Visualization of Endogenous ERK1/2 in Cells with a Bioorthogonal Covalent Probe

Bioconjug Chem. 2017 Jun 21;28(6):1677-1683. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.7b00152. Epub 2017 May 12.

Abstract

The RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK pathway has been intensively studied in oncology, with RAS known to be mutated in ∼30% of all human cancers. The recent emergence of ERK1/2 inhibitors and their ongoing clinical investigation demands a better understanding of ERK1/2 behavior following small-molecule inhibition. Although fluorescent fusion proteins and fluorescent antibodies are well-established methods of visualizing proteins, we show that ERK1/2 can be visualized via a less-invasive approach based on a two-step process using inverse electron demand Diels-Alder cycloaddition. Our previously reported trans-cyclooctene-tagged covalent ERK1/2 inhibitor was used in a series of imaging experiments following a click reaction with a tetrazine-tagged fluorescent dye. Although limitations were encountered with this approach, endogenous ERK1/2 was successfully imaged in cells, and "on-target" staining was confirmed by over-expressing DUSP5, a nuclear ERK1/2 phosphatase that anchors ERK1/2 in the nucleus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Cycloaddition Reaction
  • Dual-Specificity Phosphatases / analysis
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / analysis*
  • Molecular Probes / chemistry*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Molecular Probes
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • MAPK1 protein, human
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1
  • DUSP5 protein, human
  • Dual-Specificity Phosphatases