; 67:8585-8608. [PMID: 38809766 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02203] [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: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
The von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) protein plays a pivotal role in regulating the hypoxic stress response and has been extensively studied and utilized in the targeted protein degradation field, particularly in the context of bivalent degraders. In this study, we present a comprehensive peptidomimetic structure-activity relationship (SAR) approach, combined with cellular NanoBRET target engagement assays to enhance the existing VHL ligands. Through systematic modifications of the molecule, we identified the 1,2,3-triazole group as an optimal substitute of the left-hand side amide bond that yields 10-fold higher binding activity. Moreover, incorporating conformationally constrained alterations on the methylthiazole benzylamine moiety led to the development of highly potent VHL ligands with picomolar binding affinity and significantly improved oral bioavailability. We anticipate that our optimized VHL ligand, GNE7599, will serve as a valuable tool compound for investigating the VHL pathway and advancing the field of targeted protein degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wu
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Jeremy Murray
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Noriko Ishisoko
- Department of Biochemical & Cellular Pharmacology, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Alexandra Frommlet
- Department of Biochemical & Cellular Pharmacology, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Gauri Deshmukh
- Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Antonio DiPasquale
- Department of Small Molecule Pharmaceutical Sciences, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Melinda M Mulvihill
- Department of Biochemical & Cellular Pharmacology, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Donglu Zhang
- Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - John G Quinn
- Department of Biochemical & Cellular Pharmacology, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Robert A Blake
- Department of Biochemical & Cellular Pharmacology, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Wayne J Fairbrother
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Jakob Fuhrmann
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
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11
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Su Y, Ngea GLN, Wang K, Lu Y, Godana EA, Ackah M, Yang Q, Zhang H. Deciphering the mechanism of E3 ubiquitin ligases in plant responses to abiotic and biotic stresses and perspectives on PROTACs for crop resistance. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2024. [PMID: 38864414 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
With global climate change, it is essential to find strategies to make crops more resistant to different stresses and guarantee food security worldwide. E3 ubiquitin ligases are critical regulatory elements that are gaining importance due to their role in selecting proteins for degradation in the ubiquitin-proteasome proteolysis pathway. The role of E3 Ub ligases has been demonstrated in numerous cellular processes in plants responding to biotic and abiotic stresses. E3 Ub ligases are considered a class of proteins that are difficult to control by conventional inhibitors, as they lack a standard active site with pocket, and their biological activity is mainly due to protein-protein interactions with transient conformational changes. Proteolysis-targeted chimeras (PROTACs) are a new class of heterobifunctional molecules that have emerged in recent years as relevant alternatives for incurable human diseases like cancer because they can target recalcitrant proteins for destruction. PROTACs interact with the ubiquitin-proteasome system, principally the E3 Ub ligase in the cell, and facilitate proteasome turnover of the proteins of interest. PROTAC strategies harness the essential functions of E3 Ub ligases for proteasomal degradation of proteins involved in dysfunction. This review examines critical advances in E3 Ub ligase research in plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. It highlights how PROTACs can be applied to target proteins involved in plant stress response to mitigate pathogenic agents and environmental adversities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Su
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Guillaume Legrand Ngolong Ngea
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
- Institute of Fisheries Sciences, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon
| | - Kaili Wang
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Yuchun Lu
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Esa Abiso Godana
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Michael Ackah
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Qiya Yang
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Hongyin Zhang
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
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12
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Liu S, Dai W, Jin B, Jiang F, Huang H, Hou W, Lan J, Jin Y, Peng W, Pan J. Effects of super-enhancers in cancer metastasis: mechanisms and therapeutic targets. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:122. [PMID: 38844984 PMCID: PMC11157854 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-02033-8] [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: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Metastasis remains the principal cause of cancer-related lethality despite advancements in cancer treatment. Dysfunctional epigenetic alterations are crucial in the metastatic cascade. Among these, super-enhancers (SEs), emerging as new epigenetic regulators, consist of large clusters of regulatory elements that drive the high-level expression of genes essential for the oncogenic process, upon which cancer cells develop a profound dependency. These SE-driven oncogenes play an important role in regulating various facets of metastasis, including the promotion of tumor proliferation in primary and distal metastatic organs, facilitating cellular migration and invasion into the vasculature, triggering epithelial-mesenchymal transition, enhancing cancer stem cell-like properties, circumventing immune detection, and adapting to the heterogeneity of metastatic niches. This heavy reliance on SE-mediated transcription delineates a vulnerable target for therapeutic intervention in cancer cells. In this article, we review current insights into the characteristics, identification methodologies, formation, and activation mechanisms of SEs. We also elaborate the oncogenic roles and regulatory functions of SEs in the context of cancer metastasis. Ultimately, we discuss the potential of SEs as novel therapeutic targets and their implications in clinical oncology, offering insights into future directions for innovative cancer treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenglan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Provincal Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering, School of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 314000, China
| | - Wei Dai
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Provincal Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering, School of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 314000, China
| | - Bei Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Feng Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Provincal Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering, School of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 314000, China
| | - Hao Huang
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Provincal Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering, School of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 314000, China
| | - Wen Hou
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Provincal Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering, School of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 314000, China
| | - Jinxia Lan
- College of Public Health and Health Management, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Yanli Jin
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University Institute of Tumor Pharmacology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Weijie Peng
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Provincal Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering, School of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 314000, China.
| | - Jingxuan Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
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13
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Du Y, Shi S, Shu C, He Y, Xu W, Wu D, Tian Y, Kong M, He J, Xie W, Qiu Y, Xu Y, Zou Y, Zhu Q. Discovery of novel EGFR-PROTACs capable of degradation of multiple EGFR-mutated proteins. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 272:116489. [PMID: 38759458 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116489] [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: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Although three generations of Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) - TK inhibitors have been approved for the treatment of Non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC), their clinical application is still largely hindered by acquired drug resistance mediated new EGFR mutations and side effects. The Proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology has the potential to overcome acquired resistance from mutant EGFR through a novel mechanism of action. In this study, we developed the candidate degrader IV-3 by structural modifications of the lead compound 13, which exhibited limited antiproliferative activity against HCC-827 cells. Compared to compound 13, IV-3 exhibited remarkable anti-proliferative activity against HCC-827 cells, NCI-H1975 cells, and NCI-H1975-TM cells (IC50 = 0.009 μM, 0.49 μM and 3.24 μM, respectively), as well as significantly inducing degradation of EGFR protein in these cell lines (DC50 = 17.93 nM, 0.25 μM and 0.63 μM, respectively). Further investigations confirmed that IV-3 exhibited superior anti-tumor activity in all xenograft tumor models through the degradation of mutant EGFR protein. Moreover, IV-3 showed no inhibitory activity against A431 and A549 cells expressing wild-type EGFR, thereby eliminating potential toxic side effects emerging from wild-type EGFR inhibition. Overall, our study provides promising insights into EGFR-PROTACs as a potential therapeutic strategy against EGFR-acquired mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Du
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Shi Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China; Jiangsu Lianhuan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Yangzhou 225000, China
| | - Chen Shu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yezi He
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Wangyang Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Daochen Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yushu Tian
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Mingyang Kong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Jiahuan He
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Wenhui Xie
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yijia Qiu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yungen Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
| | - Yi Zou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
| | - Qihua Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
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14
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Yao X, Mao J, Zhang H, Xiao Y, Wang Y, Liu H. Development of novel N-aryl-2,4-bithiazole-2-amine-based CYP1B1 degraders for reversing drug resistance. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 272:116488. [PMID: 38733885 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116488] [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: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Extrahepatic cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1), which is highly expressed in non-small cell lung cancer, is an attractive target for cancer prevention, therapy, and overcoming drug resistance. Historically, CYP1B1 inhibition has been the primary therapeutic approach for treating CYP1B1-related malignancies, but its success has been limited. This study introduced CYP1B1 degradation as an alternative strategy to counter drug resistance and metastasis in CYP1B1-overexpressing non-small cell lung cancer A549/Taxol cells via a PROTAC strategy. Our investigation revealed that the identification of the potent CYP1B1 degrader PV2, achieving DC50 values of 1.0 nM and inducing >90 % CYP1B1 degradation at concentrations as low as 10 nM in A549/Taxol cells. Importantly, PV2 enhanced the sensitivity of the A549/Taxol subline to Taxol, possibly due to its stronger inhibitory effects on P-gp through CYP1B1 degradation. Additionally, compared to the CYP1B1 inhibitor A1, PV2 effectively suppressed the migration and invasion of A549/Taxol cells by inhibiting the FAK/SRC and EMT pathways. These findings hold promise for a novel therapy targeting advanced CYP1B1+ non-small cell lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxuan Yao
- Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang, 110016, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Jianping Mao
- Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang, 110016, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Haoyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang, 110016, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Yi Xiao
- Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang, 110016, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Yongjun Wang
- Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang, 110016, Liaoning, PR China.
| | - Hongzhuo Liu
- Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang, 110016, Liaoning, PR China.
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15
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Soto-Martínez DM, Clements GD, Díaz JE, Becher J, Reynolds RC, Ochsenbauer C, Snowden TS. Preparation of von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) E3 ubiquitin ligase ligands exploiting constitutive hydroxyproline for benzylic amine protection. RSC Adv 2024; 14:17077-17090. [PMID: 38808246 PMCID: PMC11130640 DOI: 10.1039/d4ra01974a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) protein serves as the substrate recognition subunit of the multi-subunit Cullin-2 RING E3 ubiquitin ligase (CRL2VHL), which regulates intracellular concentrations of hypoxia inducible factors (HIFs) through a ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) cascade. Strategic recruitment of CRL2VHL by bi- or trifunctional targeted protein degraders (e.g., PROTACs®) offers the prospect of promoting aberrant polyubiquitination and ensuing proteasomal degradation of disease-related proteins. Non-peptidic, l-hydroxyproline-bearing VHL ligands such as VH032 (1) and its chiral benzylic amine analog Me-VH032 (2), are functional components of targeted protein degraders commonly employed for this purpose. Herein, we compare two approaches for the preparation of 1 and 2 primarily highlighting performance differences between Pd(OAc)2 and Pd-PEPPSI-IPr for the key C-H arylation of 4-methylthiazole. Results from this comparison prompted the development of a unified, five-step route for the preparation of either VH032 (1) or Me-VH032 (2) in multigram quantities, resulting in yields of 56% and 61% for 1 and 2, respectively. Application of N-Boc-l-4-hydroxyproline rather than N-tert-butoxycarbonyl to shield the benzylic amine during the coupling step enhances step economy. Additionally, we identified previously undisclosed minor byproducts generated during arylation steps along with observations from amine deprotection and amidation reaction steps that may prove helpful not only for the preparation of 1 and 2, but for other VHL recruiting ligands, as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana M Soto-Martínez
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Alabama 250 Hackberry Lane Tuscaloosa AL 35487 USA
| | - Garrett D Clements
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Alabama 250 Hackberry Lane Tuscaloosa AL 35487 USA
| | - John E Díaz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Alabama 250 Hackberry Lane Tuscaloosa AL 35487 USA
| | - Joy Becher
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Alabama 250 Hackberry Lane Tuscaloosa AL 35487 USA
| | - Robert C Reynolds
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham AL 35294 USA
| | - Christina Ochsenbauer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham AL 35294 USA
| | - Timothy S Snowden
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Alabama 250 Hackberry Lane Tuscaloosa AL 35487 USA
- Center for Convergent Bioscience and Medicine, The University of Alabama 720 2nd St. Tuscaloosa AL 35401 USA
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16
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Ji Y, Chen W, Wang X. Bromodomain and Extraterminal Domain Protein 2 in Multiple Human Diseases. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2024; 389:277-288. [PMID: 38565308 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.123.002036] [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: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Bromodomain and extraterminal domain protein 2 (BRD2), a member of the bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) protein family, is a crucial epigenetic regulator with significant function in various diseases and cellular processes. The central function of BRD2 is modulating gene transcription by binding to acetylated lysine residues on histones and transcription factors. This review highlights key findings on BRD2 in recent years, emphasizing its roles in maintaining genomic stability, influencing chromatin spatial organization, and participating in transcriptional regulation. BRD2's diverse functions are underscored by its involvement in diseases such as malignant tumors, neurologic disorders, inflammatory conditions, metabolic diseases, and virus infection. Notably, the potential role of BRD2 as a diagnostic marker and therapeutic target is discussed in the context of various diseases. Although pan inhibitors targeting the BET family have shown promise in preclinical studies, a critical need exists for the development of highly selective BRD2 inhibitors. In conclusion, this review offers insights into the multifaceted nature of BRD2 and calls for continued research to unravel its intricate mechanisms and harness its therapeutic potential. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: BRD2 is involved in the occurrence and development of diseases through maintaining genomic stability, influencing chromatin spatial organization, and participating in transcriptional regulation. Targeting BRD2 through protein degradation-targeting complexes technology is emerging as a promising therapeutic approach for malignant cancer and inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yikang Ji
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine; College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; National Center for Stomatology; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology; Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology
| | - Wantao Chen
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine; College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; National Center for Stomatology; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology; Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology
| | - Xu Wang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine; College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; National Center for Stomatology; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology; Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology
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17
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Wang C, Zhang Y, Chen W, Wu Y, Xing D. New-generation advanced PROTACs as potential therapeutic agents in cancer therapy. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:110. [PMID: 38773495 PMCID: PMC11107062 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-02024-9] [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: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) technology has garnered significant attention over the last 10 years, representing a burgeoning therapeutic approach with the potential to address pathogenic proteins that have historically posed challenges for traditional small-molecule inhibitors. PROTACs exploit the endogenous E3 ubiquitin ligases to facilitate degradation of the proteins of interest (POIs) through the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) in a cyclic catalytic manner. Despite recent endeavors to advance the utilization of PROTACs in clinical settings, the majority of PROTACs fail to progress beyond the preclinical phase of drug development. There are multiple factors impeding the market entry of PROTACs, with the insufficiently precise degradation of favorable POIs standing out as one of the most formidable obstacles. Recently, there has been exploration of new-generation advanced PROTACs, including small-molecule PROTAC prodrugs, biomacromolecule-PROTAC conjugates, and nano-PROTACs, to improve the in vivo efficacy of PROTACs. These improved PROTACs possess the capability to mitigate undesirable physicochemical characteristics inherent in traditional PROTACs, thereby enhancing their targetability and reducing off-target side effects. The new-generation of advanced PROTACs will mark a pivotal turning point in the realm of targeted protein degradation. In this comprehensive review, we have meticulously summarized the state-of-the-art advancements achieved by these cutting-edge PROTACs, elucidated their underlying design principles, deliberated upon the prevailing challenges encountered, and provided an insightful outlook on future prospects within this burgeoning field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, China
| | - Yujing Zhang
- The Affiliated Cardiovascular Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, China.
| | - Wujun Chen
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, China
| | - Yudong Wu
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, China.
| | - Dongming Xing
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, China.
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
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18
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Vorderbruggen M, Velázquez-Martínez CA, Natarajan A, Karpf AR. PROTACs in Ovarian Cancer: Current Advancements and Future Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5067. [PMID: 38791105 PMCID: PMC11121112 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecologic malignancy. The majority of patients diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer will relapse, at which point additional therapies can be administered but, for the most part, these are not curative. As such, a need exists for the development of novel therapeutic options for ovarian cancer patients. Research in the field of targeted protein degradation (TPD) through the use of proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) has significantly increased in recent years. The ability of PROTACs to target proteins of interest (POI) for degradation, overcoming limitations such as the incomplete inhibition of POI function and the development of resistance seen with other inhibitors, is of particular interest in cancer research, including ovarian cancer research. This review provides a synopsis of PROTACs tested in ovarian cancer models and highlights PROTACs characterized in other types of cancers with potential high utility in ovarian cancer. Finally, we discuss methods that will help to enable the selective delivery of PROTACs to ovarian cancer and improve the pharmacodynamic properties of these agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makenzie Vorderbruggen
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6805, USA; (M.V.); (A.N.)
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6805, USA
| | | | - Amarnath Natarajan
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6805, USA; (M.V.); (A.N.)
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6805, USA
| | - Adam R. Karpf
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6805, USA; (M.V.); (A.N.)
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6805, USA
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19
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Huang D, Zou Y, Huang H, Yin J, Long S, Sun W, Du J, Fan J, Chen X, Peng X. A PROTAC Augmenter for Photo-Driven Pyroptosis in Breast Cancer. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2313460. [PMID: 38364230 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202313460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) has recently emerged as a promising strategy for inducing post-translational knockdown of target proteins in disease treatment. The degradation of bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4), an essential nuclear protein for gene transcription, induced by PROTAC is proposed as an epigenetic approach to treat breast cancer. However, the poor membrane permeability and indiscriminate distribution of PROTAC in vivo results in low bioavailability, limiting its development and application. Herein, a nano "targeting chimera" (abbreviated as L@NBMZ) consisting of BRD4-PROTAC combined with a photosensitizer, to serve as the first augmenter for photo-driven pyroptosis in breast cancer, is developed. With excellent BRD4 degradation ability, high biosafety, and biocompatibility, L@NBMZ blocks gene transcription by degrading BRD4 through proteasomes in vivo, and surprisingly, induces the cleavage of caspase-3. This type of caspase-3 cleavage is synergistically amplified by light irradiation in the presence of photosensitizers, leading to efficient photo-driven pyroptosis. Both in vitro and in vivo outcomes demonstrate the remarkable anti-cancer efficacy of this augmenter, which significantly inhibits the lung metastasis of breast cancer in vivo. Thus, the photo-PROTAC "targeting chimera" augmenter construction strategy may pave a new way for expanding PROTAC applications within anti-cancer paradigms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daipeng Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
| | - Yang Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
| | - Haiqiao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518071, P. R. China
| | - Jikai Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
| | - Saran Long
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
| | - Wen Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
| | - Jianjun Du
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
| | - Jiangli Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoqiang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518071, P. R. China
| | - Xiaojun Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518071, P. R. China
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20
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Ma J, Fang L, Sun Z, Li M, Fan T, Xiang G, Ma X. Folate-PEG-PROTAC Micelles for Enhancing Tumor-Specific Targeting Proteolysis In Vivo. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2400109. [PMID: 38676445 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202400109] [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: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) technology is rapidly developed as a novel and selective medicinal strategy for the degradation of cellular proteins in cancer therapy. However, the applications of PROTACs as heterobifunctional molecules are largely limited by high molecular weight, low bioavailability, poor permeability, insufficient targeting, and low efficacy in vivo. Herein, self-assembling micelles of FA-PEG-PROTAC are designed for cancer cell selective targeting and reductive-response proteolysis in tumor-bearing mice. FA-PEG-PROTAC is prepared by conjugating folic acid (FA)-PEG with EGFR-targeting PROTAC via a disulfide bond. The FA-PEG-PROTAC micelles, formed by self-assembling, are demonstrated to significantly improve tumor targeting efficacy and exhibit excellent anti-tumor efficacy in the mouse xenograft model compared to the traditional PROTACs. The strategy of applying self-assembled FA-PEG-PROTAC micelles in tumor therapy can not only improve targeted proteolysis efficiency but also broaden applications in the development of PROTAC-based drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhui Ma
- Department of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Lei Fang
- Department of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Zhengjun Sun
- Department of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Meijing Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Ting Fan
- Department of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Guangya Xiang
- Department of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Tongren Polytechnic College, Tongren, 554300, China
- Institute of the Higher Education Edible and Medicinal Fungi Engineering Research Center, Tongren, 554300, China
| | - Xiang Ma
- Department of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Tongren Polytechnic College, Tongren, 554300, China
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21
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Xu MY, Zeng N, Liu CQ, Sun JX, An Y, Zhang SH, Xu JZ, Zhong XY, Ma SY, He HD, Hu J, Xia QD, Wang SG. Enhanced cellular therapy: revolutionizing adoptive cellular therapy. Exp Hematol Oncol 2024; 13:47. [PMID: 38664743 PMCID: PMC11046957 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-024-00506-6] [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: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Enhanced cellular therapy has emerged as a novel concept following the basis of cellular therapy. This treatment modality applied drugs or biotechnology to directly enhance or genetically modify cells to enhance the efficacy of adoptive cellular therapy (ACT). Drugs or biotechnology that enhance the killing ability of immune cells include immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) / antibody drugs, small molecule inhibitors, immunomodulatory factors, proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC), oncolytic virus (OV), etc. Firstly, overcoming the inhibitory tumor microenvironment (TME) can enhance the efficacy of ACT, which can be achieved by blocking the immune checkpoint. Secondly, cytokines or cytokine receptors can be expressed by genetic engineering or added directly to adoptive cells to enhance the migration and infiltration of adoptive cells to tumor cells. Moreover, multi-antigen chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) can be designed to enhance the specific recognition of tumor cell-related antigens, and OVs can also stimulate antigen release. In addition to inserting suicide genes into adoptive cells, PROTAC technology can be used as a safety switch or degradation agent of immunosuppressive factors to enhance the safety and efficacy of adoptive cells. This article comprehensively summarizes the mechanism, current situation, and clinical application of enhanced cellular therapy, describing potential improvements to adoptive cellular therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Yao Xu
- Department and Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Na Zeng
- Department and Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Chen-Qian Liu
- Department and Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jian-Xuan Sun
- Department and Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Ye An
- Department and Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Si-Han Zhang
- Department and Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jin-Zhou Xu
- Department and Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xing-Yu Zhong
- Department and Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Si-Yang Ma
- Department and Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Hao-Dong He
- Department and Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jia Hu
- Department and Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Qi-Dong Xia
- Department and Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Shao-Gang Wang
- Department and Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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22
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Chang M, Gao F, Gnawali G, Xu H, Dong Y, Meng X, Li W, Wang Z, Lopez B, Carew JS, Nawrocki ST, Lu J, Zhang QY, Wang W. Selective Elimination of Senescent Cancer Cells by Galacto-Modified PROTACs. J Med Chem 2024. [PMID: 38635879 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Although the selective and effective clearance of senescent cancer cells can improve cancer treatment, their development is confronted by many challenges. As part of efforts designed to overcome these problems, prodrugs, whose design is based on senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal), have been developed to selectively eliminate senescent cells. However, chemotherapies relying on targeted molecular inhibitors as senolytic drugs can induce drug resistance. In the current investigation, we devised a new strategy for selective degradation of target proteins in senescent cancer cells that utilizes a prodrug composed of the SA-β-gal substrate galactose (galacto) and the proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) as senolytic agents. Prodrugs Gal-ARV-771 and Gal-MS99 were found to display senolytic indexes higher than those of ARV-771 and MS99. Significantly, results of in vivo studies utilizing a human lung A549 xenograft mouse model demonstrated that concomitant treatment with etoposide and Gal-ARV-771 leads to a significant inhibition of tumor growth without eliciting significant toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyang Chang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Feng Gao
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Giri Gnawali
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Hang Xu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Yue Dong
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Xiang Meng
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Wenpan Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Zhiren Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Byrdie Lopez
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Jennifer S Carew
- Department of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Steffan T Nawrocki
- Department of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Jianqin Lu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Qing-Yu Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
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23
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Chen N, Zhang Z, Liu X, Wang H, Guo RC, Wang H, Hu B, Shi Y, Zhang P, Liu Z, Yu Z. Sulfatase-Induced In Situ Formulation of Antineoplastic Supra-PROTACs. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:10753-10766. [PMID: 38578841 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c00826] [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: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology is an innovative strategy for cancer therapy, which, however, suffers from poor targeting delivery and limited capability for protein of interest (POI) degradation. Here, we report a strategy for the in situ formulation of antineoplastic Supra-PROTACs via intracellular sulfatase-responsive assembly of peptides. Coassembling a sulfated peptide with two ligands binding to ubiquitin VHL and Bcl-xL leads to the formation of a pro-Supra-PROTAC, in which the ratio of the two ligands is rationally optimized based on their protein binding affinity. The resulting pro-Supra-PROTAC precisely undergoes enzyme-responsive assembly into nanofibrous Supra-PROTACs in cancer cells overexpressing sulfatase. Mechanistic studies reveal that the pro-Supra-PROTACs selectively cause apparent cytotoxicity to cancer cells through the degradation of Bcl-xL and the activation of caspase-dependent apoptosis, during which the rationally optimized ligand ratio improves the bioactivity for POI degradation and cell death. In vivo studies show that in situ formulation enhanced the tumor accumulation and retention of the pro-Supra-PROTACs, as well as the capability for inhibiting tumor growth with excellent biosafety when coadministrating with chemodrugs. Our findings provide a new approach for enzyme-regulated assembly of peptides in living cells and the development of PROTACs with high targeting delivering and POI degradation efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ninglin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Institute of Polymer Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, 36 Lushan Road, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
| | - Zeyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Institute of Polymer Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Institute of Polymer Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Hongbo Wang
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Ruo-Chen Guo
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Institute of Polymer Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Institute of Polymer Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Binbin Hu
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Institute of Polymer Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yang Shi
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, 36 Lushan Road, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
| | - Zhonghua Liu
- The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, 36 Lushan Road, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
| | - Zhilin Yu
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Institute of Polymer Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
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24
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Giardina SF, Valdambrini E, Singh PK, Bacolod MD, Babu-Karunakaran G, Peel M, Warren JD, Barany F. Combinatorial Ubiquitination REal-time PROteolysis (CURE-PROs): A Modular Platform for Generating Reversible, Self-Assembling Bifunctional Targeted Degraders. J Med Chem 2024; 67:5473-5501. [PMID: 38554135 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02097] [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: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
Proteolysis-Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs) are bifunctional molecules that bring a target protein and an E3 ubiquitin ligase into proximity to append ubiquitin, thus directing target degradation. Although numerous PROTACs have entered clinical trials, their development remains challenging, and their large size can produce poor drug-like properties. To overcome these limitations, we have modified our Coferon platform to generate Combinatorial Ubiquitination REal-time PROteolysis (CURE-PROs). CURE-PROs are small molecule degraders designed to self-assemble through reversible bio-orthogonal linkers to form covalent heterodimers. By modifying known ligands for Cereblon, MDM2, VHL, and BRD with complementary phenylboronic acid and diol/catechol linkers, we have successfully created CURE-PROs that direct degradation of BRD4 both in vitro and in vivo. The combinatorial nature of our platform significantly reduces synthesis time and effort to identify the optimal linker length and E3 ligase partner to each target and is readily amenable to screening for new targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah F Giardina
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Elena Valdambrini
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Pradeep K Singh
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Manny D Bacolod
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | | | - Michael Peel
- MRP Pharma LLC, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, United States
| | - J David Warren
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Francis Barany
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10065, United States
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25
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Li J, Purser N, Liwocha J, Scott DC, Byers HA, Steigenberger B, Hill S, Tripathi-Giesgen I, Hinkle T, Hansen FM, Prabu JR, Radhakrishnan SK, Kirkpatrick DS, Reichermeier KM, Schulman BA, Kleiger G. Cullin-RING ligases employ geometrically optimized catalytic partners for substrate targeting. Mol Cell 2024; 84:1304-1320.e16. [PMID: 38382526 PMCID: PMC10997478 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.01.022] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Cullin-RING ligases (CRLs) ubiquitylate specific substrates selected from other cellular proteins. Substrate discrimination and ubiquitin transferase activity were thought to be strictly separated. Substrates are recognized by substrate receptors, such as Fbox or BCbox proteins. Meanwhile, CRLs employ assorted ubiquitin-carrying enzymes (UCEs, which are a collection of E2 and ARIH-family E3s) specialized for either initial substrate ubiquitylation (priming) or forging poly-ubiquitin chains. We discovered specific human CRL-UCE pairings governing substrate priming. The results reveal pairing of CUL2-based CRLs and UBE2R-family UCEs in cells, essential for efficient PROTAC-induced neo-substrate degradation. Despite UBE2R2's intrinsic programming to catalyze poly-ubiquitylation, CUL2 employs this UCE for geometrically precise PROTAC-dependent ubiquitylation of a neo-substrate and for rapid priming of substrates recruited to diverse receptors. Cryo-EM structures illuminate how CUL2-based CRLs engage UBE2R2 to activate substrate ubiquitylation. Thus, pairing with a specific UCE overcomes E2 catalytic limitations to drive substrate ubiquitylation and targeted protein degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerry Li
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
| | - Nicholas Purser
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
| | - Joanna Liwocha
- Department of Molecular Machines and Signaling, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - Daniel C Scott
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Holly A Byers
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Barbara Steigenberger
- Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - Spencer Hill
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
| | - Ishita Tripathi-Giesgen
- Department of Molecular Machines and Signaling, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - Trent Hinkle
- Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Fynn M Hansen
- Department of Proteomics and Signal Transduction, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - J Rajan Prabu
- Department of Molecular Machines and Signaling, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Brenda A Schulman
- Department of Molecular Machines and Signaling, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried 82152, Germany; Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.
| | - Gary Kleiger
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA; Department of Molecular Machines and Signaling, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried 82152, Germany.
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26
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Zhang M, Wu K, Zhang W, Lin X, Cao Q, Zhang L, Chen K. The therapeutic potential of targeting the CHD protein family in cancer. Pharmacol Ther 2024; 256:108610. [PMID: 38367868 PMCID: PMC10942663 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108610] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence indicates that epigenetic events undergo deregulation in various cancer types, playing crucial roles in tumor development. Among the epigenetic factors involved in the epigenetic remodeling of chromatin, the chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein (CHD) family frequently exhibits gain- or loss-of-function mutations in distinct cancer types. Therefore, targeting CHD remodelers holds the potential for antitumor treatment. In this review, we discuss epigenetic regulations of cancer development. We emphasize proteins in the CHD family, delving deeply into the intricate mechanisms governing their functions. Additionally, we provide an overview of current therapeutic strategies targeting CHD family members in preclinical trials. We further discuss the promising approaches that have demonstrated early signs of success in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Kaiyuan Wu
- Basic and Translational Research Division, Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Weijie Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Xia Lin
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Qi Cao
- Department of Urology, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Lili Zhang
- Basic and Translational Research Division, Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Prostate Cancer Program, Dana-Farber and Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kaifu Chen
- Basic and Translational Research Division, Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Prostate Cancer Program, Dana-Farber and Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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27
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Huang HT, Lumpkin RJ, Tsai RW, Su S, Zhao X, Xiong Y, Chen J, Mageed N, Donovan KA, Fischer ES, Sellers WR. Ubiquitin-specific proximity labeling for the identification of E3 ligase substrates. Nat Chem Biol 2024:10.1038/s41589-024-01590-9. [PMID: 38514884 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-024-01590-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Protein ubiquitylation controls diverse processes within eukaryotic cells, including protein degradation, and is often dysregulated in disease. Moreover, small-molecule degraders that redirect ubiquitylation activities toward disease targets are an emerging and promising therapeutic class. Over 600 E3 ubiquitin ligases are expressed in humans, but their substrates remain largely elusive, necessitating the development of new methods for their discovery. Here we report the development of E3-substrate tagging by ubiquitin biotinylation (E-STUB), a ubiquitin-specific proximity labeling method that biotinylates ubiquitylated substrates in proximity to an E3 ligase of interest. E-STUB accurately identifies the direct ubiquitylated targets of protein degraders, including collateral targets and ubiquitylation events that do not lead to substrate degradation. It also detects known substrates of E3 ligase CRBN and VHL with high specificity. With the ability to elucidate proximal ubiquitylation events, E-STUB may facilitate the development of proximity-inducing therapeutics and act as a generalizable method for E3-substrate mapping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Tsang Huang
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ryan J Lumpkin
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ryan W Tsai
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Shuyao Su
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Xu Zhao
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Yuan Xiong
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James Chen
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Nada Mageed
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Katherine A Donovan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, 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
| | - William R Sellers
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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28
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Cheng J, Zhang J, He S, Li M, Dong G, Sheng C. Photoswitchable PROTACs for Reversible and Spatiotemporal Regulation of NAMPT and NAD . Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202315997. [PMID: 38282119 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202315997] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+ ) is an essential coenzyme with diverse biological functions in DNA synthesis. Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) is a key rate-limiting enzyme involved in NAD+ biosynthesis in mammals. We developed the first chemical tool for optical control of NAMPT and NAD+ in biological systems using photoswitchable proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PS-PROTACs). An NAMPT activator and dimethylpyrazolazobenzene photoswitch were used to design highly efficient PS-PROTACs, enabling up- and down-reversible regulation of NAMPT and NAD+ in a light-dependent manner and reducing the toxicity associated with inhibitor-based PS-PROTACs. PS-PROTAC was activated under 620 nm irradiation, realizing in vivo optical manipulation of antitumor activity, NAMPT, and NAD+ .
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfei Cheng
- Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), Shanghai, 200433, China
- Nautical Medicine Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center of Educational Institutions, Faculty of Naval Medicine, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Shipeng He
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Minyong Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (MOE), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Guoqiang Dong
- Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Chunquan Sheng
- Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), Shanghai, 200433, China
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29
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Kumar S, Nabet B. A chemical magnet: Approaches to guide precise protein localization. Bioorg Med Chem 2024; 102:117672. [PMID: 38461554 PMCID: PMC11064470 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2024.117672] [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: 01/20/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Small molecules that chemically induce proximity between two proteins have been widely used to precisely modulate protein levels, stability, and activity. Recently, several studies developed novel strategies that employ heterobifunctional molecules that co-opt shuttling proteins to control the spatial localization of a target protein, unlocking new potential within this domain. Together, these studies lay the groundwork for novel targeted protein relocalization modalities that can rewire the protein circuitry and interactome to influence biological outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saurav Kumar
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Behnam Nabet
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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30
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Desantis J, Bazzacco A, Eleuteri M, Tuci S, Bianconi E, Macchiarulo A, Mercorelli B, Loregian A, Goracci L. Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of first-in-class indomethacin-based PROTACs degrading SARS-CoV-2 main protease and with broad-spectrum antiviral activity. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 268:116202. [PMID: 38394929 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116202] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
To date, Proteolysis Targeting Chimera (PROTAC) technology has been successfully applied to mediate proteasomal-induced degradation of several pharmaceutical targets mainly related to oncology, immune disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. On the other hand, its exploitation in the field of antiviral drug discovery is still in its infancy. Recently, we described two indomethacin (INM)-based PROTACs displaying broad-spectrum antiviral activity against coronaviruses. Here, we report the design, synthesis, and characterization of a novel series of INM-based PROTACs that recruit either Von-Hippel Lindau (VHL) or cereblon (CRBN) E3 ligases. The panel of INM-based PROTACs was also enlarged by varying the linker moiety. The antiviral activity resulted very susceptible to this modification, particularly for PROTACs hijacking VHL as E3 ligase, with one piperazine-based compound (PROTAC 6) showing potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity in infected human lung cells. Interestingly, degradation assays in both uninfected and virus-infected cells with the most promising PROTACs emerged so far (PROTACs 5 and 6) demonstrated that INM-PROTACs do not degrade human PGES-2 protein, as initially hypothesized, but induce the concentration-dependent degradation of SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) both in Mpro-transfected and in SARS-CoV-2-infected cells. Importantly, thanks to the target degradation, INM-PROTACs exhibited a considerable enhancement in antiviral activity with respect to indomethacin, with EC50 values in the low-micromolar/nanomolar range. Finally, kinetic solubility as well as metabolic and chemical stability were measured for PROTACs 5 and 6. Altogether, the identification of INM-based PROTACs as the first class of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro degraders demonstrating activity also in SARS-CoV-2-infected cells represents a significant advance in the development of effective, broad-spectrum anti-coronavirus strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Desantis
- Department of Chemistry, Biology, and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Michela Eleuteri
- Department of Chemistry, Biology, and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - Sara Tuci
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Elisa Bianconi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Perugia, Italy
| | | | | | - Arianna Loregian
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
| | - Laura Goracci
- Department of Chemistry, Biology, and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Italy.
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31
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Guo Y, Li X, Xie Y, Wang Y. What influences the activity of Degrader-Antibody conjugates (DACs). Eur J Med Chem 2024; 268:116216. [PMID: 38387330 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116216] [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: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
The targeted protein degradation (TPD) technology employing proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) has been widely applied in drug chemistry and chemical biology for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. PROTACs have demonstrated significant advantages in targeting undruggable targets and overcoming drug resistance. However, despite the efficient degradation of targeted proteins achieved by PROTACs, they still face challenges related to selectivity between normal and cancer cells, as well as issues with poor membrane permeability due to their substantial molecular weight. Additionally, the noteworthy toxicity resulting from off-target effects also needs to be addressed. To solve these issues, Degrader-Antibody Conjugates (DACs) have been developed, leveraging the targeting and internalization capabilities of antibodies. In this review, we elucidates the characteristics and distinctions between DACs, and traditional Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). Meanwhile, we emphasizes the significance of DACs in facilitating the delivery of PROTACs and delves into the impact of various components on DAC activity. These components include antibody targets, drug-antibody ratio (DAR), linker types, PROTACs targets, PROTACs connections, and E3 ligase ligands. The review also explores the suitability of different targets (antibody targets or PROTACs targets) for DACs, providing insights to guide the design of PROTACs better suited for antibody conjugation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaolin Guo
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, 610212, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaoxue Li
- Department of Dermatology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yang Xie
- Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, 610212, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuxi Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, 610212, Sichuan, China.
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32
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Suo Y, Du D, Chen C, Zhu H, Wang X, Song N, Lu D, Yang Y, Li J, Wang J, Luo Z, Zhou B, Luo C, Zhou H. Uncovering PROTAC Sensitivity and Efficacy by Multidimensional Proteome Profiling: A Case for STAT3. J Med Chem 2024. [PMID: 38466231 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) is a powerful technology that can effectively trigger the degradation of target proteins. The intricate interplay among various factors leads to a heterogeneous drug response, bringing about significant challenges in comprehending drug mechanisms. Our study applied data-independent acquisition-based mass spectrometry to multidimensional proteome profiling of PROTAC (DIA-MPP) to uncover the efficacy and sensitivity of the PROTAC compound. We profiled the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) PROTAC degrader in six leukemia and lymphoma cell lines under multiple conditions, demonstrating the pharmacodynamic properties and downstream biological responses. Through comparison between sensitive and insensitive cell lines, we revealed that STAT1 can be regarded as a biomarker for STAT3 PROTAC degrader, which was validated in cells, patient-derived organoids, and mouse models. These results set an example for a comprehensive description of the multidimensional PROTAC pharmacodynamic response and PROTAC drug sensitivity biomarker exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuying Suo
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, NO.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Daohai Du
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, the Center for Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Chao Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- Shandong Laboratory of Yantai Drug Discovery, Bohai Rim Advanced Research Institute for Drug Discovery, Yantai, Shandong 264117, China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Hongwen Zhu
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xiongjun Wang
- Precise Genome Engineering Center, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Nixue Song
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Dayun Lu
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yaxi Yang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, NO.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
- Shandong Laboratory of Yantai Drug Discovery, Bohai Rim Advanced Research Institute for Drug Discovery, Yantai, Shandong 264117, China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jiacheng Li
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, the Center for Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, the Center for Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zhongyuan Luo
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, the Center for Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Bing Zhou
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, NO.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
- Shandong Laboratory of Yantai Drug Discovery, Bohai Rim Advanced Research Institute for Drug Discovery, Yantai, Shandong 264117, China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Cheng Luo
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan 528437, China
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, the Center for Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Hu Zhou
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, NO.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
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33
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Fang Y, Zhang Y, Bi S, Peng B, Wang C, Ju H, Liu Y. Securing LYTAC with Logic-Identification System for Cancer Cell-Selective Membrane Protein Degradation. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2310039. [PMID: 38431928 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202310039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Lysosome-targeting chimera (LYTAC) links proteins of interest (POIs) with lysosome-targeting receptors (LTRs) to achieve membrane protein degradation, which is becoming a promising therapeutic modality. However, cancer cell-selective membrane protein degradation remains a big challenge considering expressions of POIs in both cancer cells and normal cells, as well as broad tissue distribution of LTRs. Here a logic-identification system is designed, termed Logic-TAC, based on cell membrane-guided DNA calculations to secure LYTAC selectively for cancer cells. Logic-TAC is designed as a duplex DNA structure, with both POI and LTR recognition regions sealed to avoid systematic toxicity during administration. MCF-7 and MCF-10A are chosen as sample cancer cell and normal cell respectively. As input 1 for logic-identification, membrane proteins EpCAM, which is highly expressed by MCF-7 but barely by MCF-10A, reacts with Logic-TAC to expose POI recognition region. As input 2 for logic-identification, Logic-TAC binds to POI, membrane protein MUC1, to expose LTR recognition region. As output, MUC1 is connected to LTR and degraded via lysosome pathway selectively for cancer cell MCF-7 with little side effect on normal cell MCF-10A. The logic-identification system also demonstrated satisfactory in vivo therapeutic results, indicating its promising potential in precise targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyun Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Shiyi Bi
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Bo Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Caixia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Huangxian Ju
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Ying Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
- Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
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Du S, Hu X, Menéndez-Arias L, Zhan P, Liu X. Target-based drug design strategies to overcome resistance to antiviral agents: opportunities and challenges. Drug Resist Updat 2024; 73:101053. [PMID: 38301487 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2024.101053] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Viral infections have a major impact in human health. Ongoing viral transmission and escalating selective pressure have the potential to favor the emergence of vaccine- and antiviral drug-resistant viruses. Target-based approaches for the design of antiviral drugs can play a pivotal role in combating drug-resistant challenges. Drug design computational tools facilitate the discovery of novel drugs. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current drug design strategies employed in the field of antiviral drug resistance, illustrated through the description of a series of successful applications. These strategies include technologies that enhance compound-target affinity while minimizing interactions with mutated binding pockets. Furthermore, emerging approaches such as virtual screening, targeted protein/RNA degradation, and resistance analysis during drug design have been harnessed to curtail the emergence of drug resistance. Additionally, host targeting antiviral drugs offer a promising avenue for circumventing viral mutation. The widespread adoption of these refined drug design strategies will effectively address the prevailing challenge posed by antiviral drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoqing Du
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 West Culture Road, 250012 Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Xueping Hu
- Institute of Frontier Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, PR China
| | - Luis Menéndez-Arias
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas & Universidad Autónoma de Madrid), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Peng Zhan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 West Culture Road, 250012 Jinan, Shandong, PR China; China-Belgium Collaborative Research Center for Innovative Antiviral Drugs of Shandong Province, 44 West Culture Road, 250012 Jinan, Shandong, PR China.
| | - Xinyong Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 West Culture Road, 250012 Jinan, Shandong, PR China; China-Belgium Collaborative Research Center for Innovative Antiviral Drugs of Shandong Province, 44 West Culture Road, 250012 Jinan, Shandong, PR China.
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Wang C, Zhang Y, Yu W, Xu J, Xing D. PROTAC-biomacromolecule conjugates for precise protein degradation in cancer therapy: A review. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 261:129864. [PMID: 38302015 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129864] [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: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology is a promising new mode of targeted protein degradation with significant transformative implications for the clinical treatment of different diseases. Nevertheless, while this technology offers numerous advantages, on-target off-tumour toxicity in healthy cells remains a major challenge for clinical application in cancer therapy. Strategies are presently being explored to optimize degradation activity with cellular selectivity to minimize undesirable side effects. PROTAC-antibody conjugates and PROTAC-aptamer conjugates are unique innovations that combine PROTACs and biomacromolecules. These novel PROTAC-biomacromolecule conjugates (PBCs) can enhance the targetability of PROTACs and reduce their off-target side-effects. The combination of potent PROTACs and highly safe biomacromolecules will pioneer an emerging trend in targeted protein degradation. In our review, we have summarized recent advances in PBCs, discussed current challenges, and outlooked opportunities for future research in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, Shandong, China
| | - Yujing Zhang
- The Affiliated Cardiovascular Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, Shandong, China.
| | - Wanpeng Yu
- Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
| | - Jiazhen Xu
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, Shandong, China.
| | - Dongming Xing
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, Shandong, China; School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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36
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Chang M, Dong Y, Xu H, Cruickshank-Taylor AB, Kozora JS, Behpour B, Wang W. Senolysis Enabled by Senescent Cell-Sensitive Bioorthogonal Tetrazine Ligation. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202315425. [PMID: 38233359 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202315425] [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: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Although the clearance of senescent cells has been proven to slow down the aging process and promote anti-cancer chemotherapy, the development of senolytics remains challenging. Herein, we report a senolytic strategy enabled by senescent cell-sensitive bioorthogonal tetrazine ligation. Our design is based on linking dihydrotetrazine (Tz) to a galactose (Gal) moiety that serves both as a recognition moiety for senescence-associated β-galactosidase and a caging group for the control of tetrazine activity. Gal-Tz enables efficient click-release of a fluorescent hemicyanine and doxorubicin from a trans-cyclooctene-caged prodrug to detect and eliminate senescent HeLa and A549 cells over non-senescent counterparts with a 16.44 senolytic index. Furthermore, we leverage the strategy for the selective activation and delivery of proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) as senolytics. PROTAC prodrug TCO-ARV-771 can be selectively activated by Gal-Tz and delivered into senescent HeLa and A549 cells to induce the degradation of bromodomain-containing protein 4. Senolytic PROTACs may offer an efficient way for intervention on cell senescence thanks to their unique capacity to degrade target proteins in a sub-stoichiometric and catalytic fashion. The results of this study establish the bioorthogonal tetrazine ligation approach as a viable strategy for selective removal of senescent cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyang Chang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, USA
| | - Yue Dong
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, USA
| | - Hang Xu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, USA
| | | | - Jacob S Kozora
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, USA
| | - Baran Behpour
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, USA
| | - Wei Wang
- Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona Cancer Center, and BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, USA
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37
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Zhang S, Lai Y, Pan J, Saeed M, Li S, Zhou H, Jiang X, Gao J, Zhu Y, Yu H, Zhang W, Xu Z. PROTAC Prodrug-Integrated Nanosensitizer for Potentiating Radiation Therapy of Cancer. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2314132. [PMID: 38353332 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202314132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Radiation therapy (RT) is one of the primary options for clinical cancer therapy, in particular advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Herein, the crucial role of bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4)-RAD51 associated protein 1 (RAD51AP1) axis in sensitizing RT of HNSCC is revealed. A versatile nanosensitizer (RPB7H) is thus innovatively engineered by integrating a PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTAC) prodrug (BPA771) and hafnium dioxide (HfO2 ) nanoparticles to downregulate BRD4-RAD51AP1 pathway and sensitize HNSCC tumor to RT. Upon intravenous administration, the RPB7H nanoparticles selectively accumulate at the tumor tissue and internalize into tumor cells by recognizing neuropilin-1 overexpressed in the tumor mass. HfO2 nanoparticles enhance RT effectiveness by amplifying X-ray deposition, intensifying DNA damage, and boosting oxidative stress. Meanwhile, BPA771 can be activated by RT-induced H2 O2 secretion to degrade BRD4 and inactivate RAD51AP1, thus impeding RT-induced DNA damage repair. This versatile nanosensitizer, combined with X-ray irradiation, effectively regresses HNSCC tumor growth in a mouse model. The findings introduce a PROTAC prodrug-based radiosensitization strategy by targeting the BRD4-RAD51AP1 axis, may offer a promising avenue to augment RT and more effective HNSCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunan Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yi Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jiaxing Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 2000092, China
| | - Madiha Saeed
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Shiqin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Huiling Zhou
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xingyu Jiang
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jing Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yun Zhu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Haijun Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Zhiai Xu
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
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He X, Weng Z, Zou Y. Progress in the controllability technology of PROTAC. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 265:116096. [PMID: 38160619 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116096] [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: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimaera (PROTAC) technology functions by directly targeting proteins and catalysing their degradation through an event-driven mode of action, a novel mechanism with significant clinical application prospects for various diseases. Currently, the most advanced PROTAC drug is undergoing phase III clinical trials (NCT05654623). Although PROTACs exhibit significant advantages over traditional small-molecule inhibitors, their catalytic degradation of normal cellular proteins can potentially cause toxic side effects. Therefore, to achieve targeted release of PROTACs and minimize adverse reactions, researchers are actively exploring diverse controllable PROTACs. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the control strategies to provide a theoretical basis for the innovative application of PROTAC technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin He
- School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Changzhou Vocational Institute of Engineering, Changzhou, 213164, PR China.
| | - Zhibing Weng
- School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Changzhou Vocational Institute of Engineering, Changzhou, 213164, PR China
| | - Yi Zou
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, PR China.
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Setia N, Almuqdadi HTA, Abid M. Journey of Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) E3 ligase in PROTACs design: From VHL ligands to VHL-based degraders. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 265:116041. [PMID: 38199162 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116041] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
The scientific community has shown considerable interest in proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) in the last decade, indicating their remarkable potential as a means of achieving targeted protein degradation (TPD). Not only are PROTACs seen as valuable tools in molecular biology but their emergence as a modality for drug discovery has also garnered significant attention. PROTACs bind to E3 ligases and target proteins through respective ligands connected via a linker to induce proteasome-mediated protein degradation. The discovery of small molecule ligands for E3 ligases has led to the prevalent use of various E3 ligases in PROTAC design. Furthermore, the incorporation of different types of linkers has proven beneficial in enhancing the efficacy of PROTACs. By far more than 3300 PROTACs have been reported in the literature. Notably, Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL)-based PROTACs have surfaced as a propitious strategy for targeting proteins, even encompassing those that were previously considered non-druggable. VHL is extensively utilized as an E3 ligase in the advancement of PROTACs owing to its widespread expression in various tissues and well-documented binders. Here, we review the discovery of VHL ligands, the types of linkers employed to develop VHL-based PROTACs, and their subsequent modulation to design advanced non-conventional degraders to target various disease-causing proteins. Furthermore, we provide an overview of other E3 ligases recruited in the field of PROTAC technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Setia
- Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | | | - Mohammad Abid
- Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, 110025, India.
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40
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Weng W, Xue G, Pan Z. Development of visible-light-activatable photocaged PROTACs. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 265:116062. [PMID: 38128235 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116062] [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: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Photocaged proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), which employ light as a stimulus to control protein degradation, have recently garnered considerable attention as both powerful chemical tools and a promising therapeutic strategy. However, the poor penetration depth of traditionally used ultraviolet light and the deficiency of alternative caging positions have restricted their applications in biological systems. By installing a diverse array of photocaged groups, with excitation wavelengths ranging from 365 nm to 405 nm, onto different positions of cereblon (CRBN) and Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL)-recruiting Brd4 degraders, we conducted the first comprehensive study on visible-light-activatable photocaged PROTACs to the best of our knowledge. We found the A2, A4 and B3 positions to be most effective at regulating the activity of the degraders, and to provide the resulting molecules (9-12 and 17) as potent visible-light-controlled degraders in live cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weizhi Weng
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Graduate School, Peking University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Gang Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Graduate School, Peking University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Zhengying Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Graduate School, Peking University, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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41
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Peng X, Hu Z, Zeng L, Zhang M, Xu C, Lu B, Tao C, Chen W, Hou W, Cheng K, Bi H, Pan W, Chen J. Overview of epigenetic degraders based on PROTAC, molecular glue, and hydrophobic tagging technologies. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:533-578. [PMID: 38322348 PMCID: PMC10840439 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic pathways play a critical role in the initiation, progression, and metastasis of cancer. Over the past few decades, significant progress has been made in the development of targeted epigenetic modulators (e.g., inhibitors). However, epigenetic inhibitors have faced multiple challenges, including limited clinical efficacy, toxicities, lack of subtype selectivity, and drug resistance. As a result, the design of new epigenetic modulators (e.g., degraders) such as PROTACs, molecular glue, and hydrophobic tagging (HyT) degraders has garnered significant attention from both academia and pharmaceutical industry, and numerous epigenetic degraders have been discovered in the past decade. In this review, we aim to provide an in-depth illustration of new degrading strategies (2017-2023) targeting epigenetic proteins for cancer therapy, focusing on the rational design, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, clinical status, and crystal structure information of these degraders. Importantly, we also provide deep insights into the potential challenges and corresponding remedies of this approach to drug design and development. Overall, we hope this review will offer a better mechanistic understanding and serve as a useful guide for the development of emerging epigenetic-targeting degraders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopeng Peng
- College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases of Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 314000, China
| | - Zhihao Hu
- College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases of Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 314000, China
| | - Limei Zeng
- College of Basic Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 314000, China
| | - Meizhu Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases of Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 314000, China
| | - Congcong Xu
- College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases of Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 314000, China
| | - Benyan Lu
- College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases of Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 314000, China
| | - Chengpeng Tao
- College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases of Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 314000, China
| | - Weiming Chen
- College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases of Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 314000, China
| | - Wen Hou
- College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases of Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 314000, China
| | - Kui Cheng
- 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
| | - Huichang Bi
- 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
| | - Wanyi Pan
- College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases of Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 314000, 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
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Yang N, Kong B, Zhu Z, Huang F, Zhang L, Lu T, Chen Y, Zhang Y, Jiang Y. Recent advances in targeted protein degraders as potential therapeutic agents. Mol Divers 2024; 28:309-333. [PMID: 36790583 PMCID: PMC9930057 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-023-10606-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation (TPD) technology has gradually become widespread in the past 20 years, which greatly boosts the development of disease treatment. Contrary to small inhibitors that act on protein kinases, transcription factors, ion channels, and other targets they can bind to, targeted protein degraders could target "undruggable targets" and overcome drug resistance through ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPP) and lysosome pathway. Nowadays, some bivalent degraders such as proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) have aroused great interest in drug discovery, and some of them have successfully advanced into clinical trials. In this review, to better understand the mechanism of degraders, we elucidate the targeted protein degraders according to their action process, relying on the ubiquitin-proteasome system or lysosome pathway. Then, we briefly summarize the study of PROTACs employing different E3 ligases. Subsequently, the effect of protein of interest (POI) ligands, linker, and E3 ligands on PROTAC degradation activity is also discussed in detail. Other novel technologies based on UPP and lysosome pathway have been discussed in this paper such as in-cell click-formed proteolysis-targeting chimeras (CLIPTACs), molecular glues, Antibody-PROTACs (Ab-PROTACs), autophagy-targeting chimeras, and lysosome-targeting chimeras. Based on the introduction of these degradation technologies, we can clearly understand the action process and degradation mechanism of these approaches. From this perspective, it will be convenient to obtain the development status of these drugs, choose appropriate degradation methods to achieve better disease treatment and provide basis for future research and simultaneously distinguish the direction of future research efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Yang
- School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Kong
- School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaohong Zhu
- School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Huang
- School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Liliang Zhang
- School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Lu
- School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Yadong Chen
- School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yanmin Zhang
- School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yulei Jiang
- School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China.
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Hickey CM, Digianantonio KM, Zimmermann K, Harbin A, Quinn C, Patel A, Gareiss P, Chapman A, Tiberi B, Dobrodziej J, Corradi J, Cacace AM, Langley DR, Békés M. Co-opting the E3 ligase KLHDC2 for targeted protein degradation by small molecules. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2024; 31:311-322. [PMID: 38177675 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-023-01146-w] [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: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation (TPD) by PROTAC (proteolysis-targeting chimera) and molecular glue small molecules is an emerging therapeutic strategy. To expand the roster of E3 ligases that can be utilized for TPD, we describe the discovery and biochemical characterization of small-molecule ligands targeting the E3 ligase KLHDC2. Furthermore, we functionalize these KLHDC2-targeting ligands into KLHDC2-based BET-family and AR PROTAC degraders and demonstrate KLHDC2-dependent target-protein degradation. Additionally, we offer insight into the assembly of the KLHDC2 E3 ligase complex. Using biochemical binding studies, X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM, we show that the KLHDC2 E3 ligase assembles into a dynamic tetramer held together via its own C terminus, and that this assembly can be modulated by substrate and ligand engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Bernadette Tiberi
- Arvinas, Inc, New Haven, CT, USA
- Genetics, Genomics and Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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44
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Leon RG, Bassham DC. PROTAC for agriculture: learning from human medicine to generate new biotechnological weed control solutions. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024; 80:262-266. [PMID: 37612249 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Weed control has relied on the use of organic and inorganic molecules that interfere with druggable targets, especially enzymes, for almost a century. This approach, although effective, has resulted in multiple cases of herbicide resistance. Furthermore, the rate of discovery of new druggable targets that are selective and with favorable environmental profiles has slowed down, highlighting the need for innovative control tools. The arrival of the biotechnology and genomics era gave hope to many that all sorts of new control tools would be developed. However, the reality is that most efforts have been limited to the development of transgenic crops with resistance to a few existing herbicides, which in fact is just another form of selectivity. Proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) is a new technology developed to treat human diseases but that has potential for multiple applications in agriculture. This technology uses a small bait molecule linked to an E3 ligand. The 3-dimensional structure of the bait favors physical interaction with a binding site in the target protein in a manner that allows E3 recruitment, ubiquitination and then proteasome-mediated degradation. This system makes it possible to circumvent the need to find druggable targets because it can degrade structural proteins, transporters, transcription factors, and enzymes without the need to interact with the active site. PROTAC can help control herbicide-resistant weeds as well as expand the number of biochemical targets that can be used for weed control. In the present article, we provide an overview of how PROTAC works and describe the possible applications for weed control as well as the challenges that this technology might face during development and implementation for field uses. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramon G Leon
- Professor and University Faculty Scholar, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Diane C Bassham
- Distinguished Professor and Walter E. and Helen Parke Loomis Professor of Plant Physiology, Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
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45
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Wang K, Diaz S, Li L, Lohman JR, Liu X. CAND1 inhibits Cullin-2-RING ubiquitin ligases for enhanced substrate specificity. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2024; 31:323-335. [PMID: 38177676 PMCID: PMC10923007 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-023-01167-5] [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: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Through targeting essential cellular regulators for ubiquitination and serving as a major platform for discovering proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) drugs, Cullin-2 (CUL2)-RING ubiquitin ligases (CRL2s) comprise an important family of CRLs. The founding members of CRLs, the CUL1-based CRL1s, are known to be activated by CAND1, which exchanges the variable substrate receptors associated with the common CUL1 core and promotes the dynamic assembly of CRL1s. Here we find that CAND1 inhibits CRL2-mediated protein degradation in human cells. This effect arises due to altered binding kinetics, involving CAND1 and CRL2VHL, as we illustrate that CAND1 dramatically increases the dissociation rate of CRL2s but barely accelerates the assembly of stable CRL2s. Using PROTACs that differently recruit neo-substrates to CRL2VHL, we demonstrate that the inhibitory effect of CAND1 helps distinguish target proteins with different affinities for CRL2s, presenting a mechanism for selective protein degradation with proper pacing in the changing cellular environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kankan Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Stephanie Diaz
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lihong Li
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
- Center for Plant Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Jeremy R Lohman
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Xing Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
- Center for Plant Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
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46
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Dai XJ, Ji SK, Fu MJ, Liu GZ, Liu HM, Wang SP, Shen L, Wang N, Herdewijn P, Zheng YC, Wang SQ, Chen XB. Degraders in epigenetic therapy: PROTACs and beyond. Theranostics 2024; 14:1464-1499. [PMID: 38389844 PMCID: PMC10879860 DOI: 10.7150/thno.92526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics refers to the reversible process through which changes in gene expression occur without changing the nucleotide sequence of DNA. The process is currently gaining prominence as a pivotal objective in the treatment of cancers and other ailments. Numerous drugs that target epigenetic mechanisms have obtained approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the therapeutic intervention of diverse diseases; many have drawbacks, such as limited applicability, toxicity, and resistance. Since the discovery of the first proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) in 2001, studies on targeted protein degradation (TPD)-encompassing PROTACs, molecular glue (MG), hydrophobic tagging (HyT), degradation TAG (dTAG), Trim-Away, a specific and non-genetic inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP)-dependent protein eraser (SNIPER), antibody-PROTACs (Ab-PROTACs), and other lysosome-based strategies-have achieved remarkable progress. In this review, we comprehensively highlight the small-molecule degraders beyond PROTACs that could achieve the degradation of epigenetic proteins (including bromodomain-containing protein-related targets, histone acetylation/deacetylation-related targets, histone methylation/demethylation related targets, and other epigenetic targets) via proteasomal or lysosomal pathways. The present difficulties and forthcoming prospects in this domain are also deliberated upon, which may be valuable for medicinal chemists when developing more potent, selective, and drug-like epigenetic drugs for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Jie Dai
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shi-Kun Ji
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Meng-Jie Fu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Gao-Zhi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hui-Min Liu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shao-Peng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Liang Shen
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ning Wang
- The School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Piet Herdewijn
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- XNA platform, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49-Box 1041, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yi-Chao Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- XNA platform, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Sai-Qi Wang
- Department of Oncology, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Oncology, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Henan Engineering Research Center of Precision Therapy of Gastrointestinal Cancer & Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for Precision Therapy of Gastrointestinal Cancer, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Bing Chen
- Department of Oncology, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Oncology, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Henan Engineering Research Center of Precision Therapy of Gastrointestinal Cancer & Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for Precision Therapy of Gastrointestinal Cancer, Zhengzhou, China
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Martino SD, Petri GL, De Rosa M. Hepatitis C: The Story of a Long Journey through First, Second, and Third Generation NS3/4A Peptidomimetic Inhibitors. What Did We Learn? J Med Chem 2024; 67:885-921. [PMID: 38179950 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01971] [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: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection is the leading cause of liver failure and still represents a global health burden. Over the past decade, great advancements made HCV curable, and sustained viral remission significantly improved to more than 98%. Historical treatment with pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin has been displaced by combinations of direct-acting antivirals. These regimens include drugs targeting different stages of the HCV life cycle. However, the emergence of viral resistance remains a big concern. The design of peptidomimetic inhibitors (PIs) able to fit and fill the conserved substrate envelope region within the active site helped avoid contact with the vulnerable sites of the most common resistance-associated substitutions Arg155, Ala156, and Asp168. Herein, we give an overview of HCV NS3 PIs discovered during the past decade, and we deeply discuss the rationale behind the structural optimization efforts essential to achieve pangenotypic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Di Martino
- Drug Discovery Unit, Medicinal Chemistry Group, Ri.MED Foundation, Palermo 90133, Italy
| | - Giovanna Li Petri
- Drug Discovery Unit, Medicinal Chemistry Group, Ri.MED Foundation, Palermo 90133, Italy
| | - Maria De Rosa
- Drug Discovery Unit, Medicinal Chemistry Group, Ri.MED Foundation, Palermo 90133, Italy
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Berlin M, Cantley J, Bookbinder M, Bortolon E, Broccatelli F, Cadelina G, Chan EW, Chen H, Chen X, Cheng Y, Cheung TK, Davenport K, DiNicola D, Gordon D, Hamman BD, Harbin A, Haskell R, He M, Hole AJ, Januario T, Kerry PS, Koenig SG, Li L, Merchant M, Pérez-Dorado I, Pizzano J, Quinn C, Rose CM, Rousseau E, Soto L, Staben LR, Sun H, Tian Q, Wang J, Wang W, Ye CS, Ye X, Zhang P, Zhou Y, Yauch R, Dragovich PS. PROTACs Targeting BRM (SMARCA2) Afford Selective In Vivo Degradation over BRG1 (SMARCA4) and Are Active in BRG1 Mutant Xenograft Tumor Models. J Med Chem 2024; 67:1262-1313. [PMID: 38180485 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01781] [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: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
The identification of VHL-binding proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) that potently degrade the BRM protein (also known as SMARCA2) in SW1573 cell-based experiments is described. These molecules exhibit between 10- and 100-fold degradation selectivity for BRM over the closely related paralog protein BRG1 (SMARCA4). They also selectively impair the proliferation of the H1944 "BRG1-mutant" NSCLC cell line, which lacks functional BRG1 protein and is thus highly dependent on BRM for growth, relative to the wild-type Calu6 line. In vivo experiments performed with a subset of compounds identified PROTACs that potently and selectively degraded BRM in the Calu6 and/or the HCC2302 BRG1 mutant NSCLC xenograft models and also afforded antitumor efficacy in the latter system. Subsequent PK/PD analysis established a need to achieve strong BRM degradation (>95%) in order to trigger meaningful antitumor activity in vivo. Intratumor quantitation of mRNA associated with two genes whose transcription was controlled by BRM (PLAU and KRT80) also supported this conclusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Berlin
- Arvinas LLC, 5 Science Park, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Jennifer Cantley
- Arvinas LLC, 5 Science Park, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Mark Bookbinder
- Arvinas LLC, 5 Science Park, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Elizabeth Bortolon
- Arvinas LLC, 5 Science Park, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Fabio Broccatelli
- Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Greg Cadelina
- Arvinas LLC, 5 Science Park, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Emily W Chan
- Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Huifen Chen
- Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Xin Chen
- Arvinas LLC, 5 Science Park, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Yunxing Cheng
- Pharmaron Beijing, Co. Ltd., 6 Tai He Road, BDA, Beijing 100176, P. R. China
| | - Tommy K Cheung
- Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Kim Davenport
- Arvinas LLC, 5 Science Park, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Dean DiNicola
- Arvinas LLC, 5 Science Park, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Debbie Gordon
- Arvinas LLC, 5 Science Park, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Brian D Hamman
- Arvinas LLC, 5 Science Park, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Alicia Harbin
- Arvinas LLC, 5 Science Park, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Roy Haskell
- Arvinas LLC, 5 Science Park, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Mingtao He
- Pharmaron Beijing, Co. Ltd., 6 Tai He Road, BDA, Beijing 100176, P. R. China
| | - Alison J Hole
- Evotec (U.K.) Ltd., 95 Park Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4RY, U.K
| | - Thomas Januario
- Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Philip S Kerry
- Evotec (U.K.) Ltd., 95 Park Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4RY, U.K
| | - Stefan G Koenig
- Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Limei Li
- Pharmaron Beijing, Co. Ltd., 6 Tai He Road, BDA, Beijing 100176, P. R. China
| | - Mark Merchant
- Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | | | - Jennifer Pizzano
- Arvinas LLC, 5 Science Park, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Connor Quinn
- Arvinas LLC, 5 Science Park, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Christopher M Rose
- Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Emma Rousseau
- Arvinas LLC, 5 Science Park, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Leofal Soto
- Arvinas LLC, 5 Science Park, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Leanna R Staben
- Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Hongming Sun
- Pharmaron Beijing, Co. Ltd., 6 Tai He Road, BDA, Beijing 100176, P. R. China
| | - Qingping Tian
- Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Jing Wang
- Arvinas LLC, 5 Science Park, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Weifeng Wang
- Pharmaron Beijing, Co. Ltd., 6 Tai He Road, BDA, Beijing 100176, P. R. China
| | - Crystal S Ye
- Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Xiaofen Ye
- Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Penghong Zhang
- Pharmaron Beijing, Co. Ltd., 6 Tai He Road, BDA, Beijing 100176, P. R. China
| | - Yuhui Zhou
- Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Robert Yauch
- Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Peter S Dragovich
- Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
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49
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Zhu Y, Zhang D, Shukla P, Jung YH, Malgulwar PB, Chagani S, Colic M, Benjamin S, Copland JA, Tan L, Lorenzi PL, Javle M, Huse JT, Roszik J, Hart T, Kwong LN. CRISPR screening identifies BET and mTOR inhibitor synergy in cholangiocarcinoma through serine glycine one carbon. JCI Insight 2024; 9:e174220. [PMID: 38060314 PMCID: PMC10906219 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.174220] [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: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Patients with cholangiocarcinoma have poor clinical outcomes due to late diagnoses, poor prognoses, and limited treatment strategies. To identify drug combinations for this disease, we have conducted a genome-wide CRISPR screen anchored on the bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) PROTAC degrader ARV825, from which we identified anticancer synergy when combined with genetic ablation of members of the mTOR pathway. This combination effect was validated using multiple pharmacological BET and mTOR inhibitors, accompanied by increased levels of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. In a xenograft model, combined BET degradation and mTOR inhibition induced tumor regression. Mechanistically, the 2 inhibitor classes converged on H3K27ac-marked epigenetic suppression of the serine glycine one carbon (SGOC) metabolism pathway, including the key enzymes PHGDH and PSAT1. Knockdown of PSAT1 was sufficient to replicate synergy with single-agent inhibition of either BET or mTOR. Our results tie together epigenetic regulation, metabolism, and apoptosis induction as key therapeutic targets for further exploration in this underserved disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhu
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Dengyong Zhang
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of general surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, China
| | - Pooja Shukla
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Young-Ho Jung
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Prit Benny Malgulwar
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Sharmeen Chagani
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Medina Colic
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Sarah Benjamin
- Department of Natural Sciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - John A. Copland
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Lin Tan
- Metabolomics Core Facility, Department of Bioinformatics & Computational Biology
| | - Philip L. Lorenzi
- Metabolomics Core Facility, Department of Bioinformatics & Computational Biology
| | | | - Jason T. Huse
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jason Roszik
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology-Research, Division of Cancer Medicine
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Division of Cancer Medicine, and
| | - Traver Hart
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Lawrence N. Kwong
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Division of Cancer Medicine, and
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50
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Zhong H, Wang X, Chen S, Wang Z, Wang H, Xu L, Hou T, Yao X, Li D, Pan P. Discovery of Novel Inhibitors of BRD4 for Treating Prostate Cancer: A Comprehensive Case Study for Considering Water Networks in Virtual Screening and Drug Design. J Med Chem 2024; 67:138-151. [PMID: 38153295 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00996] [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: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Androgen receptor (AR) is the primary target for treating prostate cancer (PCa), which inevitably progresses due to drug-resistant mutations. Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) has been a new potential drug target for PCa treatment. Herein, we report the rational design and discovery of novel BRD4 inhibitors through computer-aided drug design (CADD), and a hit compound SQ-1 (IC50 = 676 nM) was identified by structure-based virtual screening (SBVS) with the conserved water network. To optimize the structure of SQ-1, the free energy landscape was constructed, and the binding mechanism was explored by characterizing the water profile and the dissociation mechanism. Finally, the compound SQ-17 with improved inhibitory activity (IC50 < 100 nM) was discovered, which showed potent antiproliferative activity against LNCaP. These data highlighted a successful attempt to identify and optimize a small molecule by comprehensive CADD application and provided essential clues for developing novel therapeutics for PCa treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyang Zhong
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Xinyue Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Shicheng Chen
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Huating Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Lei Xu
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, School of Electrical and Information Engineering, Jiangsu University of Technology, Changzhou 213001, China
| | - Tingjun Hou
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Xiaojun Yao
- Centre for Artificial Intelligence Driven Drug Discovery, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Macao Polytechnic University, Macao 999078, China
| | - Dan Li
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Peichen Pan
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
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