Rational design of a function-based selection method for genetically encoding acylated lysine derivatives

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (25) ◽  
pp. 6127-6130
Author(s):  
Hui Miao ◽  
Chenguang Yu ◽  
Anzhi Yao ◽  
Weimin Xuan
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Genetic Code ◽  
Directed Evolution ◽  
Rational Design ◽  
Selection Method ◽  
Genetic Code Expansion

Genetic code expansion depends on the directed evolution of aaRS to recognize non-canonical amino acids. Herein, we reported a function-based method that enables rapidly evolving aaRS for acylated lysine derivatives.

scholarly journals Transferability of N-terminal mutations of pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase in one species to that in another species on unnatural amino acid incorporation efficiency

Amino Acids ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas L. Williams ◽  
Debra J. Iskandar ◽  
Alexander R. Nödling ◽  
Yurong Tan ◽  
Louis Y. P. Luk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Genetic Code ◽  
Unnatural Amino Acids ◽  
Trna Synthetase ◽  
Unnatural Amino Acid ◽  
Amino Acid Incorporation ◽  
Acid Incorporation ◽  
Genetic Code Expansion ◽  
Incorporation Efficiency

AbstractGenetic code expansion is a powerful technique for site-specific incorporation of an unnatural amino acid into a protein of interest. This technique relies on an orthogonal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase/tRNA pair and has enabled incorporation of over 100 different unnatural amino acids into ribosomally synthesized proteins in cells. Pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase (PylRS) and its cognate tRNA from Methanosarcina species are arguably the most widely used orthogonal pair. Here, we investigated whether beneficial effect in unnatural amino acid incorporation caused by N-terminal mutations in PylRS of one species is transferable to PylRS of another species. It was shown that conserved mutations on the N-terminal domain of MmPylRS improved the unnatural amino acid incorporation efficiency up to five folds. As MbPylRS shares high sequence identity to MmPylRS, and the two homologs are often used interchangeably, we examined incorporation of five unnatural amino acids by four MbPylRS variants at two temperatures. Our results indicate that the beneficial N-terminal mutations in MmPylRS did not improve unnatural amino acid incorporation efficiency by MbPylRS. Knowledge from this work contributes to our understanding of PylRS homologs which are needed to improve the technique of genetic code expansion in the future.

scholarly journals Making Sense of “Nonsense” and More: Challenges and Opportunities in the Genetic Code Expansion, in the World of tRNA Modifications

2022 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 938
Author(s):  
Olubodun Michael Lateef ◽  
Michael Olawale Akintubosun ◽  
Olamide Tosin Olaoba ◽  
Sunday Ocholi Samson ◽  
Malgorzata Adamczyk
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Genetic Code ◽  
Protein Design ◽  
Side Chains ◽  
Vast Number ◽  
Trna Modifications ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Code Extension ◽  
Genetic Code Expansion

The evolutional development of the RNA translation process that leads to protein synthesis based on naturally occurring amino acids has its continuation via synthetic biology, the so-called rational bioengineering. Genetic code expansion (GCE) explores beyond the natural translational processes to further enhance the structural properties and augment the functionality of a wide range of proteins. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic ribosomal machinery have been proven to accept engineered tRNAs from orthogonal organisms to efficiently incorporate noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) with rationally designed side chains. These side chains can be reactive or functional groups, which can be extensively utilized in biochemical, biophysical, and cellular studies. Genetic code extension offers the contingency of introducing more than one ncAA into protein through frameshift suppression, multi-site-specific incorporation of ncAAs, thereby increasing the vast number of possible applications. However, different mediating factors reduce the yield and efficiency of ncAA incorporation into synthetic proteins. In this review, we comment on the recent advancements in genetic code expansion to signify the relevance of systems biology in improving ncAA incorporation efficiency. We discuss the emerging impact of tRNA modifications and metabolism in protein design. We also provide examples of the latest successful accomplishments in synthetic protein therapeutics and show how codon expansion has been employed in various scientific and biotechnological applications.

scholarly journals The Role of Orthogonality in Genetic Code Expansion

Life ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pol Arranz-Gibert ◽  
Jaymin R. Patel ◽  
Farren J. Isaacs
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Amino Acids ◽  
Genetic Code ◽  
Cross Reactivity ◽  
Elongation Factors ◽  
Translational Machinery ◽  
Trna Synthetases ◽  
Aminoacyl Trna Synthetases ◽  
Genetic Code Expansion

The genetic code defines how information in the genome is translated into protein. Aside from a handful of isolated exceptions, this code is universal. Researchers have developed techniques to artificially expand the genetic code, repurposing codons and translational machinery to incorporate nonstandard amino acids (nsAAs) into proteins. A key challenge for robust genetic code expansion is orthogonality; the engineered machinery used to introduce nsAAs into proteins must co-exist with native translation and gene expression without cross-reactivity or pleiotropy. The issue of orthogonality manifests at several levels, including those of codons, ribosomes, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, tRNAs, and elongation factors. In this concept paper, we describe advances in genome recoding, translational engineering and associated challenges rooted in establishing orthogonality needed to expand the genetic code.

scholarly journals Protein evolution with an expanded genetic code

2008 ◽  
Vol 105 (46) ◽  
pp. 17688-17693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang C. Liu ◽  
Antha V. Mack ◽  
Meng-Lin Tsao ◽  
Jeremy H. Mills ◽  
Hyun Soo Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Genetic Code ◽  
Directed Evolution ◽  
Unnatural Amino Acids ◽  
Selective Advantage ◽  
Display System ◽  
Antibody Library ◽  
Evolution Of Proteins ◽  
Expanded Genetic Code ◽  
Selection Of

We have devised a phage display system in which an expanded genetic code is available for directed evolution. This system allows selection to yield proteins containing unnatural amino acids should such sequences functionally outperform ones containing only the 20 canonical amino acids. We have optimized this system for use with several unnatural amino acids and provide a demonstration of its utility through the selection of anti-gp120 antibodies. One such phage-displayed antibody, selected from a naïve germline scFv antibody library in which six residues in VH CDR3 were randomized, contains sulfotyrosine and binds gp120 more effectively than a similarly displayed known sulfated antibody isolated from human serum. These experiments suggest that an expanded “synthetic” genetic code can confer a selective advantage in the directed evolution of proteins with specific properties.

Directed Evolution of Immune-Escaping Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 3532-3532
Author(s):  
Stephan Maersch ◽  
Anke Huber ◽  
Michael Hallek ◽  
Hildegard Buening ◽  
Luca Perabo
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Gene Transfer ◽  
Directed Evolution ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Rational Design ◽  
Multiple Point ◽  
Repeated Treatment ◽  
Therapeutic Gene ◽  
Adeno Associated Virus

Abstract Efficiency of therapeutic gene transfer by adeno-associated virus of serotype 2 (AAV-2) vectors is hampered in patients with pre-existing immunity against the natural virus. Genetic engineering by rational design or directed evolution has been employed in the last 3 years to generate capsids that escape antibody neutralization and has led to identify several amino acid residues of the capsid proteins that can be mutated in order to decrease antibody recognition (Perabo et al., 2006; Maheshri et al, 2006; Lochrie et al., 2006). In this novel study, we aimed to exploit the comprehensive knowledge gathered so far by generating novel capsid variants that carried multiple point mutations at these previously identified sites. Capsid libraries were generated by codon randomization of several immunogenic residues and screened to isolate mutants that most efficiently infected human cells despite the presence of anti-AAV2 neutralizing antibodies. Besides testing novel combinations of concomitant mutations at these sites, this approach allowed for the first time an exhaustive scanning of combinations of all 20 natural amino acids at each position. We identified several novel capsid mutants that remain highly infectious even when incubated with serum concentrations that completely neutralize wild type AAV2. Our results demonstrate that combining mutations at several sites it is possible to improve the immune-escaping ability of the capsid. In addition, we show that escaping ability and other biological characteristics of these mutants are strongly dependent on the type of amino acid substituted, demonstrating that an exact choice of substituted amino acids is essential to maximize stealth properties and minimize loss of packaging ability, particle stability and transduction efficacy. These vectors can be used for therapeutic gene transfer to patients with pre-existing immunity, or for repeated treatment after antibodies are generated upon first application.

scholarly journals Directed evolution of GFP with non-natural amino acids identifies residues for augmenting and photoswitching fluorescence

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 1159-1166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel C. Reddington ◽  
Amy J. Baldwin ◽  
Rebecca Thompson ◽  
Andrea Brancale ◽  
Eric M. Tippmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Genetic Code ◽  
Directed Evolution ◽  
Target Protein ◽  
Natural Amino Acids

Genetic code reprogramming allows proteins to sample new chemistry through targeted introduction of non-natural amino acids. By combining with random codon replacement, residues traditionally overlooked can be identified as instilling new properties on a target protein.

scholarly journals Genetically Encoded Libraries of Nonstandard Peptides

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takashi Kawakami ◽  
Hiroshi Murakami
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Genetic Code ◽  
Posttranslational Modifications ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Peptide Libraries ◽  
Universal Genetic Code ◽  
Nonsense Codons ◽  
Genetic Code Expansion ◽  
Diagnostic Applications ◽  
Selection Of

The presence of a nonproteinogenic moiety in a nonstandard peptide often improves the biological properties of the peptide. Non-standard peptide libraries are therefore used to obtain valuable molecules for biological, therapeutic, and diagnostic applications. Highly diverse non-standard peptide libraries can be generated by chemically or enzymatically modifying standard peptide libraries synthesized by the ribosomal machinery, using posttranslational modifications. Alternatively, strategies for encoding non-proteinogenic amino acids into the genetic code have been developed for the direct ribosomal synthesis of non-standard peptide libraries. In the strategies for genetic code expansion, non-proteinogenic amino acids are assigned to the nonsense codons or 4-base codons in order to add these amino acids to the universal genetic code. In contrast, in the strategies for genetic code reprogramming, some proteinogenic amino acids are erased from the genetic code and non-proteinogenic amino acids are reassigned to the blank codons. Here, we discuss the generation of genetically encoded non-standard peptide libraries using these strategies and also review recent applications of these libraries to the selection of functional non-standard peptides.

scholarly journals Evolving Bacterial Fitness with an Expanded Genetic Code

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Drew S. Tack ◽  
Austin C. Cole ◽  
R. Shroff ◽  
B.R. Morrow ◽  
Andrew D. Ellington
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Genetic Code ◽  
Unnatural Amino Acid ◽  
Noncanonical Amino Acids ◽  
Bacterial Fitness ◽  
Genetic Code Expansion ◽  
Encoding Strategy ◽  
Translation Systems ◽  
Expanded Genetic Code

AbstractEvolution has for the most part used the canonical 20 amino acids of the natural genetic code to construct proteins. While several theories regarding the evolution of the genetic code have been proposed, experimental exploration of these theories has largely been restricted to phylogenetic and computational modeling. The development of orthogonal translation systems has allowed noncanonical amino acids to be inserted at will into proteins. We have taken advantage of these advances to evolve bacteria to accommodate a 21 amino acid genetic code in which the amber codon ambiguously encodes either 3-nitro-L-tyrosine or stop. Such an ambiguous encoding strategy recapitulates numerous models for genetic code expansion, and we find that evolved lineages first accommodate the unnatural amino acid, and then begin to evolve on a neutral landscape where stop codons begin to appear within genes. The resultant lines represent transitional intermediates on the way to the fixation of a functional 21 amino acid code.

scholarly journals Simplified Methodology for a Modular and Genetically Expanded Protein Synthesis in Cell-Free Systems

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yonatan Chemla ◽  
Eden Ozer ◽  
Michael Shaferman ◽  
Ben Zaad ◽  
Rambabu Dandela ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Genetic Code ◽  
Unnatural Amino Acids ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
Trna Synthetase ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Reporter Protein ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Genetic Code Expansion

ABSTRACTGenetic code expansion, which enables the site-specific incorporation of unnatural amino acids into proteins, has emerged as a new and powerful tool for protein engineering. Currently, it is mainly utilized inside living cells for a myriad of applications. However, utilization of this technology in a cell-free, reconstituted platform has several advantages over living systems. The common limitations to the employment of these systems are the laborious and complex nature of its preparation and utilization. Herein, we describe a simplified method for the preparation of this system from Escherichia coli cells, which is specifically adapted for the expression of the components needed for cell-free genetic code expansion. In addition, we propose and demonstrate a modular approach to its utilization. By this approach, it is possible to prepare and store different extracts, harboring various translational components, and mix and match them as needed for more than four years retaining its high efficiency. We demonstrate this with the simultaneous incorporation of two different unnatural amino acids into a reporter protein. Finally, we demonstrate the advantage of cell-free systems over living cells for the incorporation of δ-thio-boc-lysine into ubiquitin by using the methanosarcina mazei wild-type pyrrolysyl tRNACUA and tRNA-synthetase pair, which can not be achieved in a living cell.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document