Crews, C. M. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2020

Targeted Degradation of Transcription Factors by TRAFTACs: Transcription Factor Targeting Chimeras

Many diseases, including cancer, stem from aberrant activation and overexpression of oncoproteins that are associated with multiple signaling pathways. Although proteins with catalytic activity are able to be successfully drugged, the majority of other protein families, such as transcription factors, remain intractable due to their lack of ligandable sites. In this study, we report the development of TRAnscription Factor TArgeting Chimeras (TRAFTACs) as a generalizable strategy for targeted transcription-factor degradation. Herein, we show that TRAFTACs, which consist of a chimeric oligonucleotide that simultaneously binds to the transcription-factor of interest (TOI) and to HaloTag fused dCas9 protein, can induce degradation of the former via the proteasomal pathway. Application of TRAFTACs to two oncogenic TOIs, NF-{kappa}B and brachyury, suggests that TRAFTACs can be successfully employed for the targeted degradation of other DNA-binding proteins with minor changes to the chimeric oligonucleotide.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2020

Mutant-selective Degradation by BRAF-targeting PROTACs

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 successfully achieve sub-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 using degradation-based therapies by targeting mutant BRAF-driven cancers while sparing BRAFWT and thus expanding the therapeutic window using a new anti-tumor drug modality.

cancer biology↗