Sequence-Specific β-Peptide Synthesis by a Rotaxane-Based Molecular Machine

J Am Chem Soc. 2017 Aug 9;139(31):10875-10879. doi: 10.1021/jacs.7b05850. Epub 2017 Jul 26.

Abstract

We report on the synthesis and operation of a three-barrier, rotaxane-based, artificial molecular machine capable of sequence-specific β-homo (β3) peptide synthesis. The machine utilizes nonproteinogenic β3-amino acids, a class of amino acids not generally accepted by the ribosome, particularly consecutively. Successful operation of the machine via native chemical ligation (NCL) demonstrates that even challenging 15- and 19-membered ligation transition states are suitable for information translation using this artificial molecular machine. The peptide-bond-forming catalyst region can be removed from the transcribed peptide by peptidases, artificial and biomachines working in concert to generate a product that cannot be made by either machine alone.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Peptides / chemical synthesis*
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Ribosomes / chemistry
  • Rotaxanes / chemistry*
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Substances

  • Peptides
  • Rotaxanes