Genetically Encoded Photocaged Proteinogenic and Non‐Proteinogenic Amino Acids

Abstract

AbstractPhotocaged amino acids could be genetically encoded into proteins via genetic code expansion (GCE) and constitute unique tools for innovative protein engineering. There are a number of photocaged proteinogenic amino acids that allow strategic conversion of proteins into their photocaged variants, thus enabling spatiotemporal and non‐invasive regulation of protein functions using light. Meanwhile, there are a hand of photocaged non‐proteinogenic amino acids that address the challenges in directly encoding certain non‐canonical amino acids (ncAAs) that structurally resemble proteinogenic ones or possess highly reactive functional groups. Herein, we would like to summarize the efforts in encoding photocaged proteinogenic and non‐proteinogenic amino acids, hoping to draw more attention to this fruitful and exciting scientific campaign.