Ribosomal Synthesis of Peptides Bearing Noncanonical Backbone Structures via Chemical Posttranslational Modifications

Abstract

Noncanonical peptide backbone structures, such as heterocycles and non-α-amino acids, are characteristic building blocks present in peptidic natural products. To achieve ribosomal synthesis of designer peptides bearing such noncanonical backbone structures, we have devised translation-compatible precursor residues and their chemical posttranslational modification processes. In this chapter, we describe the detailed procedures for the in vitro translation of peptides containing the precursor residues by means of genetic code reprogramming technology and posttranslational generation of objective noncanonical backbone structures.

Keywords: Chemical posttranslational modification; Engineered translation; FIT system; Flexizyme; Genetic code reprogramming; Noncanonical peptide backbone; Peptide modification.