Genetically encoded protein sulfation in mammalian cells

Nat Chem Biol. 2020 Apr;16(4):379-382. doi: 10.1038/s41589-020-0493-1. Epub 2020 Mar 16.

Abstract

Tyrosine sulfation is an important post-translational modification found in higher eukaryotes. Here we report an engineered tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase/tRNA pair that co-translationally incorporates O-sulfotyrosine in response to UAG codons in Escherichia coli and mammalian cells. This platform enables recombinant expression of eukaryotic proteins homogeneously sulfated at chosen sites, which was demonstrated by expressing human heparin cofactor II in mammalian cells in different states of sulfation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Codon, Terminator / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism
  • Genetic Code
  • Heparin Cofactor II / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mammals
  • Protein Engineering / methods*
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Proteins / chemistry
  • Somatomedins / chemistry*
  • Tyrosine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Tyrosine / chemistry
  • Tyrosine-tRNA Ligase / metabolism

Substances

  • Codon, Terminator
  • Proteins
  • Somatomedins
  • tyrosine O-sulfate
  • Tyrosine
  • Heparin Cofactor II
  • Tyrosine-tRNA Ligase