Fluoresceinylthiocarbamyl-tRNATyr: a useful derivative of tRNATyr (E.coli) for physicochemical studies

Fluoresceinylthiocarbamyl-tRNATyr (FTC-tRNATyr) is prepared from tRNATyr and fluoresceinisothiogyanate (FITC) under mildly alkaline conditions. Labelling occurs specificly at the base Q of tRNATyr. The modified tRNA is fully active in the aminoacylation assay; when aminoacylated it is recognized by the elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu). Codon-anticodon interaction, however, is severely affected by the modification.