Discovery of the First-in-Class G9a/GLP PROTAC Degrader
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Aberrantly expressed lysine methyltransferases G9a and GLP, which catalyze mono- and dimethylation of histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9), have been implicated in numerous cancers. Recent studies have uncovered both catalytic and noncatalytic oncogenic functions of G9a/GLP. As such, G9a/GLP catalytic inhibitors have displayed limited anticancer activity. Here, we report the discovery of the first-in-class G9a/GLP proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) degrader (MS8709), as a potential anticancer therapeutic. induces G9a/GLP degradation in a concentration-, time-, and ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS)-dependent manner. Futhermore, does not alter the mRNA expression of G9a/GLP and is selective for G9a/GLP over other methyltransferases. Moreover, displays superior cell growth inhibition to the parent G9a/GLP inhibitor UNC0642 in prostate, leukemia, and lung cancer cells and has suitable mouse pharmacokinetic properties for in vivo efficacy studies. Overall, is a valuable chemical biology tool to further investigate the functions of G9a/GLP and a potential therapeutic for treating G9a/GLP-dependent cancers.
Micallef I, Fenech K, Baron B Front Mol Biosci. 2024; 11:1455415.
PMID: 39703687 PMC: 11656028. DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1455415.
G9a in Cancer: Mechanisms, Therapeutic Advancements, and Clinical Implications.
Ni Y, Shi M, Liu L, Lin D, Zeng H, Ong C Cancers (Basel). 2024; 16(12).
PMID: 38927881 PMC: 11201431. DOI: 10.3390/cancers16122175.