Featured Publications
The Advantages of Targeted Protein Degradation Over Inhibition: An RTK Case Study
Burslem GM, Smith BE, Lai AC, Jaime-Figueroa S, McQuaid DC, Bondeson DP, Toure M, Dong H, Qian Y, Wang J, Crew AP, Hines J, Crews CM. The Advantages of Targeted Protein Degradation Over Inhibition: An RTK Case Study. Cell Chemical Biology 2017, 25: 67-77.e3. PMID: 29129716, PMCID: PMC5831399, DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2017.09.009.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsReceptor tyrosine kinasesProtein familyProtein degradationTyrosine kinaseDownstream signaling responseTargeted Protein DegradationDevelopment of PROTACsTargeted degradationEndogenous proteinsSignaling responseChimera technologyCell proliferationPROTACsPROTAC technologyKinaseKinase inhibitorsLigand showAdvantages of degradationReceptor tyrosine kinase inhibitorsTyrosine kinase inhibitorsInhibitionDegradationFamilyPowerful toolProteolysisInduced protein degradation: an emerging drug discovery paradigm
Lai AC, Crews CM. Induced protein degradation: an emerging drug discovery paradigm. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery 2016, 16: 101-114. PMID: 27885283, PMCID: PMC5684876, DOI: 10.1038/nrd.2016.211.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsProteolysis-targeting chimaerasProtein degradationUndruggable proteomeTarget protein degradationDifferent E3 ligasesInhibitor-based approachE3 ligasesDrug discovery platformProtein targetsProteomeDiscovery platformProtein expressionDrug discovery paradigmInhibition approachCell culturesDiscovery paradigmLigasesExact mechanismDegradationMouse modelDegradersProteinChimaerasPicomolar potencyModular PROTAC Design for the Degradation of Oncogenic BCR‐ABL
Lai AC, Toure M, Hellerschmied D, Salami J, Jaime‐Figueroa S, Ko E, Hines J, Crews CM. Modular PROTAC Design for the Degradation of Oncogenic BCR‐ABL. Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2015, 55: 807-810. PMID: 26593377, PMCID: PMC4733637, DOI: 10.1002/anie.201507634.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCatalytic in vivo protein knockdown by small-molecule PROTACs
Bondeson DP, Mares A, Smith IE, Ko E, Campos S, Miah AH, Mulholland KE, Routly N, Buckley DL, Gustafson JL, Zinn N, Grandi P, Shimamura S, Bergamini G, Faelth-Savitski M, Bantscheff M, Cox C, Gordon DA, Willard RR, Flanagan JJ, Casillas LN, Votta BJ, den Besten W, Famm K, Kruidenier L, Carter PS, Harling JD, Churcher I, Crews CM. Catalytic in vivo protein knockdown by small-molecule PROTACs. Nature Chemical Biology 2015, 11: 611-617. PMID: 26075522, PMCID: PMC4629852, DOI: 10.1038/nchembio.1858.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsAntineoplastic AgentsBinding SitesBiocatalysisBreast NeoplasmsFemaleHumansMCF-7 CellsMiceModels, MolecularMolecular Targeted TherapyNeoplasm ProteinsNeoplasm TransplantationProteasome Endopeptidase ComplexProtein BindingProteolysisReceptor-Interacting Protein Serine-Threonine Kinase 2Receptors, EstrogenSmall Molecule LibrariesUbiquitinUbiquitinationVon Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor ProteinChemical Genetic Control of Protein Levels: Selective in Vivo Targeted Degradation
Schneekloth JS, Fonseca FN, Koldobskiy M, Mandal A, Deshaies R, Sakamoto K, Crews CM. Chemical Genetic Control of Protein Levels: Selective in Vivo Targeted Degradation. Journal Of The American Chemical Society 2004, 126: 3748-3754. PMID: 15038727, DOI: 10.1021/ja039025z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGreen fluorescent proteinProtein functionCell biological questionsGenetic model systemUbiquitin-proteasome pathwayChemical knockoutTargeted degradationBiological questionsProtein degradationGenetic strategiesGenetic controlGenetic lossTarget proteinsFluorescent proteinChimeric moleculesCultured cellsFKBP12 ligandsProteinProtein levelsModel systemWestern blotGeneral strategyFunction analysisVivo examplesFluorometric analysis
2024
EGFR targeting PhosTACs as a dual inhibitory approach reveals differential downstream signaling
Hu Z, Chen P, Li W, Krone M, Zheng S, Saarbach J, Velasco I, Hines J, Liu Y, Crews C. EGFR targeting PhosTACs as a dual inhibitory approach reveals differential downstream signaling. Science Advances 2024, 10: eadj7251. PMID: 38536914, PMCID: PMC10971414, DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj7251.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInhibit cancer cell viabilityProteome-wide levelCancer cell viabilityDifferential signaling pathwaysPhosphoproteomic approachTyrosine dephosphorylationProtein dephosphorylationSignal transductionActivating dephosphorylationInduce apoptosisReceptor tyrosine kinase inhibitorsRTK activationSignaling pathwayInhibition of kinasesDephosphorylationEpidermal growth factor receptorGrowth factor receptorCell viabilityFactor receptorInhibitory approachesTyrosineTyrosine kinase inhibitorsInhibitory effectInhibitory potentialKinase inhibitors
2023
Protein degraders enter the clinic — a new approach to cancer therapy
Chirnomas D, Hornberger K, Crews C. Protein degraders enter the clinic — a new approach to cancer therapy. Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology 2023, 20: 265-278. PMID: 36781982, DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00736-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPhase III trialsCancer therapyNovel therapeutic modalitiesIII trialsClinical trialsPreclinical modelsClinical studiesTherapeutic modalitiesPharmacokinetic dataSmall molecule inhibitorsDisease pathogenesisClinical testingTumor typesDrug concentrationsPreclinical researchCancer treatmentPhase IFirst safetyUbiquitin-proteasome systemPatientsProtein degradersTherapyMore evidenceTrialsRigorous evaluation
2022
Targeted Degradation of mRNA Decapping Enzyme DcpS by a VHL-Recruiting PROTAC
Swartzel JC, Bond MJ, Pintado-Urbanc AP, Daftary M, Krone MW, Douglas T, Carder EJ, Zimmer JT, Maeda T, Simon MD, Crews CM. Targeted Degradation of mRNA Decapping Enzyme DcpS by a VHL-Recruiting PROTAC. ACS Chemical Biology 2022, 17: 1789-1798. PMID: 35749470, PMCID: PMC10367122, DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00145.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPROTAC targeted protein degraders: the past is prologue
Békés M, Langley DR, Crews CM. PROTAC targeted protein degraders: the past is prologue. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery 2022, 21: 181-200. PMID: 35042991, PMCID: PMC8765495, DOI: 10.1038/s41573-021-00371-6.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2021
Modulation of Phosphoprotein Activity by Phosphorylation Targeting Chimeras (PhosTACs)
Chen PH, Hu Z, An E, Okeke I, Zheng S, Luo X, Gong A, Jaime-Figueroa S, Crews CM. Modulation of Phosphoprotein Activity by Phosphorylation Targeting Chimeras (PhosTACs). ACS Chemical Biology 2021, 16: 2808-2815. PMID: 34780684, PMCID: PMC10437008, DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00693.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSer/Thr phosphataseChemical biology approachPP2A holoenzymeProtein dephosphorylationBiology approachProtein substratesTranscriptional activationProtein phosphorylationCatalytic subunitCell biologyReporter geneProtein activityRetinoblastoma proteinOff-target effectsCritical proteinsDephosphorylationTernary complexPhosphorylationKinase inhibitorsFOXO3aPROTACsProteinChimerasPhosphataseDrug resistanceRecent Developments in PROTAC‐Mediated Protein Degradation: From Bench to Clinic
Hu Z, Crews CM. Recent Developments in PROTAC‐Mediated Protein Degradation: From Bench to Clinic. ChemBioChem 2021, 23: e202100270. PMID: 34494353, PMCID: PMC9395155, DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202100270.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTargeted protein degradation: A promise for undruggable proteins
Samarasinghe KTG, Crews CM. Targeted protein degradation: A promise for undruggable proteins. Cell Chemical Biology 2021, 28: 934-951. PMID: 34004187, PMCID: PMC8286327, DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.04.011.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsProteolysis Targeting ChimerasUndruggable proteinsDisease-causing proteinsProtein degradation strategiesProteostasis mechanismsProtein homeostasisTranscription factorsProtein degradationHeterobifunctional moleculesProteinDegradation strategiesDisease initiationBiological effectsProteostasisDegradationPotential therapeutic modalityHomeostasisChimerasCellsAccumulationTargeted degradation of transcription factors by TRAFTACs: TRAnscription Factor TArgeting Chimeras
Samarasinghe KTG, Jaime-Figueroa S, Burgess M, Nalawansha DA, Dai K, Hu Z, Bebenek A, Holley SA, Crews CM. Targeted degradation of transcription factors by TRAFTACs: TRAnscription Factor TArgeting Chimeras. Cell Chemical Biology 2021, 28: 648-661.e5. PMID: 33836141, PMCID: PMC8524358, DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.03.011.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTranscription factorsTargeted degradationTranscription factor degradationDNA-binding proteinsMultiple signaling pathwaysGeneralizable strategyDCas9 proteinProtein familyLigandable sitesProteasomal pathwaySignaling pathwaysOverexpression of oncoproteinsAberrant activationChimeric oligonucleotideProteinChimerasFactor degradationNF-κBPathwayHaloTagDegradationBrachyuryOverexpressionOncoproteinOligonucleotideBET proteolysis targeted chimera-based therapy of novel models of Richter Transformation-diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Fiskus W, Mill CP, Perera D, Birdwell C, Deng Q, Yang H, Lara BH, Jain N, Burger J, Ferrajoli A, Davis JA, Saenz DT, Jin W, Coarfa C, Crews CM, Green MR, Khoury JD, Bhalla KN. BET proteolysis targeted chimera-based therapy of novel models of Richter Transformation-diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Leukemia 2021, 35: 2621-2634. PMID: 33654205, PMCID: PMC8410602, DOI: 10.1038/s41375-021-01181-w.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdenineAnimalsAntineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy ProtocolsApoptosisBiomarkers, TumorBridged Bicyclo Compounds, HeterocyclicCell ProliferationCell Transformation, NeoplasticGene Expression Regulation, NeoplasticHumansLymphoma, Large B-Cell, DiffuseMicePiperidinesProteinsProteolysisSulfonamidesTumor Cells, CulturedXenograft Model Antitumor AssaysConceptsLarge B-cell lymphomaB-cell lymphomaRichter transformationBET protein inhibitorLymphoma burdenImproved survivalCombination therapyC-Myc levelsEffective therapyNovel therapiesCell lymphomaXenograft modelProtein inhibitorTherapyBET inhibitorsProtein expressionCLLGenetic alterationsLymphomaInhibitorsIRF4Single-cell RNA-seqHuman modelCRISPR knockoutCellsMutant-selective degradation by BRAF-targeting PROTACs
Alabi S, Jaime-Figueroa S, Yao Z, Gao Y, Hines J, Samarasinghe KTG, Vogt L, Rosen N, Crews CM. Mutant-selective degradation by BRAF-targeting PROTACs. Nature Communications 2021, 12: 920. PMID: 33568647, PMCID: PMC7876048, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21159-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInhibitor-based therapyBRAF inhibitor-based therapiesBRAF missense mutationsCancer cell growthBRAF V600Current treatmentNew therapiesTherapeutic windowXenograft modelBRAF mutantMutant BRAFVivo efficacyDrug modalitiesRaf family membersProteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) technologyTherapyBRAFMissense mutationsFamily membersBRAFWTCell growthDegree of selectivityInactivated conformationPatientsV600
2018
Efficient Synthesis of Immunomodulatory Drug Analogues Enables Exploration of Structure–Degradation Relationships
Burslem GM, Ottis P, Jaime‐Figueroa S, Morgan A, Cromm PM, Toure M, Crews C. Efficient Synthesis of Immunomodulatory Drug Analogues Enables Exploration of Structure–Degradation Relationships. ChemMedChem 2018, 13: 1508-1512. PMID: 29870139, PMCID: PMC6291207, DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201800271.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOne-pot synthesisIMiD analoguesStructure-activity relationshipsNarrow structure-activity relationshipMultiple purification stepsEfficient synthesisStepwise routePurification stepsSynthesisAnti-proliferative activityRapid accessProtein cereblonAiolos degradationFunctionalizationAnaloguesCompoundsMoleculesDegradationHereinPurificationRouteAffinityCereblon
2017
BET protein proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) exerts potent lethal activity against mantle cell lymphoma cells
Sun B, Fiskus W, Qian Y, Rajapakshe K, Raina K, Coleman KG, Crew AP, Shen A, Saenz DT, Mill CP, Nowak AJ, Jain N, Zhang L, Wang M, Khoury JD, Coarfa C, Crews CM, Bhalla KN. BET protein proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) exerts potent lethal activity against mantle cell lymphoma cells. Leukemia 2017, 32: 343-352. PMID: 28663582, DOI: 10.1038/leu.2017.207.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMantle cell lymphoma cellsMCL cellsCell lymphoma cellsARV-825ARV-771Lymphoma cellsGreater survival improvementSuperior preclinical activityCDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclibNuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) target genesExtraterminal protein inhibitorSurvival improvementInhibitor palbociclibPreclinical activityCDKN1A/p21Inhibitor treatmentSuperior pharmacological propertiesVivo growthCyclin D1Pharmacological propertiesProtein expressionMore apoptosisVivo evaluationIncomplete inhibitionC-MycNovel BET protein proteolysis-targeting chimera exerts superior lethal activity than bromodomain inhibitor (BETi) against post-myeloproliferative neoplasm secondary (s) AML cells
Saenz DT, Fiskus W, Qian Y, Manshouri T, Rajapakshe K, Raina K, Coleman KG, Crew AP, Shen A, Mill CP, Sun B, Qiu P, Kadia TM, Pemmaraju N, DiNardo C, Kim MS, Nowak AJ, Coarfa C, Crews CM, Verstovsek S, Bhalla KN. Novel BET protein proteolysis-targeting chimera exerts superior lethal activity than bromodomain inhibitor (BETi) against post-myeloproliferative neoplasm secondary (s) AML cells. Leukemia 2017, 31: 1951-1961. PMID: 28042144, PMCID: PMC5537055, DOI: 10.1038/leu.2016.393.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBET protein inhibitorARV-825Messenger RNAReverse phase protein arrayPhase protein arrayRNA-seqHematopoietic progenitor cellsNormal hematopoietic progenitor cellsBET proteinsE3 ubiquitin ligase cereblonLevels of p21Extraterminal (BET) proteinsBcl-xLBromodomain inhibitorsC-MycJAK inhibitor ruxolitinibBRD4Protein arraysProgenitor cellsProtein expressionHEL92.1.7 cellsImproved survivalLeukemia burdenNSG miceProfound depletion
2015
HaloPROTACS: Use of Small Molecule PROTACs to Induce Degradation of HaloTag Fusion Proteins
Buckley DL, Raina K, Darricarrere N, Hines J, Gustafson JL, Smith IE, Miah AH, Harling JD, Crews CM. HaloPROTACS: Use of Small Molecule PROTACs to Induce Degradation of HaloTag Fusion Proteins. ACS Chemical Biology 2015, 10: 1831-1837. PMID: 26070106, PMCID: PMC4629848, DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.5b00442.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsChemical probesMore drug-like propertiesFusion proteinSmall-molecule PROTACsProtein degradationDrug-like propertiesE3 ligase ligandChemical genetic toolsSpecific E3 ligasesProtein of interestVHL ligandsHaloTag fusion proteinsE3 ligasesGenetic toolsHeterobifunctional moleculesNumerous proteinsHaloPROTACLigandsPROTACsProteinNovel classAttractive strategyDegradationProbeLigasesSmall‐Molecule‐Mediated Degradation of the Androgen Receptor through Hydrophobic Tagging
Gustafson JL, Neklesa TK, Cox CS, Roth AG, Buckley DL, Tae HS, Sundberg TB, Stagg DB, Hines J, McDonnell DP, Norris JD, Crews CM. Small‐Molecule‐Mediated Degradation of the Androgen Receptor through Hydrophobic Tagging. Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2015, 54: 9659-9662. PMID: 26083457, PMCID: PMC4547777, DOI: 10.1002/anie.201503720.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAndrogen Receptor AntagonistsAntineoplastic AgentsBenzamidesCell Line, TumorCell ProliferationDrug Resistance, NeoplasmHumansHydrophobic and Hydrophilic InteractionsMaleNitrilesPhenylthiohydantoinPoint MutationProstateProstatic NeoplasmsProteolysisReceptors, AndrogenSmall Molecule LibrariesConceptsSelective androgen receptor degradersAndrogen receptorAR mutationsAndrogen-dependent prostate cancer cell lineSecond-generation AR antagonistsAR degradationProstate tumor cell proliferationProstate cancer cell linesAR target genesTumor cell proliferationAntitumor chemotherapeutic agentsCancer cell linesAR antagonistsChemotherapeutic agentsCell proliferationAR ligandsCell linesAntagonistTumor strategyResistance mechanismsReceptorsRecent studiesProliferationTarget genesDependent transcription