Translation of Diverse Aramid- and 1,3-Dicarbonyl-peptides by Wild Type Ribosomes <i>in Vitro</i>

Abstract

Here, we report that wild type <i>Escherichia coli</i> ribosomes accept and elongate precharged initiator tRNAs acylated with multiple benzoic acids, including aramid precursors, as well as malonyl (1,3-dicarbonyl) substrates to generate a diverse set of aramid-peptide and polyketide-peptide hybrid molecules. This work expands the scope of ribozyme- and ribosome-catalyzed chemical transformations, provides a starting point for <i>in vivo</i> translation engineering efforts, and offers an alternative strategy for the biosynthesis of polyketide-peptide natural products.