Characterization of a small-molecule inhibitor targeting NEMO/IKKβ to suppress colorectal cancer growth

NEMO/IKKβ complex is a central regulator of NF-κB signaling pathway, its dissociation has been considered to be an attractive therapeutic target. Herein, using a combined strategy of molecular pharmacological phenotyping, proteomics and bioinformatics analysis, Shikonin (SHK) is identified as a potential inhibitor of the IKKβ/NEMO complex. It destabilizes IKKβ/NEMO complex with IC50 of 174 nM, thereby significantly impairing the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells by suppressing the NF-κB pathway in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we also elucidated the potential target sites of SHK in the NEMO/IKKβ complex. Our study provides some new insights for the development of potent small-molecule PPI inhibitors.