Small-Molecule Hydrophobic Tagging: A Promising Strategy of Druglike Technology for Targeted Protein Degradation

J Med Chem. 2023 Aug 24;66(16):10917-10933. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00736. Epub 2023 Aug 3.

Abstract

Targeted protein degradation (TPD) technologies have catalyzed a paradigm shift in therapeutic strategies and offer innovative avenues for drug design. Hydrophobic tags (HyTs) are bifunctional TPD molecules consisting of a ″lipophilic small-molecule tags″ group and a small-molecule ligand for the target protein. Despite the vast potential of HyTs, they have received relatively limited attention as a promising frontier. Leveraging their lower molecular weight and reduced numbers of hydrogen bond donors/acceptors (HBDs/HBAs) in comparison with proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), HyTs present a compelling approach for enhancing druglike properties. In this Perspective, we explore the diverse range of HyT structures and their corresponding degradation mechanisms, thereby illuminating their broad applicability in targeting a diverse array of proteins, including previously elusive targets. Moreover, we scrutinize the challenges and opportunities entailed in developing this technology as a viable and fruitful strategy for drug discovery.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Drug Design
  • Drug Discovery*
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / metabolism
  • Proteins* / metabolism
  • Proteolysis
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism
  • Ubiquitination

Substances

  • Proteins
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex