Project description
New functionalised linkers for targeted proteolysis
Proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are small molecules that induce degradation of a target protein, enabling the design of chemical probes and therapeutic agents for previously unreachable proteins. PROTACs are heterobifunctional molecules containing binding ligands to an E3 ubiquitin ligase and a protein of interest, connected by a linker. The formation of a ternary complex of target protein, PROTAC and E3 ligase results in ubiquitination of the target protein followed by degradation in the proteasome. The goal of the EU-funded PREDICT project is to identify and test novel functional linker motifs which will tune up interactions within the ternary complex. The effects of new PROTAC linkers will be systematically studied and used as the basis to design novel functionalised linkers.
Objective
Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs), small molecules capable of inducing degradation of a target protein, represent a novel strategy to design advanced chemical probes and therapeutic agents with the potential to target so far “undruggable” proteins. PROTACs are heterobifunctional molecules consisting of binding ligands to an E3 ubiquitin ligase and a protein of interest, covalently connected by a linker. Formation of a ternary complex of target protein, PROTAC and E3 ligase allows ubiquitination of the target protein, leading to its subsequent degradation by the proteasome. Due to the complexity of this ternary system, rational PROTAC design is highly challenging and novel PROTACs are to date commonly derived from trial-and-error approaches, typically using simple linkers to connect the two binding ligands. The potential to significantly stabilize and in doing so bias productive ternary complex formation, through design of functional linkers has not been exploited so far. My goal for this project is to identify and explore novel functional linker motifs which will enhance interactions within the ternary complex, such as PROTAC-ligase, PROTAC-target as well as cross-interactions between the E3 ligase and the target protein. The effects of halogen bonding, metal coordination and restricted conformational flexibility of the PROTAC linker on ternary complex formation and PROTAC degradation activity and efficiency will be systematically studied, benchmarked against related PROTAC degraders with non-functionalized linkers and taken as the basis to derive valuable structure-activity relationships. My long-term vision is to capitalize on this Fellowship to enhance my career by developing a rational-design strategy for novel PROTAC degraders capitalizing on functionalized linkers to efficiently degrade proteins so far considered to be “undruggable”.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry halogens
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2020
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
DD1 4HN Dundee
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.