Phosphatidylinositol polyphosphate lipids, such as phosphatidylinositol
(3,4,5)-trisphosphate (PI(3,4,5)P3), regulate critical biological processes, many of
which are aberrant in disease. These lipids often act as site-specific ligands in interactions that
enforce membrane-association of protein binding partners. Herein, we describe the development of
bifunctional activity probes corresponding to the headgroup of PI(3,4,5)P3 that are
effective for identifying and characterizing protein binding partners from complex samples, namely
cancer cell extracts. These probes contain both a photoaffinity tag for covalent labeling of target
proteins as well as a secondary handle for subsequent detection or manipulation of labeled proteins.
Probes bearing different secondary tags were exploited, either by direct attachment of a fluorescent
dye for optical detection or by using an alkyne that can be derivatized after protein labeling via
click chemistry. First, we describe the design and modular synthetic strategy used to generate
multiple probes with different reporter tags of use for characterizing probe-labeled proteins. Next,
we report initial labeling studies using purified protein, the PH domain of Akt, in which probes
were found to label this target, as judged by on-gel detection. Furthermore, protein labeling was
abrogated by controls including competition with an unlabeled PI(3,4,5)P3 headgroup
analog as well as through protein denaturation, indicating specific labeling. In addition, probes
featuring different linker lengths between the PI(3,4,5)P3 headgroup and photoaffinity
tag led to variations in protein labeling, indicating that a shorter linker was more effective in
this case. Finally, proteomic labeling studies were performed using cell extracts, labeled proteins
were observed by in-gel detection and characterized using post-labeling with biotin, affinity
chromatography and identification via tandem mass spectrometry. These studies yielded a total of 265
proteins, including both known and novel candidate PI(3,4,5)P3-binding proteins.