Fast and efficient MCR-based synthesis of clickable rhodamine tags for protein profiling

Protein profiling probes are important tools for studying the composition of the proteome and as such have contributed greatly to the understanding of various complex biological processes in higher organisms. For this purpose the application of fluorescently labeled activity or affinity probes is highly desirable. Especially for in vivo detection of low abundant target proteins, otherwise difficult to analyse by standard blotting techniques, fluorescently labeled profiling probes are of high value. Here, a one-pot protocol for the synthesis of activated fluorescent labels (i.e. azide, alkynyl or NHS), based on the Ugi-4-component reaction (Ugi-4CR), is presented. As a result of the peptoidic structure formed, the fluorescent properties of the products are pH insensitive. Moreover, the applicability of these probes, as exemplified by the labeling of model protein BSA, will be discussed.