The genetic code of all known organisms consists of the same 20 common amino acids. However, the functional groups in these 20 amino acids are limited and this restricts the design and improvement of protein function. To overcome this drawback, unnatural amino acids are incorporated in vivo through engineered transfer RNA (tRNA) / aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (aaRSs) pairs. Here, we present the synthesis of several unnatural amino acids bearing different functional groups and studies of their incorporation in live cells for the regulation of protein activity and the analysis of protein structure and function by biophysical methods.

Synthesis of unnatural amino acids and their application in cells with an expanded genetic code

244th National Meeting (2012)

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