Genetic PEGylation

PLoS One. 2012;7(11):e49235. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0049235. Epub 2012 Nov 8.

Abstract

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) was genetically incorporated into a polypeptide. Stop-anticodon-containing tRNAs were acylated with PEG-containing amino acids and were then translated into polypeptides corresponding to DNA sequences containing the stop codons. The molecular weights of the PEG used were 170, 500, 700, 1000, and 2000 Da, and the translation was confirmed by mass spectrometry. The PEG incorporation ratio decreased as the molecular weight of PEG increased, and PEG with a molecular weight of 1000 Da was only slightly incorporated. Although improvement is required to increase the efficiency of the process, this study demonstrates the possibility of genetic PEGylation.

MeSH terms

  • Acylation
  • Amino Acids
  • Codon, Terminator / chemistry
  • Codon, Terminator / genetics
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Models, Genetic
  • Molecular Weight
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry*
  • Protein Biosynthesis
  • Protein Engineering / methods*
  • RNA, Transfer / chemistry*

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Codon, Terminator
  • Peptides
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • RNA, Transfer

Grants and funding

These authors have no support or funding to report.