title: Template-directed synthesis of oligoadenylates catalyzed by Pb2+ ions.
abstract: The Pb2+ ion is an effective catalyst for the template-directed condensation of ImpA on poly(U). This reaction generates up to 35% of oligomers 5 or more units long. Furthermore, the product is predominantly 3'-5'-linked (75%) unlike that from the uncatalyzed reaction which is more than 90% 2'-5'-linked. The significance of metal-ion catalysis for prebiotic polynucleotide formation is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000227:Adenine Nucleotides; D007854:Lead; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D009843:Oligoribonucleotides / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D011072:Poly U; D013698:Templates, Genetic
chemical_list: D000227:Adenine Nucleotides; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D009843:Oligoribonucleotides; D011072:Poly U; D007854:Lead