GENETICALLY EXPANDED CELL FREE PROTEIN SYNTHESIS SYSTEMS, METHODS AND KITS

摘要

This invention relates to methods of producing a rare amino acid- or non-natural amino acid-containing protein in a cell free protein synthesis system and kits for use in and for accomplishing same. Specifically, the methods comprise the steps of expressing at least one orthogonal suppressor tRNA (o-tRNA)/aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (aaRS) pair or derivatives thereof specific for incorporation of a rare amino acid- or non-natural amino acid in an E. coli organism; preparing a lysate of said E. coli organism expressing said orthogonal suppressor tRNA (o-tRNA)/aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (aaRS) pair; and contacting said lysate with a template DNA containing a mutant gene in which at least one amino acid codon at a given site of the protein-encoding gene has been mutated into an amber or ochre mutation and further providing a cognate rare amino acid or non-natural amino acid and other factors necessary for protein synthesis; wherein protein synthesis occurs following said contact to produce a protein containing said at least one rare amino acid or said non-natural amino acid. Kits for use are described, as well.