Site-Selective Labeling of Native Proteins by a Multicomponent Approach.

Chemical functionalization of proteins is an indispensable tool. Yet, selective labeling of native proteins has been an arduous task. The limited success of chemical methods allows N-terminus protein labeling, but the examples with side-chain residues are rare. Herein, we surpass this challenge through a multicomponent transformation that operates under physiological conditions in the presence of a protein, aldehyde, acetylene, and Cu-ligand complex. The methodology results in the labeling of a single lysine residue in nine distinct proteins.