title: Information transfer from peptide nucleic acids to RNA by template-directed syntheses.
abstract: Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are uncharged analogs of DNA and RNA in which the ribose-phosphate backbone is substituted by a backbone held together by amide bonds. PNAs are interesting as models of alternative genetic systems because they form potentially informational base paired helical structures. A PNA C10 oligomer has been shown to act as template for efficient formation of oligoguanylates from activated guanosine ribonucleotides. In a previous paper we used heterosequences of DNA as templates in sequence-dependent polymerization of PNA dimers. In this paper we show that information can be transferred from PNA to RNA. We describe the reactions of activated mononucleotides on heterosequences of PNA. Adenylic, cytidylic and guanylic acids were incorporated into the products opposite their complement on PNA, although less efficiently than on DNA templates.
authors.affiliation: The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, PO Box 85800, San Diego, CA 92186, USA.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Orgel
mesh_terms: D019281:Dimerization; D008956:Models, Chemical; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / Q000378:metabolism*; D010455:Peptides / Q000378:metabolism; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D006163:Ribonuclease T1 / Q000378:metabolism; D012259:Ribonuclease, Pancreatic / Q000378:metabolism; D013698:Templates, Genetic
chemical_list: D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D010455:Peptides; D012313:RNA; D006163:Ribonuclease T1; D012259:Ribonuclease, Pancreatic