Second-Generation AUTACs for Targeted Autophagic Degradation

J Med Chem. 2023 Sep 14;66(17):12342-12372. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00861. Epub 2023 Aug 17.

Abstract

Targeted protein degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome system has emerged as one of the most promising drug discovery modalities. Autophagy, another intracellular degradation system, can target a wide range of nonproteinous substrates as well as proteins, but its application to targeted degradation is still in its infancy. Our previous work revealed a relationship between guanine modification of cysteine residues on intracellular proteins and selective autophagy, resulting in the first autophagy-based degraders, autophagy-targeted chimeras (AUTACs). Based on the research background, all the reported AUTACs compounds contain cysteine as a substructure. Here, we examine the importance of this substructure by conducting SAR studies and report significant improvements in the degrader's activity by replacing cysteine with other moieties. Several derivatives showed sub-μM range degrading activity, demonstrating the increased practical value of AUTACs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Autophagy*
  • Cysteine*
  • Cytoplasm
  • Drug Discovery
  • Guanine

Substances

  • Cysteine
  • Guanine