Site-specific labeling of proteins using the formylglycine-generating enzyme (FGE)

Abstract

Use of the formylglycine generating enzyme (FGE)—a copper-dependent posttranslational protein modifier—represents a particularly elegant method taken directly from nature of introducing a unique amino acid into the larger context of a protein. Formylglycine (fGly) is a crucial component of the active site of sulfatases, where it directly participates in the breakdown of sulfate ester substrates. In the context of bioconjugation this aldehyde containing amino acid can be an invaluable reactive handle for the chemical conjugation of molecules. Here we describe a detailed method for generating formylglycine-containing proteins in a mammalian system developed specifically for the production of antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) but applicable to a wide range of proteins.