Protein of Interest Degradation (POI Degradation)

Protein of interest (POI) degradation refers to the targeted removal of specific proteins within a cell, typically through engineered or natural cellular pathways. This process is essential for maintaining protein homeostasis and regulating various cellular functions. Targeted protein degradation, often achieved through technologies like PROTACs and molecular glues, has emerged as a powerful strategy in drug discovery and research for eliminating disease-associated proteins that are otherwise difficult to inhibit with traditional small molecules. This approach involves recruiting E3 ubiquitin ligases to tag target proteins for degradation by the proteasome or lysosome, offering a catalytic mechanism and the potential to address resistance arising from mutations in the target.

Other names

Targeted Protein DegradationTPDPROTACsMolecular Glues

Recruitment of E3 ubiquitin ligase to target protein leading to ubiquitination and subsequent degradation via the proteasome or lysosome.