Inducible, selective labeling of proteins via enzymatic oxidation of tyrosine

Abstract

Proteins can be labeled site-specifically and in inducible fashion by exposing a small peptide tag (G4Y) on any of its termini and activating the newly exposed tyrosine residue with the enzyme mushroom tyrosinase. The enzyme generates a quinone by oxidizing the tyrosine, which in turn can perform strain-promoted oxidation-controlled ortho-quinone cycloaddition (SPOCQ) with strained alkynes and alkenes, generating a stable conjugation product. Here, we describe a protocol to perform SPOCQ reaction on proteins, along with notes to optimize yield and reaction rates. Conjugation efficiencies of over 95% to antibodies have been reported using this protocol.