A tRNA aminoacylation system for non-natural amino acids based on a programmable ribozyme

Bessho, Y.; Hodgson, D.R.W.; Suga, H.

doi:10.1038/nbt0702-723

A tRNA aminoacylation system for non-natural amino acids based on a programmable ribozyme

Bessho, Y.; Hodgson, D.R.W.; Suga, H.

Authors

Y. Bessho

Professor David Hodgson d.r.w.hodgson@durham.ac.uk
Professor

H. Suga

Abstract

The ability to recognize tRNA identities is essential to the function of the genetic coding system. In translation aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) recognize the identities of tRNAs and charge them with their cognate amino acids. We show that an in vitro−evolved ribozyme can also discriminate between specific tRNAs, and can transfer amino acids to the 3' ends of cognate tRNAs. The ribozyme interacts with both the CCA-3' terminus and the anticodon loop of tRNAfMet, and its tRNA specificity is controlled by these interactions. This feature allows us to program the selectivity of the ribozyme toward specific tRNAs, and therefore to tailor effective aminoacyl-transfer catalysts. This method potentially provides a means of generating aminoacyl tRNAs that are charged with non-natural amino acids, which could be incorporated into proteins through cell-free translation.

Citation

Bessho, Y., Hodgson, D., & Suga, H. (2002). A tRNA aminoacylation system for non-natural amino acids based on a programmable ribozyme. Nature Biotechnology, 20(7), 723-728. https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0702-723

Journal Article Type	Article
Publication Date	2002
Deposit Date	Apr 12, 2007
Journal	Nature Biotechnology
Print ISSN	1087-0156
Electronic ISSN	1546-1696
Publisher	Nature Research
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	20
Issue	7
Pages	723-728
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0702-723