High-Affinity Peptidomimetic Inhibitors of the DCN1-UBC12 Protein–Protein Interaction

The Cullin-RING ligases (CRLs) regulate the turnover of approximately 20% of the proteins in mammalian cells and are emerging therapeutic targets in human diseases. The activation of CRLs requires the neddylation of their cullin subunit, which is controlled by an activation complex consisting of Cullin-RBX1-UBC12-NEDD8-DCN1. Herein, we describe the design, synthesis, and evaluation of peptidomimetics targeting the DCN1-UBC12 protein–protein interaction. Starting from a 12-residue UBC12 peptide, we have successfully obtained a series of peptidomimetic compounds that bind to DCN1 protein with K D values of