Encoding latent SuFEx reactive meta-fluorosulfate tyrosine to expand covalent bonding of proteins

Chem Commun (Camb). 2022 Jun 14;58(48):6861-6864. doi: 10.1039/d2cc01902g.

Abstract

The introduction of new covalent bonds into proteins is affording novel avenues for protein research and applications, yet it remains difficult to generate covalent linkages at all possible sites and across diverse protein classes. Herein, we genetically encoded meta-fluorosulfate-L-tyrosine (mFSY) to selectively react with lysine, tyrosine, and histidine via proximity-enabled SuFEx reaction. mFSY was able to target residues that were elusive for previous unnatural amino acids, and permitted engineering of various proteins including affibody, nanobody, and Fab into covalent binders that irreversibly cross-linked EGFR and HER2. mFSY is thus valuable for developing covalent proteins for biological research, synthetic biology, and biotherapeutics.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / chemistry
  • Histidine / chemistry
  • Lysine / chemistry
  • Proteins* / chemistry
  • Tyrosine* / chemistry

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Proteins
  • Tyrosine
  • Histidine
  • Lysine