A neomorphic protein interface catalyzes covalent inhibition of RAS aspartic acid in tumors.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
Authors
Abstract

Mutant RAS proteins are among the most prevalent drivers of human cancer, and the glycine to aspartic acid mutation at codon 12 (G12D) is the most common variant. Mutation-selective covalent inhibitors spare RAS in healthy tissue and enable extended pharmacodynamic effect, but covalent targeting of RAS is hindered by low nucleophilicity and high proteomic abundance of carboxylic acids. We overcame these challenges with compounds that bind cyclophilin A (CYPA) to create a neomorphic protein-protein interface between CYPA and active RAS that enables selective, enzyme-like rate enhancement of the covalent reaction between D12 and electrophilic warheads with exceptionally low intrinsic reactivity. This approach yielded orally bioavailable compounds with marked antitumor activity in multiple preclinical models of KRAS cancers, including the investigational agent zoldonrasib (RMC-9805) currently undergoing clinical evaluation (NCT06040541).

Year of Publication
2025
Journal
Science (New York, N.Y.)
Volume
389
Issue
6758
Pages
eads0239
Date Published
07/2025
ISSN
1095-9203
DOI
10.1126/science.ads0239
PubMed ID
40705880
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