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Tian Y, Seifermann M, Bauer L, Luchena C, Wiedmann JJ, Schmidt S, Geisel A, Afonin S, Höpfner J, Brehm M, Liu X, Hopf C, Popova AA, Levkin PA. High-Throughput Miniaturized Synthesis of PROTAC-Like Molecules. Small 2024:e2307215. [PMID: 38258390 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202307215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
The development of miniaturized high-throughput in situ screening platforms capable of handling the entire process of drug synthesis to final screening is essential for advancing drug discovery in the future. In this study, an approach based on combinatorial solid-phase synthesis, enabling the efficient synthesis of libraries of proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) in an array format is presented. This on-chip platform allows direct biological screening without the need for transfer steps. UV-induced release of target molecules into individual droplets facilitates further on-chip experimentation. Utilizing a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases (MEK1/2) degrader as a template, a series of 132 novel PROTAC-like molecules is synthesized using solid-phase Ugi reaction. These compounds are further characterized using various methods, including matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) imaging, while consuming only a few milligrams of starting materials in total. Furthermore, the feasibility of culturing cancer cells on the modified spots and quantifying the effect of MEK suppression is demonstrated. The miniaturized synthesis platform lays a foundation for high-throughput in situ biological screening of potent PROTACs for potential anticancer activity and offers the potential for accelerating the drug discovery process by integrating miniaturized synthesis and biological steps on the same array.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Tian
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems-Functional Molecular Systems (IBCS-FMS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Wenhuaxi Road 44, Jinan, 250012, China
- Department of Immunology, Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infection & Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Wenhuaxi Road 44, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Maximilian Seifermann
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems-Functional Molecular Systems (IBCS-FMS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Liana Bauer
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems-Functional Molecular Systems (IBCS-FMS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Charlotte Luchena
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems-Functional Molecular Systems (IBCS-FMS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Janne J Wiedmann
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems-Functional Molecular Systems (IBCS-FMS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Stefan Schmidt
- Center for Mass Spectrometry and Optical Spectroscopy (CeMOS), University of Applied Sciences Mannheim, Paul-Wittsack-Straße 10, 68163, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Alexander Geisel
- Center for Mass Spectrometry and Optical Spectroscopy (CeMOS), University of Applied Sciences Mannheim, Paul-Wittsack-Straße 10, 68163, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Sergii Afonin
- Institute of Biological Interfaces (IBG-2), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), POB 3640, 76021, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Julius Höpfner
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems-Functional Molecular Systems (IBCS-FMS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Marius Brehm
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems-Functional Molecular Systems (IBCS-FMS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Xinyong Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Wenhuaxi Road 44, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Carsten Hopf
- Center for Mass Spectrometry and Optical Spectroscopy (CeMOS), University of Applied Sciences Mannheim, Paul-Wittsack-Straße 10, 68163, Mannheim, Germany
- Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69117, Heidelberg, Germany
- Mannheim Center for Translational Neuroscience (MCTN), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Theodor Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Anna A Popova
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems-Functional Molecular Systems (IBCS-FMS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Pavel A Levkin
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems-Functional Molecular Systems (IBCS-FMS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
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Joshi M, Dey P, De A. Recent advancements in targeted protein knockdown technologies-emerging paradigms for targeted therapy. Explor Target Antitumor Ther 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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Wu X, Zhao J, Gao Y, Yao Q, Xie J. [Advances in targeted delivery of proteolysis targeting chimeras in cancer therapy]. Sheng Wu Gong Cheng Xue Bao 2023; 39:3628-3643. [PMID: 37805843 DOI: 10.13345/j.cjb.230006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
Small-molecule anticancer drugs inhibited tumor growth based on targeted inhibition of specific proteins, while most of oncogenic proteins are "undruggable". Proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTAC) is an attractive and general strategy for treating cancer based on targeted degradation of oncogenic proteins. This review briefly describes the peptide-based PTOTAC and small molecule-based PROTAC. Subsequently, we summarize the development of targeted delivery of PROTAC, such as targeting molecule-mediated targeted delivery of PROTAC, nanomaterial-mediated targeted delivery of PROTAC and controllable activation of small-molecular PROTAC prodrug. Such strategies show potential application in improving tumor selectivity, overcoming off-target effect and reducing biotoxicity. At the end, the druggability of PROTAC is prospected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Wu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, Hunan, China
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Jie Zhao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, Hunan, China
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Yuan Gao
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Qingxin Yao
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Jianjun Xie
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, Hunan, China
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Guardigni M, Pruccoli L, Santini A, Simone AD, Bersani M, Spyrakis F, Frabetti F, Uliassi E, Andrisano V, Pagliarani B, Fernández-Gómez P, Palomo V, Bolognesi ML, Tarozzi A, Milelli A. PROTAC-Induced Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β Degradation as a Potential Therapeutic Strategy for Alzheimer's Disease. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023. [PMID: 37218653 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) is a serine/threonine kinase and an attractive therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease. Based on proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology, a small set of novel GSK-3β degraders was designed and synthesized by linking two different GSK-3β inhibitors, SB-216763 and tideglusib, to pomalidomide, as E3 recruiting element, through linkers of different lengths. Compound 1 emerged as the most effective PROTAC being nontoxic up to 20 μM to neuronal cells and already able to degrade GSK-3β starting from 0.5 μM in a dose-dependent manner. PROTAC 1 significantly reduced the neurotoxicity induced by Aβ25-35 peptide and CuSO4 in SH-SY5Y cells in a dose-dependent manner. Based on its encouraging features, PROTAC 1 may serve as a starting point to develop new GSK-3β degraders as potential therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Guardigni
- Department for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Corso d'Augusto 237, 47921 Rimini, Italy
| | - Letizia Pruccoli
- Department for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Corso d'Augusto 237, 47921 Rimini, Italy
| | - Alan Santini
- Department for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Corso d'Augusto 237, 47921 Rimini, Italy
| | - Angela De Simone
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via Pietro Giuria 9, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Matteo Bersani
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via Pietro Giuria 9, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Francesca Spyrakis
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via Pietro Giuria 9, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Flavia Frabetti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 8, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Uliassi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Vincenza Andrisano
- Department for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Corso d'Augusto 237, 47921 Rimini, Italy
| | - Barbara Pagliarani
- Department for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Corso d'Augusto 237, 47921 Rimini, Italy
| | - Paula Fernández-Gómez
- Instituto Madrileño de Estudios Avanzados en Nanociencia (IMDEA-Nanociencia), C/Faraday 9, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Valle Palomo
- Instituto Madrileño de Estudios Avanzados en Nanociencia (IMDEA-Nanociencia), C/Faraday 9, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av. de Monforte de Lemos, 5, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Tarozzi
- Department for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Corso d'Augusto 237, 47921 Rimini, Italy
| | - Andrea Milelli
- Department for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Corso d'Augusto 237, 47921 Rimini, Italy
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Sarathy JP, Aldrich CC, Go ML, Dick T. PROTAC antibiotics: the time is now. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2023; 18:363-370. [PMID: 37027333 PMCID: PMC10540314 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2178413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Novel antibiotics are needed to keep antibiotic resistance at bay and to improve treatment of the many drug-susceptible infections for which current therapies achieve poor cure rates. While revolutionizing human therapeutics, the concept of targeted protein degradation (TPD) by bifunctional proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) has not yet been applied to the discovery of antibiotics. A major obstacle precluding successful translation of this strategy to antibiotic development is that bacteria lack the E3 ligase-proteasome system exploited by human PROTACs to facilitate target degradation. AREAS COVERED The authors describe the serendipitous discovery of the first monofunctional target-degrading antibiotic pyrazinamide, supporting TPD as a viable and novel approach in antibiotic discovery. They then discuss the rational design, mechanism, and activity of the first bifunctional antibacterial target degrader BacPROTAC, enabling a generalizable approach to TPD in bacteria. EXPERT OPINION BacPROTACs demonstrate that linking a target directly to a bacterial protease complex can promote target degradation. BacPROTACs successfully bypass the 'middleman' E3 ligase, providing an entry strategy for the generation of antibacterial PROTACs. We speculate that antibacterial PROTACs will not only expand the target space but may also improve treatment by allowing dosage reduction, stronger bactericidal activity and activity against drug-tolerant 'persisters.'
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Courtney C. Aldrich
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Mei-Lin Go
- Department of Chemistry and Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Thomas Dick
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ, USA
- Department of Medical Sciences, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, NJ, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
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Ren C, Liu J, Pu S, Zhou H, Li J, Zhang J. Novel targeted protein degradation technologies as a therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases. Future Med Chem 2023; 15:395-397. [PMID: 36999360 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2023-0035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Changyu Ren
- Department of Pharmacy, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Jiao Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Shiyun Pu
- Department of Pharmacy, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Houfeng Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Jinqi Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610072, China
| | - Jifa Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
- Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
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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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Yang F, Tan Y, Wu C, Xin L, Huang Z, Zhou H, Zhou F. dSTORM-Based Single-Cell Protein Quantitative Analysis Can Effectively Evaluate the Degradation Ability of PROTACs. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202200680. [PMID: 36564338 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
As an emerging therapeutic strategy, proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) have been proven to be superior to traditional drugs in many aspects. However, due to their unique mechanism of action, existing methods for evaluating the degradation still have many limitations, which seriously restricts the development of PROTACs. In this methodological study, using direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM)-based single-cell protein quantitative analysis, we systematically investigated the dynamic degradation characteristics of FLT3 protein during PROTACs treatment. We found that the distribution of FLT3 varies between FLT3-ITD mutation and FLT3-WT cells. PROTACs had an obvious time-course effect on protein degradation and present two distinct phases; this provided a basis for deciding when to evaluate protein degradation. High concentrations of PROTACs were more effective than long-time administration because a higher Dmax was achieved. Two-color dSTORM-based colocalization analysis efficiently detected the proportion of ternary complexes, making it very useful in screening PROTACs. Taken together, our findings show that the dSTORM method is an ideal tool for evaluating PROTACs and will accelerate the development of new PROTACs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuwei Yang
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430000, P. R. China
| | - Yuxin Tan
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430000, P. R. China
| | - Cheng Wu
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Hainan Province School, of Biomedical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, 570100, P. R. China
| | - Lilan Xin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430000, P. R. China
| | - Zhenli Huang
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Hainan Province School, of Biomedical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, 570100, P. R. China
| | - Haibing Zhou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430000, P. R. China
| | - Fuling Zhou
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430000, P. R. China
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Abstract
Proteolysis targeting chimeras are of keen interest as probe molecules and drug leads. Their activity is highly sensitive to the length and nature of the linker connecting the E3 Ubiquitin Ligase (E3 Ubl) and target protein (TP) ligands, which therefore requires tedious optimization. The creation of "split PROTACs" from E3 Ubl and TP ligands modified with residues suitable for them to couple when simply mixed together would allow various combinations to be assessed in a combinatorial fashion, thus greatly easing the workload relative to a one-by-one synthesis of many different PROTACs (proteolysis targeting chimeras). We explore oxime chemistry here for this purpose. We show that PROTAC assembly occurs efficiently when the components are mixed at a high concentration, then added to cells. However, in situ coupling of the TP and E3 Ubl ligands is inefficient when these units are added to cells at lower concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijun Gui
- Department of Chemistry, UF Scripps Biomedical Research, 120 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Thomas Kodadek
- Department of Chemistry, UF Scripps Biomedical Research, 120 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
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Barankiewicz J, Salomon-Perzyński A, Misiewicz-Krzemińska I, Lech-Marańda E. CRL4 CRBN E3 Ligase Complex as a Therapeutic Target in Multiple Myeloma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:4492. [PMID: 36139651 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14184492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) are effective in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) and other hematological malignancies. Cereblon (CRBN), a target of IMiDs, forms the CRL4 E3 ubiquitin ligase complex (CRL4CRBN) with DDB1, CUL4A and RBX1. The insight into the molecular mechanism of IMiDs action has advanced dramatically since the identification of cereblon (CRBN) as their direct target. Targeting CRBN by IMiDs modifies CRL4CRBN substrate specificity towards non-physiological protein targets which are subsequently ubiquitinated and degraded by the proteasome. To date, IMiDs are the only known group of protein degraders used in clinical practice. This review provides the current state of knowledge about thalidomide and its derivatives’ mechanisms of action, and highlights the future perspectives for targeted protein degraders. Abstract Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematological malignancy with a recurrent clinical course. The introduction of immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) was one of the milestones in MM therapy leading to a significant improvement in patients’ prognosis. Currently, IMiDs are the backbone of MM therapy in newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory settings. It is now known that IMiDs exert their anti-myeloma activity mainly by binding cereblon (CRBN), the substrate receptor protein of the CRL4 E3 ubiquitin ligase (CRL4CRBN) complex. By binding CRBN, IMiDs alter its substrate specificity, leading to ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of proteins essential for MM cell survival. Following the success of IMiDs, it is not surprising that the possibility of using the CRL4CRBN complex’s activity to treat MM is being further explored. In this review, we summarize the current state of knowledge about novel players in the MM therapeutic landscape, namely the CRBN E3 ligase modulators (CELMoDs), the next generation of IMiDs with broader biological activity. In addition, we discuss a new strategy of tailored proteolysis called proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) using the CRL4CRBN to degrade typically undruggable proteins, which may have relevance for the treatment of MM and other malignancies in the future.
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Henning NJ, Manford AG, Spradlin JN, Brittain SM, Zhang E, McKenna JM, Tallarico JA, Schirle M, Rape M, Nomura DK. Discovery of a Covalent FEM1B Recruiter for Targeted Protein Degradation Applications. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:701-708. [PMID: 34994556 PMCID: PMC8928484 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c03980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), heterobifunctional compounds that consist of protein-targeting ligands linked to an E3 ligase recruiter, have arisen as a powerful therapeutic modality for targeted protein degradation (TPD). Despite the popularity of TPD approaches in drug discovery, only a small number of E3 ligase recruiters are available for the >600 E3 ligases that exist in human cells. Here, we have discovered a cysteine-reactive covalent ligand, EN106, that targets FEM1B, an E3 ligase recently discovered as the critical component of the cellular response to reductive stress. By targeting C186 in FEM1B, EN106 disrupts recognition of the key reductive stress substrate of FEM1B, FNIP1. We further establish that EN106 can be used as a covalent recruiter for FEM1B in TPD applications by demonstrating that a PROTAC linking EN106 to the BET bromodomain inhibitor JQ1 or the kinase inhibitor dasatinib leads to the degradation of BRD4 and BCR-ABL, respectively. Our study showcases a covalent ligand that targets a natural E3 ligase-substrate binding site and highlights the utility of covalent ligand screening in expanding the arsenal of E3 ligase recruiters suitable for TPD applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel J. Henning
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Novartis-Berkeley Center for Proteomics and Chemistry Technologies, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, CA 94704 USA
| | - Andrew G. Manford
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Jessica N. Spradlin
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Novartis-Berkeley Center for Proteomics and Chemistry Technologies, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, CA 94704 USA
| | - Scott M. Brittain
- Novartis-Berkeley Center for Proteomics and Chemistry Technologies, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
| | - Erika Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Novartis-Berkeley Center for Proteomics and Chemistry Technologies, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, CA 94704 USA
| | - Jeffrey M. McKenna
- Novartis-Berkeley Center for Proteomics and Chemistry Technologies, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
| | - John A. Tallarico
- Novartis-Berkeley Center for Proteomics and Chemistry Technologies, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
| | - Markus Schirle
- Novartis-Berkeley Center for Proteomics and Chemistry Technologies, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
| | - Michael Rape
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Daniel K. Nomura
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Novartis-Berkeley Center for Proteomics and Chemistry Technologies, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, CA 94704 USA
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
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Cecchini C, Pannilunghi S, Tardy S, Scapozza L. From Conception to Development: Investigating PROTACs Features for Improved Cell Permeability and Successful Protein Degradation. Front Chem 2021; 9:672267. [PMID: 33959589 PMCID: PMC8093871 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.672267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs) are heterobifunctional degraders that specifically eliminate targeted proteins by hijacking the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). This modality has emerged as an orthogonal approach to the use of small-molecule inhibitors for knocking down classic targets and disease-related proteins classified, until now, as "undruggable." In early 2019, the first targeted protein degraders reached the clinic, drawing attention to PROTACs as one of the most appealing technology in the drug discovery landscape. Despite these promising results, PROTACs are often affected by poor cellular permeability due to their high molecular weight (MW) and large exposed polar surface area (PSA). Herein, we report a comprehensive record of PROTAC design, pharmacology and thermodynamic challenges and solutions, as well as some of the available strategies to enhance cellular uptake, including suggestions of promising biological tools for the in vitro evaluation of PROTACs permeability toward successful protein degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlotta Cecchini
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Pharmaceutical Biochemistry/Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sara Pannilunghi
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Pharmaceutical Biochemistry/Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sébastien Tardy
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Pharmaceutical Biochemistry/Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Leonardo Scapozza
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Pharmaceutical Biochemistry/Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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Wang W, Zhou Q, Jiang T, Li S, Ye J, Zheng J, Wang X, Liu Y, Deng M, Ke D, Wang Q, Wang Y, Wang JZ. A novel small-molecule PROTAC selectively promotes tau clearance to improve cognitive functions in Alzheimer-like models. Theranostics 2021; 11:5279-5295. [PMID: 33859747 PMCID: PMC8039949 DOI: 10.7150/thno.55680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracellular accumulation of tau is a hallmark pathology in Alzheimer disease (AD) and the related tauopathies, thus targeting tau could be promising for drug development. Proteolysis Targeting Chimera (PROTAC) is a novel drug discovery strategy for selective protein degradation from within cells. Methods: A novel small-molecule PROTAC, named as C004019 with a molecular mass of 1,035.29 dalton, was designed to simultaneously recruite tau and E3-ligase (Vhl) and thus to selectively enhance ubiquitination and proteolysis of tau proteins. Western blotting, immunofluoresence and immunohistochemical staining were employed to verify the effects of C004019 in cell models (HEK293 and SH-SY5Y) and mouse models (hTau-transgenic and 3xTg-AD), respectively. The cognitive capacity of the mice was assessed by a suite of behavior experiments. Electrophysiology and Golgi staining were used to evaluate the synaptic plasticity. Results: C004019 induced a robust tau clearance via promoting its ubiquitination-proteasome-dependent proteolysis in HEK293 cells with stable or transient overexpression of human tau (hTau), and in SH-SY5Y that constitutively overexpress hTau. Furthermore, intracerebral ventricular infusion of C004019 induced a robust tau clearance in vivo. Most importantly, both single-dose and multiple-doses (once per 6 days for a total 5 times) subcutaneous administration of C004019 remarkably decreased tau levels in the brains of wild-type, hTau-transgenic and 3xTg-AD mice with improvement of synaptic and cognitive functions. Conclusions: The PROTAC (C004019) created in the current study can selectively and efficiently promote tau clearance both in vitro and in vivo, which provides a promising drug candidate for AD and the related tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijin Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Qiuzhi Zhou
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Shihong Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Jinwang Ye
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Jie Zheng
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yanchao Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Minmin Deng
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Dan Ke
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Qun Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yipeng Wang
- Neurosmart Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Room 5013, Unit 1, Buiilding 7, Basheng road 160, Shanghai 200131, China
| | - Jian-Zhi Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226000, China
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Abstract
Due to its central role in the cellular biology of prostate cancer (PC), androgen receptor (AR) still remains an important therapeutic target for fighting this tumor. Several drugs targeting AR have been reported so far, and many new molecules are expected for the future. In spite of their antitumor efficacy, these drugs are not selective for malignant cells and are subjected to AR-mediated activation of drug resistance mechanisms that are responsible for several drawbacks, including systemic toxicity and disease recurrence and metastasis. Among the several strategies considered to overcome these drawbacks, very appealing appears the design of hybrid small-molecule conjugates targeting AR to drive drug action on receptor-positive PC cells. These compounds are designed around on an AR binder, which selectively engages AR with high potency, coupled with a moiety endowed with different pharmacological properties. In this review we focus on two classes of compounds: a) small-molecules and AR-ligand based conjugates that reduce AR expression, which allow down-regulation of AR levels by activating its proteasome-mediated degradation, and b) AR-ligand-based conjugates for targeting small-molecules, in which the AR binder tethers small-molecules, including conventional antitumor drugs (e.g., cisplatin, doxorubicin, histone deacetylase inhibitors, as well as photo-sensitizers) and selectively directs drug action toward receptor-positive PC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni L Beretta
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Nadia Zaffaroni
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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