Identifying reactive peptides from phage-displayed libraries.

Phage display enables the synthesis, selection, and screening of large, polypeptide libraries (>1 × 10(10) different members). Selections from such libraries can identify binding partners to essentially any desired target (Sarikaya et al., Annu Rev Mater Res 34:373-408, 2004; Deutscher, Chem Rev 110:3196-3211, 2010). Peptides with affinity or reactivity to small molecule probes are attractive for numerous uses including the targeted, site-specific labeling of proteins. Here, we describe selection and screening protocols for the identification of short peptides that can selectively bind to and/or react with small molecules.