title: Semi-reversible cross-linking. Synthesis and application of a novel heterobifunctional reagent.
abstract: The synthesis of a novel heterobifunctional cross-linking reagent, 3-(4-azido-2-nitrobenzoylseleno)propionic acid is described. The selenol ester function serves as a selective and reversible thiol reagent. Cross-linking is carried out photochemically via nitrene generation. The reagent is well suited for the identification of the environment of a defined cysteine residue according to the principle of semi-reversible cross-linking (Trommer, W.E., Friebel, K., Kiltz, H.-H. & Kolkenbrock. H. (1977) Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 86A, 187-195). Cleavage of the thiol ester bond (the first anchor point) can be achieved by a variety of labels carrying an amino function thus giving rise to labelled amino acids or proteins in a distance of about 0.7 nm from the known cysteine residue. Optimal conditions were determined by reaction of 3-(4-azido-2-nitrobenzoylseleno)propionic acid and of its unsubstituted analog with glutathione and N alpha-benzoylglycyllysine. Nucleosidetriphosphate-adenylate kinase from pig muscle was chosen as an example to demonstrate the usefulness of the reagent. 14C-labelled aminobutyric acid was applied to cleave the thiol ester bond between the reagent and cysteine-25 leading to labelling of the N-terminal arginine peptide.
mesh_terms: D000263:Adenylate Kinase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001386:Azides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008722:Methods; D009132:Muscles / Q000201:enzymology; D013379:Substrate Specificity; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D001386:Azides; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; C030525:3-(4-azido-2-nitrobenzoylseleno)propionic acid; D000263:Adenylate Kinase