Work

Methionine-specific nonreversible bioconjugation: Advancing precision protein modification

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: We present a methionine-selective, nonreversible bioconjugation strategy that employs activated allylic bromides under mild, aqueous reaction conditions compatible with various peptides and proteins. Compared with conventional allylic bromides, our method improves conjugate stability and suppresses nonspecific reactivity under the examined reaction conditions. This method enables methionine-preferred labeling of peptides and proteins, and provides proof-of-concept applications in covalent inhibitor design and protein functionalization. As a complementary addition to existing methionine bioconjugation strategies, this chemistry expands the toolkit available for protein modification and chemical biology research.

Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2519038123

Authors: Shirui Wang, Zhenguo Zhang, Raymond Tio, Bohan Li, Joycelyn Yi Xin Khoo, Teck-Peng Loh

Institutions: Nanyang Technological University, Great Bay University, Henan University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Click Chemistry and Applications

Subfield: Organic Chemistry

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Nanyang Technological University

Awards: G5575621636, G8054798955