Understanding the Metabolism of Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs): The Next Step toward Pharmaceutical Applications

J Med Chem. 2020 Oct 22;63(20):11615-11638. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00793. Epub 2020 Oct 7.

Abstract

Hetero-bifunctional PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs) represent a new emerging class of small molecules designed to induce polyubiquitylation and proteasomal-dependent degradation of a target protein. Despite the increasing number of publications about the synthesis, biological evaluation, and mechanism of action of PROTACs, the characterization of the pharmacokinetic properties of this class of compounds is still minimal. Here, we report a study on the metabolism of a series of 40 PROTACs in cryopreserved human hepatocytes at multiple time points. Our results indicated that the metabolism of PROTACs could not be predicted from that of their constituent ligands. Their linkers' chemical nature and length resulted in playing a major role in the PROTACs' liability. A subset of compounds was also tested for metabolism by human cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and human aldehyde oxidase (hAOX) for more in-depth data interpretation, and both enzymes resulted in active PROTAC metabolism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aldehyde Oxidase / metabolism
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / metabolism*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A / metabolism
  • Drug Discovery*
  • Drug Stability
  • Hepatocytes / drug effects
  • Hepatocytes / enzymology
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Proteolysis / drug effects*
  • Small Molecule Libraries / chemical synthesis*
  • Small Molecule Libraries / chemistry
  • Small Molecule Libraries / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Small Molecule Libraries
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A
  • CYP3A4 protein, human
  • Aldehyde Oxidase