
Unnatural proteins are crucial biomacromolecules and have been widely applied in fundamental science, novel biopolymer materials, enzymes, and therapeutics. Cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) system can serve as a robust platform to synthesize unnatural proteins by highly effective site-specific incorporation of unnatural amino acids (UNAAs), without the limitations of cell membrane permeability and the toxicity of unnatural components. Here, we describe a quick and simple method to synthesize unnatural proteins in CFPS system based on Escherichia coli crude extract, with unnatural orthogonal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase and suppressor tRNA evolved from Methanocaldococcus jannaschii. The superfolder green fluorescent protein (sfGFP) and p-propargyloxyphenylalanine (pPaF) were used as the model protein and UNAA. The synthesis of unnatural sfGFPs was characterized by microplate spectrophotometer, affinity chromatography, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). This protocol provides a detailed procedure guiding how to use the powerful CFPS system to synthesize unnatural proteins on demand.
QH301-705.5, Protocol, unnatural amino acid, Biology (General), cell-free protein synthesis, unnatural protein
QH301-705.5, Protocol, unnatural amino acid, Biology (General), cell-free protein synthesis, unnatural protein
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 20 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
