Synthesis of Biopolymers Using Genetic Code Reprogramming

Genetic code reprogramming is a new emerging methodology that enables us to synthesize non-standard peptides containing multiple non-proteinogenic amino acids using translation machinery. This review describes the historical background of this methodology and what distinguishes it from the classical 'nonsense suppression' methodology, followed by a discussion of recent developments in combining this methodology with other compatible technologies. Specifically, we discuss in detail the combination of genetic code reprogramming with flexizymes, de novo tRNA acylation ribozymes that facilitate the charging process of a variety of non-proteinogenic amino acids onto tRNAs bearing designated anticodons, and summarize some of the recent demonstrations of the synthesis of non-standard peptides with cyclic structure or/and altered backbones employing this technology.