Selective protein labeling with a small molecular probe is a versatile method for elucidating protein functions in living cells. In this paper, we report a covalent labeling method of tag-fused G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) proteins expressing on cell surfaces utilizing small functional molecules. This method employs the selective and rapid reaction of a peptide tag and a molecular probe, which comprises the cysteine-containing short CA6D4x2 tag (CAAAAAADDDDGDDDD) and a tetranuclear Zn(II)-DpaTyr probe containing a reactive alpha-chloroacetyl moiety. The covalent labeling of tag-fused GPCRs such as bradykinin receptor (B2R) and acetylcholine receptor (m1AchR) selectively proceeded under physiological conditions during short incubation (10-30 min) with Zn(II)-DpaTyr probes bearing various functional groups. Labeling with fluorophore-appended Zn(II)-DpaTyr probes enabled visualization of the GPCRs on the surface of HEK293 cells by fluorescence. Labeling with the biotin-appended probe allowed introduction of a biotin unit into the GPCRs. This biotin label was utilized for fluorescence bioimaging studies and postlabeling blotting analysis of the labeled GPCRs by use of the specific biotin-streptavidin interaction. The utility of this labeling method was demonstrated in several function analyses of GPCRs, such as fluorescence visualization of the stimuli-responsive internalization of GPCRs and pH change in endosomes containing the internalized GPCRs.

A new method for in-cell protein labeling was developed. This method employed a binding-induced nucleophilic reaction between the Cys-appended His-tag and the Ni(II)-NTA containing an α-chloroacetamide. Using this method, not only labeling of His-tag fused proteins but also the detection of a protein-protein interaction was achieved inside living cells.

A ratiometric fluorescent probe that can visualize endogenously produced hydropersulfides has been developed.

Protein-labeling methods serve as essential tools for analyzing functions of proteins of interest under complicated biological conditions such as in live cells. These labeling methods are useful not only to fluorescently visualize proteins of interest in biological systems but also to conduct protein and cell analyses by harnessing the unique functions of molecular probes. Among the various labeling methods available, an appropriate binding pair consisting of a short peptide and a de novo designed small molecular probe has attracted attention because of its wide utility and versatility. Interestingly, most peptide tag/probe pairs exploit metal-ligand coordination interactions as the main binding force responsible for their association. Herein, we provide an overview of the recent progress of these coordination-chemistry-based protein-labeling methods and their applications for fluorescence imaging and functional analysis of cellular proteins, while highlighting our originally developed labeling methods. These successful examples clearly exemplify the utility and versatility of metal coordination chemistry in protein functional analysis.