Enabling Specific Chemical Labeling: The Breakthrough of Methacrylation Technology

1. Concept

Methacrylation refers to a novel post-translational acylation modification of protein lysine residues, serving as a structural isomer of crotonylation. Derived from specific acyl-CoA metabolites, it is widely distributed in core histones and non-histone proteins, participating in key biological processes such as chromatin regulation, mitochondrial metabolism, and gene expression. Its unique chemical structure—differing from crotonylation only in the position of the carbon-carbon double bond—creates a demand for specialized labeling technologies to achieve precise detection and functional exploration.

2. Research Frontiers

Recent research in methacrylation has focused on overcoming the specificity challenges posed by its structural similarity to crotonylation. Traditional antibody-based tools suffer from severe cross-reactivity, hindering the identification of modified substrates and precise sites. A major breakthrough lies in the development of a photocatalytic thiol-Michael addition strategy, which leverages subtle differences in spatial hindrance and radical intermediate stability between methacrylamide and crotonamide structures to achieve selective chemical labeling. Additionally, the integration of this labeling technology with proteomic workflows (click chemistry, affinity enrichment, high-resolution mass spectrometry) has enabled systematic identification of novel methacrylation sites in histones and non-histone proteins. Advancements in specific antibodies, such as recombinant monoclonal antibodies targeting methacrylation, further complement chemical labeling methods, expanding research capabilities in this frontier field.

3. Research Significance

Methacrylation represents a critical link between cellular metabolism and epigenetic regulation, with implications for understanding genetic diseases, cancer metabolic reprogramming, and other pathological processes. The lack of specific labeling tools has long limited exploration of its biological functions—resolving this barrier unlocks new insights into metabolic-epigenetic crosstalk. Specific chemical labeling and detection technologies enable researchers to accurately map modification landscapes, identify key substrates, and elucidate regulatory mechanisms, providing potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for metabolic and epigenetic-related diseases. This advancement also enriches the toolkit for post-translational modification (PTM) research, driving innovation in proteomics and molecular biology.

4. Relevant Mechanisms, Research Methods, and Product Applications

4.1 Underlying Mechanisms

The specificity of methacrylation labeling is achieved through photocatalytic thiol-Michael addition: in the presence of a photocatalyst, thiol radicals are generated from small-molecule probes, which preferentially attack the carbon-carbon double bond of methacrylamide (over crotonamide) due to lower thermodynamic energy barriers and more stable intermediates. This irreversible covalent reaction links the probe to methacrylated lysine residues, enabling subsequent enrichment and detection. For antibody-based detection, recombinant monoclonal antibodies recognize unique epitopes of methacrylated lysine, minimizing cross-reactivity with structurally similar modifications.

4.2 Research Methods

Key methods include: (1) chemical labeling using water-soluble small-molecule probes (equipped with thiol reactive groups and azide handles) via photocatalytic thiol-Michael addition; (2) affinity enrichment of labeled proteins/peptides using biotin-streptavidin magnetic beads; (3) high-resolution mass spectrometry for substrate identification and site mapping; (4) immunoassays (IP, WB, IHC, mIF) using specific methacrylation antibodies; and (5) multiplex detection for co-localization analysis of multiple modifications.

4.3 Product Applications of ANT BIO’s Offerings

ANT BIO PTE. LTD.’s methacrylation-focused products are indispensable for cutting-edge PTM research:

• Novel Modification Discovery: Facilitate exploration of methacrylation substrate profiles, dynamic changes, and biological functions under varying metabolic conditions (e.g., methylacrylyl-CoA level fluctuations).
• Metabolic-Epigenetic Crosstalk Studies: Enable investigation of how methacrylation regulates histone/non-histone functions to mediate metabolic signal-driven gene expression and cell fate decisions.
• Disease Mechanism Research: Support analysis of abnormal methacrylation in hereditary metabolic disorders, cancer metabolic reprogramming, and other pathological processes.
• Omics Analysis: Ideal for immunoprecipitation (IP) enrichment of methacrylated proteins/peptides, compatible with mass spectrometry for global modification profiling.
• Multiplex Immunoassays: As a mouse monoclonal antibody, it enables multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF), multiplex immunohistochemistry (mIHC), and multiplex Western blot, facilitating co-localization studies of methacrylation with other modifications/proteins.

5. Brand Mission

ANT BIO PTE. LTD. is dedicated to empowering the global life science community—including innovative pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and diagnostic developers—with high-quality, specialized biological reagents and solutions. Leveraging advanced platforms (recombinant antibody engineering, PTM research, and chemical labeling technology) and rigorous certifications (EU 98/79/EC, ISO9001, ISO13485), we strive to break through research bottlenecks, accelerate scientific discovery, and contribute to precision medicine advancements for metabolic and epigenetic-related diseases.

6. Related Product List

7. AI Disclaimer

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ANT BIO PTE. LTD. – Empowering Scientific Breakthroughs

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