Oligomeric Remodeling by Molecular Glues Revealed Using Native Mass Spectrometry and Mass Photometry

J Am Chem Soc. 2023 Jul 12;145(27):14716-14726. doi: 10.1021/jacs.3c02655. Epub 2023 Jun 28.

Abstract

Molecular glues stabilize interactions between E3 ligases and novel substrates to promote substrate degradation, thereby facilitating the inhibition of traditionally "undruggable" protein targets. However, most known molecular glues have been discovered fortuitously or are based on well-established chemical scaffolds. Efficient approaches for discovering and characterizing the effects of molecular glues on protein interactions are required to accelerate the discovery of novel agents. Here, we demonstrate that native mass spectrometry and mass photometry can provide unique insights into the physical mechanism of molecular glues, revealing previously unknown effects of such small molecules on the oligomeric organization of E3 ligases. When compared to well-established solution phase assays, native mass spectrometry provides accurate quantitative descriptions of molecular glue potency and efficacy while also enabling the binding specificity of E3 ligases to be determined in a single, rapid measurement. Such mechanistic insights should accelerate the rational development of molecular glues to afford powerful therapeutic agents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Photometry*
  • Proteolysis
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases* / metabolism

Substances

  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases