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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/204060
Lenalidomide Stabilizes Protein-Protein Complexes by Turning Labile Intermolecular H-Bonds into Robust Interactions
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Targeted protein degradation is a promising therapeutic strategy, spearheaded by the anti-myeloma drugs lenalidomide and pomalidomide. These drugs stabilize very efficiently the complex between the E3 ligase Cereblon (CRBN) and several non-native client proteins (neosubstrates), including the transcription factors Ikaros and Aiolos and the enzyme Caseine Kinase 1 (CK1,), resulting in their degradation. Although the structures for these complexes have been determined, there are no evident interactions that can account for the high efficiency of formation of the ternary complex. We show that lenalidomide's stabilization of the CRBN-CK1 complex is largely due to hydrophobic shielding of intermolecular hydrogen bonds. We also find a quantitative relationship between hydrogen bond robustness and binding affinities of the ternary complexes. These results pave the way to further understand cooperativity effects in drug-induced protein-protein complexes and could help in the design of improved molecular glues and more efficient protein degraders.
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MIÑARRO LLEONAR, Marina, et al. Lenalidomide Stabilizes Protein-Protein Complexes by Turning Labile Intermolecular H-Bonds into Robust Interactions. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 2023. Vol. 66, num. 9, pags. 6037-6046. ISSN 0022-2623. [consulted: 17 of June of 2026]. Available at: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/204060