Construction of Ser/Leu-swapped cell-free translation system using natural/in vitro transcribed-hybrid tRNA set

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K05270
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 37010:Bio-related chemistry
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: Fujino Tomoshige 名古屋大学, 工学研究科, 助教 (00772378)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 無細胞翻訳系 / tRNA / 遺伝暗号 / バイオハザード

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we constructed a hybrid tRNA set by combining natural tRNAs extracted from E. coli cells with in vitro-transcribed artificial tRNAs. Using this tRNA set, we simplified the construction method of a cell-free translation system with a Ser/Leu-swapped genetic code. Genes designed for this Ser/Leu-swapped genetic code produce non-functional products in translation systems with the standard genetic code, which is common to most organisms. Therefore, even if these genes were to leak into the environment, they would have no potential biohazard risk.

Free Research Field

生化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究で開発された、Ser/Leu交換遺伝暗号を持つ再構成無細胞翻訳系は、遺伝子の漏洩に由来するバイオハザードリスクの無いタンパク質合成系として、今後の利用が期待される。
さらに、近年Ser/Leu交換遺伝暗号を実際の生物で構築する試みが世界的に行われており、本研究の成果は、生物への実装に先駆けたモデル系として、今後の研究に重要な知見を提供すると考えられる。