Transition-metal based reactions have found wide use in organic synthesis and are used frequently to functionalize small molecules.1,2 However, there are very few reports of using transition-metal based reactions to modify complex biomolecules3,4, which is due to the need for stringent reaction conditions (for example, aqueous media, low temperature, and mild pH) and the existence of multiple, reactive functional groups found in biopolymers. Here we report that palladium(II) complexes can be used for efficient and highly selective cysteine conjugation reactions. The bioconjugation reaction is rapid and robust under a range of biocompatible reaction conditions. The straightforward synthesis of the palladium reagents from diverse and easily accessible aryl halide and trifluoromethanesulfonate precursors makes the method highly practical, providing access to a large structural space for protein modification. The resulting aryl bioconjugates are stable towards acids, bases, oxidants, and external thiol nucleophiles. The broad utility of the new bioconjugation platform was further corroborated by the synthesis of new classes of stapled peptides and antibody-drug conjugates. These palladium complexes show potential as a new set of benchtop reagents for diverse bioconjugation applications.

Highlights d Chemical proteomics identifies cysteine reactivity changes in activated T cells d Chemical proteomics maps ligandable cysteines in diverse immune-relevant proteins d Cysteine-directed electrophilic compounds suppress T cells by distinct mechanisms d Electrophile-cysteine interactions promote the degradation of immune proteins

Current methods used for measuring amino acid side-chain reactivity lack the throughput needed to screen large chemical libraries for interactions across the proteome. Here we redesigned the workflow for activity-based protein profiling of reactive cysteine residues by using a smaller desthiobiotin-based probe, sample multiplexing, reduced protein starting amounts and software to boost data acquisition in real time on the mass spectrometer. Our method, streamlined cysteine activity-based protein profiling (SLC-ABPP), achieved a 42-fold improvement in sample throughput, corresponding to profiling library members at a depth of >8,000 reactive cysteine sites at 18 min per compound. We applied it to identify proteome-wide targets of covalent inhibitors to mutant Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS) G12C and Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK). In addition, we Reprints and permissions information is available at www.nature.com/reprints.

The transcription factor NRF2 is a master regulator of the cellular antioxidant response and is often genetically activated in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers (NSCLCs) by, for instance, mutations in the interacting protein KEAP1. While direct pharmacological inhibition of NRF2 has proven challenging, its aberrant activation rewires biochemical networks in cancer cells that may create special vulnerabilities. Here, we use chemical proteomics to map druggable proteins that are selectively expressed in KEAP1-mutant NSCLC cells. Principal among these was NR0B1, an atypical orphan nuclear receptor that we show engages in a multimeric protein complex to regulate the transcriptional output of KEAP1-mutant NSCLC cells. We further identify small molecules that covalently target a conserved cysteine within the NR0B1 protein interaction domain and demonstrate that these compounds disrupt NR0B1 complexes and impair the anchorage-independent growth of KEAP1-mutant cancer cells. Our findings designate NR0B1 as a druggable, transcriptional regulator that supports NRF2-dependent lung cancers.

Bioconjugation chemistry has been used to prepare modified biomolecules with functions beyond what nature intended. Central to these techniques is the development of highly efficient and selective bioconjugation reactions that operate under mild, biomolecule compatible conditions. Methods that form a nucleophile–sp2 carbon bond show promise for creating bioconjugates with new modifications, sometimes resulting in molecules with unparalleled functions. Here we outline and review sulfur, nitrogen, selenium, oxygen, and carbon arylative bioconjugation strategies and their applications to modify peptides, proteins, sugars, and nucleic acids

Hypervalent iodine λ3-benziodoxoles are common electrophilic transfer reagents known for their enhanced stability compared to their non-cyclic analogues. Herein we present data showing that chlorobenziodoxole reacts with two different thiolate nucleophiles (thiocyanate and trifluoromethylthiolate), resulting in the formation of stable thioperoxy complexes rather than the expected benziodoxole derivatives. We further report a revised structure for the earlier described electrophilic trifluoromethylthiolation reagent (1), which was previously believed to contain the benziodoxole framework. Our findings, which are based on a combination of analytical techniques, including the recently introduced crystalline sponge method for X-ray analysis, unambiguously demonstrate that 1 is a thioperoxy compound both in solution and the solid state.

Highlights d We identified ALDH1A family inhibitors (ALDH1Ai) that target CD133 + ovarian CSCs d ALDH1Ai triggers calcium-dependent cell-programmed necrosis d ALDH1Ai induces mitochondrial uncoupling proteins affecting cellular metabolism d ADH1Ai overcomes chemotherapy resistance to increase tumor eradication

An efficient method for palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling of aryl chlorides and triflates with sodium cyanate is reported. The protocol allows for the synthesis of unsymmetrical N,N'-di- and N,N,N'-trisubstituted ureas in one pot, and is tolerant of a wide range of functional groups. Insight into the mechanism of aryl isocyanate formation is gleaned through studies of the transmetallation and reductive elimination steps of the reaction, including the first demonstration of reductive elimination from an arylpalladium isocyanate complex to produce an aryl isocyanate.