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Mutant-selective degradation by BRAF-targeting PROTACs

Author

Listed:
  • Shanique Alabi

    (Department of Pharmacology)

  • Saul Jaime-Figueroa

    (Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University)

  • Zhan Yao

    (Program in Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

  • Yijun Gao

    (Program in Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

  • John Hines

    (Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University)

  • Kusal T. G. Samarasinghe

    (Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University)

  • Lea Vogt

    (Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University)

  • Neal Rosen

    (Program in Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

  • Craig M. Crews

    (Department of Pharmacology
    Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University
    Yale University)

Abstract

Over 300 BRAF missense mutations have been identified in patients, yet currently approved drugs target V600 mutants alone. Moreover, acquired resistance inevitably emerges, primarily due to RAF lesions that prevent inhibition of BRAF V600 with current treatments. Therefore, there is a need for new therapies that target other mechanisms of activated BRAF. In this study, we use the Proteolysis Targeting Chimera (PROTAC) technology, which promotes ubiquitination and degradation of neo-substrates, to address the limitations of BRAF inhibitor-based therapies. Using vemurafenib-based PROTACs, we achieve low nanomolar degradation of all classes of BRAF mutants, but spare degradation of WT RAF family members. Our lead PROTAC outperforms vemurafenib in inhibiting cancer cell growth and shows in vivo efficacy in a Class 2 BRAF xenograft model. Mechanistic studies reveal that BRAFWT is spared due to weak ternary complex formation in cells owing to its quiescent inactivated conformation, and activation of BRAFWT sensitizes it to degradation. This study highlights the degree of selectivity achievable with degradation-based approaches by targeting mutant BRAF-driven cancers while sparing BRAFWT, providing an anti-tumor drug modality that expands the therapeutic window.

Suggested Citation

  • Shanique Alabi & Saul Jaime-Figueroa & Zhan Yao & Yijun Gao & John Hines & Kusal T. G. Samarasinghe & Lea Vogt & Neal Rosen & Craig M. Crews, 2021. "Mutant-selective degradation by BRAF-targeting PROTACs," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-11, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-21159-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21159-7
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    Cited by:

    1. Yuki Mori & Yoshino Akizuki & Rikuto Honda & Miyu Takao & Ayaka Tsuchimoto & Sota Hashimoto & Hiroaki Iio & Masakazu Kato & Ai Kaiho-Soma & Yasushi Saeki & Jun Hamazaki & Shigeo Murata & Toshikazu Ush, 2024. "Intrinsic signaling pathways modulate targeted protein degradation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Daniel C. Scott & Suresh Dharuman & Elizabeth Griffith & Sergio C. Chai & Jarrid Ronnebaum & Moeko T. King & Rajendra Tangallapally & Chan Lee & Clifford T. Gee & Lei Yang & Yong Li & Victoria C. Loud, 2024. "Principles of paralog-specific targeted protein degradation engaging the C-degron E3 KLHDC2," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-19, December.
    3. Zefeng Wang & Shabnam Shaabani & Xiang Gao & Yuen Lam Dora Ng & Valeriia Sapozhnikova & Philipp Mertins & Jan Krönke & Alexander Dömling, 2023. "Direct-to-biology, automated, nano-scale synthesis, and phenotypic screening-enabled E3 ligase modulator discovery," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.

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