Photoaffinity labeling is a

chemoproteomics Chemoproteomics entails a broad array of techniques used to identify and interrogate protein- small molecule interactions. Chemoproteomics complements phenotypic drug discovery, a paradigm that aims to discover lead compounds on the basis of allev ...

technique used to attach "labels" to the active site of a large molecule, especially a

protein Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, respo ...

. The "label" attaches to the molecule loosely and reversibly, and has an inactive site which can be converted using

photolysis Photodissociation, photolysis, photodecomposition, or photofragmentation is a chemical reaction in which molecules of a chemical compound are broken down by photons. It is defined as the interaction of one or more photons with one target molecule. ...

into a highly reactive form, which causes the label to bind more permanently to the large molecule via a covalent bond. The technique was first described in the 1970s. Molecules that have been used as labels in this process are often analogs of complex molecules, in which certain functional groups are replaced with a photoreactive group, such as an

azide In chemistry, azide is a linear, polyatomic anion with the formula and structure . It is the conjugate base of hydrazoic acid . Organic azides are organic compounds with the formula , containing the azide functional group. The dominant applic ...

, a

diazirine Diazirines are a class of organic molecules consisting of a carbon bound to two nitrogen atoms, which are double-bonded to each other, forming a cyclopropene-like ring, 3''H''-diazirene. They are isomeric with diazocarbon groups, and like them ...

or a

benzophenone Benzophenone is the organic compound with the formula (C6H5)2CO, generally abbreviated Ph2CO. It is a white solid that is soluble in organic solvents. Benzophenone is a widely used building block in organic chemistry, being the parent diarylket ...

References

{{Reflist Molecular biology techniques