Abstract
The template-directed oligomerization of nucleoside-5'-phosphoro-2-methyl imidazolides on standard oligonucleotide templates has been studied extensively. Here, we describe experiments with templates in which inosinic acid (I) is substituted for guanylic acid, or 2,6-diaminopurine nucleotide (D) for adenylic acid. We find that the substitution of I for G in a template is strongly inhibitory and prevents any incorporation of C into internal positions in the oligomeric products of the reaction. The substitution of D for A, on the contrary, leads to increased incorporation of U into the products. We found no evidence for the template-directed facilitation of oligomerization of A or I through A-I base pairing. The significance of these results for prebiotic chemistry is discussed.
Publication types
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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2-Aminopurine / analogs & derivatives*
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2-Aminopurine / chemistry
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Adenine / chemistry
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Adenosine / chemistry
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Adenosine Monophosphate / analogs & derivatives
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Adenosine Monophosphate / chemistry
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Base Pairing*
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Cytidine Monophosphate / analogs & derivatives
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Cytidine Monophosphate / chemistry
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Cytosine / chemistry
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DNA Primers
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Evolution, Chemical*
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Evolution, Molecular*
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Exobiology
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Guanine / chemistry
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Inosine Monophosphate / chemistry*
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RNA / chemical synthesis*
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Templates, Genetic
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Uracil / chemistry
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Uridine Monophosphate / analogs & derivatives
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Uridine Monophosphate / chemistry
Substances
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DNA Primers
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Inosine Monophosphate
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adenosine 5'-phospho-2-methylimidazolide
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Adenosine Monophosphate
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2-Aminopurine
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2,6-diaminopurine
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Uracil
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Guanine
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RNA
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uridine 5'-phospho-2-methylimidazolide
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cytidine 5'-phospho-2-methylimidazolide
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Cytosine
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Uridine Monophosphate
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Cytidine Monophosphate
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Adenine
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Adenosine