Generation of a bacterium with a 21 amino acid genetic code

We have generated a completely autonomous bacterium with a 21 amino acid genetic code. This bacterium can biosynthesize a nonstandard amino acid from basic carbon sources and incorporate this amino acid into proteins in response to the amber nonsense codon. The biosynthetic pathway for the amino acid p-aminophenylalanine (pAF) as well as a unique pAF synthetase and cognate tRNA were added to Escherichia coli. Denaturing gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometric analysis show that pAF is incorporated into myoglobin with fidelity and efficiency rivaling those of the common 20 amino acids. This and other such organisms may provide an opportunity to examine the evolutionary consequences of adding new amino acids to the genetic repertoire, as well as generate proteins with new or enhanced biological functions.     

The enhancement of photoswitching in a diarylethene derivative by the incorporation of cyanobiphenyl groups

A photochromic liquid crystal system based on a diarylethene functionalised in the 2,2'-positions and linked to 4-cyano-4'-hydroxybiphenyl groups via alkyl spacers as chromophores was synthesised and its photochromic and mesomorphic behaviour was investigated.     

Automated protein identification using atmospheric-pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization

Atmospheric-pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (AP-MALDI) ion trap mass spectrometry (ITMS) has been evaluated for automated protein identification. By using signal averaging and long ion-injection times, protein identification limits in the 50-fmol range are achieved for standard protein digests. Data acquisition requires 7.5 min or less per sample and the MS/MS spectra files are automatically processed using the SEQUEST database searching algorithm. AP-MALDI-ITMS was compared with the widely used methods of microLC/MS/MS (ion trap) and automated MALDI-TOF peptide mass mapping. Sample throughput is 10-fold greater using AP-MALDI compared with microcapillary liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (microLC/MS/MS). The protein sequence coverage obtained from AP-MALDI-MS/MS spectra matched by SEQUEST is lower compared with microLC/MS/MS and MALDI-TOF mass mapping. However, by using the AP-MALDI full-scan peptide mass fingerprint spectrum, sequence coverage is increased. AP-MALDI-ITMS was applied for the analysis of Coomassie blue stained gels and was found to be a useful platform for rapid protein identification.     

Eigenvalue perturbation theory of structured real matrices and their sign characteristics under generic structured rank-one perturbations

An eigenvalue perturbation theory under rank-one perturbations is developed for classes of real matrices that are symmetric with respect to a non-degenerate bilinear form, or Hamiltonian with respect to a non-degenerate skew-symmetric form. In contrast to the case of complex matrices, the sign characteristic is a crucial feature of matrices in these classes. The behaviour of the sign characteristic under generic rank-one perturbations is analyzed in each of these two classes of matrices. Partial results are presented, but some questions remain open. Applications include boundedness and robust boundedness for solutions of structured systems of linear differential equations with respect to general perturbations as well as with respect to structured rank perturbations of the coefficients.     

Oxidative coupling of peptides to a virus capsid containing unnatural amino acids

This Communication describes the chemo- and site-selective coupling of cell type-specific targeting peptides to a virus capsid containing aminophenylalanine residues.