Advancing targeted protein degrader discovery by measuring cereblon engagement in cells

Measurement of target engagement in cells is critical to understand the molecular pharmacology of drugs and chemical probes. Many targeted protein degraders engage the E3 ligase CRL4CRBN and induce proximity with target neosubstrates resulting in their polyubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation. Here we describe the development of a sensitive and robust cellular NanoBRET-based assay that measures occupancy of the CRBN ligand binding site. The assay is based on a bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) between NanoLuc luciferase tagged CRBN and a BODIPY-lenalidomide tracer which can be competed out by CRBN ligands, including PROTACs and molecular glues. The assay is compatible with a 384-well plate setup, does not require transfections and can be performed in a single day with only 3–4 h of laboratory time. The protocols can be used to design other NanoLuc fusion engagement assays based on BODIPY tracers.