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Rewiring Oncogenic Transcriptional Complexes with Domain-ALTeration Chimeras (DALTACs) in Prostate Cancer
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Rewiring Oncogenic Transcriptional Complexes with Domain-ALTeration Chimeras (DALTACs) in Prostate Cancer

Jie Luo, Jianzhang Yang, Jean Ching-Yi Tien +23 more
April 2026
 ·
bioRxiv
 ·
DOI 
10.64898/2026.04.24.720638
94
%
Reproducible
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Why this is interesting

DALTACs establish that enforcing non-native domain interactions within endogenous complexes locks them in transcriptionally inert states—redefining induced proximity beyond degradation and delivering a lineage-selective, super-inhibitory attack on castration-resistant prostate cancer.

QED claims analysis

Summary

Domain-ALTeration Chimeras (DALTACs) represent a novel therapeutic modality that rewires oncogenic transcriptional complexes by enforcing non-native domain interactions between endogenous protein partners; the first-in-class AR–p300/CBP DALTAC-1 induces synthetic proximity between the AR ligand-binding domain and p300/CBP bromodomain, thereby reprogramming p300 substrate specificity to suppress enhancer-associated histone acetylation while inducing neomorphic acetylation of AR complex components, ultimately collapsing the AR neo-enhanceosome and achieving lineage-selective tumor regression in AR-positive prostate cancer models with superior efficacy compared to combined inhibition of individual components.

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Main Claim 1 –

DALTAC-1 Inhibits Prostate Cancer Growth Better Than Dual Inhibitors

Supporting evidence

  • DALTAC-1 Engages AR and p300/CBP by Thermal Stabilization
Main Claim 2 –

DALTAC-1 Selectively Inhibits Proliferation in AR-Positive Prostate Cancer

Supporting evidence

  • DALTAC-1 Cytotoxicity Persists After Compound Washout
Main Claim 3 –

DALTAC-1 Forms Stable AR–p300 Ternary Complex Enhancing Interaction

Supporting evidence

  • Salt Bridges and Hydrogen Bonds Stabilize AR–p300–DALTAC-1 Complex
Main Claim 4 –

DALTAC-1 AR-Dependently Suppresses Enhancer Histone Acetylation Including H2BNTac

Supporting evidence

  • DALTAC-1 Decreases Histone Acetylation but Increases AR-Complex Acetylation
  • DALTAC-1 More Strongly Represses AR Transcription Than Dual Inhibitors

Abstract

Transcriptional addiction to the androgen receptor (AR) underlies metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), where AR maintains oncogenic enhancer programs through dynamic, domain-specific interactions with the lysine acetyltransferases p300/CBP and associated cofactors. Here, we describe a mechanistically distinct therapeutic modality, Domain-ALTeration Chimeras (DALTACs), designed to rewire endogenous protein complexes by enforcing non-native domain–domain interactions rather than degrading or inhibiting individual components. Our first-in-class molecule, AR–p300/CBP DALTAC-1, induces a synthetic proximity between the AR ligand-binding domain and the p300/CBP bromodomain, thereby misconfiguring the native AR–p300/CBP interface and locking the complex into a non-productive, transcriptionally inert state. DALTAC-1 triggers a profound “super-inhibitory” effect, suppressing AR-driven transcription and proliferation more potently than combined AR and p300/CBP inhibition. Mechanistically, DALTAC-1 reprograms the substrate specificity of p300/CBP, extinguishing the enhancer-associated histone mark H2B N-terminal acetylation (H2BNTac) while inducing neomorphic acetylation of AR and SRC2/3, culminating in collapse of the AR neo-enhanceosome. Chromatin profiling revealed widespread redistribution of AR and p300 toward canonical palindromic AREs, coupled with attenuation of ERG/BRD4 recruitment and a near complete loss of histone H2BNTac acetylation and RNA polymerase II loading at oncogenic AR/ERG neo-enhancers. Strikingly, DALTAC-1 exhibits exquisite lineage selectivity, displaying potent activity in AR-positive prostate cancer cells and patient-derived organoids while sparing AR-negative or non-prostate lineages. In multiple in vivo models, including castration-resistant and patient-derived xenograft tumors, DALTAC-1 induces deep and durable tumor regressions with favorable tolerability. Together, these findings establish DALTACs as a broadly applicable strategy to rewire disease-defining protein complexes by altering their domain topology, expanding the conceptual and therapeutic landscape of induced proximity agents. The precision and lineage-selective action of DALTAC-1 highlight its strong translational potential for treating AR-driven prostate cancer.

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