Tunable Activated Esters Enable Lysine-Selective Protein Labeling and Profiling

Lysine residues on protein surfaces are abundant and often found in enzyme active sites, making them critical targets for studying undruggable proteins. However, the varied microenvironment surrounding lysine residues results in a wide range of pK a values, complicating site-specific covalent binding. In this study, we address the challenges posed by the diverse reactivity of amino side chains by modulating the amide reaction activity of heteroaromatic activated esters. By fine-tuning the type, position, and number of heteroatoms, we successfully rationalized the regulation of their amide reaction activity, leading to the design of probes for selective lysine labeling within the proteome for profiling purposes. Systematic optimization of these esters’ reactivity and selectivity has yielded a series of effective probes suitable for both in vitro and cellular applications. These findings significantly enhance our understanding of protein functions and mechanisms, facilitated by the precise identification and analysis of protein labeling and profiling.