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Updated: Jan 19, 2026

Identification of Small Molecule-binding Proteins in a Native Cellular Environment by Live-cell Photoaffinity Labeling
Published on: September 20, 2016
Chemical toolbox for 'live' biochemistry to understand enzymatic functions in living systems
Toru Komatsu1, Yasuteru Urano1,2,3
1Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
Abstract:
In this review, we present an overview of the recent advances in chemical toolboxes that are used to provide insights into 'live' protein functions in living systems. Protein functions are mediated by various factors inside of cells, such as protein-protein interactions, posttranslational modifications, and they are also subject to environmental factors such as pH, redox states and crowding conditions. Obtaining a true understanding of protein functions in living systems is therefore a considerably difficult task. Recent advances in research tools have allowed us to consider 'live' biochemistry as a valid approach to precisely understand how proteins function in a live cell context.
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