Rewiring protein synthesis: From natural to synthetic amino acids.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The protein synthesis machinery uses 22 natural amino acids as building blocks that faithfully decode the genetic information. Such fidelity is controlled at multiple steps and can be compromised in nature and in the laboratory to rewire protein synthesis with natural and synthetic amino acids.

Scope of review

This review summarizes the major quality control mechanisms during protein synthesis, including aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, elongation factors, and the ribosome. We will discuss evolution and engineering of such components that allow incorporation of natural and synthetic amino acids at positions that deviate from the standard genetic code.

Major conclusions

The protein synthesis machinery is highly selective, yet not fixed, for the correct amino acid

SUBMITTER: Fan Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5511583 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature