Ribosome-mediated incorporation of fluorescent amino acids into peptides in vitro

Chem Commun (Camb). 2021 Mar 14;57(21):2661-2664. doi: 10.1039/d0cc07740b. Epub 2021 Feb 16.

Abstract

We report the design, chemical synthesis, and flexizyme-catalyzed transfer RNA (tRNA) acylation of a variety of fluorescent amino acids (FAAs). The fluorescent groups include pyrene, coumarin, nitrobenzoxadiazole, and fluorescein variants. We further demonstrate site-specific incorporation of the FAAs into peptides by the ribosome in vitro through genetic code reprogramming.

MeSH terms

  • Acylation
  • Amino Acids / chemistry
  • Amino Acids / genetics*
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry*
  • Genetic Code
  • Peptides / chemical synthesis*
  • Protein Engineering / methods*
  • RNA, Catalytic / chemistry
  • RNA, Transfer / chemistry
  • RNA, Transfer / genetics
  • Ribosomes / genetics*

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Peptides
  • RNA, Catalytic
  • RNA, Transfer