A PROTAC (Proteolysis Targeting Chimeric Molecule) is a protein degrader comprised of a ligand for E3 ligase (E3 ligase binder), a linker and a ligand for target protein (target binder). The association between an E3 ligase and a target protein induced by a PROTAC will lead to the transfer of ubiquitin and degradation of the targeted protein.
E3 ligases catalyze the transfer of ubiquitin to targeted proteins and determine the specificity of the proteins. There are hundreds of E3 ligases in cells, but only a limited number of them are successfully used in reported PROTACs, such as VHL (von Hippel-Lindau disease tumor suppressor protein), CRBN (Cereblon), MDM2 (the mouse double minute 2 homologue) and IAP (inhibitor of apoptosis).