MicroRNA‐Triggered Programmable DNA‐Encoded Pre‐PROTACs for Cell‐Selective and Controlled Protein Degradation

Abstract

Proteolysis‐targeting chimeras (PROTACs) have accelerated drug development; however, some challenges still exist owing to their lack of tumor selectivity and on‐demand protein degradation. Here, we developed a miRNA‐initiated assembled pre‐PROTAC (miRiaTAC) platform that enables the on‐demand activation and termination of target degradation in a cell type‐specific manner. Using miRNA‐21 as a model, we engineered DNA hairpins labeled with JQ‐1 and pomalidomide and facilitated the modular assembly of DNA‐encoded pre‐PROTACs through a hybridization chain reaction. This configuration promoted the selective polyubiquitination and degradation of BRD4 upon miR‐21 initiation, highlighting significant tumor selectivity and minimal systemic toxicity. Furthermore, the platform incorporates photolabile groups, enabling the precise optical control of pre‐PROTACs during DNA assembly/disassembly, mitigating the risk of excessive protein degradation. Additionally, by introducing a secondary ligand targeting CDK6, these pre‐PROTACs were used as a modular scaffold for the programmable assembly of active miRiaTACs containing two different warheads in exact stoichiometry, enabling orthogonal multitarget degradation. The integration of near‐infrared light‐mediated photodynamic therapy through an upconversion nanosystem further enhanced the efficacy of the platform with potent in vivo anticancer activity. We anticipate that miRiaTAC represents a significant intersection between dynamic DNA nanotechnology and PROTAC, potentially expanding the versatility of PROTAC toolkit for cancer therapy.