Figure 1. . The mechanism of proteasome degradation mediated by protease-targeted chimera molecules: heterobifunctional protease-targeted chimera molecule brings ubiquitylated ligase and protein of interest in closer proximity and induces formation of ubiquitin chains on protein of interest; these ubiquitylated proteins can be recognized by the specific proteasome.

The proteasomal complex then initiates degradation of POI into small peptides.

POI: Protein of interest; PROTAC: Protease-targeted chimera.