Developing isoxazole as a native photo-cross-linker for photoaffinity labeling and chemoproteomics

Abstract

Photoaffinity labeling is a powerful technique to interrogate drug-protein interactions in native cellular environments. Photo-cross-linkers are instrumental for this technique. However, the introduction of unnatural photo-cross-linkers may significantly reduce the bioactivity of the drug, thus impairing the chemoproteomic outcomes. Herein, we developed a common pharmacophore, isoxazole, into a natively embedded photo-cross-linker for chemoproteomics, which minimally perturbs the drug structure. The photo-cross-linking reactions of the isoxazole were thoroughly investigated for the first time. Functionalized isoxazoles were then designed and applied to protein labeling, demonstrating the superior photo-cross-linking efficiency. Subsequently, two isoxazole-based drugs, Danazol and Luminespib, were employed in chemoproteomic studies, revealing their potential cellular targets. These results provide valuable strategies for future chemoproteomic study and drug development.

Ke Cheng, PhD

I am a chemical biologist with expertise in organic chemistry, bioconjugation, protein biology, and oncology. My research focuses on developing small molecule probes and drugs, antibody drug conjugates, and radioligand agents for targeted cancer therapy, including the design of cleavable ADC linkers and next generation payloads, as well as tumor activatable probes and chemoproteomics driven target discovery.