What is a protac?

Protacs, or PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras, are small molecules designed to induce the degradation of specific proteins within cells. They work by recruiting a target protein to the cell's natural protein degradation machinery, known as the ubiquitin-proteasome system. This targeted protein degradation approach is being explored for therapeutic applications, particularly in diseases where traditional drug approaches are less effective. Protacs are an emerging area in drug discovery and are primarily researched in pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.