Identification of a Sonically Activated Degrader of Methionine Adenosyltransferase 2A by an <i>in Silico</i> Approach Assisted with the Hole–Electron Analysis
Huan He, Ziwei Wang, Xueke Peng, Luolong Qing, Yu Zhang, Shaojuan Fu, Juan Xu, Yuanyuan Li, Silong Zhang
Abstract
Small molecules capable of modulating methionine adenosyltransferase 2A (MAT2A) are of significant interest in precise cancer therapeutics. Herein, we raised the hole–electron Coulombic attraction as a reliable molecular descriptor for predicting the reactive oxygen generation capacity of MAT2A inhibitors, based on which we discovered compound H3 as a sonically activated degrader of MAT2A. Upon sonication, H3 can generate reactive oxygen species to specifically degrade cellular MAT2A via rapid oxidative reactions. Combination of H3 and sonication induced 87% MAT2A depletion in human colon cancer cells, thus elevating its antiproliferation effects by 8-folds. In vivo, H3 had a favorable pharmacokinetic profile (bioavailability = 77%) and ADME properties. Owing to the MAT2A degradation merits, H3 at a dosage of 10 mg/kg induced 31% tumor regression in xenograft colon tumor models. The significantly boosted antitumor potency can potentially alleviate the toxicity of high-dose MAT2A inhibitors to normal cells and tissues, especially to the liver.