ISSN:
1432-1432
Keywords:
Adenosine 5′-phosphorimidazolide
;
Template-directed condensation
;
Oligoadenylates
;
Adsorption
;
Hydroxyapatite
;
Prebiotic
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Summary Polyuridylic acid is adsorbed completely from aqueous solution by hydroxyapatite under conditions that permit template-directed synthesis of oligoadenylates in free solution. The yield of oligoadenylates is enhanced to almost the same extent by poly(U) in the presence or the absence of hydroxyapatite. Under very similar conditions small quantities of hydroxyapatite adsorb higher molecular-weight oligoadenylates selectively from a mixture of oligomers. On the basis of these results we propose a mechanism for prebiotic oligonucleotide formation in which selective adsorption on hydroxyapatite or some other immobilized anion-exchanging material plays a major role. Monomers are released from the surface for reactivation, while oligomers are retained in a protected environment by adsorption to the apatite surface.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01733141
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