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Wang Z, Che S, Yu Z. PROTAC: Novel degradable approach for different targets to treat breast cancer. Eur J Pharm Sci 2024; 198:106793. [PMID: 38740076 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2024.106793] [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: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
The revolutionary Proteolysis Targeting Chimera (PROTACs) have the exciting potential to reshape the pharmaceutical industry landscape by leveraging the ubiquitin-proteasome system for targeted protein degradation. Breast cancer, the most prevalent cancer in women, could be treated using PROTAC therapy. Although substantial work has been conducted, there is not yet a comprehensive overview or progress update on PROTAC therapy for breast cancer. Hence, in this article, we've compiled recent research progress focusing on different breast cancer target proteins, such as estrogen receptor (ER), BET, CDK, HER2, PARP, EZH2, etc. This resource aims to serve as a guide for future PROTAC-based breast cancer treatment design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenjie Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China; Office of Drug Clinical Trials, The People's Hospital of Gaozhou, Maoming, 525200, PR China
| | - Siyao Che
- Hepatological Surgery Department, The People's Hospital of Gaozhou, Maoming, 525200, PR China.
| | - Zhiqiang Yu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Dongguan Institute of Clinical Cancer Research, The Tenth Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University (Dongguan People's Hospital), Dongguan 523018, PR China.
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2
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Yang M, Xiang H, Luo G. Targeting focal adhesion kinase (FAK) for cancer therapy: FAK inhibitors, FAK-based dual-target inhibitors and PROTAC degraders. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 224:116246. [PMID: 38685282 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, plays an essential role in regulating cell proliferation, migration and invasion through both kinase-dependent enzymatic function and kinase-independent scaffolding function. The overexpression and activation of FAK is commonly observed in various cancers and some drug-resistant settings. Therefore, targeted disruption of FAK has been identified as an attractive strategy for cancer treatment. To date, numerous structurally diverse inhibitors targeting distinct domains of FAK have been developed, encompassing kinase domain inhibitors, FERM domain inhibitors, and FAT domain inhibitors, with several FAK inhibitors advanced to clinical trials. Moreover, given the critical role of FAK scaffolding function in signal transduction, FAK-targeted PROTACs have also been developed. Although no current FAK-targeted therapeutics have been approved for the market, the combination of FAK inhibitors with other anticancer drugs has shown considerable promise in the clinic. This review provides an overview of current drug discovery strategies targeting FAK, including the development of FAK inhibitors, FAK-based dual-target inhibitors and proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) in both literature and patent applications. Accordingly, their design and optimization process, mechanisms of action and biological activities are discussed to offer insights into future directions of FAK-targeting drug discovery in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, PR China
| | - Hua Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, PR China.
| | - Guoshun Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, PR China.
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3
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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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4
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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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5
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Lin C, Yu M, Wu X, Wang H, Wei M, Zhang L. Targeting Moonlighting Enzymes in Cancer. Molecules 2024; 29:1573. [PMID: 38611852 PMCID: PMC11013064 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29071573] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Moonlighting enzymes are multifunctional proteins that perform multiple functions beyond their primary role as catalytic enzymes. Extensive research and clinical practice have demonstrated their pivotal roles in the development and progression of cancer, making them promising targets for drug development. This article delves into multiple notable moonlighting enzymes, including GSK-3, GAPDH, and ENO1, and with a particular emphasis on an enigmatic phosphatase, PTP4A3. We scrutinize their distinct roles in cancer and the mechanisms that dictate their ability to switch roles. Lastly, we discuss the potential of an innovative approach to develop drugs targeting these moonlighting enzymes: target protein degradation. This strategy holds promise for effectively tackling moonlighting enzymes in the context of cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxu Lin
- Center for Drug Research and Development, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China; (C.L.); (M.Y.); (X.W.); (H.W.)
| | - Mingyang Yu
- Center for Drug Research and Development, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China; (C.L.); (M.Y.); (X.W.); (H.W.)
| | - Ximei Wu
- Center for Drug Research and Development, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China; (C.L.); (M.Y.); (X.W.); (H.W.)
| | - Hui Wang
- Center for Drug Research and Development, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China; (C.L.); (M.Y.); (X.W.); (H.W.)
| | - Min Wei
- Center for Drug Research and Development, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China; (C.L.); (M.Y.); (X.W.); (H.W.)
| | - Luyong Zhang
- Center for Drug Research and Development, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China; (C.L.); (M.Y.); (X.W.); (H.W.)
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
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Shen J, Chen L, Liu J, Li A, Zheng L, Chen S, Li Y. EGFR degraders in non-small-cell lung cancer: Breakthrough and unresolved issue. Chem Biol Drug Des 2024; 103:e14517. [PMID: 38610074 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14517] [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: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been well validated as a therapeutic target for anticancer drug discovery. Osimertinib has become the first globally accessible third-generation EGFR inhibitor, representing one of the most advanced developments in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) therapy. However, a tertiary Cys797 to Ser797 (C797S) point mutation has hampered osimertinib treatment in patients with advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC. Several classes of fourth-generation EGFR inhibitors were consequently discovered with the aim of overcoming the EGFRC797S mutation-mediated resistance. However, no clinical efficacy data of the fourth-generation EGFR inhibitors were reported to date, and EGFRC797S mutation-mediated resistance remains an "unmet clinical need." Proteolysis-targeting chimeric molecules (PROTACs) obtained from EGFR-TKIs have been developed to target drug resistance EGFR in NSCLC. Some PROTACs are from nature products. These degraders compared with EGFR inhibitors showed better efficiency in their cellular potency, inhibition, and toxicity profiles. In this review, we first introduce the structural properties of EGFR, the resistance, and mutations of EGFR, and then mainly focus on the recent advances of EGFR-targeting degraders along with its advantages and outstanding challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Shen
- Key Laboratory of Organo-Pharmaceutical Chemistry of Jiangxi Province, Gannan Normal University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China
| | - Liping Chen
- Key Laboratory of Organo-Pharmaceutical Chemistry of Jiangxi Province, Gannan Normal University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China
| | - Jihu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Organo-Pharmaceutical Chemistry of Jiangxi Province, Gannan Normal University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China
| | - Anzhi Li
- Key Laboratory of Organo-Pharmaceutical Chemistry of Jiangxi Province, Gannan Normal University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China
| | - Lüyin Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Organo-Pharmaceutical Chemistry of Jiangxi Province, Gannan Normal University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China
| | - Sheng Chen
- Jiangxi Chiralsyn Biological Medicine Co., Ltd, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yongdong Li
- Key Laboratory of Organo-Pharmaceutical Chemistry of Jiangxi Province, Gannan Normal University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China
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7
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Rana S, Dranchak P, Dahlin JL, Lamy L, Li W, Oliphant E, Shrimp JH, Rajacharya GH, Tharakan R, Holland DO, Whitten AS, Wilson KM, Singh PK, Durum SK, Tao D, Rai G, Inglese J. Methotrexate-based PROTACs as DHFR-specific chemical probes. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:221-233.e14. [PMID: 37875111 PMCID: PMC10922102 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.09.014] [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: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Methotrexate (MTX) is a tight-binding dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) inhibitor, used as both an antineoplastic and immunosuppressant therapeutic. MTX, like folate undergoes folylpolyglutamate synthetase-mediated γ-glutamylation, which affects cellular retention and target specificity. Mechanisms of MTX resistance in cancers include a decrease in MTX poly-γ-glutamylation and an upregulation of DHFR. Here, we report a series of potent MTX-based proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) to investigate DHFR degradation pharmacology and one-carbon biochemistry. These on-target, cell-active PROTACs show proteasome- and E3 ligase-dependent activity, and selective degradation of DHFR in multiple cancer cell lines. By comparison, treatment with MTX increases cellular DHFR protein expression. Importantly, these PROTACs produced distinct, less-lethal phenotypes compared to MTX. The chemical probe set described here should complement conventional DHFR inhibitors and serve as useful tools for studying one-carbon biochemistry and dissecting complex polypharmacology of MTX and related drugs. Such compounds may also serve as leads for potential autoimmune and antineoplastic therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Rana
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Patricia Dranchak
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Jayme L Dahlin
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Laurence Lamy
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Wenqing Li
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Erin Oliphant
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Jonathan H Shrimp
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Girish H Rajacharya
- Department of Oncology Science, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Ravi Tharakan
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - David O Holland
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Apryl S Whitten
- Department of Oncology Science, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Kelli M Wilson
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Pankaj K Singh
- Department of Oncology Science, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; OU Health Stephenson Center, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Scott K Durum
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Dingyin Tao
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Ganesha Rai
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Rockville, MD 20850, USA.
| | - James Inglese
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Rockville, MD 20850, USA; Metabolic Medicine Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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8
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Hu HH, Wang SQ, Shang HL, Lv HF, Chen BB, Gao SG, Chen XB. Roles and inhibitors of FAK in cancer: current advances and future directions. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1274209. [PMID: 38410129 PMCID: PMC10895298 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1274209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that exhibits high expression in various tumors and is associated with a poor prognosis. FAK activation promotes tumor growth, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis via both kinase-dependent and kinase-independent pathways. Moreover, FAK is crucial for sustaining the tumor microenvironment. The inhibition of FAK impedes tumorigenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance in cancer. Therefore, developing targeted inhibitors against FAK presents a promising therapeutic strategy. To date, numerous FAK inhibitors, including IN10018, defactinib, GSK2256098, conteltinib, and APG-2449, have been developed, which have demonstrated positive anti-tumor effects in preclinical studies and are undergoing clinical trials for several types of tumors. Moreover, many novel FAK inhibitors are currently in preclinical studies to advance targeted therapy for tumors with aberrantly activated FAK. The benefits of FAK degraders, especially in terms of their scaffold function, are increasingly evident, holding promising potential for future clinical exploration and breakthroughs. This review aims to clarify FAK's role in cancer, offering a comprehensive overview of the current status and future prospects of FAK-targeted therapy and combination approaches. The goal is to provide valuable insights for advancing anti-cancer treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Hui Hu
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Henan Engineering Research Center of Precision Therapy of Gastrointestinal Cancer and Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for Precision Therapy of Gastrointestinal Cancer, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Sai-Qi Wang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Henan Engineering Research Center of Precision Therapy of Gastrointestinal Cancer and Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for Precision Therapy of Gastrointestinal Cancer, Zhengzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hai-Li Shang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Henan Engineering Research Center of Precision Therapy of Gastrointestinal Cancer and Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for Precision Therapy of Gastrointestinal Cancer, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hui-Fang Lv
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Henan Engineering Research Center of Precision Therapy of Gastrointestinal Cancer and Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for Precision Therapy of Gastrointestinal Cancer, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Bei-Bei Chen
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Henan Engineering Research Center of Precision Therapy of Gastrointestinal Cancer and Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for Precision Therapy of Gastrointestinal Cancer, Zhengzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - She-Gan Gao
- Henan Key Laboratory of Microbiome and Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Henan Key Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Cancer Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Xiao-Bing Chen
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Henan Engineering Research Center of Precision Therapy of Gastrointestinal Cancer and Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for Precision Therapy of Gastrointestinal Cancer, Zhengzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Zeng S, Jin Y, Xia H, Shang Y, Li Y, Wang Z, Huang W. Discovery of highly efficient CRBN-recruiting HPK1-PROTAC as a potential chemical tool for investigation of scaffolding roles in TCR signaling. Bioorg Chem 2024; 143:107016. [PMID: 38086239 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.107016] [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: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1 (HPK1, MAP4K1) is a promising target for immune-oncology therapy. It has been recently demonstrated that loss of HPK1 kinase activity can enhance T cell receptor (TCR) signaling. However, many essential functions mediated by the HPK1 scaffolding role are still beyond the reach of any kinase inhibitor. Proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) has emerged as a promising strategy for pathogenic proteins degradation with the characteristics of rapid, reversible, and low-cost versus RNA interference or DNA knock-out technology. Herein we first disclosed the design, synthesis, and evaluation of a series of thalidomide-based PROTAC molecules and identified B1 as a highly efficient HPK1 degrader with DC50 value of 1.8 nM. Further mechanism investigation demonstrated that compound B1 inhibits phosphorylation of the SLP76 protein with IC50 value of 496.1 nM, and confirmed that B1 is a bona fide HPK1-PROTAC degrader. Thus, this study provides a basis for HPK1 degraders development and the candidate could be used as a potential chemical tool for further investigation of the kinase-independent signaling of HPK1 in TCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenxin Zeng
- Affiliated Yongkang First People's Hospital and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311399, PR China; Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311399 PR China; Key Discipline of Zhejiang Province in Public Health and Preventive Medicine (First Class, Category A), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311399 PR China.
| | - Yuyuan Jin
- Affiliated Yongkang First People's Hospital and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311399, PR China; Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311399 PR China; Key Discipline of Zhejiang Province in Public Health and Preventive Medicine (First Class, Category A), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311399 PR China
| | - Heye Xia
- Affiliated Yongkang First People's Hospital and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311399, PR China; Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311399 PR China; Key Discipline of Zhejiang Province in Public Health and Preventive Medicine (First Class, Category A), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311399 PR China
| | - Yanwei Shang
- Affiliated Yongkang First People's Hospital and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311399, PR China; Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311399 PR China; Key Discipline of Zhejiang Province in Public Health and Preventive Medicine (First Class, Category A), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311399 PR China
| | - Yingzhou Li
- Affiliated Yongkang First People's Hospital and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311399, PR China; Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311399 PR China; Key Discipline of Zhejiang Province in Public Health and Preventive Medicine (First Class, Category A), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311399 PR China
| | - Zunyuan Wang
- Affiliated Yongkang First People's Hospital and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311399, PR China; Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311399 PR China; Key Discipline of Zhejiang Province in Public Health and Preventive Medicine (First Class, Category A), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311399 PR China
| | - Wenhai Huang
- Affiliated Yongkang First People's Hospital and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311399, PR China; Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311399 PR China; Key Discipline of Zhejiang Province in Public Health and Preventive Medicine (First Class, Category A), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311399 PR China.
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10
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Scianò F, Terrana F, Pecoraro C, Parrino B, Cascioferro S, Diana P, Giovannetti E, Carbone D. Exploring the therapeutic potential of focal adhesion kinase inhibition in overcoming chemoresistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Future Med Chem 2024; 16:271-289. [PMID: 38269431 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2023-0234] [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: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase often overexpressed in PDAC. FAK has been linked to cell migration, survival, proliferation, angiogenesis and adhesion. This review first highlights the chemoresistant nature of PDAC. Second, the role of FAK in PDAC cancer progression and resistance is carefully described. Additionally, it discusses recent developments of FAK inhibitors as valuable drugs in the treatment of PDAC, with a focus on diamine-substituted-2,4-pyrimidine-based compounds, which represent the most potent class of FAK inhibitors in clinical trials for the treatment of PDAC disease. To conclude, relevant computational studies performed on FAK inhibitors are reported to highlight the key structural features required for interaction with the protein, with the aim of optimizing this novel targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Scianò
- Department of Biological, Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, Palermo, 90123, Italy
| | - Francesca Terrana
- Department of Biological, Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, Palermo, 90123, Italy
| | - Camilla Pecoraro
- Department of Biological, Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, Palermo, 90123, Italy
| | - Barbara Parrino
- Department of Biological, Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, Palermo, 90123, Italy
| | - Stella Cascioferro
- Department of Biological, Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, Palermo, 90123, Italy
| | - Patrizia Diana
- Department of Biological, Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, Palermo, 90123, Italy
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center (VUmc) De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, 1081HV, The Netherlands
- Cancer Pharmacology Lab, Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, Via Ferruccio Giovannini 13, San Giuliano Terme, Pisa, 56017, Italy
| | - Daniela Carbone
- Department of Biological, Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, Palermo, 90123, Italy
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11
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Joshi M, Dey P, De A. Recent advancements in targeted protein knockdown technologies-emerging paradigms for targeted therapy. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2023; 4:1227-1248. [PMID: 38213543 PMCID: PMC10776596 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2023.00194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
A generalized therapeutic strategy for various disease conditions, including cancer, is to deplete or inactivate harmful protein targets. Various forms of protein or gene silencing molecules, e.g., small molecule inhibitors, RNA interference (RNAi), and microRNAs (miRNAs) have been used against druggable targets. Over the past few years, targeted protein degradation (TPD) approaches have been developed for direct degradation of candidate proteins. Among the TPD approaches, proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) have emerged as one of the most promising approaches for the selective elimination of proteins via the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Other than PROTACs, TPD methods with potential therapeutic use include intrabody-mediated protein knockdown and tripartite motif-21 (TRIM-21) mediated TRIM-Away. In this review, protein knockdown approaches, their modes of action, and their advantages over conventional gene knockdown approaches are summarized. In cancers, disease-associated protein functions are often executed by specific post-translational modifications (PTMs). The role of TRIM-Away is highlighted in the direct knockdown of PTM forms of target proteins. Moreover, the application challenges and the prospective clinical use of TPD approaches in various diseases are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansi Joshi
- Molecular Functional Imaging Lab, Advanced Centre for Treatment Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai 410210, India
- Life Science, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Pranay Dey
- Molecular Functional Imaging Lab, Advanced Centre for Treatment Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai 410210, India
- Life Science, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Abhijit De
- Molecular Functional Imaging Lab, Advanced Centre for Treatment Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai 410210, India
- Life Science, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai 400094, India
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12
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Canel M, Sławińska AD, Lonergan DW, Kallor AA, Upstill-Goddard R, Davidson C, von Kriegsheim A, Biankin AV, Byron A, Alfaro J, Serrels A. FAK suppresses antigen processing and presentation to promote immune evasion in pancreatic cancer. Gut 2023; 73:131-155. [PMID: 36977556 PMCID: PMC10715489 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2022-327927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Immunotherapy for the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has shown limited efficacy. Poor CD8 T-cell infiltration, low neoantigen load and a highly immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment contribute to this lack of response. Here, we aimed to further investigate the immunoregulatory function of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in PDAC, with specific emphasis on regulation of the type-II interferon response that is critical in promoting T-cell tumour recognition and effective immunosurveillance. DESIGN We combined CRISPR, proteogenomics and transcriptomics with mechanistic experiments using a KrasG12Dp53R172H mouse model of pancreatic cancer and validated findings using proteomic analysis of human patient-derived PDAC cell lines and analysis of publicly available human PDAC transcriptomics datasets. RESULTS Loss of PDAC cell-intrinsic FAK signalling promotes expression of the immunoproteasome and Major Histocompatibility Complex class-I (MHC-I), resulting in increased antigen diversity and antigen presentation by FAK-/- PDAC cells. Regulation of the immunoproteasome by FAK is a critical determinant of this response, optimising the physicochemical properties of the peptide repertoire for high affinity binding to MHC-I. Expression of these pathways can be further amplified in a STAT1-dependent manner via co-depletion of FAK and STAT3, resulting in extensive infiltration of tumour-reactive CD8 T-cells and further restraint of tumour growth. FAK-dependent regulation of antigen processing and presentation is conserved between mouse and human PDAC, but is lost in cells/tumours with an extreme squamous phenotype. CONCLUSION Therapies aimed at FAK degradation may unlock additional therapeutic benefit for the treatment of PDAC through increasing antigen diversity and promoting antigen presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Canel
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - David W Lonergan
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ashwin Adrian Kallor
- International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Rosie Upstill-Goddard
- The Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Catherine Davidson
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Alex von Kriegsheim
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Andrew V Biankin
- The Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Adam Byron
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Function, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Javier Alfaro
- International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Alan Serrels
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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13
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Chen S, Zheng Y, Liang B, Yin Y, Yao J, Wang Q, Liu Y, Neamati N. The application of PROTAC in HDAC. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 260:115746. [PMID: 37607440 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Inducing protein degradation by proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) has provided great opportunities for scientific research and industrial applications. Histone deacetylase (HDAC)-PROTAC has been widely developed since the first report of its ability to induce the degradation of SIRT2 in 2017. To date, ten of the eighteen HDACs (HDACs 1-8, HDAC10, and SIRT2) have been successfully targeted and degraded by HDAC-PROTACs. HDAC-PROTACs surpass traditional HDAC inhibitors in many aspects, such as higher selectivity, more potent antiproliferative activity, and the ability to disrupt the enzyme-independent functions of a multifunctional protein and overcome drug resistance. Rationally designing HDAC-PROTACs is a main challenge in development because slight variations in chemical structure can lead to drastic effects on the efficiency and selectivity of the degradation. In the future, HDAC-PROTACs can potentially be involved in clinical research with the support of the increased amount of in vivo data, pharmacokinetic evaluation, and pharmacological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoting Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, 541004, PR China
| | - Yuxiang Zheng
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, 541004, PR China
| | - Benji Liang
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, 541004, PR China
| | - Yudong Yin
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, 541004, PR China
| | - Jian Yao
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, 541004, PR China
| | - Quande Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, 541004, PR China.
| | - Yanghan Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, 541004, PR China.
| | - Nouri Neamati
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy and Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, United States.
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14
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Lima AGF, Mignone VW, Vardiero F, Kozlowski EO, Fernandes LR, Motta JM, Pavão MSG, Figueiredo CC, Mourão PAS, Morandi V. Direct antitumoral effects of sulfated fucans isolated from echinoderms: a possible role of neuropilin-1/β1 integrin endocytosis and focal adhesion kinase degradation. Glycobiology 2023; 33:715-731. [PMID: 37289485 PMCID: PMC10627248 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwad044] [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: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypercoagulability, a major complication of metastatic cancers, has usually been treated with heparins from natural sources, or with their synthetic derivatives, which are under intense investigation in clinical oncology. However, the use of heparin has been challenging for patients with risk of severe bleeding. While the systemic administration of heparins, in preclinical models, has shown primarily attenuating effects on metastasis, their direct effect on established solid tumors has generated contradictory outcomes. We investigated the direct antitumoral properties of two sulfated fucans isolated from marine echinoderms, FucSulf1 and FucSulf2, which exhibit anticoagulant activity with mild hemorrhagic potential. Unlike heparin, sulfated fucans significantly inhibited tumor cell proliferation (by ~30-50%), and inhibited tumor migration and invasion in vitro. We found that FucSulf1 and FucSulf2 interacted with fibronectin as efficiently as heparin, leading to loss of prostate cancer and melanoma cell spreading. The sulfated fucans increased the endocytosis of β1 integrin and neuropilin-1 chains, two cell receptors implicated in fibronectin-dependent adhesion. The treatment of cancer cells with both sulfated fucans, but not with heparin, also triggered intracellular focal adhesion kinase (FAK) degradation, with a consequent overall decrease in activated focal adhesion kinase levels. Finally, only sulfated fucans inhibited the growth of B16-F10 melanoma cells implanted in the dermis of syngeneic C57/BL6 mice. FucSulf1 and FucSulf2 arise from this study as candidates for the design of possible alternatives to long-term treatments of cancer patients with heparins, with the advantage of also controlling local growth and invasion of malignant cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio G F Lima
- Laboratório de Biologia da Célula Endotelial e da Angiogênese (LabAngio), Departamento de Biologia Celular/IBRAG, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, 20550-013, Brazil
- Laboratório do Tecido Conjuntivo, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica (IBqM) - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-913, Brazil
| | - Viviane W Mignone
- Laboratório de Biologia da Célula Endotelial e da Angiogênese (LabAngio), Departamento de Biologia Celular/IBRAG, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, 20550-013, Brazil
| | - Francisco Vardiero
- Laboratório de Biologia da Célula Endotelial e da Angiogênese (LabAngio), Departamento de Biologia Celular/IBRAG, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, 20550-013, Brazil
| | - Eliene O Kozlowski
- Laboratório do Tecido Conjuntivo, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica (IBqM) - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-913, Brazil
| | - Laila R Fernandes
- Laboratório de Biologia da Célula Endotelial e da Angiogênese (LabAngio), Departamento de Biologia Celular/IBRAG, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, 20550-013, Brazil
| | - Juliana M Motta
- Laboratório do Tecido Conjuntivo, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica (IBqM) - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-913, Brazil
| | - Mauro S G Pavão
- Laboratório do Tecido Conjuntivo, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica (IBqM) - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-913, Brazil
| | - Camila C Figueiredo
- Laboratório de Biologia da Célula Endotelial e da Angiogênese (LabAngio), Departamento de Biologia Celular/IBRAG, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, 20550-013, Brazil
| | - Paulo A S Mourão
- Laboratório do Tecido Conjuntivo, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica (IBqM) - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-913, Brazil
| | - Verônica Morandi
- Laboratório de Biologia da Célula Endotelial e da Angiogênese (LabAngio), Departamento de Biologia Celular/IBRAG, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, 20550-013, Brazil
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15
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van der Woude M, Davó-Martínez C, Thijssen K, Vermeulen W, Lans H. Recovery of protein synthesis to assay DNA repair activity in transcribed genes in living cells and tissues. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:e93. [PMID: 37522336 PMCID: PMC10570043 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad642] [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: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair (TC-NER) is an important DNA repair mechanism that protects against the negative effects of transcription-blocking DNA lesions. Hereditary TC-NER deficiencies cause pleiotropic and often severe neurodegenerative and progeroid symptoms. While multiple assays have been developed to determine TC-NER activity for clinical and research purposes, monitoring TC-NER is hampered by the low frequency of repair events occurring in transcribed DNA. 'Recovery of RNA Synthesis' is widely used as indirect TC-NER assay based on the notion that lesion-blocked transcription only resumes after successful TC-NER. Here, we show that measuring novel synthesis of a protein after its compound-induced degradation prior to DNA damage induction is an equally effective but more versatile manner to indirectly monitor DNA repair activity in transcribed genes. This 'Recovery of Protein Synthesis' (RPS) assay can be adapted to various degradable proteins and readouts, including imaging and immunoblotting. Moreover, RPS allows real-time monitoring of TC-NER activity in various living cells types and even in differentiated tissues of living organisms. To illustrate its utility, we show that DNA repair in transcribed genes declines in aging muscle tissue of C. elegans. Therefore, the RPS assay constitutes an important novel clinical and research tool to investigate transcription-coupled DNA repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie van der Woude
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Carlota Davó-Martínez
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Karen L Thijssen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wim Vermeulen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hannes Lans
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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16
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Koide E, Mohardt ML, Doctor ZM, Yang A, Hao M, Donovan KA, Kuismi CC, Nelson AJ, Abell K, Aguiar M, Che J, Stokes MP, Zhang T, Aguirre AJ, Fischer ES, Gray NS, Jiang B, Nabet B. Development and Characterization of Selective FAK Inhibitors and PROTACs with In Vivo Activity. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202300141. [PMID: 37088717 PMCID: PMC10590827 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is an attractive drug target due to its overexpression in cancer. FAK functions as a non-receptor tyrosine kinase and scaffolding protein, coordinating several downstream signaling effectors and cellular processes. While drug discovery efforts have largely focused on targeting FAK kinase activity, FAK inhibitors have failed to show efficacy as single agents in clinical trials. Here, using structure-guided design, we report the development of a selective FAK inhibitor (BSJ-04-175) and degrader (BSJ-04-146) to evaluate the consequences and advantages of abolishing all FAK activity in cancer models. BSJ-04-146 achieves rapid and potent FAK degradation with high proteome-wide specificity in cancer cells and induces durable degradation in mice. Compared to kinase inhibition, targeted degradation of FAK exhibits pronounced improved activity on downstream signaling and cancer cell viability and migration. Together, BSJ-04-175 and BSJ-04-146 are valuable chemical tools to dissect the specific consequences of targeting FAK through small-molecule inhibition or degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eriko Koide
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mikaela L. Mohardt
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zainab M. Doctor
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Annan Yang
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mingfeng Hao
- 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
| | | | | | | | | | - Jianwei Che
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Tinghu Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Chem-H and Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Andrew J. Aguirre
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, 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
| | - Nathanael S. Gray
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Chem-H and Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Baishan Jiang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Behnam Nabet
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
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17
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Liu R, Qian MP, Cui YY. Protein kinases: The key contributors in pathogenesis and treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease-derived hepatocellular carcinoma. Metabolism 2023; 147:155665. [PMID: 37517794 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2023.155665] [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: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Protein kinases (PKs), one of the largest protein families, can be further divided into different groups based on their substrate or structure and function. PKs are important signaling messengers in numerous life activities, including cell metabolism, proliferation, division, differentiation, senescence, death, and disease. Among PK-related diseases, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been recognized as a major contributor to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver transplantation. Unfortunately, NAFLD-derived HCC (NAFLD-HCC) has poor prognosis because it is typically accompanied by older age, multiple metabolic syndromes, obstacles in early-stage diagnosis, and limited licensed drugs for treatment. Accumulating evidence suggests that PKs are implicated in the pathogenic process of NAFLD-HCC, via aberrant metabolism, hypoxia, autophagy, hypoxia, gut microbiota dysbiosis, and/or immune cell rearrangement. The present review aims to summarize the latest research advances and emphasize the feasibility and effectiveness of therapeutic strategies that regulate the expression and activities of PKs. This might yield clinically significant effects and lead to the design of novel PK-targeting therapies. Furthermore, we discuss emerging PK-based strategies for the treatment of other malignant diseases similar to NAFLD-HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Ming-Ping Qian
- Department of General Surgery, Suzhou First People's Hospital, Anhui 234099, China; Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Ying-Yu Cui
- Department of Cell Biology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200331, China; Institute of Medical Genetics, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200331, China; Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias of the Ministry of Education of China (Tongji University), Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200331, China.
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18
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Tan X, Yan Y, Song B, Zhu S, Mei Q, Wu K. Focal adhesion kinase: from biological functions to therapeutic strategies. Exp Hematol Oncol 2023; 12:83. [PMID: 37749625 PMCID: PMC10519103 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-023-00446-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a nonreceptor cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase, is a vital participant in primary cellular functions, such as proliferation, survival, migration, and invasion. In addition, FAK regulates cancer stem cell activities and contributes to the formation of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Importantly, increased FAK expression and activity are strongly associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes and metastatic characteristics in numerous tumors. In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that modulating FAK activity by application of FAK inhibitors alone or in combination treatment regimens could be effective for cancer therapy. Based on these findings, several agents targeting FAK have been exploited in diverse preclinical tumor models. This article briefly describes the structure and function of FAK, as well as research progress on FAK inhibitors in combination therapies. We also discuss the challenges and future directions regarding anti-FAK combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ximin Tan
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yuheng Yan
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Bin Song
- Cancer Center, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Science, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, China
| | - Shuangli Zhu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Qi Mei
- Cancer Center, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Science, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, China.
| | - Kongming Wu
- Cancer Center, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Science, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, China.
- Cancer Center, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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Sakanyan V, Iradyan N, Alves de Sousa R. Targeted Strategies for Degradation of Key Transmembrane Proteins in Cancer. BIOTECH 2023; 12:57. [PMID: 37754201 PMCID: PMC10526213 DOI: 10.3390/biotech12030057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation is an attractive technology for cancer treatment due to its ability to overcome the unpredictability of the small molecule inhibitors that cause resistance mutations. In recent years, various targeted protein degradation strategies have been developed based on the ubiquitin-proteasome system in the cytoplasm or the autophagy-lysosomal system during endocytosis. In this review, we describe and compare technologies for the targeted inhibition and targeted degradation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), one of the major proteins responsible for the onset and progression of many types of cancer. In addition, we develop an alternative strategy, called alloAUTO, based on the binding of new heterocyclic compounds to an allosteric site located in close proximity to the EGFR catalytic site. These compounds cause the targeted degradation of the transmembrane receptor, simultaneously activating both systems of protein degradation in cells. Damage to the EGFR signaling pathways promotes the inactivation of Bim sensor protein phosphorylation, which leads to the disintegration of the cytoskeleton, followed by the detachment of cancer cells from the extracellular matrix, and, ultimately, to cancer cell death. This hallmark of targeted cancer cell death suggests an advantage over other targeted protein degradation strategies, namely, the fewer cancer cells that survive mean fewer chemotherapy-resistant mutants appear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vehary Sakanyan
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Nantes, 44035 Nantes, France
- ProtNeteomix, 29 rue de Provence, 44700 Orvault, France
| | - Nina Iradyan
- Institute of Fine Organic Chemistry after A. Mnjoyan, National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, Yerevan 0014, Armenia;
| | - Rodolphe Alves de Sousa
- Faculté des Sciences Fondamentales et Biomédicales, Université Paris Descartes, UMR 8601, CBMIT, 75006 Paris, France;
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20
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Zhao C, Wang H, Zhan W, Lv X, Ma X. Exploitation of Proximity-Mediated Effects in Drug Discovery: An Update of Recent Research Highlights in Perturbing Pathogenic Proteins and Correlated Issues. J Med Chem 2023; 66:10122-10149. [PMID: 37489834 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
The utilization of proximity-mediated effects to perturb pathogenic proteins of interest (POIs) has emerged as a powerful strategic alternative to conventional drug design approaches based on target occupancy. Over the past three years, the burgeoning field of targeted protein degradation (TPD) has witnessed the expansion of degradable POIs to membrane-associated, extracellular, proteasome-resistant, and even microbial proteins. Beyond TPD, researchers have achieved the proximity-mediated targeted protein stabilization, the recruitment of intracellular immunophilins to disturb undruggable targets, and the nonphysiological post-translational modifications of POIs. All of these strides provide new avenues for innovative drug discovery aimed at battling human malignancies and other major diseases. This perspective presents recent research highlights and discusses correlated issues in developing therapeutic modalities that exploit proximity-mediated effects to modulate pathogenic proteins, thereby guiding future academic and industrial efforts in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
| | - Henian Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
| | - Wenhu Zhan
- iCarbonX (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Xiaoqing Lv
- College of Medicine, Jiaxing University, Jiaxing 314001, China
| | - Xiaodong Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
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21
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Xie L, Xie L. Elucidation of genome-wide understudied proteins targeted by PROTAC-induced degradation using interpretable machine learning. PLoS Comput Biol 2023; 19:e1010974. [PMID: 37590332 PMCID: PMC10464998 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010974] [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: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are hetero-bifunctional molecules that induce the degradation of target proteins by recruiting an E3 ligase. PROTACs have the potential to inactivate disease-related genes that are considered undruggable by small molecules, making them a promising therapy for the treatment of incurable diseases. However, only a few hundred proteins have been experimentally tested for their amenability to PROTACs, and it remains unclear which other proteins in the entire human genome can be targeted by PROTACs. In this study, we have developed PrePROTAC, an interpretable machine learning model based on a transformer-based protein sequence descriptor and random forest classification. PrePROTAC predicts genome-wide targets that can be degraded by CRBN, one of the E3 ligases. In the benchmark studies, PrePROTAC achieved a ROC-AUC of 0.81, an average precision of 0.84, and over 40% sensitivity at a false positive rate of 0.05. When evaluated by an external test set which comprised proteins from different structural folds than those in the training set, the performance of PrePROTAC did not drop significantly, indicating its generalizability. Furthermore, we developed an embedding SHapley Additive exPlanations (eSHAP) method, which extends conventional SHAP analysis for original features to an embedding space through in silico mutagenesis. This method allowed us to identify key residues in the protein structure that play critical roles in PROTAC activity. The identified key residues were consistent with existing knowledge. Using PrePROTAC, we identified over 600 novel understudied proteins that are potentially degradable by CRBN and proposed PROTAC compounds for three novel drug targets associated with Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Xie
- Department of Computer Science, Hunter College, The City University of New York, New York City, New York, United States of America
| | - Lei Xie
- Department of Computer Science, Hunter College, The City University of New York, New York City, New York, United States of America
- Ph.D. Program in Computer Science, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York City, New York, United States of America
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer’s Disease Research Institute, Feil Family Brain & Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York City, New York, United States of America
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22
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Zhang Y, Xiong X, Sun R, Zhu X, Wang C, Jiang B, Yang X, Li D, Fan G. Development of the non-receptor tyrosine kinase FER-targeting PROTACs as a potential strategy for antagonizing ovarian cancer cell motility and invasiveness. J Biol Chem 2023:104825. [PMID: 37196766 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant overexpression of non-receptor tyrosine kinase FER has been reported in various ovarian carcinoma-derived tumor cells and is a poor prognosis factor for patient survival. It plays an essential role in tumor cell migration and invasion, acting concurrently in both kinase-dependent and -independent manners, which is not easily suppressed by conventional enzymatic inhibitors. Nevertheless, the proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) technology offers superior efficacy over traditional activity-based inhibitors by simultaneously targeting enzymatic and scaffold functions. Hence in this study, we report the development of two PROTAC compounds that promote robust FER degradation in a cereblon-dependent manner. Both PROTAC degraders outperform an FDA-approved drug, Brigatinib, in ovarian cancer cell motility suppression. Importantly, these PROTAC compounds also degrade multiple oncogenic FER fusion proteins identified in human tumor samples. These results lay an experimental foundation to apply the PROTAC strategy to antagonize cell motility and invasiveness in ovarian and other types of cancers with aberrant expression of FER kinase and highlight PROTACs as a superior strategy for targeting proteins with multiple tumor-promoting functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanchun Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuexue Xiong
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Renhong Sun
- Gluetacs Therapeutics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaotong Zhu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Biao Jiang
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaobao Yang
- Gluetacs Therapeutics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China.
| | - Dake Li
- Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China.
| | - Gaofeng Fan
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.
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23
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Li Q, Zhou L, Qin S, Huang Z, Li B, Liu R, Yang M, Nice EC, Zhu H, Huang C. Proteolysis-targeting chimeras in biotherapeutics: Current trends and future applications. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 257:115447. [PMID: 37229829 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The success of inhibitor-based therapeutics is largely constrained by the acquisition of therapeutic resistance, which is partially driven by the undruggable proteome. The emergence of proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology, designed for degrading proteins involved in specific biological processes, might provide a novel framework for solving the above constraint. A heterobifunctional PROTAC molecule could structurally connect an E3 ubiquitin ligase ligand with a protein of interest (POI)-binding ligand by chemical linkers. Such technology would result in the degradation of the targeted protein via the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), opening up a novel way of selectively inhibiting undruggable proteins. Herein, we will highlight the advantages of PROTAC technology and summarize the current understanding of the potential mechanisms involved in biotherapeutics, with a particular focus on its application and development where therapeutic benefits over classical small-molecule inhibitors have been achieved. Finally, we discuss how this technology can contribute to developing biotherapeutic drugs, such as antivirals against infectious diseases, for use in clinical practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Li
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, and West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Li Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, PR China
| | - Siyuan Qin
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, and West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Zhao Huang
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, and West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Bowen Li
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, and West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Ruolan Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, PR China
| | - Mei Yang
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, and West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Edouard C Nice
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Huili Zhu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China.
| | - Canhua Huang
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, and West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, PR China; School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, PR China.
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24
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Sincere NI, Anand K, Ashique S, Yang J, You C. PROTACs: Emerging Targeted Protein Degradation Approaches for Advanced Druggable Strategies. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28104014. [PMID: 37241755 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28104014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
A potential therapeutic strategy to treat conditions brought on by the aberrant production of a disease-causing protein is emerging for targeted protein breakdown using the PROTACs technology. Few medications now in use are tiny, component-based and utilize occupancy-driven pharmacology (MOA), which inhibits protein function for a short period of time to temporarily alter it. By utilizing an event-driven MOA, the proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) technology introduces a revolutionary tactic. Small-molecule-based heterobifunctional PROTACs hijack the ubiquitin-proteasome system to trigger the degradation of the target protein. The main challenge PROTAC's development facing now is to find potent, tissue- and cell-specific PROTAC compounds with favorable drug-likeness and standard safety measures. The ways to increase the efficacy and selectivity of PROTACs are the main focus of this review. In this review, we have highlighted the most important discoveries related to the degradation of proteins by PROTACs, new targeted approaches to boost proteolysis' effectiveness and development, and promising future directions in medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuwayo Ishimwe Sincere
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Krishnan Anand
- Department of Chemical Pathology, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
| | - Sumel Ashique
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Bharat Institute of Technology (BIT), School of Pharmacy, Meerut 250103, India
| | - Jing Yang
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Chongge You
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
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25
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Trory JS, Munkacsi A, Śledź KM, Vautrinot J, Goudswaard LJ, Jackson ML, Heesom KJ, Moore SF, Poole AW, Nabet B, Aggarwal VK, Hers I. Chemical degradation of BTK/TEC as a novel approach to inhibit platelet function. Blood Adv 2023; 7:1692-1696. [PMID: 36342848 PMCID: PMC10182296 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2022008466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Justin S. Trory
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, University Walk, Biomedical Sciences Building, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | - Attila Munkacsi
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, University Walk, Biomedical Sciences Building, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | - Kamila M. Śledź
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, University Walk, Biomedical Sciences Building, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | - Jordan Vautrinot
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, University Walk, Biomedical Sciences Building, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | - Lucy J. Goudswaard
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, University Walk, Biomedical Sciences Building, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
- Bristol Medical School, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Molly L. Jackson
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, University Walk, Biomedical Sciences Building, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | - Kate J. Heesom
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Proteomics Facility, University of Bristol, University Walk, Biomedical Sciences Building, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Samantha F. Moore
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, University Walk, Biomedical Sciences Building, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | - Alastair W. Poole
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, University Walk, Biomedical Sciences Building, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | - Behnam Nabet
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Varinder K. Aggarwal
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Ingeborg Hers
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, University Walk, Biomedical Sciences Building, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
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26
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Mi D, Li Y, Gu H, Li Y, Chen Y. Current advances of small molecule E3 ligands for proteolysis-targeting chimeras design. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 256:115444. [PMID: 37178483 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) as an emerging drug discovery modality has been extensively concerned in recent years. Over 20 years development, accumulated studies have demonstrated that PROTACs show unique advantages over traditional therapy in operable target scope, efficacy, and overcoming drug resistance. However, only limited E3 ligases, the essential elements of PROTACs, have been harnessed for PROTACs design. The optimization of novel ligands for well-established E3 ligases and the employment of additional E3 ligases remain urgent challenges for investigators. Here, we systematically summarize the current status of E3 ligases and corresponding ligands for PROTACs design with a focus on their discovery history, design principles, application benefits, and potential defects. Meanwhile, the prospects and future directions for this field are briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dazhao Mi
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, The Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Yuzhan Li
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, The Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Haijun Gu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, The Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Yan Li
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, The Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Yihua Chen
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, The Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China.
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27
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Jiang B, Weinstock DM, Donovan KA, Sun HW, Wolfe A, Amaka S, Donaldson NL, Wu G, Jiang Y, Wilcox RA, Fischer ES, Gray NS, Wu W. ITK degradation to block T cell receptor signaling and overcome therapeutic resistance in T cell lymphomas. Cell Chem Biol 2023; 30:383-393.e6. [PMID: 37015223 PMCID: PMC10151063 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-2-inducible T cell kinase (ITK) is essential for T cell receptor (TCR) signaling and plays an integral role in T cell proliferation and differentiation. Unlike the ITK homolog BTK, no inhibitors of ITK are currently US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved. In addition, recent studies have identified mutations within BTK that confer resistance to both covalent and non-covalent inhibitors. Here, as an alternative strategy, we report the development of BSJ-05-037, a potent and selective heterobifunctional degrader of ITK. BSJ-05-037 displayed enhanced anti-proliferative effects relative to its parent inhibitor BMS-509744, blocked the activation of NF-kB/GATA-3 signaling, and increased the sensitivity of T cell lymphoma cells to cytotoxic chemotherapy both in vitro and in vivo. In summary, targeted degradation of ITK is a novel approach to modulate TCR signal strength that could have broad application for the investigation and treatment of T cell-mediated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baishan Jiang
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center of Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - David M Weinstock
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Katherine A Donovan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Hong-Wei Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhuhai Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhuhai People's Hospital, Jinan University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Ashley Wolfe
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sam Amaka
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Nicholas L Donaldson
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Gongwei Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yuan Jiang
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center of Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ryan A Wilcox
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Eric S Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, ChEM-H, Stanford Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| | - Wenchao Wu
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
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28
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Sobhia ME, Kumar H, Kumari S. Bifunctional robots inducing targeted protein degradation. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 255:115384. [PMID: 37119667 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
The gaining importance of Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD) and PROTACs (PROteolysis-TArgeting Chimeras) have drawn the scientific community's attention. PROTACs are considered bifunctional robots owing to their avidity for the protein of interest (POI) and E3-ligase, which induce the ubiquitination of POI. These molecules are based on event-driven pharmacology and are applicable in different conditions such as oncology, antiviral, neurodegenerative disease, acne etc., offering tremendous scope to researchers. In this review, primarily, we attempted to compile the recent works available in the literature on PROTACs for various targeted proteins. We summarized the design and development strategies with a focus on molecular information of protein residues and linker design. Rationalization of the ternary complex formation using Artificial Intelligence including machine & deep learning models and traditionally followed computational tools are also included in this study. Moreover, details describing the optimization of PROTACs chemistry and pharmacokinetic properties are added. Advanced PROTAC designs and targeting complex proteins, is summed up to cover the wide spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Elizabeth Sobhia
- Department of Pharmacoinformatics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sector - 67, S. A. S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 160062, India.
| | - Harish Kumar
- Department of Pharmacoinformatics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sector - 67, S. A. S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 160062, India
| | - Sonia Kumari
- Department of Pharmacoinformatics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sector - 67, S. A. S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 160062, India
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29
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Cai M, Song XL, Li XA, Chen M, Guo J, Yang DH, Chen Z, Zhao SC. Current therapy and drug resistance in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Drug Resist Updat 2023; 68:100962. [PMID: 37068396 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2023.100962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), especially metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies and main cause of cancer-related death among men in the world. In addition, it is very difficult for clinical treatment because of the natural or acquired drug resistance of CRPC. Mechanisms of drug resistance are extremely complicated and how to overcome it remains an urgent clinical problem to be solved. Thus, a comprehensive and thorough understanding for mechanisms of drug resistance in mCRPC is indispensable to develop novel and better therapeutic strategies. In this review, we aim to review new insight of the treatment of mCRPC and elucidate mechanisms governing resistance to new drugs: taxanes, androgen receptor signaling inhibitors (ARSIs) and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors (PARPi). Most importantly, in order to improve efficacy of these drugs, strategies of overcoming drug resistance are also discussed based on their mechanisms respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maoping Cai
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong, PR China; The Third Clinical College, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong, PR China; Zhanjiang Institute of Clinical Medicine, Central People's Hospital of Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang 524045, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Xian-Lu Song
- Department of Radiotherapy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510095, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Xin-An Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Mingkun Chen
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong, PR China; The Third Clinical College, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong, PR China; Department of Urology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Jiading Guo
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong, PR China; The Third Clinical College, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Dong-Hua Yang
- New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Mineola 11501, NY, USA.
| | - Zhanghui Chen
- Zhanjiang Institute of Clinical Medicine, Central People's Hospital of Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang 524045, Guangdong, PR China.
| | - Shan-Chao Zhao
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong, PR China; The Third Clinical College, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong, PR China; Department of Urology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong, PR China.
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30
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Kelm JM, Pandey DS, Malin E, Kansou H, Arora S, Kumar R, Gavande NS. PROTAC'ing oncoproteins: targeted protein degradation for cancer therapy. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:62. [PMID: 36991452 PMCID: PMC10061819 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01707-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecularly targeted cancer therapies substantially improve patient outcomes, although the durability of their effectiveness can be limited. Resistance to these therapies is often related to adaptive changes in the target oncoprotein which reduce binding affinity. The arsenal of targeted cancer therapies, moreover, lacks coverage of several notorious oncoproteins with challenging features for inhibitor development. Degraders are a relatively new therapeutic modality which deplete the target protein by hijacking the cellular protein destruction machinery. Degraders offer several advantages for cancer therapy including resiliency to acquired mutations in the target protein, enhanced selectivity, lower dosing requirements, and the potential to abrogate oncogenic transcription factors and scaffolding proteins. Herein, we review the development of proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) for selected cancer therapy targets and their reported biological activities. The medicinal chemistry of PROTAC design has been a challenging area of active research, but the recent advances in the field will usher in an era of rational degrader design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy M Kelm
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (EACPHS), Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Deepti S Pandey
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (EACPHS), Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Evan Malin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (EACPHS), Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Hussein Kansou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (EACPHS), Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Sahil Arora
- Laboratory for Drug Design and Synthesis, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, India
| | - Raj Kumar
- Laboratory for Drug Design and Synthesis, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, India
| | - Navnath S Gavande
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (EACPHS), Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
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31
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Li JW, Zheng G, Kaye FJ, Wu L. PROTAC therapy as a new targeted therapy for lung cancer. Mol Ther 2023; 31:647-656. [PMID: 36415148 PMCID: PMC10014230 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite recent advances in molecular therapeutics, lung cancer is still a leading cause of cancer deaths. Currently, limited targeted therapy options and acquired drug resistance present significant barriers in the treatment of patients with lung cancer. New strategies in drug development, including those that take advantage of the intracellular ubiquitin-proteasome system to induce targeted protein degradation, have the potential to advance the field of personalized medicine for patients with lung cancer. Specifically, small molecule proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs), consisting of two ligands connected by a linker that bind to a target protein and an E3 ubiquitin ligase, have been developed against many cancer targets, providing promising opportunities for advanced lung cancer. In this review, we focus on the rationale for PROTAC therapy as a new targeted therapy and the current status of PROTAC development in lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer W Li
- Department of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Guangrong Zheng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Frederic J Kaye
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; UF Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
| | - Lizi Wu
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; UF Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
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32
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Xie L, Xie L. Elucidation of Genome-wide Understudied Proteins targeted by PROTAC-induced degradation using Interpretable Machine Learning. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.23.529828. [PMID: 36865212 PMCID: PMC9980153 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.23.529828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are hetero-bifunctional molecules. They induce the degradation of a target protein by recruiting an E3 ligase to the target. The PROTAC can inactivate disease-related genes that are considered as understudied, thus has a great potential to be a new type of therapy for the treatment of incurable diseases. However, only hundreds of proteins have been experimentally tested if they are amenable to the PROTACs. It remains elusive what other proteins can be targeted by the PROTAC in the entire human genome. For the first time, we have developed an interpretable machine learning model PrePROTAC, which is based on a transformer-based protein sequence descriptor and random forest classification to predict genome-wide PROTAC-induced targets degradable by CRBN, one of the E3 ligases. In the benchmark studies, PrePROTAC achieved ROC-AUC of 0.81, PR-AUC of 0.84, and over 40% sensitivity at a false positive rate of 0.05, respectively. Furthermore, we developed an embedding SHapley Additive exPlanations (eSHAP) method to identify positions in the protein structure, which play key roles in the PROTAC activity. The key residues identified were consistent with our existing knowledge. We applied PrePROTAC to identify more than 600 novel understudied proteins that are potentially degradable by CRBN, and proposed PROTAC compounds for three novel drug targets associated with Alzheimer's disease. Author Summary Many human diseases remain incurable because disease-causing genes cannot by selectively and effectively targeted by small molecules. Proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC), an organic compound that binds to both a target and a degradation-mediating E3 ligase, has emerged as a promising approach to selectively target disease-driving genes that are not druggable by small molecules. Nevertheless, not all of proteins can be accommodated by E3 ligases, and be effectively degraded. Knowledge on the degradability of a protein will be crucial for the design of PROTACs. However, only hundreds of proteins have been experimentally tested if they are amenable to the PROTACs. It remains elusive what other proteins can be targeted by the PROTAC in the entire human genome. In this paper, we propose an intepretable machine learning model PrePROTAC that takes advantage of powerful protein language modeling. PrePROTAC achieves high accuracy when evaluated by an external dataset which comes from different gene families from the proteins in the training data, suggesting the generalizability of PrePROTAC. We apply PrePROTAC to the human genome, and identify more than 600 understudied proteins that are potentially responsive to the PROTAC. Furthermore, we design three PROTAC compounds for novel drug targets associated with Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Xie
- Department of Computer Science, Hunter College, The City University of New York, New York, 10065, USA
| | - Lei Xie
- Department of Computer Science, Hunter College, The City University of New York, New York, 10065, USA
- Ph.D. Program in Computer Science, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, 10016, USA
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer’s Disease Research Institute, Feil Family Brain & Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, 10021, USA
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33
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Wang YW, Lan L, Wang M, Zhang JY, Gao YH, Shi L, Sun LP. PROTACS: A technology with a gold rush-like atmosphere. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 247:115037. [PMID: 36566716 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.115037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Abnormally expressed or malfunctioning proteins may affect or even damage cells, leading to the onset of diseases. Proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology has been proven to be a fresh therapeutic strategy, superior to conventional small molecule inhibitors for the treatment of diseases caused by pathogenic proteins. Unlike conventional small molecule inhibitors that are occupancy-driven, PROTACs are heterobifunctional small molecules with catalytic properties. They combine with E3 ligases and target proteins to form a ternary complex, rendering the target protein ubiquitous and subsequently degraded by the proteasome. This paper focuses first on significant events in the development of PROTAC technology from 2001 to 2022, followed by a brief overview of various PROTACs categorized by target proteins. In addition, the applications of PROTACs in the treatment of diseases and fundamental biology are also under discussion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Wei Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design & Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, PR China
| | - Li Lan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design & Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, PR China
| | - Min Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design & Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, PR China
| | - Jin-Yang Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design & Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, PR China
| | - Yu-Hui Gao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design & Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, PR China
| | - Lei Shi
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design & Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, PR China
| | - Li-Ping Sun
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design & Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, PR China.
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34
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Zhao HY, Xin M, Zhang SQ. Progress of small molecules for targeted protein degradation: PROTACs and other technologies. Drug Dev Res 2023; 84:337-394. [PMID: 36606428 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.22026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Recent years have witnessed the rapid development of targeted protein degradation (TPD), especially proteolysis targeting chimeras. These degraders have manifested many advantages over small molecule inhibitors. To date, a huge number of degraders have been excavated against over 70 disease-related targets. In particular, degraders against estrogen receptor and androgen receptor have crowded into phase II clinical trial. TPD technologies largely expand the scope of druggable targets, and provide powerful tools for addressing intractable problems that can not be tackled by traditional small molecule inhibitors. In this review, we mainly focus on the structures and biological activities of small molecule degraders as well as the elucidation of mechanisms of emerging TPD technologies. We also propose the challenges that exist in the TPD field at present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Yi Zhao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Minhang Xin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - San-Qi Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
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35
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Ma S, Barr T, Yu J. Recent Advances of RNA m 6A Modifications in Cancer Immunoediting and Immunotherapy. Cancer Treat Res 2023; 190:49-94. [PMID: 38112999 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-45654-1_3] [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] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy, which modulates immune responses against tumors using immune-checkpoint inhibitors or adoptive cell transfer, has emerged as a novel and promising therapy for tumors. However, only a minority of patients demonstrate durable responses, while the majority of patients are resistant to immunotherapy. The immune system can paradoxically constrain and promote tumor development and progression. This process is referred to as cancer immunoediting. The mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy seem to be that cancer cells undergo immunoediting to evade recognition and elimination by the immune system. RNA modifications, specifically N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation, have emerged as a key regulator of various post-transcriptional gene regulatory processes, such as RNA export, splicing, stability, and degradation, which play unappreciated roles in various physiological and pathological processes, including immune system development and cancer pathogenesis. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms by which RNA modifications impact the cancer immunoediting process can provide insight into the mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapies and the strategies that can be used to overcome such resistance. In this chapter, we briefly introduce the background of cancer immunoediting and immunotherapy. We also review and discuss the roles and mechanisms of RNA m6A modifications in fine-tuning the innate and adaptive immune responses, as well as in regulating tumor escape from immunosurveillance. Finally, we summarize the current strategies targeting m6A regulators for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoubao Ma
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 91010, USA
- Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Tasha Barr
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 91010, USA
- Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Jianhua Yu
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 91010, USA.
- Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 91010, USA.
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Los Angeles, CA, 91010, USA.
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Los Angeles, CA, 91010, USA.
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36
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Chatterjee DR, Kapoor S, Jain M, Das R, Chowdhury MG, Shard A. PROTACting the kinome with covalent warheads. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103417. [PMID: 36306996 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.103417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The dawn of targeted degradation using proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) against recalcitrant proteins has prompted numerous efforts to develop complementary drugs. Although many of these are specifically directed against undruggable proteins, there is increasing interest in small molecule-based PROTACs that target intracellular pathways, and some have recently entered clinical trials. Concurrently, small molecule-based PROTACs that target protumorigenic pathways in cancer cells, the tumor microenvironment (TME), and angiogenesis have been found to have potent effects that synergize with the action of antibodies. This has led to the augmentation of PROTACs with variable substitution patterns. Several combinations with small molecules targeting undruggable proteins are now under clinical investigation. In this review, we discuss the recent milestones achieved as well as challenges encountered in this area of drug development, as well as our opinion on the best path forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deep Rohan Chatterjee
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382355, India
| | - Saumya Kapoor
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382355, India
| | - Meenakshi Jain
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382355, India
| | - Rudradip Das
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382355, India
| | - Moumita Ghosh Chowdhury
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382355, India
| | - Amit Shard
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382355, India.
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37
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Barik GK, Sahay O, Islam S, Ghate NB, Kalita B, Alam A. Ubiquitination in Cancer Metastasis: Emerging Functions, Underlying Mechanisms, and Clinical Implications. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2023; 22:15330338231210720. [PMID: 37899723 PMCID: PMC10617293 DOI: 10.1177/15330338231210720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ganesh Kumar Barik
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology, National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Osheen Sahay
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology, National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sehbanul Islam
- Department of Cancer Biology, Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nikhil Baban Ghate
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Bhargab Kalita
- Amrita School of Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine (ASNSMM), Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kochi, Kerala, India
| | - Aftab Alam
- Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
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38
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Shaheer M, Singh R, Sobhia ME. Protein degradation: a novel computational approach to design protein degrader probes for main protease of SARS-CoV-2. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 40:10905-10917. [PMID: 34328382 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1953601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has afflicted many lives and led to approvals of drugs and vaccines for emergency use. Even though vaccines have emerged, the high mortality of COVID-19 and its insurgent proliferation throughout the masses commands an innovative therapeutic proposition for the treatment. Targeted protein degradation has been applied to various disease domains and we propose that it could be incredibly beneficial to tackle the current pandemic. In this study, we have attempted to furnish insights on the design of suitable PROTACs for the main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2, a protein that is considered to be an essential target for viral replication. We have employed protein-protein docking to predict the possible complementarity between a cereblon E3 ligase and Mpro of SARS-CoV-2, and estimate possible linker length. Molecular Dynamic simulation and analysis on generated ternary complexes demonstrated stable interactions that suggested that designed PROTAC has a potential to cause degradation. The superior characteristics rendered by PROTACS led us to propose them as possibly the next-generation antiviral drugs for SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammed Shaheer
- Department of Pharmacoinformatics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Ravi Singh
- Department of Pharmacoinformatics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - M Elizabeth Sobhia
- Department of Pharmacoinformatics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Mohali, Punjab, India
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39
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Liu Z, Hu M, Yang Y, Du C, Zhou H, Liu C, Chen Y, Fan L, Ma H, Gong Y, Xie Y. An overview of PROTACs: a promising drug discovery paradigm. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2022; 3:46. [PMID: 36536188 PMCID: PMC9763089 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-022-00112-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) technology has emerged as a novel therapeutic paradigm in recent years. PROTACs are heterobifunctional molecules that degrade target proteins by hijacking the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Currently, about 20-25% of all protein targets are being studied, and most works focus on their enzymatic functions. Unlike small molecules, PROTACs inhibit the whole biological function of the target protein by binding to the target protein and inducing subsequent proteasomal degradation. PROTACs compensate for limitations that transcription factors, nuclear proteins, and other scaffolding proteins are difficult to handle with traditional small-molecule inhibitors. Currently, PROTACs have successfully degraded diverse proteins, such as BTK, BRD4, AR, ER, STAT3, IRAK4, tau, etc. And ARV-110 and ARV-471 exhibited excellent efficacy in clinical II trials. However, what targets are appropriate for PROTAC technology to achieve better benefits than small-molecule inhibitors are not fully understood. And how to rationally design an efficient PROTACs and optimize it to be orally effective poses big challenges for researchers. In this review, we summarize the features of PROTAC technology, analyze the detail of general principles for designing efficient PROTACs, and discuss the typical application of PROTACs targeting different protein categories. In addition, we also introduce the progress of relevant clinical trial results of representative PROTACs and assess the challenges and limitations that PROTACs may face. Collectively, our studies provide references for further application of PROTACs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi Liu
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041 China
| | - Mingxing Hu
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041 China
| | - Yu Yang
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041 China
| | - Chenghao Du
- grid.42505.360000 0001 2156 6853Department of Biological Sciences, USC Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, Los Angeles, 90089 USA
| | - Haoxuan Zhou
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041 China
| | - Chengyali Liu
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041 China
| | - Yuanwei Chen
- Hinova Pharmaceuticals Inc., Chengdu, 610041 China
| | - Lei Fan
- Hinova Pharmaceuticals Inc., Chengdu, 610041 China
| | - Hongqun Ma
- Hinova Pharmaceuticals Inc., Chengdu, 610041 China
| | - Youling Gong
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581Department of Thoracic Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 China
| | - Yongmei Xie
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041 China
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40
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Koroleva OA, Dutikova YV, Trubnikov AV, Zenov FA, Manasova EV, Shtil AA, Kurkin AV. PROTAC: targeted drug strategy. Principles and limitations. Russ Chem Bull 2022; 71:2310-2334. [PMID: 36569659 PMCID: PMC9762658 DOI: 10.1007/s11172-022-3659-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The PROTAC (PROteolysis TArgeting Chimera) technology is a method of targeting intracellular proteins previously considered undruggable. This technology utilizes the ubiquitin-proteasome system in cells to specifically degrade target proteins, thereby offering significant advantages over conventional small-molecule inhibitors of the enzymatic function. Preclinical and preliminary clinical trials of PROTAC-based compounds (degraders) are presented. The review considers the general principles of the design of degraders. Advances and challenges of the PROTAC technology are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- O. A. Koroleva
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Build. 3, 1 Leninskie Gory, 119991 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Yu. V. Dutikova
- Patent & Law Firm “A. Zalesov and Partners”, Build. 9, 2 ul. Marshala Rybalko, 123060 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - A. V. Trubnikov
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Build. 3, 1 Leninskie Gory, 119991 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - F. A. Zenov
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Build. 3, 1 Leninskie Gory, 119991 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - E. V. Manasova
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Build. 3, 1 Leninskie Gory, 119991 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - A. A. Shtil
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Build. 3, 1 Leninskie Gory, 119991 Moscow, Russian Federation
- N. N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Build. 15, 24 Kashirskoe shosse, 115478 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - A. V. Kurkin
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Build. 3, 1 Leninskie Gory, 119991 Moscow, Russian Federation
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41
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Chow HY, Karchugina S, Groendyke BJ, Toenjes S, Hatcher J, Donovan KA, Fischer ES, Abalakov G, Faezov B, Dunbrack R, Gray NS, Chernoff J. Development and Utility of a PAK1-Selective Degrader. J Med Chem 2022; 65:15627-15641. [PMID: 36416208 PMCID: PMC10029980 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Overexpression of PAK1, a druggable kinase, is common in several malignancies, and inhibition of PAK1 by small molecules has been shown to impede the growth and survival of such cells. Potent inhibitors of PAKs 1-3 have been described, but clinical development has been hindered by recent findings that PAK2 function is required for normal cardiovascular function in adult mice. A unique allosteric PAK1-selective inhibitor, NVS-PAK1-1, provides a potential path forward, but has modest potency. Here, we report the development of BJG-05-039, a PAK1-selective degrader consisting of NVS-PAK1-1 conjugated to lenalidomide, a recruiter of the E3 ubiquitin ligase substrate adaptor Cereblon. BJG-05-039 induced selective degradation of PAK1 and displayed enhanced anti-proliferative effects relative to its parent compound in PAK1-dependent, but not PAK2-dependent, cell lines. Our findings suggest that selective PAK1 degradation may confer more potent pharmacological effects compared with catalytic inhibition and highlight the potential advantages of PAK1-targeted degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoi-Yee Chow
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, China 610041
| | | | - Brian J. Groendyke
- Department of Cancer Biology; Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215
- Current address: Blueprint Medicines, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Sean Toenjes
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Chem-H and Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - John Hatcher
- Department of Cancer Biology; Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Katherine A. Donovan
- Department of Cancer Biology; Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Eric S. Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology; Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | | | - Bulat Faezov
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russian Federation, 420008
| | | | - Nathanael S. Gray
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Chem-H and Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
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42
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Qin Q, Wang R, Fu Q, Zhang G, Wu T, Liu N, Lv R, Yin W, Sun Y, Sun Y, Zhao D, Cheng M. Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of potent FAK-degrading PROTACs. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2022; 37:2241-2255. [PMID: 35978496 PMCID: PMC9455338 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2022.2100886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
FAK mediated tumour cell migration, invasion, survival, proliferation and regulation of tumour stem cells through its kinase-dependent enzymatic functions and kinase-independent scaffolding functions. At present, the development of FAK PROTACs has become one of the hotspots in current pharmaceutical research to solve above problems. Herein, we designed and synthesised a series of FAK-targeting PROTACs consisted of PF-562271 derivative 1 and Pomalidomide. All compounds showed significant in vitro FAK kinase inhibitory activity, the IC50 value of the optimised PROTAC A13 was 26.4 nM. Further, A13 exhibited optimal protein degradation (85% degradation at 10 nM). Meantime, compared with PF-562271, PROTAC A13 exhibited better antiproliferative activity and anti-invasion ability in A549 cells. More, A13 had excellent plasma stability with T1/2 >194.8 min. There are various signs that PROTAC A13 could be useful as expand tool for studying functions of FAK in biological system and as potential therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaohua Qin
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Ruifeng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China.,Department of Pharmacy, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, PR China
| | - Qinglin Fu
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Guoqi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Tianxiao Wu
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Nian Liu
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Ruicheng Lv
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Wenbo Yin
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Yin Sun
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Yixiang Sun
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Dongmei Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Maosheng Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
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Li F, Hu Q, Zhang X, Sun R, Liu Z, Wu S, Tian S, Ma X, Dai Z, Yang X, Gao S, Bai F. DeepPROTACs is a deep learning-based targeted degradation predictor for PROTACs. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7133. [PMID: 36414666 PMCID: PMC9681730 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34807-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The rational design of PROTACs is difficult due to their obscure structure-activity relationship. This study introduces a deep neural network model - DeepPROTACs to help design potent PROTACs molecules. It can predict the degradation capacity of a proposed PROTAC molecule based on structures of given target protein and E3 ligase. The experimental dataset is mainly collected from PROTAC-DB and appropriately labeled according to the DC50 and Dmax values. In the model of DeepPROTACs, the ligands as well as the ligand binding pockets are generated and represented with graphs and fed into Graph Convolutional Networks for feature extraction. While SMILES representations of linkers are fed into a Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory layer to generate the features. Experiments show that DeepPROTACs model achieves 77.95% average prediction accuracy and 0.8470 area under receiver operating characteristic curve on the test set. DeepPROTACs is available online at a web server ( https://bailab.siais.shanghaitech.edu.cn/services/deepprotacs/ ) and at github ( https://github.com/fenglei104/DeepPROTACs ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenglei Li
- grid.440637.20000 0004 4657 8879Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210 China ,grid.440637.20000 0004 4657 8879School of Information Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210 China
| | - Qiaoyu Hu
- grid.440637.20000 0004 4657 8879Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210 China
| | - Xianglei Zhang
- grid.440637.20000 0004 4657 8879Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210 China
| | - Renhong Sun
- Gluetacs Therapeutics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., 99 Haike Road, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Shanghai, 201210 China
| | - Zhuanghua Liu
- grid.440637.20000 0004 4657 8879School of Information Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210 China
| | - Sanan Wu
- grid.440637.20000 0004 4657 8879Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210 China
| | - Siyuan Tian
- grid.440637.20000 0004 4657 8879Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210 China ,grid.440637.20000 0004 4657 8879School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210 China
| | - Xinyue Ma
- grid.440637.20000 0004 4657 8879Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210 China ,grid.440637.20000 0004 4657 8879School of Information Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210 China
| | - Zhizhuo Dai
- grid.440637.20000 0004 4657 8879School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210 China
| | - Xiaobao Yang
- Gluetacs Therapeutics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., 99 Haike Road, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Shanghai, 201210 China
| | - Shenghua Gao
- grid.440637.20000 0004 4657 8879School of Information Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210 China
| | - Fang Bai
- grid.440637.20000 0004 4657 8879Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210 China ,grid.440637.20000 0004 4657 8879School of Information Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210 China ,grid.440637.20000 0004 4657 8879School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210 China ,grid.452344.0Shanghai Clinical Research and Trial Center, Shanghai, 201210 China
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Sun D, Zhang J, Dong G, He S, Sheng C. Blocking Non-enzymatic Functions by PROTAC-Mediated Targeted Protein Degradation. J Med Chem 2022; 65:14276-14288. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Donghuan Sun
- School of Pharmacy, 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 200003, China
| | - Guoqiang Dong
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Shipeng He
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Chunquan Sheng
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), Shanghai 200433, China
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Diehl CJ, Ciulli A. Discovery of small molecule ligands for the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) E3 ligase and their use as inhibitors and PROTAC degraders. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:8216-8257. [PMID: 35983982 PMCID: PMC9528729 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00387b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) Cullin RING E3 ligase is an essential enzyme in the ubiquitin-proteasome system that recruits substrates such as the hypoxia inducible factor for ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation. The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway can be hijacked toward non-native neo-substrate proteins using proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs), bifunctional molecules designed to simultaneously bind to an E3 ligase and a target protein to induce target ubiquitination and degradation. The availability of high-quality small-molecule ligands with good binding affinity for E3 ligases is fundamental for PROTAC development. Lack of good E3 ligase ligands as starting points to develop PROTAC degraders was initially a stumbling block to the development of the field. Herein, the journey towards the design of small-molecule ligands binding to VHL is presented. We cover the structure-based design of VHL ligands, their application as inhibitors in their own right, and their implementation into rationally designed, potent PROTAC degraders of various target proteins. We highlight the key findings and learnings that have provided strong foundations for the remarkable development of targeted protein degradation, and that offer a blueprint for designing new ligands for E3 ligases beyond VHL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia J Diehl
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, UK.
| | - Alessio Ciulli
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, UK.
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Guo H, Zhang W, Wang J, Zhao G, Wang Y, Zhu BM, Dong P, Watari H, Wang B, Li W, Tigyi G, Yue J. Cryptotanshinone inhibits ovarian tumor growth and metastasis by degrading c-Myc and attenuating the FAK signaling pathway. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:959518. [PMID: 36247016 PMCID: PMC9554091 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.959518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptotanshinone (CT), a natural compound derived from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge that is also known as the traditional Chinese medicine Danshen, exhibits antitumor activity in various cancers. However, it remains unclear whether CT has a potential therapeutic benefit against ovarian cancers. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of CT in ovarian cancer cells in vitro and using a xenograft model in NSG mice orthotopically implanted with HEY A8 human ovarian cancer cells and to explore the molecular mechanism(s) underlying CT’s antitumor effects. We found that CT inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OVCAR3 and HEY A8 cells, while sensitizing the cell responses to the chemotherapy drugs paclitaxel and cisplatin. CT also suppressed ovarian tumor growth and metastasis in immunocompromised mice orthotopically inoculated with HEY A8 cells. Mechanistically, CT degraded the protein encoded by the oncogene c-Myc by promoting its ubiquitination and disrupting the interaction with its partner protein Max. CT also attenuated signaling via the nuclear focal adhesion kinase (FAK) pathway and degraded FAK protein in both cell lines. Knockdown of c-Myc using lentiviral CRISPR/Cas9 nickase resulted in reduction of FAK expression, which phenocopies the effects of CT and the c-Myc/Max inhibitor 10058-F4. Taken together, our studies demonstrate that CT inhibits primary ovarian tumor growth and metastasis by degrading c-Myc and FAK and attenuating the FAK signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huijun Guo
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Life Science, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Wenjing Zhang
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
- *Correspondence: Junming Yue, ; Wenjing Zhang, ; Bing-Mei Zhu,
| | - Jiaxing Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Guannan Zhao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Yaohong Wang
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Bing-Mei Zhu
- Regenerative Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Junming Yue, ; Wenjing Zhang, ; Bing-Mei Zhu,
| | - Peixin Dong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hidemichi Watari
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Baojin Wang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Third Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Gabor Tigyi
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Junming Yue
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
- *Correspondence: Junming Yue, ; Wenjing Zhang, ; Bing-Mei Zhu,
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Liu X, Kalogeropulou AF, Domingos S, Makukhin N, Nirujogi RS, Singh F, Shpiro N, Saalfrank A, Sammler E, Ganley IG, Moreira R, Alessi DR, Ciulli A. Discovery of XL01126: A Potent, Fast, Cooperative, Selective, Orally Bioavailable, and Blood-Brain Barrier Penetrant PROTAC Degrader of Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase 2. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:16930-16952. [PMID: 36007011 PMCID: PMC9501899 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c05499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is one of the most promising targets for Parkinson's disease. LRRK2-targeting strategies have primarily focused on type 1 kinase inhibitors, which, however, have limitations as the inhibited protein can interfere with natural mechanisms, which could lead to undesirable side effects. Herein, we report the development of LRRK2 proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs), culminating in the discovery of degrader XL01126, as an alternative LRRK2-targeting strategy. Initial designs and screens of PROTACs based on ligands for E3 ligases von Hippel-Lindau (VHL), Cereblon (CRBN), and cellular inhibitor of apoptosis (cIAP) identified the best degraders containing thioether-conjugated VHL ligand VH101. A second round of medicinal chemistry exploration led to qualifying XL01126 as a fast and potent degrader of LRRK2 in multiple cell lines, with DC50 values within 15-72 nM, Dmax values ranging from 82 to 90%, and degradation half-lives spanning from 0.6 to 2.4 h. XL01126 exhibits high cell permeability and forms a positively cooperative ternary complex with VHL and LRRK2 (α = 5.7), which compensates for a substantial loss of binary binding affinities to VHL and LRRK2, underscoring its strong degradation performance in cells. Remarkably, XL01126 is orally bioavailable (F = 15%) and can penetrate the blood-brain barrier after either oral or parenteral dosing in mice. Taken together, these experiments qualify XL01126 as a suitable degrader probe to study the noncatalytic and scaffolding functions of LRRK2 in vitro and in vivo and offer an attractive starting point for future drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingui Liu
- Centre
for Targeted Protein Degradation, Division of Biological Chemistry
and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1
5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Alexia F. Kalogeropulou
- Medical
Research Council (MRC) Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation
Unit, School of Life Sciences, University
of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Sofia Domingos
- Centre
for Targeted Protein Degradation, Division of Biological Chemistry
and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1
5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Nikolai Makukhin
- Centre
for Targeted Protein Degradation, Division of Biological Chemistry
and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1
5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Raja S. Nirujogi
- Medical
Research Council (MRC) Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation
Unit, School of Life Sciences, University
of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Francois Singh
- Medical
Research Council (MRC) Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation
Unit, School of Life Sciences, University
of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Natalia Shpiro
- Medical
Research Council (MRC) Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation
Unit, School of Life Sciences, University
of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Anton Saalfrank
- Medical
Research Council (MRC) Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation
Unit, School of Life Sciences, University
of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Esther Sammler
- Medical
Research Council (MRC) Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation
Unit, School of Life Sciences, University
of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Ian G. Ganley
- Medical
Research Council (MRC) Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation
Unit, School of Life Sciences, University
of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Rui Moreira
- Research
Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Dario R. Alessi
- Medical
Research Council (MRC) Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation
Unit, School of Life Sciences, University
of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Alessio Ciulli
- Centre
for Targeted Protein Degradation, Division of Biological Chemistry
and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1
5EH, United Kingdom
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48
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Recent Advances in PROTACs for Drug Targeted Protein Research. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810328. [PMID: 36142231 PMCID: PMC9499226 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) is a heterobifunctional molecule. Typically, PROTAC consists of two terminals which are the ligand of the protein of interest (POI) and the specific ligand of E3 ubiquitin ligase, respectively, via a suitable linker. PROTAC degradation of the target protein is performed through the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS). The general process is that PROTAC binds to the target protein and E3 ligase to form a ternary complex and label the target protein with ubiquitination. The ubiquitinated protein is recognized and degraded by the proteasome in the cell. At present, PROTAC, as a new type of drug, has been developed to degrade a variety of cancer target proteins and other disease target proteins, and has shown good curative effects on a variety of diseases. For example, PROTACs targeting AR, BR, BTK, Tau, IRAK4, and other proteins have shown unprecedented clinical efficacy in cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, inflammations, and other fields. Recently, PROTAC has entered a phase of rapid development, opening a new field for biomedical research and development. This paper reviews the various fields of targeted protein degradation by PROTAC in recent years and summarizes and prospects the hot targets and indications of PROTAC.
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Hu M, Li Y, Li J, Zhou H, Liu C, liu Z, Gong Y, Ying B, Xie Y. Discovery of potent and selective HER2 PROTAC degrader based Tucatinib with improved efficacy against HER2 positive cancers. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 244:114775. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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50
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Simpson LM, Glennie L, Brewer A, Zhao JF, Crooks J, Shpiro N, Sapkota GP. Target protein localization and its impact on PROTAC-mediated degradation. Cell Chem Biol 2022; 29:1482-1504.e7. [PMID: 36075213 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2022.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) bring a protein of interest (POI) into spatial proximity of an E3 ubiquitin ligase, promoting POI ubiquitylation and proteasomal degradation. PROTACs rely on endogenous cellular machinery to mediate POI degradation, therefore the subcellular location of the POI and access to the E3 ligase being recruited potentially impacts PROTAC efficacy. To interrogate whether the subcellular context of the POI influences PROTAC-mediated degradation, we expressed either Halo or FKBP12F36V (dTAG) constructs consisting of varying localization signals and tested the efficacy of their degradation by von Hippel-Lindau (VHL)- or cereblon (CRBN)-recruiting PROTACs targeting either Halo or dTAG. POIs were localized to the nucleus, cytoplasm, outer mitochondrial membrane, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi, peroxisome or lysosome. Differentially localized Halo or FKBP12F36V proteins displayed varying levels of degradation using the same respective PROTACs, suggesting therefore that the subcellular context of the POI can influence the efficacy of PROTAC-mediated POI degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke M Simpson
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Protein Phosphorylation & Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Lorraine Glennie
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Protein Phosphorylation & Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Abigail Brewer
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Protein Phosphorylation & Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Jin-Feng Zhao
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Protein Phosphorylation & Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Jennifer Crooks
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Protein Phosphorylation & Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Natalia Shpiro
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Protein Phosphorylation & Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Gopal P Sapkota
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Protein Phosphorylation & Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK.
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