A genetically encoded photocaged amino acid

J Am Chem Soc. 2004 Nov 10;126(44):14306-7. doi: 10.1021/ja040175z.

Abstract

We have developed a second orthogonal tRNA/synthetase pair for use in yeast based on the Escherichia coli tRNALeu/leucyl tRNA-synthetase pair. Using a novel genetic selection, we have identified a series of synthetase mutants that selectively charge the amber suppresor tRNA with the C8 amino acid, alpha-aminocaprylic acid, and the photocaged amino acid, o-nitrobenzyl cysteine, allowing them to be inserted into proteins in yeast in response to the amber nonsense codon, TAG.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Caprylates / metabolism*
  • Cysteine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Cysteine / metabolism
  • Histidine / genetics
  • Histidine / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Leucine-tRNA Ligase / genetics*
  • Leucine-tRNA Ligase / metabolism*
  • Methyltyrosines / genetics
  • Methyltyrosines / metabolism*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutagenesis
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Photochemistry
  • Proteins / genetics
  • RNA, Transfer, Amino Acyl / genetics
  • RNA, Transfer, Amino Acyl / metabolism
  • Superoxide Dismutase / genetics

Substances

  • Caprylates
  • Methyltyrosines
  • Proteins
  • RNA, Transfer, Amino Acyl
  • O-methyltyrosine
  • Histidine
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Leucine-tRNA Ligase
  • Cysteine