Ligand-Directed Labeling of the Adenosine A Receptor in Living Cells

The study of protein function and dynamics in their native cellular environment is essential for progressing fundamental science. To overcome the requirement of genetic modification of the protein or the limitations of dissociable fluorescent ligands, ligand-directed (LD) chemistry has most recently emerged as a complementary, bioorthogonal approach for labeling native proteins. Here, we describe the rational design, development, and application of the first ligand-directed chemistry approach for labeling the AAR in living cells. We pharmacologically demonstrate covalent labeling of AAR expressed in living cells while the orthosteric binding site remains available. The probes were imaged using confocal microscopy and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy to study AAR localization and dynamics in living cells. Additionally, the probes allowed visualization of the specific localization of AARs endogenously expressed in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. LD probes developed here hold promise for illuminating ligand-binding, receptor signaling, and trafficking of the AAR in more physiologically relevant environments.