Site-specific incorporation of the mucin-type N-acetylgalactosamine-alpha-O-threonine into protein in Escherichia coli

J Am Chem Soc. 2004 Dec 8;126(48):15654-5. doi: 10.1021/ja044711z.

Abstract

Glycosylation is a prevalent posttranslational process capable of augmenting and modulating protein function. Efficient synthesis of high-purity, homogeneous glycoproteins is essential for the study of unique protein glycoforms and for the manufacture of therapeutically relevant forms. A promising new strategy for controlled in vivo synthesis of glycoproteins was recently established using suppressor tRNA technology. Using an evolved tRNA aminoacyl synthetase-tRNA pair from Methanococcus jannaschii, the glycosyl amino acid, N-acetylglucosamine-beta-O-serine (GlcNAc-beta-Ser), was site-specifically introduced into proteins cotranslationally in Escherichia coli. Herein, we report the evolution of a new tRNA aminoacyl synthetase-tRNA pair that has expanded the repertoire of glycoproteins that can be expressed in E. coli to contain the other major O-linked glycan, N-acetylgalactosamine-alpha-O-threonine (GalNAc-a-Thr).

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Retracted Publication

MeSH terms

  • Acetylgalactosamine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Acetylgalactosamine / metabolism*
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism*
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / genetics
  • Mucins / genetics
  • Mucins / metabolism*
  • Myoglobin / biosynthesis
  • Myoglobin / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization
  • Threonine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Threonine / genetics
  • Threonine / metabolism*
  • Tyrosine-tRNA Ligase / genetics
  • Tyrosine-tRNA Ligase / metabolism

Substances

  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • Mucins
  • Myoglobin
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Threonine
  • Tyrosine-tRNA Ligase
  • Acetylgalactosamine