Furan warheads for covalent trapping of weak protein-protein interactions: cross-linking of thymosin β4 to actin

Chem Commun (Camb). 2021 Jun 21;57(49):6054-6057. doi: 10.1039/d1cc01731d. Epub 2021 May 25.

Abstract

We describe furan as a triggerable 'warhead' for site-specific cross-linking using the actin and thymosin β4 (Tβ4)-complex as model of a weak and dynamic protein-protein interaction (PPI) with known 3D structure and with application potential in disease contexts. The identified cross-linked residues demonstrate that lysine is a target for the furan warhead. The presented in vitro validation of covalently acting 'furan-armed' Tβ4-variants provides initial proof to further exploit furan-technology for covalent drug design targeting lysines.

MeSH terms

  • Actins / chemistry
  • Cross-Linking Reagents / chemistry*
  • Furans / chemistry*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Protein Binding
  • Thymosin / chemistry*

Substances

  • Actins
  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Furans
  • thymosin beta(4)
  • Thymosin