Small molecule inhibitors targeting Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 RING domain

Abstract Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) is an essential chromatin modifying complex that monoubiquitinates histone H2A and is involved in maintaining the repressed chromatin state. Emerging evidence suggests PRC1 activity in various cancers, rationalizing the need for small molecule inhibitors with a well-defined mechanism of action. Here, we describe the development of compounds that directly bind to RING1B-BMI1, the heterodimeric complex constituting the E3 ligase activity of PRC1. These compounds block the association of RING1B-BMI1 with chromatin and inhibit H2A