Patent · US Expired

Method of inserting amino acid analogs into proteins

US4568640A · kind A · utility

36Cited by
2References
7Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 21, 1983
Grant dateFeb 4, 1986
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 21, 2003

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S530/808
  • WIPO fieldBiotechnology
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method for substituting one amino acid for another in a protein chain to improve selected properties of the protein. Initially, an mRNA molecule capable of producing an unmodified protein of the type it is desired to modify is provided. Next the codon along the mRNA chain which ordinarily accepts the anti-codon corresponding to a first amino acid which is to be replaced with a selected second amino acid is determined. The tRNA which ordinarily brings the first amino acid to that site is modified to carry the second amino acid instead. The modified protein is then formed by translation techniques in the presence of the modified tRNA, whereby the second amino acid is incorporated in the protein chain in place of the first amino acid. Several methods of accomplishing the modification of the selected tRNA are also disclosed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.