Small molecule photocatalysis enables drug target identification via energy transfer

Abstract The identification of cellular targets that can be exploited for therapeutic benefit, broadly known as target ID, remains a fundamental goal in drug discovery. In recent years, the application of new chemical and biological technologies that accelerate target ID has become commonplace within drug discovery programs, as a complete understanding of how molecules react in a cellular environment can lead to increased binding selectivity, improved safety profiles, and clinical efficacy. Established approaches using photoaffinity labelling (PAL) are often costly and time-consuming due to poor signal-to-noise coupled with extensive probe optimization. Such challenges are exacerbated when dealing with low abundance membrane proteins or multiple protein target engagement, typically rendering target ID unfeasible. Herein, we describe a general platform for photocatalytic small molecule target ID, which hinges upon the generation of high-energy carbene intermediates via visible light-mediated Dexter energy transfer. By decoupling the reactive warhead from the drug, catalytic signal amplification results in multiple labelling events per drug, leading to unprecedented levels of target enrichment. Through the development of cell permeable photo-catalyst conjugates, this method has enabled the quantitative target and off target identification of several drugs including (+)-JQ1, paclitaxel, and dasatinib. Moreover, this methodology has led to the target ID of two GPCRs – ADORA2A and GPR40 – a class of drug target seldom successfully uncovered in small molecule PAL campaigns.