Test Tube Synthesis of Protein

Proteins can be synthetically developed with the help of cell free extracts. This was first proved by the invention of American scientist Paul C Zamecnik in the year 1953. He contributed a lot in early molecular biology. He synthesized protein in vitro. This helped in prediction as to how the proteins are actually synthesized by the cells. With his co-worker Mahlon Hoagland, he reinvented tRNA (transfer RNA) molecule. In addition, he is also a owner of therapeutics synthesis by ‘antisense RNA technology’.

He discovered new drugs just by blocking genes individually. He devised a procedure in the 1950s for synthesizing protein in test tubes which helped him to trace the stages behind the genetic materials that are encoded in DNA translated in to a building block of proteins called amino acids.

Later in the year 1956, Paul Zamecnik with his co-workers Mahlon Hoagland and Mary Stephenson proposed the existence of essential elements for the synthesis of protein pathway. The critical elements called ribosomes help in shuttling of amino acids in the protein factory. Ribosomes are found attached to the polypeptide chain. This polypeptide chain folds in the formation of protein called tRNA or transfer RNA. This invention was remarkable in the history of molecular biology.

Paul Zamecnik found some specific genes getting inactivated. Genes are inactivated by synthetic series of chemically constituted components like DNA and RNA of nucleotides. The mechanism of inactivation is referred as ‘anti-sense technology’. This technology is ultimately, based on the DNA double strand. The genetic informations are carried in one strand of DNA molecule. DNA forms double helix by intertwining of complementary antisense strand with the other strand. Sense strand can read all genetic information to form mRNA (messenger RNA). mRNA helps in transfer of genetic information to the ribosome. Sequence of mRNA strand is recognized by nucleotide sequence which prevents protein translation thereby blocking gene expression.

This invention was completely unexpected except for Watson and Crick. RNA molecules are transferred with the help of adapter molecules which was postulated by Watson and Crick. Adapter helps in proper binding of protein to other bases, i.e. codon in specific along the RNA templates.