Optical Control of Small Molecule-Induced Protein Degradation

As an emerging approach to protein perturbation, small molecule-induced protein degradation has gained significant attention as both a chemical tool and a potential therapeutic. To enable discrete control over its function, we have developed a broadly applicable approach for the optical activation of small molecule-induced protein degradation. By installing two different photolabile protecting groups, so-called caging groups, onto two different ligands recruiting Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) and cereblon (CRBN) E3 ubiquitin ligases, our strategy enables light-triggered protein degradation for any small molecule warhead.