Leucyl/phenylalanyl(L/F)-tRNA-protein transferase-mediated aminoacyl transfer of a nonnatural amino acid to the N-terminus of peptides and proteins and subsequent functionalization by bioorthogonal reactions

Biopolymers. 2007;88(2):263-71. doi: 10.1002/bip.20678.

Abstract

We report here a new strategy for derivatizing peptides and proteins at the N-terminus. To achieve this, a nonnatural amino acid was charged onto a tRNA and then enzymatically transferred to a lysine (Lys) unit at the N-terminus of a peptide or a protein by using L/F-tRNA-protein transferase. By using the chemoenzymatic technique, beta-(2-quinolyl)-L-alanine, p-azido-L-phenylalanine, and p-acetyl-L-phenylalanine were introduced to the N-terminus. The latter two nonnatural amino acids possess bioorthogonal functional groups to which artificial tags can be introduced. Actually, a biotin tag was coupled to the bioorthogonal ketone group of acetylphenylalanine at the N-terminus of a peptide. N-terminal-specific biotinylation and fluorescence derivatization of the bioorthogonal azido-containing protein or peptide was also carried out based on a [3 + 2] cycloaddition. The enzymatic transfer of a nonnatural amino acid to the N-terminus of target peptides or proteins was also successfully achieved in the presence of other peptides or crude protein mixtures.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3T3-L1 Cells
  • Aminoacyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Mice
  • Molecular Structure
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Protein Biosynthesis*
  • Proteins / chemistry*

Substances

  • Peptides
  • Proteins
  • Aminoacyltransferases
  • leucyltransferase