Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026
09:26
DNA-Tethered RNA Polymerase for Programmable In vitro Transcription and Molecular Computation
Published on: December 29, 2021
N2'-->p3' phosphoramidate glycerol nucleic acid as a potential alternative genetic system
Jesse J Chen1, Xin Cai, Jack W Szostak
1Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and Department of Molecular Biology and Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|January 27, 2009
Summary
Researchers synthesized glycerol nucleic acid (GNA) analogues with phosphoramidate linkages (npGNA). These npGNA molecules form stable duplexes and can be assembled, suggesting potential for self-replicating systems.
Area of Science:
- Synthetic chemistry
- Astrobiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Glycerol nucleic acid (GNA) is a nucleic acid analogue with an acyclic backbone.
- GNA is considered a potential precursor to DNA and RNA in the origin of life.
- Exploring GNA modifications is crucial for understanding early genetic material.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize novel GNA analogues with phosphoramidate linkages (npGNA).
- To investigate the base-pairing and self-assembly capabilities of npGNA.
- To assess the potential of npGNA as a self-replicating system.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of npGNA analogues.
- Thermal denaturation assays to assess duplex stability.
- Circular dichroism spectroscopy to analyze structural properties.
- Template-directed ligation of activated GNA dinucleotides.
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis of npGNA with N2'-->P3' phosphoramidate linkages.
- npGNA forms stable duplexes with itself and with parent GNA.
- Template-directed assembly of npGNA was achieved using activated dinucleotides.
Conclusions:
- npGNA exhibits stable base-pairing properties.
- The synthesis and assembly methods demonstrate the feasibility of npGNA formation.
- npGNA represents a promising candidate for a self-replicating system utilizing phosphoramidate chemistry.
Related Concept Videos
01:01Phosphodiester Linkages
Overview
Phosphodiester bond forms when a phosphoric acid molecule (H3PO4) links with two hydroxyl groups (–OH) of two other molecules, forming two ester bonds. Two water molecules are released in this process. The phosphodiester bond is commonly found in nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and plays a critical role in their structure and function.
Phosphodiester Bonds Link Nucleotides Together
DNA and RNA are polynucleotides or long chains of nucleotides that are linked together. A nucleotide is...
Phosphodiester bond forms when a phosphoric acid molecule (H3PO4) links with two hydroxyl groups (–OH) of two other molecules, forming two ester bonds. Two water molecules are released in this process. The phosphodiester bond is commonly found in nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and plays a critical role in their structure and function.
Phosphodiester Bonds Link Nucleotides Together
DNA and RNA are polynucleotides or long chains of nucleotides that are linked together. A nucleotide is...
01:20The Central Dogma
The central dogma explains the flow of genetic information from DNA nucleotides to the amino acid sequence of proteins.
RNA is the Missing Link Between DNA and Proteins
In the early 1900s, scientists discovered that DNA stores all the information needed for cellular functions and that proteins perform most of these functions. However, the mechanisms of converting genetic information into functional proteins remained unknown for many years. Initially, it was believed that a single gene is...
RNA is the Missing Link Between DNA and Proteins
In the early 1900s, scientists discovered that DNA stores all the information needed for cellular functions and that proteins perform most of these functions. However, the mechanisms of converting genetic information into functional proteins remained unknown for many years. Initially, it was believed that a single gene is...
01:25Nucleic Acid Structure
The pentose sugar in DNA is deoxyribose, while in RNA the pentose sugar is ribose. The difference between the sugars is the presence of the hydroxyl group on the ribose's second carbon and a hydrogen on the deoxyribose's second carbon. The phosphate residue attaches to the hydroxyl group of the 5′ carbon of one sugar and the hydroxyl group of the 3′ carbon of the sugar of the next nucleotide, which forms a 5′ to 3′ phosphodiester linkage.
DNA Structure
DNA has a double-helix structure. The...
DNA Structure
DNA has a double-helix structure. The...
01:20Nucleic Acids and Nucleotides
Nucleic acids are the most important macromolecules for the continuity of life. They carry the cell's genetic blueprint and have instructions for its functioning. The two main types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA).
Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)
DNA is the genetic material in all living organisms, ranging from single-celled bacteria to multicellular mammals. It is in the nucleus of eukaryotes and the organelles such as chloroplasts and mitochondria. In...
Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)
DNA is the genetic material in all living organisms, ranging from single-celled bacteria to multicellular mammals. It is in the nucleus of eukaryotes and the organelles such as chloroplasts and mitochondria. In...
02:55Synthetic Biology
Synthetic biology is an interdisciplinary science that involves using principles from disciplines such as engineering, molecular biology, cell biology, and systems biology. It involves remodeling existing organisms from nature or constructing completely new synthetic organisms for applications such as protein or enzyme production, bioremediation, value-added macromolecule production, and the addition of desirable traits to crops, to name a few.
Golden rice
Golden rice is a genetically modified...
Golden rice
Golden rice is a genetically modified...
02:43Nucleic Acids
Nucleic acids are the most important macromolecules for the continuity of life. They carry the cell's genetic blueprint and carry instructions for its functioning.
DNA and RNA
The two main types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the genetic material in all living organisms, ranging from single-celled bacteria to multicellular mammals. It is in the nucleus of eukaryotes and in the organelles, chloroplasts, and mitochondria. In prokaryotes, the...
DNA and RNA
The two main types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the genetic material in all living organisms, ranging from single-celled bacteria to multicellular mammals. It is in the nucleus of eukaryotes and in the organelles, chloroplasts, and mitochondria. In prokaryotes, the...