Engineering Translation Components for Genetic Code Expansion

J Mol Biol. 2022 Apr 30;434(8):167302. doi: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.167302. Epub 2021 Oct 18.

Abstract

The expansion of the genetic code consisting of four bases and 20 amino acids into diverse building blocks has been an exciting topic in synthetic biology. Many biochemical components are involved in gene expression; therefore, adding a new component to the genetic code requires engineering many other components that interact with it. Genetic code expansion has advanced significantly for the last two decades with the engineering of several components involved in protein synthesis. These components include tRNA/aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase, new codons, ribosomes, and elongation factor Tu. In addition, biosynthesis and enhanced uptake of non-canonical amino acids have been attempted and have made meaningful progress. This review discusses the efforts to engineer these translation components, to improve the genetic code expansion technology.

Keywords: codons; elongation factor Tu; genetic code; ribosomes; tRNA/aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase pair.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids* / genetics
  • Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases* / genetics
  • Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases* / metabolism
  • Genetic Code*
  • Genetic Engineering* / methods
  • Protein Biosynthesis / genetics
  • RNA, Transfer / genetics
  • RNA, Transfer / metabolism
  • Ribosomes / genetics
  • Ribosomes / metabolism

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • RNA, Transfer
  • Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases