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Updated: Jul 16, 2026

A Facile Protocol to Generate Site-Specifically Acetylated Proteins in Escherichia Coli
Published on: December 9, 2017
The direct genetic encoding of pyrrolysine
1Department of Microbiology, OSU Biochemistry Program, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. krzycki.1@osu.edu
Pyrrolysine, a non-canonical amino acid, is encoded by the amber codon (UAG) in Methanosarcinaceae. Its genetic code incorporation involves a unique pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase and tRNA, similar to the original 20 amino acids.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Pyrrolysine and selenocysteine are the only non-canonical amino acids incorporated into natural genetic codes.
- Pyrrolysine is encoded by the amber codon (UAG) in Methanosarcinaceae, essential for methylamine utilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanism of pyrrolysine incorporation into the genetic code.
- To understand how pyrrolysine, unlike selenocysteine, shares traits with the canonical 20 amino acids.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of gene expression for pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase and its cognate tRNA.
- Experimental determination of UAG codon translation in recombinant organisms.
Main Results:
- Pyrrolysine translation via UAG requires a dedicated aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase.
- Expression of pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase and tRNA genes enables pyrrolysine incorporation in recombinant systems.
- This process mirrors the genetic code's original amino acid recruitment.
Conclusions:
- Pyrrolysine's genetic code recruitment involved the evolution of a novel non-canonical aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase and tRNA.
- This represents the first described instance of such evolution for a non-canonical amino acid in nature.
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