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The α-oxo aldehyde is a highly reactive aldehyde for which many protein bioconjugation strategies exist. Here, we explore the genetic incorporation of a threonine-lysine dipeptide into proteins, harbouring a "masked"α-oxo aldehyde that is rapidly unveiled in four minutes. The reactive aldehyde could undergo site-specific protein modification by SPANC ligation.

The bioconjugation of proteins with small molecules has proved an invaluable strategy for probing and perturbing biological mechanisms. The general use of chemical methods for protein functionalisation can be limited however by the requirement for complicated reaction partners to be present in large excess, and harsh conditions which are incompatible with many protein scaffolds. Herein we describe a site-selective organocatalyst-mediated protein aldol ligation (OPAL) that affords stable carbon-carbon linked bioconjugates at neutral pH. OPAL enables rapid modification of proteins using simple aldehyde probes in minimal excess, and is utilised here in the affinity tagging of proteins in cell lysate. Furthermore we demonstrate that the β-hydroxy aldehyde OPAL product can be functionalised again at neutral pH in a tandem organocatalyst-mediated oxime ligation. This tandem strategy is showcased in the 'chemical mimicry' of a previously inaccessible natural dual post-translationally modified protein integral to the pathogenesis of the neglected tropical disease Leishmaniasis.

Protein bioconjugation frequently makes use of aldehydes as reactive handles, with methods for their installation being highly valued. Here a new, powerful strategy to unmask a reactive protein aldehyde is presented. A genetically encoded caged glyoxyl aldehyde, situated in solvent-accessible locations, can be rapidly decaged through treatment with just one equivalent of allylpalladium(ii) chloride dimer at physiological pH. The protein aldehyde can undergo subsequent oxime ligation for site-selective protein modification. Quick yet mild conditions, orthogonality and powerful exposed reactivity make this strategy of great potential in protein modification.