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The prebiotic synthesis of deoxythymidine oligonucleotides

II. Comparison of Condensing Agents

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Summary

A reaction which oligomerizes nucleotides under possible prebiotic conditions has been characterized. Nucleoside monophosphate in the presence of cyanamide at acid pH condenses to form dithymidine pyrophosphate and phosphodiester bonded compounds. Imidazole compounds and activated precursors such as nucleoside triphosphate are not necessary for this oligomerization reaction which produces primarily cyclic oligonucleotides.

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Abbreviations

CDI:

1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide

DMAPN:

dimethylaminopropionitrile

TMP:

thymidine-5′-monophosphate

TTP:

thymidine-5′-triphosphate

AICA:

4-amino-5-imidazole carboxamide

TLC:

thin layer chromatography

DAMN:

diaminomaleonitrile

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Letterman Army Institute of Research, Presidio of San Francisco, Box 125, 94129, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Daniel G. Odom

  2. Letterman Army Institute of Research, Presidio of San Francisco, Box 131, 94129, San Francisco, CA, USA

    John T. Brady

Authors
  1. Daniel G. Odom
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  2. John T. Brady
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Odom, D.G., Brady, J.T. The prebiotic synthesis of deoxythymidine oligonucleotides. J Mol Evol 6, 199–207 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01732356

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01732356

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