Pronunciation: [klˈɪk] (IPA) 
The word "CLIC" is a tricky one to spell. It is pronounced as /klɪk/ which represents the sounds of the letter 'C' and 'L'. The sound /kl/ is often spelled as 'CL' together in English, and the final sound /ɪk/ is usually spelled as 'ick'. Therefore, it may seem logical to spell it as "CLICK". However, the spelling of "CLIC" is an exception to this rule. The French language spells the word as "CLIC," and it has since been adapted into English.
CLIC is an acronym that stands for "Covalent Ligation of Peptides and Proteins by Click Chemistry." It is a chemical reaction utilized in bioconjugation and protein engineering for site-specific modification and coupling of peptides and proteins. Click chemistry refers to a set of highly efficient and selective reactions that enable the attachment of various molecules to specific biomolecules.
CLIC involves the use of a copper catalyst to facilitate the reaction between an azide functional group and an alkyne functional group. The azide group, typically incorporated into the target biomolecule, reacts with the alkyne group to form a covalent bond called a triazole linkage. This reaction is known as the "click" reaction due to its high efficiency and reliability.
CLIC offers numerous benefits in bioconjugation and protein engineering. It allows for precise and site-specific attachment of molecules, minimizing non-specific modifications and preserving the biological activity of the protein. Additionally, CLIC reactions are fast, mild, and compatible with a wide range of biological conditions and functional groups.
The versatility of CLIC has made it an invaluable tool in various fields, including drug discovery, diagnostics, and chemical biology. It enables the synthesis of bioconjugates, antibody-drug conjugates, diagnostics probes, and many other customized molecules. CLIC has revolutionized the field of protein engineering by facilitating the site-specific modification of proteins, enabling the creation of novel functional systems with enhanced properties and capabilities.
