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Individuals with neurofibromatosis type 1 develop rat sarcoma virus (RAS)–mitogen-activated protein kinase–mitogen-activated and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (RAS-MAPK-MEK)–driven nerve tumors called neurofibromas. Although MEK inhibitors transiently reduce volumes of most plexiform neurofibromas in mouse models and in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) patients, therapies that increase the efficacy of MEK inhibitors are needed. BI-3406 is a small molecule that prevents Son of Sevenless (SOS)1 interaction with Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncoprotein (KRAS)-GDP, interfering with the RAS-MAPK cascade upstream of MEK. Single agent SOS1 inhibition had no significant effect in the DhhCre;Nf1(fl/fl) mouse model of plexiform neurofibroma, but pharmacokinetics (PK)-driven combination of selumetinib with BI-3406 significantly improved tumor parameters. Tumor volumes and neurofibroma cell proliferation, reduced by MEK inhibition, were further reduced by the combination. Neurofibromas are rich in ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1)+ macrophages; combination treatment resulted in small and round macrophages, with altered cytokine expression indicative of altered activation. The significant effects of MEK inhibitor plus SOS1 inhibition in this preclinical study suggest potential clinical benefit of dual targeting of the RAS-MAPK pathway in neurofibromas. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Interfering with the RAS–mitogen-activated protein kinase (RAS-MAPK) cascade upstream of mitogen activated protein kinase kinase (MEK), together with MEK inhibition, augment effects of MEK inhibition on neurofibroma volume and tumor macrophages in a preclinical model system. This study emphasizes the critical role of the RAS-MAPK pathway in controlling tumor cell proliferation and the tumor microenvironment in benign neurofibromas.

Chemical structure of BI 811283: 2,3-diamino-pyrimidine

Supplementary Table S1: Statistics of data collection and processing of AuroraB/INCENP in complex with BI 847325; Supplementary Table S2: Statistics of data collection and processing of MEK1 in complex with BI 847325; Supplementary Table S3: Statistics of data collection and processing of AuroraB/INCENP in complex with BI 811283; Supplementary Table S4: Pharmacokinetic parameters of BI 847325 in mice and humans. Human data from Schöffski et al (31).

(A), MEK1 and phospho-MEK1/2; (B) ERK1/2 and phospho-ERK1/2.

(A), MEK1 and phospho-MEK1/2; (B) ERK1/2 and phospho-ERK1/2.

(A), MEK1 and phospho-MEK1/2; (B) ERK1/2 and phospho-ERK1/2.

BomTac:NMRI-Foxn1nu mice bearing human MIAPaCa-2 tumors were treated with vehicle, BI 847325 at 10 mg/kg daily p.o., AZD6244 at 25 mg/kg twice daily p.o., GSK 1120212 at 0.25 mg/kg twice daily p.o. Data is plotted as average tumor volume with standard error of the mean (SEM). Adjusted p values: BI 847325 vs AZD6244 p

The ClpC1:ClpP1P2 protease is a core component of the proteostasis system in mycobacteria. To improve the efficacy of antitubercular agents targeting the Clp protease, we characterized the mechanism of the antibiotics cyclomarin A and ecumicin. Quantitative proteomics revealed that the antibiotics cause massive proteome imbalances, including upregulation of two unannotated yet conserved stress response factors, ClpC2 and ClpC3. These proteins likely protect the Clp protease from excessive amounts of misfolded proteins or from cyclomarin A, which we show to mimic damaged proteins. To overcome the Clp security system, we developed a BacPROTAC that induces degradation of ClpC1 together with its ClpC2 caretaker. The dual Clp degrader, built from linked cyclomarin A heads, was highly efficient in killing pathogenic Mycobacterium tuberculosis, with >100-fold increased potency over the parent antibiotic. Together, our data reveal Clp scavenger proteins as important proteostasis safeguards and highlight the potential of BacPROTACs as future antibiotics.

Aberrations in genes coding for subunits of the BRG1/BRM associated factor (BAF) chromatin remodeling complexes are highly abundant in human cancers. Currently, it is not understood how these mostly loss-of-function mutations contribute to cancer development and how they can be targeted therapeutically. The cancer-type-specific occurrence patterns of certain subunit mutations suggest subunit-specific effects on BAF complex function, possibly by the formation of aberrant residual complexes. Here, we systematically characterize the effects of individual subunit loss on complex composition, chromatin accessibility and gene expression in a panel of knockout cell lines deficient for 22 BAF subunits. We observe strong, specific and sometimes discordant alterations dependent on the targeted subunit and show that these explain intracomplex codependencies, including the synthetic lethal interactions SMARCA4–ARID2, SMARCA4–ACTB and SMARCC1–SMARCC2. These data provide insights into the role of different BAF subcomplexes in genome-wide chromatin organization and suggest approaches to therapeutically target BAF-mutant cancers. The authors generate cell lines deficient for 22 BAF subunits, studying effects on complex composition, chromatin accessibility and gene expression. They identify synthetic lethal interactions between SMARCA4–ARID2, SMARCA4–ACTB and SMARCC1–SMARCC2.

Here, we report the fragment-based discovery of BI-9321, a potent, selective and cellular active antagonist of the NSD3-PWWP1 domain. The human NSD3 protein is encoded by the WHSC1L1 gene located in the 8p11-p12 amplicon, frequently amplified in breast and squamous lung cancer. Recently, it was demonstrated that the PWWP1 domain of NSD3 is required for the viability of acute myeloid leukemia cells. To further elucidate the relevance of NSD3 in cancer biology, we developed a chemical probe, BI-9321, targeting the methyl-lysine binding site of the PWWP1 domain with sub-micromolar in vitro activity and cellular target engagement at 1 µM. As a single agent, BI-9321 downregulates Myc messenger RNA expression and reduces proliferation in MOLM-13 cells. This first-in-class chemical probe BI-9321, together with the negative control BI-9466, will greatly facilitate the elucidation of the underexplored biological function of PWWP domains. A chemical probe BI-9321 for the PWWP1 domain of NSD3 and its inactive analog were identified. BI-9321 binds to the methyl-lysine binding site, reduces the association of NSD3 with chromatin and inhibits proliferation of acute myeloid leukemia cells.

Targeting subunits of BAF/PBAF chromatin remodeling complexes has been proposed as an approach to exploit cancer vulnerabilities. Here, we develop proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) degraders of the BAF ATPase subunits SMARCA2 and SMARCA4 using a bromodomain ligand and recruitment of the E3 ubiquitin ligase VHL. High-resolution ternary complex crystal structures and biophysical investigation guided rational and efficient optimization toward ACBI1, a potent and cooperative degrader of SMARCA2, SMARCA4 and PBRM1. ACBI1 induced anti-proliferative effects and cell death caused by SMARCA2 depletion in SMARCA4 mutant cancer cells, and in acute myeloid leukemia cells dependent on SMARCA4 ATPase activity. These findings exemplify a successful biophysics- and structure-based PROTAC design approach to degrade high profile drug targets, and pave the way toward new therapeutics for the treatment of tumors sensitive to the loss of BAF complex ATPases.

Protein ubiquitylation is a dynamic post-translational modification that can be reversed by deubiquitylating enzymes (DUBs). It is unclear how the small number (∼100) of DUBs present in mammalian cells regulate the thousands of different ubiquitylation events. Here, we analysed annotated transcripts of human DUBs and found ∼300 ribosome-associated transcripts annotated as protein coding, which thus increases the total number of DUBs. By using USP35, a poorly studied DUB, as a case study, we provide evidence that alternative isoforms contribute to the functional expansion of DUBs. We show that there are two different USP35 isoforms that localise to different intracellular compartments and have distinct functions. Our results reveal that isoform 1 is an anti-apoptotic factor that inhibits staurosporine- and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL; also known as TNFSF10)-induced apoptosis. In contrast, USP35 isoform 2 is an integral membrane protein of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that is also present at lipid droplets. Manipulations of isoform 2 levels cause rapid ER stress, likely through deregulation of lipid homeostasis, and lead to cell death. Our work highlights how alternative isoforms provide functional expansion of DUBs and sets directions for future research. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.

Deregulated expression of MYC is a driver of colorectal carcinogenesis, necessitating novel strategies to inhibit MYC function. The ubiquitin ligase HUWE1 (HECTH9, ARF-BP1, MULE) associates with both MYC and the MYC-associated protein MIZ1. We show here that HUWE1 is required for growth of colorectal cancer cells in culture and in orthotopic xenograft models. Using high-throughput screening, we identify small molecule inhibitors of HUWE1, which inhibit MYC-dependent transactivation in colorectal cancer cells, but not in stem and normal colon epithelial cells. Inhibition of HUWE1 stabilizes MIZ1. MIZ1 globally accumulates on MYC target genes and contributes to repression of MYC-activated target genes upon HUWE1 inhibition. Our data show that transcriptional activation by MYC in colon cancer cells requires the continuous degradation of MIZ1 and identify a novel principle that allows for inhibition of MYC function in tumor cells. See also: FX Schaub & JL Cleveland (December 2014)

In the version of this article originally published, several lines of text in the last paragraph of the right column on page 1 of the PDF were transposed into the bottom paragraph of the left column. The affected text of the left column should read "The ATP-dependent activities of the BAF (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodeling complexes affect the positioning of nucleosomes on DNA and thereby many cellular processes related to chromatin structure, including transcription, DNA repair and decatenation of chromosomes during mitosis12,13." The affected text of the right column should read "SMARCA2/4BD inhibitors are thus precluded from use for the treatment of SMARCA4 mutant cancers but could provide attractive ligands for PROTAC conjugation. Small molecules binding to other bromodomains have been successfully converted into PROTACs by conjugating them with structures capable of binding to the E3 ligases von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) or cereblon5,6,10,11,25,26,27." The errors have been corrected in the PDF version of the paper.

Although the MAPK pathway is frequently deregulated in cancer, inhibitors targeting RAF or MEK have so far shown clinical activity only in BRAF- and NRAS-mutant melanoma. Improvements in efficacy may be possible by combining inhibition of mitogenic signal transduction with inhibition of cell-cycle progression. We have studied the preclinical pharmacology of BI 847325, an ATP-competitive dual inhibitor of MEK and Aurora kinases. Potent inhibition of MEK1/2 and Aurora A/B kinases by BI 847325 was demonstrated in enzymatic and cellular assays. Equipotent effects were observed in BRAF-mutant cells, whereas in KRAS-mutant cells, MEK inhibition required higher concentrations than Aurora kinase inhibition. Daily oral administration of BI 847325 at 10 mg/kg showed efficacy in both BRAF- and KRAS-mutant xenograft models. Biomarker analysis suggested that this effect was primarily due to inhibition of MEK in BRAF-mutant models but of Aurora kinase in KRAS-mutant models. Inhibition of both MEK and Aurora kinase in KRAS-mutant tumors was observed when BI 847325 was administered once weekly at 70 mg/kg. Our studies indicate that BI 847325 is effective in in vitro and in vivo models of cancers with BRAF and KRAS mutation. These preclinical data are discussed in the light of the results of a recently completed clinical phase I trial assessing safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of BI 847325 in patients with cancer. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(10); 2388–98. ©2016 AACR.

Increasing evidence suggests that processes termed epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs) play a key role in therapeutic resistance, tumor recurrence, and metastatic progression. NF-κB signaling has been previously identified as an important pathway in the regulation of EMT in a mouse model of tumor progression. However, it remains unclear whether there is a broad requirement for this pathway to govern EMT and what the relative contribution of IKK family members acting as upstream NF-κB activators is toward promoting EMT and metastasis. To address this question, we have used a novel, small-molecule inhibitor of IκB kinase 2 (IKK2/IKKβ), termed BI 5700. We investigated the role of IKK2 in a number of mouse models of EMT, including TGFβ-induced EMT in the mammary epithelial cell line EpRas, CT26 colon carcinoma cells, and 4T1 mammary carcinoma cells. The latter model was also used to evaluate in vivo activities of BI 5700.We found that BI 5700 inhibits IKK2 with an IC(50) of 9 nM and was highly selective as compared to other IKK family members (IKK1, IKKε, and TBK1) and other kinases. BI 5700 effectively blocks NF-κB activity in EpRas cells and prevents TGFβ-induced EMT. In addition, BI 5700 reverts EMT in mesenchymal CT26 cells and prevents EMT in the 4T1 model. Oral application of BI 5700 significantly interferes with metastasis after mammary fat-pad injection of 4T1 cells, yielding fewer, smaller, and more differentiated metastases as compared to vehicle-treated control animals. We conclude that IKK2 is a key regulator of both the induction and maintenance of EMT in a panel of mouse tumor progression models and that the IKK2 inhibitor BI 5700 constitutes a promising candidate for the treatment of metastatic cancers.

When a growing cell expands, lipids and proteins must be delivered to its periphery. Although this phenomenon has been observed for decades, it remains unknown how the secretory pathway responds to growth signaling. We demonstrate that control of Golgi phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PI(4)P) is required for growth-dependent secretion. The phosphoinositide phosphatase SAC1 accumulates at the Golgi in quiescent cells and down-regulates anterograde trafficking by depleting Golgi PI(4)P. Golgi localization requires oligomerization of SAC1 and recruitment of the coat protein (COP) II complex. When quiescent cells are stimulated by mitogens, SAC1 rapidly shuttles back to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), thus releasing the brake on Golgi secretion. The p38 mitogen-activated kinase (MAPK) pathway induces dissociation of SAC1 oligomers after mitogen stimulation, which triggers COP-I–mediated retrieval of SAC1 to the ER. Inhibition of p38 MAPK abolishes growth factor–induced Golgi-to-ER shuttling of SAC1 and slows secretion. These results suggest direct roles for p38 MAPK and SAC1 in transmitting growth signals to the secretory machinery.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae SAC1 gene encodes an integral membrane protein of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the Golgi apparatus. Yeast SAC1 mutants display a wide array of phenotypes including inositol auxotrophy, cold sensitivity, secretory defects, disturbed ATP transport into the ER, or suppression of actin gene mutations. At present, it is not clear how these phenotypes relate to the finding that SAC1 displays polyphosphoinositide phosphatase activity. Moreover, it is still an open question whether SAC1 functions similarly in mammalian cells, since some phenotypes are yeast-specific. Potential protein interaction partners and, connected to that, possible regulatory circuits have not been described. Therefore, we have cloned human SAC1 (hSAC1), show that it behaves similar to ySac1p in terms of substrate specificity, demonstrate that the endogenous protein localizes to the ER and Golgi, and identify for the first time members of the coatomer I (COPI) complex as interaction partners of hSAC1. Mutation of a putative COPI interaction motif (KXKXX) at its C terminus abolishes interaction with COPI and causes accumulation of hSAC1 in the Golgi. In addition, we generated a catalytically inactive mutant, demonstrate that its lipid binding capacity is unaltered, and show that it accumulates in the Golgi, incapable of interacting with the COPI complex despite the presence of the KXKXX motif. These results open the possibility that the enzymatic function of hSAC1 provides a switch for accessibility of the COPI interaction motif.

N-Linked glycosylation is a post-translational modification occurring in many eukaryotic secreted and surface-bound proteins and has impact on diverse physiological and pathological processes. Similarly important is the generation of glycosylphosphatidylinositol linkers, which anchor membrane proteins to the cell. Both protein modifications depend on the central nucleotide sugar UDP-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc). The enzymatic reactions leading to generation of nucleotide sugars are established, yet most of the respective genes still await cloning. We describe the characterization of such a gene, EMeg32, which we identified based on its differential expression in murine hematopoietic precursor cells. We further demonstrate regulated expression during embryogenesis. EMeg32 codes for a 184-amino acid protein exhibiting glucosamine-6-phosphate acetyltransferase activity. It thereby holds a key position in the pathway toward de novo UDP-GlcNAc synthesis. Surprisingly, the protein associates with the cytoplasmic side of various intracellular membranes, accumulates prior to mitosis, and copurifies with the cdc48 homolog p97/valosin-containing protein.

A differentially expressed sequence tag (EMegR4) was isolated from a subtractive hybridization between a single bipotent erythroid/megakaryocytic precursor (E/Meg) and a single bipotent neutrophil/macrophage precursor (N/M). It was used to clone a novel murine cDNA referred to as mSAP18. The full-length mSAP18 cDNA contains 3415 nucleotides and codes for a protein of 153 amino acids. The open reading frame shows 98% identity to a human protein, SAP18, recently identified in a complex with the transcriptional corepressor mSin3 and histone deacetylase. mSAP18 cDNA harbours four polyadenylation sites and a B2 small interspersed repetitive element (SINE) in its 3' untranslated region. We demonstrate that mSAP18 RNA is expressed with stage and lineage specificity in the hematopoietic hierarchy, and that alternative polyadenylation sites are used.

A conditional v-Rel estrogen receptor fusion protein, v-ReIER, causes estrogen-dependent but otherwise unaltered v-rel-specific transformation of chicken bone marrow cells. Here, we demonstrate that such v-relER-transformed cells exhibit B lymphoid determinants in line with earlier studies on v-rel-transformed cells. However, following inactivation of v-ReIER oncoprotein activity by administration of an estrogen antagonist, cells differentiate into antigen-presenting dendritic cells as judged by several morphological and functional criteria. Additionally, under yet different culture conditions, v-relER cells differentiate into cells resembling polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Our studies therefore suggest that the conditional v-ReIER, and probably also the authentic v-Rel, transform a common progenitor for neutrophils and dendritic cells.

The hexosamine pathway provides UDP-N:-acetylhexosamine donor substrates used in cytosolic and Golgi-mediated glycosylation of proteins and for formation of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors, which tether proteins to the outer plasma membrane. We have recently identified the murine glucosamine-6-phosphate (GlcN6P) acetyltransferase, EMeg32, as a developmentally regulated enzyme on the route to UDP-N:-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc). Here we describe embryos and cells that have the EMeg32 gene inactivated by homologous recombination. Homozygous mutant embryos die at around embryonic day (E) 7.5 with a general proliferative delay of development. In vitro differentiated EMeg32(-/-) ES cells show reduced proliferation. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) deficient for EMeg32 exhibit defects in proliferation and adhesiveness, which could be complemented by stable re-expression of EMeg32 or by nutritional restoration of intracellular UDP-GlcNAc levels. Reduced UDP-GlcNAc levels predominantly translated into decreased O-GlcNAc modifications of cytosolic and nuclear proteins. Interestingly, growth-impaired EMeg32(-/-) MEFs withstand a number of apoptotic stimuli and express activated PKB/AKT. Thus, EMeg32-dependent UDP-GlcNAc levels influence cell cycle progression and susceptibility to apoptotic stimuli.

The RAS-dependent MAP kinase signaling pathway plays an important role in the regulation of cell proliferation and survival. RAS genes are frequently mutated in human cancer; however, it has not been possible to date to design direct inhibitors of RAS proteins. Inhibitors of the downstream kinase MEK are active against a subset of KRAS-mutant cancers in preclinical studies, but have shown limited success to date in clinical trials. We have identified a compound that potently inhibits MEK as well as Aurora kinases, a family of serine/threonine kinases involved in the regulation of mitosis. In enzymatic assays, BI 847325 inhibited the activity of Aurora A, B and C with IC50 values of 3, 25 and 15 nM, respectively; IC50 values of 25 and 4 nM were determined for MEK1 and MEK2, respectively. To determine whether the enzyme profile translates into cellular activity we used Western blot and FACE-ELISA assays of phospho-histone H3 (pHH3) and phospho-ERK (pERK) levels in cells treated with BI 847325 and observed EC50 values of 44 nM (NCI-H460 cells, KRAS and PI3Kα mutant) and 37 nM (A375 cells, BRAF mutant), respectively. In vitro profiling in a panel of 240 cell lines with diverse tissue origin and genetic background demonstrated that BI 847325 is a potent inhibitor of cell proliferation (gm GI50 = 28 nM) and induces cell death in a subset of cell lines. In vitro potency significantly correlated with mutations in RAS or BRAF. For comparison, a significant correlation of mutation status and sensitivity was also observed for a selective MEK inhibitor, AZD6244, but not for a selective Aurora inhibitor, BI 811283. In vivo efficacy was studied in nude mouse xenograft models of NSCLC (Calu-6, mutant KRAS) and cutaneous melanoma (A375, mutant BRAF). A daily oral dose of 10 mg/kg resulted in complete inhibition of tumor growth in the Calu-6 model (TGI = 102%, regression in 4/7 animals) and the A375 model (TGI = 116%, regression in 7/7 animals). Inhibition of Aurora B and MEK was monitored ex vivo by determining the phosphorylation state of histone H3 and ERK1/2 in tumor tissue. Immunohistochemical analyses confirmed a significant reduction of both pERK and pHH3 levels in the A375 tumors of treated animals compared to controls. To further profile the mode of action of the compound, the efficacy of BI 847325 in the MIAPaCa2-pancreatic adenocarcinoma model (mutant KRAS) was directly compared with that of the MEK inhibitor GSK 1120212. BI 847325 effectively induced tumor regression (TGI on day 22 = 126%) that was maintained in all animals on day 43. In contrast, treatment with GSK 112021 resulted in initial tumor regression, followed by re-growth after 3-4 weeks (TGI on day 22 = 129%; regrowth on day 43 in 5/7 animals). Inhibition of Aurora kinase in addition to MEK blockade thus may prevent/delay onset of resistance. Additional xenograft models with diverse genetic background are currently under investigation. Clinical development of BI 847325 has been initiated. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1919. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1919

Background. The serine/threonine kinase Aurora B is involved in the regulation of several mitotic processes, including chromosome condensation, congression and segregation as well as cytokinesis. These essential functions of Aurora B and its overexpression in many cancer types render this protein kinase an attractive target for anticancer drug development. Methods. BI 811283 was profiled in enzymatic kinase assays as well as in proliferation assays on various human cancer cell lines. Cell cycle status was assessed by DNA content analysis (Cellomics ArrayScan, FACScalibur). Histone H3 phosphorylation was determined by immunofluorescence (Cellomics ArrayScan). Apoptosis was detected by Western blotting for cleaved PARP and microscopic enumeration of DAPI-stained cells showing nuclear fragmentation. Senescent cells were identified by staining for SA-ß-Gal activity. Results. BI 811283 inhibited human Aurora B kinase activity with an IC50 value of 9 nM, Aurora A and C kinases with 70 nM and 17 nM, respectively. In a panel of 46 additional kinases representative of the human kinome, BI 811283 at 1000 nM inhibited 7/46 kinases by more than 50%. EC50 values for inhibition of proliferation of >20 human cancer cell lines were in the range of 2 to 14 nM. In the non-small cell lung cancer cell line NCI-H460, treatment with BI 811283 resulted in a rapid (80%, paralleled by a marked increase in cell volume. An increase of cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase and a concomitant increase in the fraction of cells with nuclear fragmentation from Conclusions. BI 811283 is a potent and selective Aurora kinase inhibitor that inhibits proliferation of cancer cells independent of tissue origin or oncogenome status. Treated cells exhibit a polyploid phenotype characteristic for Aurora B inhibition and show hallmarks of senescence as well as a slow onset of apoptosis in a small fraction of cells. In vivo activity of BI 811283 has been demonstrated in multiple cancer xenograft models in nude mice (see accompanying poster). Phase I clinical trials are ongoing. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1080.

Clones of mortal chicken fibroblasts and erythroblasts transformed by temperature-sensitive v-src and v-erb B oncoproteins have been developed into immortal cell lines that retain the conditional transformed phenotype. The expressions of two tumor suppressor genes, the retinoblastoma (Rb) gene and the p53 gene, were investigated during senescence, crisis, and cell line establishment. In temperature-sensitive (ts)-v-erb B erythroblasts and ts-v-src fibroblasts (as well as in v-myc macrophages), loss of p53 mRNA or expression of a mutated p53 gene invariably occurred in the early phase of immortalization. In contrast, expression of the Rb gene was unchanged at all stages of immortalization. Inactivation of the original temperature-sensitive oncogene led to loss of the transformed phenotype in fibroblasts and to differentiation in erythroblasts, even in lines that were immortal and lacked p53. The results demonstrate that the process of immortalization is distinct from cell transformation, probably requiring different mutational events.

Hijacking the cellular protein degradation system offers unique opportunities for drug discovery, as exemplified by proteolysis-targeting chimeras. Despite their great promise for medical chemistry, so far, it has not been possible to reprogram the bacterial degradation machinery to interfere with microbial infections. Here, we develop small-molecule degraders, so-called BacPROTACs, that bind to the substrate receptor of the ClpC:ClpP protease, priming neo-substrates for degradation. In addition to their targeting function, BacPROTACs activate ClpC, transforming the resting unfoldase into its functional state. The induced higher-order oligomer was visualized by cryo-EM analysis, providing a structural snapshot of activated ClpC unfolding a protein substrate. Finally, drug susceptibility and degradation assays performed in mycobacteria demonstrate in vivo activity of BacPROTACs, allowing selective targeting of endogenous proteins via fusion to an established degron. In addition to guiding antibiotic discovery, the BacPROTAC technology presents a versatile research tool enabling the inducible degradation of bacterial proteins.