Figure 1.
Biocompatible click reaction between heteroaromatic nitriles and 1,2-aminothiols. (A) Reaction mechanism. (B) Site-specific labeling of proteins with N-terminal Cys. (C) Controllable in situ assembly of bioactive compounds and nanostructures. Click reaction can be initiated by deprotection of a caged Cys by changing pH, reduction, or enzymatic cleavage.