L-Azidohomoalanine, HCl Salt

L-Azidohomoalanine (AHA) is an amino acid analogue of methionine that contains a very small modification, specifically an azido moiety that can be fed to cultured cells and incorporated into proteins during active protein synthesis. Detection utilises the chemo-selective ligation or “click ” reaction between an azide and an alkyne or cyclo-octyne. The azido-modified protein is detected with either fluorescent alkyne or biotin alkyne. Detection sensitivity with these reagents in 1-D gels and Western blots is in the low femtomole range and compatible with downstream LC-MS⁄MS and MALDI MS analysis.