A Nucleic Acid Sequence That is Catalytically Active in Both RNA and TNA Backbones

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Origin of Life Studies
• Molecular Evolution

Background:

• Threose nucleic acid (TNA) is a simple nucleic acid analog with potential as an RNA precursor.
• Its ability to maintain function during a transition to RNA is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify nucleic acid catalysts functional in both TNA and RNA backbones.
• To investigate if catalytic activity is preserved during the TNA-to-RNA transition.

Main Methods:

• Toggle in vitro selection was employed to discover dual-backbone active catalysts.
• Biochemical characterization and structural probing were used to analyze catalyst behavior.

Main Results:

• A novel catalyst, CAMELEON, was identified, active in both TNA and RNA forms.
• CAMELEON exhibited distinct catalytic efficiencies and magnesium dependencies in TNA versus RNA.
• Structural differences were observed between the TNA and RNA forms of CAMELEON.

Conclusions:

• Catalytic activity can be maintained across the TNA-to-RNA backbone transition.
• This finding provides experimental evidence supporting TNA's role as a precursor to RNA in early life.