Discovery of a Meisoindigo-Derived PROTAC as the ATM Degrader: Revolutionizing Colorectal Cancer Therapy via Synthetic Lethality with ATR Inhibitors

J Med Chem. 2024 May 9;67(9):7620-7634. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00454. Epub 2024 Apr 18.

Abstract

Meisoindigo (Mei) has long been recognized in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment. To elucidate its molecular target and mechanisms, we embarked on designing and synthesizing a series of Mei-derived PROTACs. Through this endeavor, VHL-type PROTAC 9b was identified to be highly cytotoxic against SW620, SW480, and K562 cells. Employing DiaPASEF-based quantitative proteomic analysis, in combination with extensive validation assays, we unveiled that 9b potently and selectively degraded ATM across SW620 and SW480 cells in a ubiquitin-proteasome-dependent manner. 9b-induced selective ATM degradation prompted DNA damage response cascades, thereby leading to the cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis. This pioneering discovery renders the advent of ATM degradation for anti-cancer therapy. Notably, 9b-induced ATM degradation synergistically enhanced the efficacy of ATR inhibitor AZD6738 both in vitro and in vivo. This work establishes the synthetic lethality-inducing properties of ATR inhibitors in the ATM-deficient context, thereby providing new avenues to innovative therapies for colorectal cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins* / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Colorectal Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Colorectal Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Colorectal Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Drug Discovery
  • Humans
  • Indoles / chemical synthesis
  • Indoles / chemistry
  • Indoles / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Proteolysis / drug effects
  • Pyrimidines / chemical synthesis
  • Pyrimidines / chemistry
  • Pyrimidines / pharmacology
  • Pyrimidines / therapeutic use
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Synthetic Lethal Mutations