The stem cell-supporting small molecule UM171 triggers Cul3-KBTBD4-mediated degradation of ELM2 domain-harboring proteins

Kristijonas Žemaitis; Sudip Ghosh; Jenny Hansson; Agatheeswaran Subramaniam

doi:10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104662

The stem cell-supporting small molecule UM171 triggers Cul3-KBTBD4-mediated degradation of ELM2 domain-harboring proteins

J Biol Chem. 2023 May;299(5):104662. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104662. Epub 2023 Mar 29.

Authors

Kristijonas Žemaitis¹, Sudip Ghosh², Jenny Hansson², Agatheeswaran Subramaniam³

Affiliations

¹ Division of Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy, Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
² Division of Molecular Hematology, Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
³ Division of Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy, Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. Electronic address: agatheeswaran.subramaniam@med.lu.se.

Abstract

To chemically modulate the ubiquitin-proteasome system for the degradation of specific target proteins is currently emerging as an alternative therapeutic modality. Earlier, we discovered such properties of the stem cell-supporting small molecule UM171 and identified that members of the CoREST complex (RCOR1 and LSD1) are targeted for degradation. UM171 supports the in vitro propagation of hematopoietic stem cells by transiently perturbing the differentiation-promoting effects of CoREST. Here, we employed global proteomics to map the UM171-targeted proteome and identified the additional target proteins, namely RCOR3, RREB1, ZNF217, and MIER2. Further, we discovered that critical elements recognized by Cul3^KBTBD4 ligase in the presence of UM171 are located within the EGL-27 and MTA1 homology 2 (ELM2) domain of the substrate proteins. Subsequent experiments identified conserved amino acid sites in the N-terminus of the ELM2 domain that are essential for UM171-mediated degradation. Overall, our findings provide a detailed account on the ELM2 degrome targeted by UM171 and identify critical sites required for UM171-mediated degradation of specific substrates. Given the target profile, our results are highly relevant in a clinical context and point towards new therapeutic applications for UM171.

Keywords: ELM2 domain; MIER2; RCOR3; UM171; protein degradation.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Carrier Proteins* / metabolism
Cell Differentiation / drug effects
Cullin Proteins* / metabolism
Hematopoietic Stem Cells* / cytology
Hematopoietic Stem Cells* / drug effects
Hematopoietic Stem Cells* / metabolism
Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / drug effects
Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / metabolism
Protein Domains*
Protein Kinases* / chemistry
Proteolysis* / drug effects
Substrate Specificity
Ubiquitin / metabolism

Substances

Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex
Ubiquitin
UM171 compound
Cullin Proteins
Carrier Proteins
Protein Kinases