Oligonucleotide formation catalyzed by mononucleotide matrices.
Pb2+-containing precipitates of mononucleotides form matrices which catalyze the self-condensation of nucleotide 5'-phosphorimidazolides and their condensation with nucleosides. The reactions exhibit base-pairing specificity between matrix nucleotide and substrate, and usually follow the Watson-Crick pairing rules. Although purine polynucleotides do not facilitate the oligomerization of pyrimidine nucleotide monomers in solution, it is interesting that purine-containing matrices do catalyze such a reaction. The significance of the results in the context of the prebiotic evolution of polynucleotides is discussed.
D000227:Adenine Nucleotides; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D002854:Chromatography, Paper; D007854:Lead; D009711:Nucleotides; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D009843:Oligoribonucleotides
D000227:Adenine Nucleotides; D009711:Nucleotides; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D009843:Oligoribonucleotides; D007854:Lead; C023505:2',5'-oligoadenylate