Identification of a non-inhibitory aptameric ligand to CRL2ZYG11B E3 ligase for targeted protein degradation

As a crucial element of proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs), the choice of E3 ubiquitin ligase significantly influences degradation efficacy and selectivity. However, the available arsenal of E3 ligases for PROTAC development remains underexplored, severely limiting the scope of targeted protein degradation. In this study, we identify a non-inhibitory aptamer targeting ZYG11B, a substrate receptor of the Cullin 2-RING ligase complex, as an E3 warhead for targeted protein degradation. This aptamer-based PROTAC platform, termed ZATAC, is facilely produced through bioorthogonal chemistry or self-assembly and shows promise in eliminating several undruggable target proteins, including nucleolin (NCL), SRY-box transcription factor 2 (SOX2), and mutant p53-R175H, underscoring its universality and versatility. To specifically deliver ZATACs into cancer cells, we further develop DNA three-way junction-based ZATACs (3WJ-ZATACs) by integrating an additional aptamer that selectively recognizes the protein overexpressed on the surface of cancer cells. The 3WJ-ZATACs demonstrate in vivo tumor-specific distribution and achieve dual-target degradation, thereby suppressing tumor growth without causing noticeable toxicity. In summary, ZATACs represent a general, modular, and straightforward platform for targeted protein degradation, offering insights into the potential of other untapped E3 ligases.