Light-Controlled Traceless Protein Labeling via Decaging Thio--naphthoquinone Methide Chemistry.

We report the molecular design of a novel multifunctional reagent and its application for light-controlled selective protein labeling. This molecule integrates functions of protein-ligand recognition, bioconjugation, ligand cleavage, and photoactivation by merging the photochemistries of 2-nitrophenylpropyloxycarbonyl and 3-hydroxymethyl-2-naphthol with an affinity ligand and fluorescein. Highly electrophilic -naphthoquinone methide was photochemically released and underwent proximity-driven selective labeling with the protein of interest (e.g., carbonic anhydrases), which retains its native function after labeling.