PROTACs to address the challenges facing small molecule inhibitors

Pedro Martín-Acosta, Xiangshu Xiao

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

63 Scopus citations

Abstract

Small molecule inhibitors of proteins represent important medicines and critical chemical tools to investigate the biology of the target proteins. Advances in various -omics technologies have fueled the pace of discovery of disease-relevant proteins. Translating these discoveries into human benefits requires us to develop specific chemicals to inhibit the proteins. However, traditional small molecule inhibitors binding to orthosteric or allosteric sites face significant challenges. These challenges include drug selectivity, therapy resistance as well as drugging undruggable proteins and multi-domain proteins. To address these challenges, PROteolysis TArgeting Chimera (PROTAC) has been proposed. PROTACs are heterobifunctional molecules containing a binding ligand for a protein of interest and E3 ligase-recruiting ligand that are connected through a chemical linker. Binding of a PROTAC to its target protein will bring a E3 ligase in close proximity to initiate polyubiquitination of the target protein ensuing its proteasome-mediated degradation. Unlike small molecule inhibitors, PROTACs achieve target protein degradation in its entirety in a catalytical fashion. In this review, we analyze recent advances in PROTAC design to discuss how PROTACs can address the challenges facing small molecule inhibitors to potentially deliver next-generation medicines and chemical tools with high selectivity and efficacy. We also offer our perspectives on the future promise and potential limitations facing PROTACs. Investigations to overcome these limitations of PROTACs will further help realize the promise of PROTACs for human benefits.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number112993
JournalEuropean Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
Volume210
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 15 2021

Keywords

  • Cancer
  • Druggability
  • Inhibitor
  • PROTAC
  • Selectivity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology
  • Drug Discovery
  • Organic Chemistry

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