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Author Spotlight: Evaluating Biophysical Assays for Characterizing PROTACS Ternary Complexes
Published on: January 12, 2024
MoA Studies of the TEAD P-Site Binding Ligand MSC-4106 and Its Optimization to TEAD1-Selective Amide M3686
Timo Heinrich1, Daniel Schwarz1, Carl Petersson1
1Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany.
Abstract:
Taking the structural information into account, we were able to tune the TEAD selectivity for a specific chemotype. However, different TEAD selectivity profiles did not affect the compound potency or efficacy in the NCI-H226 viability assay. Amides based on MSC-4106 or analogues showed improved viability efficacy compared with the corresponding acids. The amide M3686 exhibited AUC-driven efficacy in NCI-H226 xenograft models and had an improved 25-fold lower human dose prediction than MSC-4106. MSC-4106 was also used in HDX-MS studies to aid in the understanding of the MoA of P-site binding TEAD inhibitors. Artificial P-site binders rigidify certain areas in the periphery of the transcription factor that seem to be crucial for cofactor interaction, whereas a native fatty acid increased the protein dynamics of cofactor-binding interfaces.

