Fluorophore Labeling of Proteins: a Versatile Trigger-Release-Conjugation Platform Based on the Quinone Methide Chemistry

Bioconjug Chem. 2022 Aug 17;33(8):1543-1551. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.2c00297. Epub 2022 Jul 28.

Abstract

In situ conjugation of fluorescent molecules to biomolecules such as proteins under spatiotemporal control offers a powerful means for studying biological systems. For that purpose, the o-quinone methide chemistry involving a sequence of the trigger-release-conjugation (TRC) process provides a versatile conjugation method. We have developed a new TRC platform bearing a quaternary ammonium salt for the release process, which can be structurally modified and readily synthesized from commonly used aryl alcohol-type organic fluorophores under environmentally benign conditions. We show that different aryl alcohol fluorophores containing the o-(morpholinium)methyl group for the release process allow efficient fluorophore labeling of proteins under both light- and chemical-triggering conditions. The bioconjugation in cells as well as in tissues was further demonstrated with an o-(morpholinium)methyl analogue containing a triggering group sensitive to reactive oxygen species. The new TRC system thus provides a versatile and unique platform for in situ fluorophore labeling of proteins in biological systems under spatiotemporal control.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry
  • Indolequinones* / chemistry
  • Ionophores
  • Molecular Structure
  • Proteins

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Indolequinones
  • Ionophores
  • Proteins
  • quinone methide