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Majekodunmi T, Britton D, Montclare JK. Engineered Proteins and Materials Utilizing Residue-Specific Noncanonical Amino Acid Incorporation. Chem Rev 2024. [PMID: 39008623 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
The incorporation of noncanonical amino acids into proteins and protein-based materials has significantly expanded the repertoire of available protein structures and chemistries. Through residue-specific incorporation, protein properties can be globally modified, resulting in the creation of novel proteins and materials with diverse and tailored characteristics. In this review, we highlight recent advancements in residue-specific incorporation techniques as well as the applications of the engineered proteins and materials. Specifically, we discuss their utility in bio-orthogonal noncanonical amino acid tagging (BONCAT), fluorescent noncanonical amino acid tagging (FUNCAT), threonine-derived noncanonical amino acid tagging (THRONCAT), cross-linking, fluorination, and enzyme engineering. This review underscores the importance of noncanonical amino acid incorporation as a tool for the development of tailored protein properties to meet diverse research and industrial needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Temiloluwa Majekodunmi
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, New York 11201, United States
| | - Dustin Britton
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, New York 11201, United States
| | - Jin Kim Montclare
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, New York 11201, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, New York 11201, United States
- Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, United States
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, New York 10012, United States
- Department of Biomaterials, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, New York 10010, United States
- Department of Radiology, New York University Langone Health, New York, New York 10016, United States
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2
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Koch NG, Budisa N. Evolution of Pyrrolysyl-tRNA Synthetase: From Methanogenesis to Genetic Code Expansion. Chem Rev 2024. [PMID: 38953775 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.4c00031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Over 20 years ago, the pyrrolysine encoding translation system was discovered in specific archaea. Our Review provides an overview of how the once obscure pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase (PylRS) tRNA pair, originally responsible for accurately translating enzymes crucial in methanogenic metabolic pathways, laid the foundation for the burgeoning field of genetic code expansion. Our primary focus is the discussion of how to successfully engineer the PylRS to recognize new substrates and exhibit higher in vivo activity. We have compiled a comprehensive list of ncAAs incorporable with the PylRS system. Additionally, we also summarize recent successful applications of the PylRS system in creating innovative therapeutic solutions, such as new antibody-drug conjugates, advancements in vaccine modalities, and the potential production of new antimicrobials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaj G Koch
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Basel, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nediljko Budisa
- Biocatalysis Group, Institute of Chemistry, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany
- Chemical Synthetic Biology Chair, Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg MB R3T 2N2, Canada
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3
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Demir Ğ, Valjakka J, Turunen O, Aktaş F, Binay B. Cloning and expression heterologous alanine dehydrogenase genes: Investigation of reductive amination potential of L-alanine dehydrogenases for green synthesis of alanine derivatives. Heliyon 2024; 10:e26899. [PMID: 38463761 PMCID: PMC10923667 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Unnatural amino acids (UAAs) offer significant promise in a wide range of applications, including drug discovery, the custom design of peptides and proteins, and their utility and use as markers for monitoring molecular interactions in biological research. The synthesis of UAAs presents a formidable challenge and can be classified into two primary categories: enzymatic and chemical synthesis. Notably, the enzymatic route, specifically asymmetric synthesis, emerges as a an attractive method for procuring enantiopure UAAs with high efficiency, owing to its streamlined and concise reaction mechanism. The current study investigated the reductive amination activity mechanisms of alanine dehydrogenase (L-AlaDH), sourced from a combination of newly and previously characterized microorganisms. Our principal aim was to evaluate the catalytic efficiency of these L-AlaDH enzymes concerning a range of specific ketoacids and pyruvate to ascertain their capability for facilitating the production of both natural and unnatural amino acids. After the characterization processes, mutation points for TtAlaDH were determined and as a result of the mutations, mutants that could use ketocaproate and ketovalerate more effectively than the wild type were obtained. Among the enzymes studied, MetAlaDH exhibited the highest specific activity against pyruvate, 173 U/mg, and a KM value of 1.3 mM. VlAlaDH displayed the most favourable catalytic efficiency with a rate constant of 170 s-1mM-1. On the other hand, AfAlaDH demonstrated the highest catalytic efficiency against α-ketobutyrate (34.0 s-1mM-1) and α-ketovalerate (2.7 s-1mM-1). Of the enzymes investigated in the study, TtAlaDH exhibited the highest effectiveness among bacterial enzymes in catalyzing ketocaproate with a measured catalytic efficiency of about 0.6 s-1mM-1 and a KM value of approximately 0.3 mM. These findings provide valuable insights into the substrate specificity and catalytic performance of L-AlaDHs, enhancing our understanding of their potential applications in various biocatalytic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ğarip Demir
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Gebze Technical University, 41400, Gebze, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Jarkko Valjakka
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, FI-33100, Tampere, Finland
| | - Ossi Turunen
- School of Forest Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, FI-80101, Joensuu, Finland
| | - Fatih Aktaş
- Faculty of Engineering, Düzce University, 81600, Düzce, Turkey
| | - Barış Binay
- Department of Bioengineering, Gebze Technical University, 41400, Gebze, Kocaeli, Turkey
- BAUZYME Biotechnology Co., Gebze Technical University Technopark, 41400, Gebze, Kocaeli, Turkey
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4
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Li XM, Huang S, Li XD. Photo-ANA enables profiling of host-bacteria protein interactions during infection. Nat Chem Biol 2023; 19:614-623. [PMID: 36702958 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-022-01245-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial pathogens rapidly change and adapt their proteome to cope with the environment in host cells and secrete effector proteins to hijack host targets and ensure their survival and proliferation during infection. Excessive host proteins make it difficult to profile pathogens' proteome dynamics by conventional proteomics. It is even more challenging to map pathogen-host protein-protein interactions in real time, given the low abundance of bacterial effectors and weak and transient interactions in which they may be involved. Here we report a method for selectively labeling bacterial proteomes using a bifunctional amino acid, photo-ANA, equipped with a bio-orthogonal handle and a photoreactive warhead, which enables simultaneous analysis of bacterial proteome reprogramming and pathogen-host protein interactions of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) during infection. Using photo-ANA, we identified FLOT1/2 as host interactors of S. Typhimurium effector PipB2 in late-stage infection and globally profiled the extensive interactions between host proteins and pathogens during infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Meng Li
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Siyue Huang
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiang David Li
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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5
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Yanagisawa T, Seki E, Tanabe H, Fujii Y, Sakamoto K, Yokoyama S. Crystal Structure of Pyrrolysyl-tRNA Synthetase from a Methanogenic Archaeon ISO4-G1 and Its Structure-Based Engineering for Highly-Productive Cell-Free Genetic Code Expansion with Non-Canonical Amino Acids. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076256. [PMID: 37047230 PMCID: PMC10094482 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Pairs of pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase (PylRS) and tRNAPyl from Methanosarcina mazei and Methanosarcina barkeri are widely used for site-specific incorporations of non-canonical amino acids into proteins (genetic code expansion). Previously, we achieved full productivity of cell-free protein synthesis for bulky non-canonical amino acids, including Nε-((((E)-cyclooct-2-en-1-yl)oxy)carbonyl)-L-lysine (TCO*Lys), by using Methanomethylophilus alvus PylRS with structure-based mutations in and around the amino acid binding pocket (first-layer and second-layer mutations, respectively). Recently, the PylRS·tRNAPyl pair from a methanogenic archaeon ISO4-G1 was used for genetic code expansion. In the present study, we determined the crystal structure of the methanogenic archaeon ISO4-G1 PylRS (ISO4-G1 PylRS) and compared it with those of structure-known PylRSs. Based on the ISO4-G1 PylRS structure, we attempted the site-specific incorporation of Nε-(p-ethynylbenzyloxycarbonyl)-L-lysine (pEtZLys) into proteins, but it was much less efficient than that of TCO*Lys with M. alvus PylRS mutants. Thus, the first-layer mutations (Y125A and M128L) of ISO4-G1 PylRS, with no additional second-layer mutations, increased the protein productivity with pEtZLys up to 57 ± 8% of that with TCO*Lys at high enzyme concentrations in the cell-free protein synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuo Yanagisawa
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-Cho, Tsurumi, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan;
- RIKEN Cluster for Science, Technology and Innovation Hub, 1-7-22 Suehiro-Cho, Tsurumi, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan; (E.S.); (H.T.)
- Correspondence: (T.Y.); (S.Y.); Tel.: +81-45-503-9196 (S.Y.)
| | - Eiko Seki
- RIKEN Cluster for Science, Technology and Innovation Hub, 1-7-22 Suehiro-Cho, Tsurumi, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan; (E.S.); (H.T.)
| | - Hiroaki Tanabe
- RIKEN Cluster for Science, Technology and Innovation Hub, 1-7-22 Suehiro-Cho, Tsurumi, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan; (E.S.); (H.T.)
| | - Yoshifumi Fujii
- RIKEN Cluster for Science, Technology and Innovation Hub, 1-7-22 Suehiro-Cho, Tsurumi, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan; (E.S.); (H.T.)
| | - Kensaku Sakamoto
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-Cho, Tsurumi, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan;
| | - Shigeyuki Yokoyama
- RIKEN Cluster for Science, Technology and Innovation Hub, 1-7-22 Suehiro-Cho, Tsurumi, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan; (E.S.); (H.T.)
- Correspondence: (T.Y.); (S.Y.); Tel.: +81-45-503-9196 (S.Y.)
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6
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West AV, Woo CM. Photoaffinity Labeling Chemistries Used to Map Biomolecular Interactions. Isr J Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ijch.202200081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander V. West
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology Harvard University 12 Oxford St Cambridge MA USA
| | - Christina M. Woo
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology Harvard University 12 Oxford St Cambridge MA USA
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7
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Hans S, Kumar N, Gohil N, Khambhati K, Bhattacharjee G, Deb SS, Maurya R, Kumar V, Reshamwala SMS, Singh V. Rebooting life: engineering non-natural nucleic acids, proteins and metabolites in microorganisms. Microb Cell Fact 2022; 21:100. [PMID: 35643549 PMCID: PMC9148472 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-022-01828-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The surging demand of value-added products has steered the transition of laboratory microbes to microbial cell factories (MCFs) for facilitating production of large quantities of important native and non-native biomolecules. This shift has been possible through rewiring and optimizing different biosynthetic pathways in microbes by exercising frameworks of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology principles. Advances in genome and metabolic engineering have provided a fillip to create novel biomolecules and produce non-natural molecules with multitude of applications. To this end, numerous MCFs have been developed and employed for production of non-natural nucleic acids, proteins and different metabolites to meet various therapeutic, biotechnological and industrial applications. The present review describes recent advances in production of non-natural amino acids, nucleic acids, biofuel candidates and platform chemicals.
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8
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Martín-Acosta P, Meng Q, Klimek J, Reddy AP, David L, Petrie SK, Li BX, Xiao X. A clickable photoaffinity probe of betulinic acid identifies tropomyosin as a target. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:2406-2416. [PMID: 35646545 PMCID: PMC9136574 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Target identification of bioactive compounds is important for understanding their mechanisms of action and provides critical insights into their therapeutic utility. While it remains a challenge, unbiased chemoproteomics strategy using clickable photoaffinity probes is a useful and validated approach for target identification. One major limitation of this approach is the efficient synthesis of appropriately substituted clickable photoaffinity probes. Herein, we describe an efficient and consistent method to prepare such probes. We further employed this method to prepare a highly stereo-congested probe based on naturally occurring triterpenoid betulinic acid. With this photoaffinity probe, we identified tropomyosin as a novel target for betulinic acid that can account for the unique biological phenotype on cellular cytoskeleton induced by betulinic acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Martín-Acosta
- Program in Chemical Biology, Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Qianli Meng
- Program in Chemical Biology, Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - John Klimek
- Program in Chemical Biology, Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Ashok P. Reddy
- Proteomics Shared Resource, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Larry David
- Program in Chemical Biology, Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Stefanie Kaech Petrie
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Bingbing X. Li
- Program in Chemical Biology, Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Xiangshu Xiao
- Program in Chemical Biology, Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
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9
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Aerssens D, Cadoni E, Tack L, Madder A. A Photosensitized Singlet Oxygen ( 1O 2) Toolbox for Bio-Organic Applications: Tailoring 1O 2 Generation for DNA and Protein Labelling, Targeting and Biosensing. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27030778. [PMID: 35164045 PMCID: PMC8838016 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27030778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Singlet oxygen (1O2) is the excited state of ground, triplet state, molecular oxygen (O2). Photosensitized 1O2 has been extensively studied as one of the reactive oxygen species (ROS), responsible for damage of cellular components (protein, DNA, lipids). On the other hand, its generation has been exploited in organic synthesis, as well as in photodynamic therapy for the treatment of various forms of cancer. The aim of this review is to highlight the versatility of 1O2, discussing the main bioorganic applications reported over the past decades, which rely on its production. After a brief introduction on the photosensitized production of 1O2, we will describe the main aspects involving the biologically relevant damage that can accompany an uncontrolled, aspecific generation of this ROS. We then discuss in more detail a series of biological applications featuring 1O2 generation, including protein and DNA labelling, cross-linking and biosensing. Finally, we will highlight the methodologies available to tailor 1O2 generation, in order to accomplish the proposed bioorganic transformations while avoiding, at the same time, collateral damage related to an untamed production of this reactive species.
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10
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Adhikari A, Bhattarai BR, Aryal A, Thapa N, KC P, Adhikari A, Maharjan S, Chanda PB, Regmi BP, Parajuli N. Reprogramming natural proteins using unnatural amino acids. RSC Adv 2021; 11:38126-38145. [PMID: 35498070 PMCID: PMC9044140 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra07028b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Unnatural amino acids have gained significant attention in protein engineering and drug discovery as they allow the evolution of proteins with enhanced stability and activity. The incorporation of unnatural amino acids into proteins offers a rational approach to engineer enzymes for designing efficient biocatalysts that exhibit versatile physicochemical properties and biological functions. This review highlights the biological and synthetic routes of unnatural amino acids to yield a modified protein with altered functionality and their incorporation methods. Unnatural amino acids offer a wide array of applications such as antibody-drug conjugates, probes for change in protein conformation and structure–activity relationships, peptide-based imaging, antimicrobial activities, etc. Besides their emerging applications in fundamental and applied science, systemic research is necessary to explore unnatural amino acids with novel side chains that can address the limitations of natural amino acids. Incorporation of unnatural amino acids into protein offers wide array of applications in fundamental and applied science.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Anup Adhikari
- Biological Chemistry Lab, Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kritipur, 44618, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Bibek Raj Bhattarai
- Biological Chemistry Lab, Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kritipur, 44618, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Ashika Aryal
- Department of Chemistry, Birendra Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal
| | - Niru Thapa
- Biological Chemistry Lab, Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kritipur, 44618, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Puja KC
- Biological Chemistry Lab, Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kritipur, 44618, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Ashma Adhikari
- Biological Chemistry Lab, Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kritipur, 44618, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Sushila Maharjan
- Biological Chemistry Lab, Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kritipur, 44618, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Prem B. Chanda
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, Louisiana 70402, USA
| | - Bishnu P. Regmi
- Department of Chemistry, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, Florida 32307, USA
| | - Niranjan Parajuli
- Biological Chemistry Lab, Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kritipur, 44618, Kathmandu, Nepal
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11
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Bifunctional Non-Canonical Amino Acids: Combining Photo-Crosslinking with Click Chemistry. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10040578. [PMID: 32290035 PMCID: PMC7226127 DOI: 10.3390/biom10040578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic code expansion is a powerful tool for the study of protein interactions, as it allows for the site-specific incorporation of a photoreactive group via non-canonical amino acids. Recently, several groups have published bifunctional amino acids that carry a handle for click chemistry in addition to the photo-crosslinker. This allows for the specific labeling of crosslinked proteins and therefore the pulldown of peptides for further analysis. This review describes the properties and advantages of different bifunctional amino acids, and gives an overview about current and future applications.
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12
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Dziuba D, Hoffmann J, Hentze MW, Schultz C. A Genetically Encoded Diazirine Analogue for RNA-Protein Photo-crosslinking. Chembiochem 2020; 21:88-93. [PMID: 31658407 PMCID: PMC7003851 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201900559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Ultraviolent crosslinking is a key experimental step in the numerous protocols that have been developed for capturing and dissecting RNA-protein interactions in living cells. UV crosslinking covalently stalls dynamic interactions between RNAs and the directly contacting RNA-binding proteins and enables stringent denaturing downstream purification conditions needed for the enrichment and biochemical analysis of RNA-protein complexes. Despite its popularity, conventional 254 nm UV crosslinking possesses a set of intrinsic drawbacks, with the low photochemical efficiency being the central caveat. Here we show that genetically encoded photoreactive unnatural amino acids bearing a dialkyl diazirine photoreactive group can address this problem. Using the human iron regulatory protein 1 (IRP1) as a model RNA-binding protein, we show that the photoreactive amino acids can be introduced into the protein without diminishing its RNA-binding properties. A sevenfold increase in the crosslinking efficiency compared to conventional 254 nm UV crosslinking was achieved using the diazirine-based unnatural amino acid DiAzKs. This finding opens an avenue for new applications of the unnatural amino acids in studying RNA-protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmytro Dziuba
- European Molecular Biology LaboratoryMeyerhofstrasse 169117HeidelbergGermany
| | - Jan‐Erik Hoffmann
- European Molecular Biology LaboratoryMeyerhofstrasse 169117HeidelbergGermany
- Department of Chemical Physiology and BiochemistryOregon Health and Science UniversityL334, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park RoadPortlandOR97239-3098USA
| | - Matthias W. Hentze
- European Molecular Biology LaboratoryMeyerhofstrasse 169117HeidelbergGermany
| | - Carsten Schultz
- European Molecular Biology LaboratoryMeyerhofstrasse 169117HeidelbergGermany
- Department of Chemical Physiology and BiochemistryOregon Health and Science UniversityL334, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park RoadPortlandOR97239-3098USA
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13
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Yang T, Li X, Li XD. A bifunctional amino acid to study protein–protein interactions. RSC Adv 2020; 10:42076-42083. [PMID: 35516754 PMCID: PMC9057919 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra09110c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
dzANA is a novel bifunctional (photo-reactive and bioorthogonal) amino acid to study protein–protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tangpo Yang
- Department of Chemistry
- The University of Hong Kong
- China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Chemistry
- The University of Hong Kong
- China
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14
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Nödling AR, Spear LA, Williams TL, Luk LYP, Tsai YH. Using genetically incorporated unnatural amino acids to control protein functions in mammalian cells. Essays Biochem 2019; 63:237-266. [PMID: 31092687 PMCID: PMC6610526 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20180042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2019] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Genetic code expansion allows unnatural (non-canonical) amino acid incorporation into proteins of interest by repurposing the cellular translation machinery. The development of this technique has enabled site-specific incorporation of many structurally and chemically diverse amino acids, facilitating a plethora of applications, including protein imaging, engineering, mechanistic and structural investigations, and functional regulation. Particularly, genetic code expansion provides great tools to study mammalian proteins, of which dysregulations often have important implications in health. In recent years, a series of methods has been developed to modulate protein function through genetically incorporated unnatural amino acids. In this review, we will first discuss the basic concept of genetic code expansion and give an up-to-date list of amino acids that can be incorporated into proteins in mammalian cells. We then focus on the use of unnatural amino acids to activate, inhibit, or reversibly modulate protein function by translational, optical or chemical control. The features of each approach will also be highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luke A Spear
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas L Williams
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Louis Y P Luk
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Yu-Hsuan Tsai
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
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15
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Ayele TM, Knutson SD, Ellipilli S, Hwang H, Heemstra JM. Fluorogenic Photoaffinity Labeling of Proteins in Living Cells. Bioconjug Chem 2019; 30:1309-1313. [PMID: 30978287 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.9b00203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Genetically encoded fluorescent proteins or small-molecule probes that recognize specific protein binding partners can be used to label proteins to study their localization and function with fluorescence microscopy. However, these approaches are limited in signal-to-background resolution and the ability to temporally control labeling. Herein, we describe a covalent protein labeling technique using a fluorogenic malachite green probe functionalized with a photoreactive cross-linker. This enables a controlled covalent attachment to a genetically encodable fluorogen activating protein (FAP) with low background signal. We demonstrate covalent labeling of a protein in vitro as well as in live mammalian cells. This method is straightforward, displays high labeling specificity, and results in improved signal-to-background ratios in photoaffinity labeling of target proteins. Additionally, this probe provides temporal control over reactivity, enabling future applications in real-time monitoring of cellular events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tewoderos M Ayele
- Department of Chemistry , Emory University , Atlanta , Georgia 30322 , United States
| | - Steve D Knutson
- Department of Chemistry , Emory University , Atlanta , Georgia 30322 , United States
| | - Satheesh Ellipilli
- Department of Chemistry , Emory University , Atlanta , Georgia 30322 , United States
| | - Hyun Hwang
- Department of Chemistry , Emory University , Atlanta , Georgia 30322 , United States
| | - Jennifer M Heemstra
- Department of Chemistry , Emory University , Atlanta , Georgia 30322 , United States
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Beránek V, Willis JCW, Chin JW. An Evolved Methanomethylophilus alvus Pyrrolysyl-tRNA Synthetase/tRNA Pair Is Highly Active and Orthogonal in Mammalian Cells. Biochemistry 2018; 58:387-390. [PMID: 30260626 PMCID: PMC6365905 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.8b00808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We recently characterized a new class of pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase (PylRS)/PyltRNA pairs from Methanomassiliicocales that are active and orthogonal in Escherichia coli. The aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) of these pairs lack the N-terminal domain that is essential for tRNA recognition and in vivo activity in the Methanosarcina mazei ( Mm) PylRS but share a homologous active site with MmPylRS; this facilitates the transplantation of mutations discovered with existing PylRS systems into the new PylRS systems to reprogram their substrate specificity for the incorporation of noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs). Several of the new PylRS/PyltRNA pairs, or their evolved variants [including Methanomethylophilus alvus ( Ma) PylRS/ MaPyltRNA(6)CUA], are mutually orthogonal to the MmPylRS/ MmPyltRNA pair, and the active sites of the Mm pair and Ma pair can be diverged to enable the incorporation of distinct ncAAs in response to distinct codons via orthogonal translation in E. coli. Here we demonstrate that MaPylRS/ MaPyltRNA(6)CUA is orthogonal to the aaRSs and tRNAs in mammalian cells and directs efficient incorporation of ncAAs into proteins. Moreover, we confirm that the MaPylRS/ MaPyltRNA(6) and MmPylRS/ MmPyltRNA pairs are mutually orthogonal in mammalian cells and demonstrates that these pairs can be used to encode distinct ncAAs into a protein in mammalian cells. Thus, the MaPylRS/ MaPyltRNA(6)CUA pair provides an additional pair that is orthogonal in both E. coli and mammalian systems and is mutually orthogonal to the most widely used system for genetic code expansion. Our results provide a foundation for expanding the scope of genetic code expansion and may also facilitate strategies for proteome-wide ncAA tagging with mutually orthogonal systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Václav Beránek
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology , Francis Crick Avenue , Cambridge CB2 0QH , England , U.K
| | - Julian C W Willis
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology , Francis Crick Avenue , Cambridge CB2 0QH , England , U.K
| | - Jason W Chin
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology , Francis Crick Avenue , Cambridge CB2 0QH , England , U.K
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