Targeting Lysosomal Degradation Pathways: New Strategies and Techniques for Drug Discovery

J Med Chem. 2021 Apr 8;64(7):3493-3507. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01689. Epub 2021 Mar 25.

Abstract

A series of tools for targeted protein degradation are inspiring scientists to develop new drugs with advantages over traditional small-molecule drugs. Among these tools, proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are most representative of the technology based on proteasomes. However, the proteasome has little degradation effect on certain macromolecular proteins or aggregates, extracellular proteins, and organelles, which limits the application of PROTACs. Additionally, lysosomes play an important role in protein degradation. Therefore, lysosome-induced protein degradation drugs can directly regulate protein levels in vivo, achieve the goal of treating diseases, and provide new strategies for drug discovery. Lysosome-based degradation technology has the potential for clinical translation. In this review, strategies targeting lysosomal pathways and lysosome-based degradation techniques are summarized. In addition, lysosome-based degrading drugs are described, and the advantages and challenges are listed. Our efforts will certainly promote the design, discovery, and clinical application of drugs associated with this technology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Autophagosomes / metabolism
  • Autophagy / drug effects
  • Drug Discovery / methods*
  • Endocytosis / physiology
  • Humans
  • Lysosomes / metabolism*
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / pharmacology*
  • Protein Binding
  • Proteolysis / drug effects*
  • Receptor, IGF Type 2 / metabolism

Substances

  • IGF2R protein, human
  • Peptides
  • Receptor, IGF Type 2