Rapid site-specific protein labeling based on Diels-Alder bioorthogonal reactions

Abstract

In recent years, many achievements have been made in site-specific protein modifications. This review highlights the latest advances on protein labeling, which utilizes the inverse electron-demand Diels-Alder bioorthogonal reactions of highly strained alkenes or alkynes and tetrazines, by genetically encoding unnatural amino acids containing one of these functionalities into the specific sites of proteins, leading to the rapid fluorescence labeling of cellular proteins. © 2012 Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences.