Near-cognate suppression of amber, opal and quadruplet codons competes with aminoacyl-tRNAPyl for genetic code expansion

FEBS Lett. 2012 Nov 2;586(21):3931-7. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2012.09.033. Epub 2012 Oct 1.

Abstract

Over 300 amino acids are found in proteins in nature, yet typically only 20 are genetically encoded. Reassigning stop codons and use of quadruplet codons emerged as the main avenues for genetically encoding non-canonical amino acids (NCAAs). Canonical aminoacyl-tRNAs with near-cognate anticodons also read these codons to some extent. This background suppression leads to 'statistical protein' that contains some natural amino acid(s) at a site intended for NCAA. We characterize near-cognate suppression of amber, opal and a quadruplet codon in common Escherichia coli laboratory strains and find that the PylRS/tRNA(Pyl) orthogonal pair cannot completely outcompete contamination by natural amino acids.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Anticodon
  • Codon*
  • Escherichia coli / genetics*
  • Genetic Code*
  • Lysine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Lysine / genetics
  • Protein Biosynthesis
  • RNA, Transfer, Amino Acyl / genetics*
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization
  • Suppression, Genetic

Substances

  • Anticodon
  • Codon
  • RNA, Transfer, Amino Acyl
  • pyrrolysine
  • Lysine