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Site-selective protein-modification chemistry for basic biology and drug development

Nature Chemistry volume 8, pages 103–113 (2016)Cite this article

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Abstract

Nature has produced intricate machinery to covalently diversify the structure of proteins after their synthesis in the ribosome. In an attempt to mimic nature, chemists have developed a large set of reactions that enable post-expression modification of proteins at pre-determined sites. These reactions are now used to selectively install particular modifications on proteins for many biological and therapeutic applications. For example, they provide an opportunity to install post-translational modifications on proteins to determine their exact biological roles. Labelling of proteins in live cells with fluorescent dyes allows protein uptake and intracellular trafficking to be tracked and also enables physiological parameters to be measured optically. Through the conjugation of potent cytotoxicants to antibodies, novel anti-cancer drugs with improved efficacy and reduced side effects may be obtained. In this Perspective, we highlight the most exciting current and future applications of chemical site-selective protein modification and consider which hurdles still need to be overcome for more widespread use.

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Figure 1: Conceptual strategy to achieve site-selective protein-modification using biocompatible chemical reactions in vitro and in vivo.
Figure 2: Chemical site-selective installation of PTMs at pre-determined sites on proteins.
Figure 3: Bioorthogonal protein-modification chemistry for live cell imaging applications.
Figure 4: Example of strategies to achieve site-selective PEGylation of proteins.
Figure 5: Site-selective protein-modification reactions suitable for the synthesis of antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs).
Figure 6: Bioorthogonal approaches to in situ protein activation.

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Acknowledgements

We thank FCT Portugal (FCT Investigator to G.J.L.B.), the EU (Marie-Curie CIG to G.J.L.B. and Marie-Curie IEF to O.B.) and the EPSRC for funding. G.J.L.B. is a Royal Society University Research Fellow. Owing to space limitations, many primary and historical publications have not been cited, in particular in those cases where topical reviews are available.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zürich (ETH Zürich), Vladimir Prelog Weg 1-5/10, Zürich, CH-8093, Switzerland

    Nikolaus Krall

  2. Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, Lisboa, 1649-028, Portugal

    Filipa P. da Cruz & Gonçalo J. L. Bernardes

  3. Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK

    Omar Boutureira & Gonçalo J. L. Bernardes

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Contributions

N.K. and G.J.L.B. developed the concept, researched and wrote the manuscript. F.P.C. designed and produced the figures, and F.P.C. and O.B. assisted with writing the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Gonçalo J. L. Bernardes.

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Krall, N., da Cruz, F., Boutureira, O. et al. Site-selective protein-modification chemistry for basic biology and drug development. Nature Chem 8, 103–113 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/nchem.2393

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