A biocompatible, highly efficient click reaction and its applications

Herein, we review the development, optimization, applications and potential prospects of a novel click reaction based on the condensation reaction between 2-cyanobenzothiazole (CBT) and D-cysteine (D-Cys) in fireflies. This click condensation reaction has obvious advantages in biocompatibility, efficiency and stability in aqueous environments. Optimization of this click reaction has been carried out so that it can be controlled by pH change, reduction, or enzymatic cleavage to synthesize large molecules and self-assembled nanostructures, or enhance probe signals. Consequently, this CBT-based click reaction has been and could be successfully applied to a wide range of biomedical applications such as molecular imaging (e.g., optical imaging, nuclear imaging and magnetic resonance imaging), biomolecular detection, drug delivery and other potentialities.