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Genetically encoded synthesis of protein-based polymers with precisely specified molecular weight and sequence by recursive directional ligation: examples from the elastin-like polypeptide system.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Meyer, DE; Chilkoti, A
Published in: Biomacromolecules
March 2002

We report a new strategy for the synthesis of genes encoding repetitive, protein-based polymers of specified sequence, chain length, and architecture. In this stepwise approach, which we term "recursive directional ligation" (RDL), short gene segments are seamlessly combined in tandem using recombinant DNA techniques. The resulting larger genes can then be recursively combined until a gene of a desired length is obtained. This approach is modular and can be used to combine genes encoding different polypeptide sequences. We used this method to synthesize three different libraries of elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs); each library encodes a unique ELP sequence with systematically varied molecular weights. We also combined two of these sequences to produce a block copolymer. Because the thermal properties of ELPs depend on their sequence and chain length, the synthesis of these polypeptides provides an example of the importance of precise control over these parameters that is afforded by RDL.

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Published In

Biomacromolecules

DOI

EISSN

1526-4602

ISSN

1525-7797

Publication Date

March 2002

Volume

3

Issue

2

Start / End Page

357 / 367

Related Subject Headings

  • Temperature
  • Solutions
  • Polymers
  • Polymers
  • Molecular Weight
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Genetic Vectors
  • Genetic Techniques
  • Gene Library
  • Escherichia coli
 

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Journal cover image

Published In

Biomacromolecules

DOI

EISSN

1526-4602

ISSN

1525-7797

Publication Date

March 2002

Volume

3

Issue

2

Start / End Page

357 / 367

Related Subject Headings

  • Temperature
  • Solutions
  • Polymers
  • Polymers
  • Molecular Weight
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Genetic Vectors
  • Genetic Techniques
  • Gene Library
  • Escherichia coli