HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR) protein is usually upregulated after statin (HMGCR inhibitor) treatment, which inevitably diminishes its therapeutic efficacy, provoking the need for higher doses associated with adverse effects. The proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology has recently emerged as a powerful approach for inducing protein degradation. Nonetheless, due to their bifunctional nature, developing orally bioavailable PROTACs remains a great challenge. Herein, we identified a powerful HMGCR-targeted PROTAC (
21c
) comprising a VHL ligand conjugated to lovastatin acid that potently degrades HMGCR in Insig-silenced HepG2 cells (DC
50
= 120 nmol/L) and forms a stable ternary complex, as predicated by a holistic modeling protocol. Most importantly, oral administration of the corresponding lactone
21b
reveled favorable plasma exposures referring to both the parent
21b
and the conversed acid
21c
. Further
in vivo
studies of
21b
demonstrated robust HMGCR degradation and potent cholesterol reduction in mice with diet-induced hypercholesterolemia, highlighting a promising strategy for treating hyperlipidemia and associated diseases.
The transcription factor FOXM1 that regulates multiple proliferation-related genes through selective protein-DNA and protein− protein interactions is now considered an attractive oncotarget. There are several small-molecule inhibitors that indirectly suppress the expression of FOXM1 or block its DNA binding domain (FOXM1-DBD). However, insufficient specificity or/and efficacy are two potential drawbacks. Here, we employed in silico modeling of FOXM1-DBD with inhibitors to enable the design of an effective CRBN-recruiting molecule that induced significant FOXM1 protein degradation and exerted promising in vivo antitumor activity against TNBC xenograft models. This study is the first of its kind showcasing the use of an approach described in the literature as protein-targeting chimeras to degrade the elusive FOXM1, providing an alternative strategy to counter the pathological effects resulting from the increased transcriptional activity of FOXM1 observed in cancer cells.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.