Chemical Reviews,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Dec. 31, 2024
The
concept
of
genetic
code
expansion
(GCE)
has
revolutionized
the
field
chemical
and
synthetic
biology,
enabling
site-specific
incorporation
noncanonical
amino
acids
(ncAAs)
into
proteins,
thus
opening
new
avenues
in
research
applications
across
biology
medicine.
In
this
review,
we
cover
principles
GCE,
including
optimization
aminoacyl-tRNA
synthetase
(aaRS)/tRNA
system
advancements
translation
engineering.
Notable
developments
include
refinement
aaRS/tRNA
pairs,
enhancements
screening
methods,
biosynthesis
acids.
GCE
technology
span
from
where
it
facilitates
gene
expression
regulation
protein
engineering,
to
medicine,
with
promising
approaches
drug
development,
vaccine
production,
editing.
review
concludes
a
perspective
on
future
underscoring
its
potential
further
expand
toolkit
Through
comprehensive
aim
provide
detailed
overview
current
state
technology,
challenges,
opportunities,
frontier
represents
for
novel
biological
therapeutic
applications.
Chemical Reviews,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Feb. 12, 2025
Genetic
code
expansion
(GCE)
in
mammalian
cells
has
emerged
as
a
powerful
technology
for
investigating
and
engineering
protein
function.
This
method
allows
the
precise
incorporation
of
rapidly
growing
toolbox
noncanonical
amino
acids
(ncAAs)
into
predefined
sites
target
proteins
expressed
living
cells.
Due
to
minimal
size
these
genetically
encoded
ncAAs,
wide
range
functionalities
they
provide,
ability
introduce
them
freely
at
virtually
any
site
by
simple
mutagenesis,
this
holds
immense
potential
probing
complex
biology
next-generation
biotherapeutics.
In
review,
we
provide
an
overview
underlying
machinery
that
enables
ncAA
mutagenesis
how
are
developed.
We
have
also
compiled
updated
list
ncAAs
been
successfully
incorporated
Finally,
our
perspectives
on
current
challenges
need
be
addressed
fully
harness
technology.
ChemBioChem,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: March 11, 2025
Abstract
Understanding
protein
structure
requires
studying
its
dynamics,
which
is
critical
to
elucidating
functional
role.
Biophysical
techniques
have
revolutionized
this
field
over
time,
providing
remarkable
insights
into
structure‐function
relationships.
Among
these,
Site‐Directed
Spin
Labelling
(SDSL)
combined
with
Electron
Paramagnetic
Resonance
(EPR)
a
powerful
method
delivering
structural
data
at
the
residue
level,
irrespective
of
size
or
environment.
Traditional
nitroxide
labels
targeting
cysteine
residues
face
limitations
when
these
are
essential
for
function.
To
address
this,
alternatives
been
proposed
as
use
non‐canonical
amino
acids
(ncaa)
coupled
specific
labels.
This
study
introduces
14
N‐HO‐5223,
novel
label
p
AzPhe
ncaa,
along
15
N‐derivative.
These
were
grafted
two
sites
model
protein,
diflavin
cytochrome
P450
reductase.
For
comparative
purpose,
already
reported
also
used.
Continuous
wave
(cw)
EPR
spectroscopy
confirmed
HO‐5223
an
effective
reporter
dynamics.
Additionally,
Double
Electron‐Electron
(DEER)
measurements
provided
distance
distributions
between
semi‐quinone
FMNH⋅
state
CPR
and
all
results
expand
toolkit
ncaa‐nitroxide
pairs,
enabling
EPR‐based
studies
proteins
where
modification
impractical,
further
advancing
our
ability
decode
dynamics
Accounts of Chemical Research,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: March 19, 2025
ConspectusEmulating
the
structural
features
or
functions
of
natural
systems
has
been
demonstrated
as
a
state-of-the-art
strategy
to
create
artificial
functional
materials.
Inspired
by
assembly
and
bioactivity
proteins,
self-assembly
peptides
into
nanostructures
represents
promising
approach
for
creating
biomaterials.
Conventional
assembled
peptide
biomaterials
are
typically
formulated
in
solution
delivered
pathological
sites
implementing
theranostic
objectives.
However,
this
translocation
entails
switch
from
formulation
conditions
physiological
environment
raises
concerns
about
material
performance.
In
addition,
precise
efficient
accumulation
administered
at
target
remains
significant
challenge,
leading
potential
biosafety
issues
associated
with
off-target
effects.
These
limitations
significantly
hinder
progress
advanced
To
address
these
concerns,
past
few
years
have
witnessed
development
situ
living
new
endeavor
optimizing
biomaterial
performance
benefiting
advances
stimuli-responsive
reactions
regulating
noncovalent
interactions.
refers
processes
via
sites.
Due
advantages
precisely
forming
well-defined
lesions,
situ-formed
assemblies
integrated
interesting
next-generation
biomedical
agents.Despite
great
developing
agents,
research
area
still
suffers
limited
toolkit
operating
under
complicated
conditions.
Considering
amino
acids
being
incorporated
backbones
modified
units,
an
acid
is
concern.
Therefore,
our
laboratory
intensively
engaged
designing
discovering
noncanonical
(ncAAs)
expand
manipulating
various
biological
Thus
far,
we
synthesized
containing
ncAAs
4-aminoproline,
2-nitroimidazole
alanine,
Se-methionine,
sulfated
tyrosine,
glycosylated
serine,
which
allow
us
develop
acid-responsive,
redox-responsive,
enzyme-responsive
systems.
Based
on
ncAAs,
established
complex
self-sorting
assembly,
self-amplified
dissipative
cells
optimize
peptides.
The
resulting
exhibit
morphological
adaptability
microenvironment,
contributes
overcoming
delivery
barriers
improvement
targeting
accumulation.
utilizing
developed
toolkit,
further
created
supramolecular
PROTACs,
antagonists,
probes
cancer
treatment
diagnosis
highlight
implications
usage.
Account,
summarize
journey
emphasis
mechanism
Eventually,
also
provide
forward
conceiving
prospects
challenges
clinical
translation
situ-formulated
Bioconjugate Chemistry,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: April 11, 2025
Conventional
protein
labeling
techniques
often
rely
on
irreversible
covalent
bonds,
limiting
dynamic
control
over
modifications.
Here,
we
present
a
reversible
strategy
using
genetically
encoded
dithiolane-containing
amino
acid
(dtF)
and
organoarsenic
conjugation
chemistry.
Using
dithiarsolane
dicarboxylic
probe
A2,
achieved
near-quantitative
ethanedithiol-mediated
removal
within
1
h
at
room
temperature.
A2
exhibited
reduced
toxicity
with
7-fold
higher
IC50
compared
to
arsenoxide,
its
fluorescent
derivative
A2-FB
showed
no
cytotoxicity
up
100
μM,
enabling
live-cell
applications.
This
is
the
first
demonstration
of
dithiol-arsenic
chemistry
single
residue,
providing
structural
alternative
dicysteine
motifs.
Reversible
was
validated
in
purified
proteins
(sfGFP-Y151dtF
MYO-K99dtF)
live
Escherichia
coli,
offering
versatile
tool
for
modifications
molecular
tracking
biological
systems.
Annual Review of Physical Chemistry,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
76(1), P. 103 - 128
Published: April 21, 2025
Investigating
protein
dynamic
structural
changes
is
fundamental
for
understanding
function,
drug
discovery,
and
disease
mechanisms.
Traditional
studies
of
dynamics
often
rely
on
investigations
purified
systems,
which
fail
to
capture
the
complexity
cellular
environment.
The
intracellular
milieu
imposes
distinct
physicochemical
constraints
that
affect
macromolecular
interactions
in
ways
not
easily
replicated
isolated
experimental
setups.
We
discuss
use
fluorescence
resonance
energy
transfer,
anisotropy,
minimal
photon
flux
imaging
technologies
address
these
challenges
directly
investigate
conformational
mammalian
cells.
Key
findings
from
application
techniques
demonstrate
their
potential
reveal
intricate
details
plasticity.
By
overcoming
limitations
traditional
vitro
methods,
approaches
offer
a
more
accurate
comprehensive
function
behavior
within
complex
environment
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: May 23, 2023
Abstract
Using
orthogonal
translation
systems
(OTSs)
is
one
of
the
most
efficient
strategies
for
producing
unnatural
proteins
through
incorporation
non-canonical
amino
acids
(ncAAs)
into
genetic
code.
Traditionally,
efforts
to
expand
substrate
specificity
start
with
a
(hyper-)stable
enzyme
capable
withstanding
structural
changes
induced
by
necessary
mutations.
In
contrast,
we
propose
radically
different
approach
PylRS
system:
starting
enzymes
that
evolved
cope
instability
in
order
adapt
cold
conditions,
potentially
offering
greater
resilience
mutational
changes.
By
finding
and
further
engineering
psychrophilic
(“cold”)
OTS
from
Methanococcoides
burtonii
,
developed
an
alternative
widely
used
mesophilic
thermophilic
systems.
This
novel
demonstrated
exceptional
vivo
efficiency
broad
range
substrates,
even
at
very
low
ncAA
concentrations
cultivation
temperatures.
The
general
versatility
system
across
wide
applicable
host
organisms
suggests
Cold-OTS
has
potential
also
improve
protein
yields
these
hosts
help
drive
transformation
expanded
code
academic
pursuit
high-value,
chemistry-driven
biotechnology.
Current Opinion in Structural Biology,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
89, P. 102936 - 102936
Published: Oct. 24, 2024
Membrane
proteins
remain
challenging
targets
for
conventional
structural
biology
techniques
because
they
need
to
reside
within
complex
hydrophobic
lipid
environments
maintain
proper
structure
and
function.
Magnetic
resonance
combined
with
site-directed
spin
labeling
is
an
alternative
method
that
provides
atomic-level
dynamical
information
from
effects
introduced
by
electron-
or
nuclear-based
label.
With
the
advent
of
bioorthogonal
click
chemistries
genetically
engineered
non-canonical
amino
acids
(ncAAs),
options
linking
probes
biomolecules
have
substantially
broadened
outside
cysteine-based
scheme.
Here,
we
highlight
current
strategies
spin-label
membrane
through
ncAAs
nuclear
electron
paramagnetic
applications.
Such
advances
are
critical
developing
schemes
achieve
in-cell
measurements
protein
conformational
dynamics.