Abstract
We have studied the oligomerization of an activated, achiral nucleotide analogue related to the pyrimidine barbituric acid in the absence and in the presence of a complementary, pyrophosphate-linked oligomer. Although no template-directed catalysis of the oligomerization was observed with water as solvent, catalysis of the oligomerization was demonstrated in a mixture of dimethylformamide with water. Poly(U) also stimulated the oligomerization, but was less effective than the analogue. Environments in which similar effects may be observed, and some potential implications for prebiotic chemistry, are discussed.
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Correspondence to: A.W. Schwartz.
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van Vliet, M.J., Visscher, J. & Schwartz, A.W. Hydrogen bonding in the template-directed oligomerization of a pyrimidine nucleotide analogue. J Mol Evol 41, 257–261 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01215172
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01215172