Cross-catalytic peptide nucleic acid (PNA) replication based on templated ligation

TY - JOUR

T1 - Cross-catalytic peptide nucleic acid (PNA) replication based on templated ligation

AU - Singhal, Abhishek

AU - Nielsen, Peter E

PY - 2014/9/21

Y1 - 2014/9/21

N2 - 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. This journal is

AB - 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. This journal is

U2 - 10.1039/c4ob01158a

DO - 10.1039/c4ob01158a

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 25057801

SN - 1477-0520

VL - 12

SP - 6901

EP - 6907

JO - Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry

JF - Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry

IS - 35

ER -