Genetically programmed cell-based synthesis of non-natural peptide and depsipeptide macrocycles

Abstract

The direct genetically encoded cell-based synthesis of non-natural peptide and depsipeptide macrocycles is an outstanding challenge. Here we programme the encoded synthesis of 25 diverse non-natural macrocyclic peptides, each containing two non-canonical amino acids, in Syn61Δ3-derived cells; these cells contain a synthetic Escherichia coli genome in which the annotated occurrences of two sense codons and a stop codon, and the cognate transfer RNAs (tRNAs) and release factor that normally decode these codons, have been removed. We further demonstrate that pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase/tRNA pairs from distinct classes can be engineered to direct the co-translational incorporation of diverse alpha hydroxy acids, with both aliphatic and aromatic side chains. We define 49 engineered mutually orthogonal pairs that recognize distinct non-canonical amino acids or alpha hydroxy acids and decode distinct codons. Finally, we combine our advances to programme Syn61Δ3-derived cells for the encoded synthesis of 12 diverse non-natural depsipeptide macrocycles, which contain two non-canonical side chains and either one or two ester bonds.