Chenxu Liu , Xiaokang Xu , Yaning Biao , Yafen Wang , Yajing Zhang
{"title":"基于三元配合物模型和分子动力学模拟的高效黏附激酶(FAK)降解物结构导向设计","authors":"Chenxu Liu , Xiaokang Xu , Yaning Biao , Yafen Wang , Yajing Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.bioorg.2025.109017","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) functions as a critical regulator of integrin-mediated signaling, orchestrating tumor progression and metastasis via both kinase-dependent enzymatic activity and kinase-independent scaffolding functions. Herein, we report the identification of a potent FAK-targeting PROTAC <strong>9c</strong> via structure-guided ternary complex modeling to optimize linker geometry. In MDA-MB-231 cells, <strong>9c</strong> demonstrated subnanomolar FAK degradation potency (DC<sub>50</sub> = 3.6 nM), outperforming its parental inhibitor in suppressing cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion. Moreover, <strong>9c</strong> synergized with cisplatin to enhance chemosensitivity. Mechanistic studies revealed that <strong>9c</strong> induces FAK degradation via a VHL-dependent ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Notably, molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the formation of a stable FAK-<strong>9c</strong>-VHL ternary complex, rationalizing the linker design strategy. Together, this study establishes a structure-guided PROTAC design paradigm for efficient linker optimization, with <strong>9c</strong> serving as a promising lead compound for targeting FAK-driven malignancies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":257,"journal":{"name":"Bioorganic Chemistry","volume":"165 ","pages":"Article 109017"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7000,"publicationDate":"2025-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":"{\"title\":\"Structure-guided design of a potent focal adhesion kinase (FAK) degrader via ternary complex modeling and molecular dynamics simulation\",\"authors\":\"Chenxu Liu , Xiaokang Xu , Yaning Biao , Yafen Wang , Yajing Zhang\",\"doi\":\"10.1016/j.bioorg.2025.109017\",\"DOIUrl\":null,\"url\":null,\"abstract\":\"<div><div>Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) functions as a critical regulator of integrin-mediated signaling, orchestrating tumor progression and metastasis via both kinase-dependent enzymatic activity and kinase-independent scaffolding functions. Herein, we report the identification of a potent FAK-targeting PROTAC <strong>9c</strong> via structure-guided ternary complex modeling to optimize linker geometry. In MDA-MB-231 cells, <strong>9c</strong> demonstrated subnanomolar FAK degradation potency (DC<sub>50</sub> = 3.6 nM), outperforming its parental inhibitor in suppressing cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion. Moreover, <strong>9c</strong> synergized with cisplatin to enhance chemosensitivity. Mechanistic studies revealed that <strong>9c</strong> induces FAK degradation via a VHL-dependent ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Notably, molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the formation of a stable FAK-<strong>9c</strong>-VHL ternary complex, rationalizing the linker design strategy. Together, this study establishes a structure-guided PROTAC design paradigm for efficient linker optimization, with <strong>9c</strong> serving as a promising lead compound for targeting FAK-driven malignancies.</div></div>\",\"PeriodicalId\":257,\"journal\":{\"name\":\"Bioorganic Chemistry\",\"volume\":\"165 \",\"pages\":\"Article 109017\"},\"PeriodicalIF\":4.7000,\"publicationDate\":\"2025-09-20\",\"publicationTypes\":\"Journal Article\",\"fieldsOfStudy\":null,\"isOpenAccess\":false,\"openAccessPdf\":\"\",\"citationCount\":\"0\",\"resultStr\":null,\"platform\":\"Semanticscholar\",\"paperid\":null,\"PeriodicalName\":\"Bioorganic Chemistry\",\"FirstCategoryId\":\"92\",\"ListUrlMain\":\"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045206825008971\",\"RegionNum\":2,\"RegionCategory\":\"医学\",\"ArticlePicture\":[],\"TitleCN\":null,\"AbstractTextCN\":null,\"PMCID\":null,\"EPubDate\":\"\",\"PubModel\":\"\",\"JCR\":\"Q1\",\"JCRName\":\"BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY\",\"Score\":null,\"Total\":0}","platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Bioorganic Chemistry","FirstCategoryId":"92","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045206825008971","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
Structure-guided design of a potent focal adhesion kinase (FAK) degrader via ternary complex modeling and molecular dynamics simulation
Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) functions as a critical regulator of integrin-mediated signaling, orchestrating tumor progression and metastasis via both kinase-dependent enzymatic activity and kinase-independent scaffolding functions. Herein, we report the identification of a potent FAK-targeting PROTAC 9c via structure-guided ternary complex modeling to optimize linker geometry. In MDA-MB-231 cells, 9c demonstrated subnanomolar FAK degradation potency (DC50 = 3.6 nM), outperforming its parental inhibitor in suppressing cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion. Moreover, 9c synergized with cisplatin to enhance chemosensitivity. Mechanistic studies revealed that 9c induces FAK degradation via a VHL-dependent ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Notably, molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the formation of a stable FAK-9c-VHL ternary complex, rationalizing the linker design strategy. Together, this study establishes a structure-guided PROTAC design paradigm for efficient linker optimization, with 9c serving as a promising lead compound for targeting FAK-driven malignancies.
期刊介绍:
Bioorganic Chemistry publishes research that addresses biological questions at the molecular level, using organic chemistry and principles of physical organic chemistry. The scope of the journal covers a range of topics at the organic chemistry-biology interface, including: enzyme catalysis, biotransformation and enzyme inhibition; nucleic acids chemistry; medicinal chemistry; natural product chemistry, natural product synthesis and natural product biosynthesis; antimicrobial agents; lipid and peptide chemistry; biophysical chemistry; biological probes; bio-orthogonal chemistry and biomimetic chemistry.
For manuscripts dealing with synthetic bioactive compounds, the Journal requires that the molecular target of the compounds described must be known, and must be demonstrated experimentally in the manuscript. For studies involving natural products, if the molecular target is unknown, some data beyond simple cell-based toxicity studies to provide insight into the mechanism of action is required. Studies supported by molecular docking are welcome, but must be supported by experimental data. The Journal does not consider manuscripts that are purely theoretical or computational in nature.
The Journal publishes regular articles, short communications and reviews. Reviews are normally invited by Editors or Editorial Board members. Authors of unsolicited reviews should first contact an Editor or Editorial Board member to determine whether the proposed article is within the scope of the Journal.