title: A comparison of RNA with DNA in template-directed synthesis.
abstract: Nonenzymatic template-directed copying of RNA sequences rich in cytidylic acid using nucleoside 5'-(2-methylimidazol-1-yl phosphates) as substrates is substantially more efficient than the copying of corresponding DNA sequences. However, many sequences cannot be copied, and the prospect of replication in this system is remote, even for RNA. Surprisingly, wobble-pairing leads to much more efficient incorporation of G opposite U on RNA templates than of G opposite T on DNA templates.
authors.affiliation: The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, San Diego, CA 92186, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zielinski
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Kozlov
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Orgel
mesh_terms: D020029:Base Pairing; D001483:Base Sequence; D003568:Cytidine Monophosphate / Q000737:chemistry*; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D017931:DNA Primers; D003854:Deoxyribonucleotides / Q000737:chemistry; D019020:Directed Molecular Evolution; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D018559:Exobiology; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D012313:RNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D012265:Ribonucleotides / Q000737:chemistry; D013698:Templates, Genetic
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D003854:Deoxyribonucleotides; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D012265:Ribonucleotides; D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA; D003568:Cytidine Monophosphate