UW-Madison researchers have developed a novel platform for macropinocytosis-mediated recyclable LYTACs, coined McR-TACs. This platform is capable of initiating macropinocytosis to drag proteins of interest (POIs) into lysosomes, after which the LYTAC is exocytosed for recycling. Specifically, McR-TACs were designed as polymer-drug conjugates where POI ligands were covalently attached to a polymer capable of triggering macropinocytosis. This polymer, synthesized through reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of zwitterionic tertiary amine oxides, has been demonstrated to interact with the hydrophilic head groups of phospholipids on cell membranes, thereby inducing internalization in a receptor-independent manner.
Drug Discovery & Development
MACROPINOCYTOSIS-MEDIATED RECYCLABLE LYTACS AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF
WARF: P250341US02
Inventors: Quanyin Hu, Peixin Liu
The Invention