Rational Design and Synthesis of Novel Dual PROTACs for Simultaneous Degradation of EGFR and PARP

J Med Chem. 2021 Jun 10;64(11):7839-7852. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00649. Epub 2021 May 26.

Abstract

Inspired by the success of dual-targeting drugs, especially bispecific antibodies, we propose to combine the concept of proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) and dual targeting to design and synthesize dual PROTAC molecules with the function of degrading two completely different types of targets simultaneously. A library of novel dual-targeting PROTAC molecules has been rationally designed and prepared. A convergent synthetic strategy has been utilized to achieve high synthetic efficiency. These dual PROTAC structures are characterized using trifunctional natural amino acids as star-type core linkers to connect two independent inhibitors and E3 ligands together. In this study, gefitinib, olaparib, and CRBN or VHL E3 ligands were used as substrates to synthesize novel dual PROTACs. They successfully degraded both the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) simultaneously in cancer cells. Being the first successful example of dual PROTACs, this technique will greatly widen the range of application of the PROTAC method and open up a new field for drug discovery.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / chemistry
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Drug Design*
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism*
  • Gefitinib / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Phthalazines / chemistry
  • Piperazines / chemistry
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases / metabolism*
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / genetics
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / metabolism*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Proteolysis / drug effects*
  • Recombinant Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Recombinant Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / chemistry
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • CRBN protein, human
  • Ligands
  • Phthalazines
  • Piperazines
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex
  • Gefitinib
  • olaparib