Issue 11, 2015

Illuminating biological processes through site-specific protein labeling

Abstract

Coupling genetically encoded peptide tags or unnatural amino acids (UAAs) with bioorthogonal reactions allows for precise control over the protein-labeling sites as well as the wide choice of labeling dyes. However, the value of these site-specific protein labeling strategies in a real biology setting, particularly their advantages over conventional labeling methods including fluorescent proteins (FPs), remains to be fully demonstrated. In this tutorial review, we first introduce various strategies for site-specific protein labeling that utilize artificial peptide sequences or genetically encoded UAAs as the labeling handle. Emphasis will be placed on introducing the advantages of protein site-specific labeling techniques as well as their applications in solving biological problems, particularly as to why a site-specific protein labeling approach is needed. Finally, beyond the widely used single site-specific labeling methods, the recently emerged dual site-specific protein labeling strategies will be introduced together with their fast-growing potential in illustrating biological processes.

Graphical abstract: Illuminating biological processes through site-specific protein labeling

Article information

Article type
Tutorial Review
Submitted
17 marras 2014
First published
10 huhti 2015

Chem. Soc. Rev., 2015,44, 3405-3417

Illuminating biological processes through site-specific protein labeling

G. Zhang, S. Zheng, H. Liu and P. R. Chen, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2015, 44, 3405 DOI: 10.1039/C4CS00393D

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements