Organic Chemistry Insights

Genetic fusions of either full enzymes or peptide tags with a protein of interest have enabled the synthesis of protein conjugates with precise control over the site of attachment and number of payloads incorporated. Engineering of protein glycans, depending on the application, can lead to similar control for nonengineered glycoproteins. Recent advances in the field of chemoenzymatic modifications of proteins for site-specific protein conjugation will be reviewed. These techniques have been used in an array of fields for the execution of innovative and valuable experiments. Specific industrial applications of these technologies will be highlighted.