Abstract: | New “non-isomerizable” analogs of the 3′-terminus of AA-tRNA, C-A(2′Phe)H, C-A(2′Phe)Me, C-A(2′H)Phe and C-A(2′Me)Phe, were tested as acceptor substrates of ribosomal peptidyl transferase and inhibitors of the peptidyl transferase A-site function. The 3′-O-AA-derivatives were active acceptors of Ac-Phe in the peptidyl transferase reaction, while the 2′-O-AA-derivatives were completely inactive. Both 2′- and 3′-O-AA-derivatives were potent inhibitors of peptidyl transferase catalyzed Ac-Phe transfer to puromycin. The results indicate that although peptidyl transferase exclusively utilizes 3′-O-esters of tRNA as acceptor substrates, its A-site can also recognize the 3′-terminus of 2′-O-AA-tRNA. |