Journal: Nat Commun / Year: 2026 Title: Structural basis for selective and potent degradation of IRAK4 by KT-474. Authors: Xue Fei / Anand Ramanathan / Caroline A Daigle / Melissa Ford / Veronica Campbell / Xiaozhang Zheng / Mike Sintchak / Haoran Li / Hari Kamadurai / Richard Miller / Steven Kazmirski / Xin ...Authors: Xue Fei / Anand Ramanathan / Caroline A Daigle / Melissa Ford / Veronica Campbell / Xiaozhang Zheng / Mike Sintchak / Haoran Li / Hari Kamadurai / Richard Miller / Steven Kazmirski / Xin Huang / Matthew M Weiss / Nello Mainolfi / Xiao Zhu / Abstract: Targeted protein degradation has emerged as a promising drug modality, with potential applications across many immuno-inflammatory diseases. KT-474 is an orally bioavailable interleukin-1 receptor- ...Targeted protein degradation has emerged as a promising drug modality, with potential applications across many immuno-inflammatory diseases. KT-474 is an orally bioavailable interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4) heterobifunctional degrader evaluated in clinical trials for atopic dermatitis and hidradenitis suppurativa. Here we present structural, biophysical, and computational characterization of an IRAK4:KT-474:CRBN/DDB1 complex. Cryo-EM structure of the complex reveals a unique and non-native protein-protein interaction (PPI) surface mediated by a network of polar and apolar contacts, including key hydrophobic engagements mediated by CRBN Phe150. This complex exhibits negative cooperativity, arising from an interplay between weakly favorable PPI and conformational flexibility of the degrader. Moreover, the structure provides insight into the selective degradation profile of KT-474. Our results offer important insights into the mechanism of action of KT-474 and highlight the value of cryo-EM structures in the optimization of protein degraders.
Method to determine structure: MOLECULAR REPLACEMENT / Resolution: 2.05→41.28 Å / Cor.coef. Fo:Fc: 0.973 / Cor.coef. Fo:Fc free: 0.959 / SU B: 6.401 / SU ML: 0.081 / Cross valid method: THROUGHOUT / ESU R Free: 0.031 / Stereochemistry target values: MAXIMUM LIKELIHOOD / Details: HYDROGENS HAVE BEEN ADDED IN THE RIDING POSITIONS
Rfactor
Num. reflection
% reflection
Selection details
Rfree
0.2063
4827
5.1 %
RANDOM
Rwork
0.1576
-
-
-
obs
0.16008
89234
99.48 %
-
Solvent computation
Ion probe radii: 0.8 Å / Shrinkage radii: 0.8 Å / VDW probe radii: 1.2 Å / Solvent model: MASK