# Nuclear Magnetic Resonance‐based fragment screen of the E3 ligase Fem‐1 homolog B

## TL;DR

This paper explores FEM1B, a less-known E3 ligase, as a potential alternative for targeted protein degradation using PROTACs.

## Contribution

The study presents a stable FEM1B construct and uses NMR and X-ray to identify fragment hits for PROTAC development.

## Key findings

- A stable FEM1B construct was developed for screening.
- NMR-based fragment screening identified potential binders to FEM1B.
- X-ray structures of fragment-bound FEM1B were determined.

## Abstract

Targeted protein degradation using PROTACs (PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras) has emerged as a transformative therapeutic strategy, largely relying on a small number of E3 ubiquitin ligases such as CRBN and VHL. However, resistance, toxicity, and poor oral bioavailability limit the utility of PROTACs and highlight the need to expand the E3 ligase toolbox. Fem‐1 homolog B (FEM1B) is a lesser‐known E3 ligase that offers a promising alternative due to its broad expression and ability to recognize diverse degron motifs. Here, we describe the development of a stable construct of FEM1B, the results of a protein‐observed NMR‐based fragment screen using this construct, and the X‐ray structures of some of the fragment hits when bound to the protein. From these results, new PROTACs utilizing FEM1B as the E3 ligase may be discovered, providing an alternative E3 ligase for targeted protein degradation.