An epoxide-based covalent sensor to detect cardiac proteome aggregation in a cardio-oncology model

Covalent sensors to detect and capture aggregated proteome in stressed cells are rare. Herein, we construct a series of covalent fluorogenic sensors for aggregated proteins by structurally modulating GFP chromophore and arming it with an epoxide warhead. Among them, P2 probe selectively modifies aggregated proteins over folded ones and turns on fluorescence as evidenced by biochemical and mass spectrometry results. The coverage of this epoxide-based covalent chemistry is demonstrated using different types of aggregated proteins. Finally, the covalent fluorescent sensor P2 allows for direct visualization and capture of aggregated proteome in stressed cardiomyocytes and cardiac tissue samples from a cardio-oncology mouse model. The epoxide-based covalent sensor developed herein may become useful for future chemical proteomics analysis of aggregated proteins to dissect the mechanism underlying cardio-oncology.