Chemical synthesis of acyl thioesters of acyl carrier protein with native structure

The acyl carrier protein (ACP) of Escherichia coli was converted to acyl-ACP by imidazole-catalyzed S-acylation with N-acylimidazole. The acylation was specific to the sulfhydryl group; no acylation of tyrosine or amino groups of the protein occurred. The acyl-ACP substrates synthesized had a native structure as determined by gel electrophoresis, hydrophobic chromatography, and enzymatic activity. N-Acylimidazoles are readily synthesized and permit preparation of those acyl-ACP substrates that cannot be produced enzymatically.