Template-directed synthesis using the heterogeneous templates produced by montmorillonite catalysis.  A possible bridge between the prebiotic and RNA worlds.
The synthesis of oligoguanylates [oligo(G)s] is catalyzed by a template of oligocytidylates [oligo(C)s] containing 2',5'- and 3',5'-linked phosphodiester bonds with and without incorporated C5'ppC groupings. An oligo(C) template containing exclusively 2',5'-phosphodiester bonds also serves as a template for the synthesis of complementary oligo(G)s. The oligo(C) template was prepared by the condensation of the 5'-phosphorimidazolide of cytidine on montmorillonite clay. These studies establish that RNA oligomers prepared by mineral catalysis, or other routes on the primitive earth, did not have to be exclusively 3',5'-linked to catalyze template-directed synthesis, since oligo(C)s containing a variety of linkage isomers serve as templates for the formation of complementary oligo(G)s. These findings support the postulate that origin of the RNA world was initiated by the RNA oligomers produced by polymerization of activated monomers formed by prebiotic processes.
Ertem
G
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Department of Chemistry, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180, USA.
Ferris
J P
JP
D000538:Aluminum Silicates / Q000737:chemistry; D001546:Bentonite / Q000737:chemistry*; D001704:Biopolymers / Q000737:chemistry; D002384:Catalysis; D000077215:Clay; D003562:Cytidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000737:chemistry; D019020:Directed Molecular Evolution; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D006150:Guanine Nucleotides / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D007292:Inosine Nucleotides / Q000737:chemistry; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000737:chemistry*; D009843:Oligoribonucleotides / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D000069497:Origin of Life; D012313:RNA / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D013698:Templates, Genetic
D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D001704:Biopolymers; D006150:Guanine Nucleotides; D007292:Inosine Nucleotides; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D009843:Oligoribonucleotides; C036895:oligo(G); D001546:Bentonite; D003562:Cytidine; D012313:RNA; D000077215:Clay