title: Cross-catalytic peptide nucleic acid (PNA) replication based on templated ligation.
abstract: We report the first PNA self-replicating system based on template directed cross-catalytic ligation, a process analogous to biological replication. Using two template PNAs and four pentameric precursor PNAs, all four possible carbodiimide assisted amide ligation products were detected and identified by HPLC and MALDI-TOF analysis. We conclude that the two template complementary reaction products are generated via cross-catalysis, while the other two self-complementary (and in principle auto-catalytic) products are formed via intra-complex coupling between the two sets of complementary PNA precursors. Cross-catalytic product formation followed product inhibited kinetics, but approximately two replication rounds were observed. Analogous but less efficient replication was found for a similar tetrameric system. These results demonstrate that simpler nucleobase replication systems than natural oligonucleotides are feasible, thereby strengthening the foundation for the discussion of a possible role for PNA (like) genetic material in the prebiotic evolution of life and lay the ground for further studies into evolution of such potentially prebiotic systems.
authors: Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, The Panum Institute, Blegdamsvej 3c, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark. ptrn@sund.ku.dk.
authors: Abhishek
authors: A
authors: Singhal
authors: Peter E
authors: PE
authors: Nielsen
mesh_terms: D001671:Biochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D002234:Carbodiimides / Q000737:chemistry; D002384:Catalysis; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004261:DNA Replication; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007700:Kinetics; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D020135:Peptide Nucleic Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; D013696:Temperature; D013698:Templates, Genetic
chemical_list: D002234:Carbodiimides; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D020135:Peptide Nucleic Acids; D012997:Solvents