Synthetic Ribozyme Generates Novel Proteins

An automated method has been developed for generating aminoacyl tRNAs that are charged with non-natural amino acids that can be incorporated into proteins through cell-free translation. The new technology has been described in two articles. The first, in the July 2002 issue of Nature Biotechnology, showed how an artificial ribozyme could build proteins from tRNAs using amino acids not normally used to build proteins. The second article, in the June 19, 2002, issue of the Journal of the American Chemical Society, described an automated method employing immobilized synthetic ribozymes.

In this procedure, the scientists immobilized the ribozymes on an inexpensive gel, packed the resin into a column, added the amino acid and tRNA, and shook the mixture for about half an hour. "When the resin is washed off, what is left is the aminoacyl-tRNA with the immobilized ribozyme,” explained Dr. Hiroaki Suga, professor of chemistry at Buffalo University (NY, USA). "The desired aminoacyl-tRNA can then be isolated. It is a very durable and convenient system.” The system is economical and may be reused numerous times, said the scientists.

The advantage of using so-called unnatural or non-natural amino acids designed in the lab is that they can be tailored with special functions that are not available in natural amino acids and that will aid researchers working in proteomics. "Our system has the potential to provide a simple method for the preparation of such aminoacyl-tRNAs for researchers who want to expand the amino-acid repertoire for protein synthesis,” said Dr. Suga.



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