Methods and compositions for reverse translation

Abstract

A process is disclosed by which a polynucleotide is directly synthesized from the peptide or protein that it encodes without the need for sequencing (or sequence analysis) of the peptide or protein. Information contained in the sequence of the peptide or protein is directly coupled, by the process of reverse translation, to the synthesis of the polynucleotide. The usefulness of reverse translation is that it facilitates the amplification of information held in the amino acid sequence (the primary structure) of an unknown protein or peptide. Amplification is useful for, among other things, the identification and/or scientific investigation of the peptide or protein.

1 - 26 . (canceled)  
     
     
         27 . An isolated substrate that has one or more specific binding sites for an amino acid degradation product of a peptide or protein and has one or more codons attached thereto.  
     
     
         28 . The substrate of  claim 27 , in which said binding sites are formed by antibody-derived molecules or molecularly imprinted polymers.  
     
     
         29 . The substrate of  claim 27 , in which said codons are attached to said substrate via a cleavable linker.  
     
     
         30 . The substrate of  claim 27 , in which said linker contains a moiety selected from the group consisting of an ester, an amide, an anhydride, and a disulfide.  
     
     
         31 . The substrate of  claim 27 , in which the 3′ nucleotide in the codon is labeled with a phosphoramidite group.  
     
     
         32 . The substrate of  claim 27 , in which the codon has protecting groups for oligonucleotide synthesis methods.  
     
     
         33 . The substrate of  claim 27 , in which said codons are attached to said substrate via noncovalent binding.  
     
     
         34 . An isolated organic compound comprising an amino acid degradation product of a peptide or protein conjugated to a codon that encodes the amino acid.  
     
     
         35 . The isolated organic compound of  claim 34 , having a linker between the amino acid degradation product and the codon.  
     
     
         36 . The isolated organic compound of  claim 34 , having a cleavable linker between the amino acid degradation product and the codon.  
     
     
         37 . The isolated organic compound of  claim 34 , having a linker between the amino acid degradation product and the codon, said linker containing a moiety selected from the group consisting of an ester, an amide, an anhydride, and a disulfide.  
     
     
         38 . The isolated organic compound of  claim 34 , having a linker between the amino acid amino acid degradation product and the codon in which the said linker contains a moiety selected from the group consisting of an ester, an amide, an anhydride, and a disulfide.  
     
     
         39 . The isolated organic compound of  claim 34 , in which the codon has protecting groups for oligonucleotide synthesis methods.  
     
     
         40 . The isolated organic compound of  claim 34 , in which the amino acid degradation product is an Edman degradation product.  
     
     
         41 . The isolated organic compound of  claim 34 , in which the 3′ nucleotide in the codon is labeled with a phosphoramidite group.