Enzymatic incorporation of a new base pair into DNA and RNA extends the genetic alphabet.
A new Watson-Crick base pair, with a hydrogen bonding pattern different from that in the A.T and G.C base pairs, is incorporated into duplex DNA and RNA by DNA and RNA polymerases and expands the genetic alphabet from 4 to 6 letters. This expansion could lead to RNAs with greater diversity in functional groups and greater catalytic potential.
Laboratory for Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Switzerland.
J A
JA
Piccirilli
T
T
Krauch
S E
SE
Moroney
S A
SA
Benner
D001483:Base Sequence; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000378:metabolism; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / Q000378:metabolism; D005815:Genetic Code; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D011685:Purine Nucleotides / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D011742:Pyrimidine Nucleotides / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics*; D014764:Viral Proteins
D011685:Purine Nucleotides; D011742:Pyrimidine Nucleotides; D014764:Viral Proteins; D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA; C062210:bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase