In Vivo Incorporation of Unnatural Amino Acids into Proteins

Abstract

A new orthogonal suppressor tRNA was derived from tRNA2 to the G1n, which is not a substrate for any E. coil aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase, yet functions with the E. co/i translational machinery. Importantly, S. cerevisiae E. coli glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase (G1nRS) aminioacylates the yeast orthogonal tRNA in vitro and in E. co/i, but does not charge E. coli tRNA. This suppressor tRNA and yeast G1nRS thus represent a completely orthogonal pair in E. co/i suitable for the delivery of unnatural amino acids into proteins in vivo. A general method was developed to select for mutant synthetases capable of charging any ribosomally-accepted molecule onto an orthogonal suppressor tRNA. Finally, a rapid nonradioactive screen for unnatural amino acid uptake was developed and applied to a collection of 138 amino acids. Taken together, these steps clear the way for the final phase of our efforts. Selections for mutant yeast G1nRS enzymes that accept unnatural amino acids will be undertaken. These include: (1) a two-step selection with a positive selection based on suppression of b-lactamase in the presence of unnatural amino acids, and a negative barnase selection in the absence of amino acid; (2) a screen based on recognition of a suppressed OmpA epitope; and (3) a screen based on suppression of GFP.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 12, 2000
Accession Number
ADA386991

Entities

People

  • Peter G. Schultz

Organizations

  • University of California, Berkeley

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Amino Acids
  • Amino Acids Peptides And Proteins
  • Biomolecules
  • Chemical Compounds
  • Classification
  • Crystal Structure
  • Glutamic Acid
  • Glutamine
  • Information Operations
  • Military Research
  • Molecules
  • Security
  • Suppressors
  • X Rays

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Molecular Genetics