Summary
Short oligocytidylates can act as templates for the self-condensation of guanosine 5′-phosphorimidazolide. In the absence of a catalytic metal ion or in the presence of Pb2+ a noticeable template effect is already observed with the dimer and the yield of long oligomers reaches a plateau with a hexamer template. Short templates give oligomers longers than the template length. The products are predominantly 2′-5′ linked for the Pb2+-catalyzed reaction while mixed linkages are observed in the uncatalyzed reaction.
In the presence of Zn2+, a template effect is first observed with the pentamer and is maximal by the heptamer. The products are predominantly 3′-5′ linked. Oligomers shorter than or as long as the template are obtained in substantial yield, and longer products in much lower yields.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- G:
-
Guanosine
- Gp:
-
guanosine 2′(3′)-phosphate
- pG:
-
guanosine 5′-phosphate
- Gp!:
-
guanosine cyclic 2′,3′-phosphate
- ImpG:
-
guanosine 5′-phosphorimidazolide
- ImpG* :
-
[8-14C]-guanosine 5′-phosphorimidazolide
- pGp:
-
5′-phosphoguanosine 2′(3′)-phosphate
- G2pG:
-
guanylyl-[2′-5′]-guanosine
- G3pG:
-
guanylyl-[3′-5′]-guanosine
- ImpGpG:
-
5′-phosphorimidazolide of GpG
- (pG)n (n = 2,3⋯):
-
oligomers of pG
- GppG:
-
P1, P2-diguanosine 5′-diphosphate
- GppGpG:
-
5′-[guanosine 5′-pyrophosphate] of GpG
- NH2pG:
-
guanosine 5′-phosphoramidate
- (pG)4+ :
-
tetramer and higher oligoguanylates with 5′ terminal phosphate
- oligo(G):
-
oligoguanylate
- Cp:
-
cytidine 2′(3′)-phosphate
- Cp!:
-
cytidine cyclic 2′,3′-phosphate
- (Cp)n−1 Cp! (n= 2,3,4⋯):
-
oligocytidylates terminated by 5′-OH groups and 2′,3′-cyclic phosphates
- oligo(C):
-
oligocytidylate
- poly(C):
-
polycytidylic acid
- poly(U):
-
polyuridylic acid
- poly(C,G):
-
random copolymer of C and G
- BAP:
-
bacterial alkaline phosphatase (E. coli)
- EDTA:
-
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid
- Rf :
-
chromatographic mobility
References
Bridson PK, Orgel LE (1980) J Mol Biol 144:567–577
Crawford JL, Kolpak FJ, Wang AHJ, Quigley GJ, van Boom JH, van der Marel G, Rich A (1980) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 77 (7):4016–4020
Lohrmann R, Orgel LE (1977) J Mol Evol 9:323–328
Lohrmann R, Orgel LE (1978a) “Origin of Life” Proceedings of Second ISSOL Meeting-Fifth ICOL Meeting, Haruhiko Noda (ed) Center for Academic Publications Japan/Japan Scientific Societies Press, p235–244
Lohrmann R, Orgel LE (1978b) Terahedron 34:853–855; see also Errata 35, 566 (1979)
Lohrmann R, Orgel LE (1979) J Mol Evol 12:237–257
Lohrmann R, Orgel LE (1980) J Mol Biol 142:555–567
Lohrmann R, Bridson PK, Orgel LE (1980) Science 208:1464–1465
Mukaiyama T, Hashimoto M (1971) Bull Chem Soc Jpn 44:2284
Ninio J, Orgel LE (1978) J Mol Evol 12:91–99
Sawai H, Orgel LE (1975) J Am Chem Soc 97:3532–3533
Sawai H (1976) J Am Chem Soc 98:7037–7039
Sawai H (1980) (Submitted for publication)
Sleeper H, Lohrmann R, Orgel LE (1979) J Mol Evol 13:203–214
Steiner RF, Beers RJ Jr (1958) J Polym Sci 30:17–28
Wang AHJ, Quigley GJ, Kolpak FJ, Crawford JL, van Boom JH, van der Marel G, Rich A (1979) Nature 282:680–686
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Fakhrai, H., van Roode, J.H.G. & Orgel, L.E. Synthesis of oligoguanylates on oligocytidylate templates. J Mol Evol 17, 295–302 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01795751
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01795751