Design, Synthesis, and Bioevaluation of Transcriptional Enhanced Assocciated Domain (TEAD) PROTAC Degraders

Abstract

Dysregulation of the Hippo pathway has been observed in various cancers. The transcription factor TEAD, together with its coactivators YAP/TAZ, plays a crucial role in regulating the transcriptional output of the Hippo pathway. Recently, extensive research has focused on small molecule inhibitors targeting TEAD, but studies on TEAD degraders are comparatively rare. In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of TEAD PROTACs by connecting a pan-TEAD inhibitor with the CRBN ligand thalidomide. A representative compound, 27, exhibited potent antiproliferative activity against NF2-deficient NCI-H226 cells. It dose-dependently induced TEAD degradation dependent on CRBN and proteasome system and decreased key YAP target genes CYR61 and CTGF expressions in NCI-H226 cells. Further degradation selectivity studies revealed that 27 exhibited more potent activity against TEAD2 compared to those of the other three family members in Flag-TEADs transfected 293T cells. Therefore, 27 may serve as a valuable tool for advancing biological studies related to TEAD2.