TNA synthesis by DNA polymerases

Jack W. Szostak

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

132 Scopus citations

Abstract

Threose nucleic acid (TNA), which has a repeat unit one atom shorter than that of DNA, is capable of Watson-Crick base pairing with DNA, RNA, and TNA. Because of its chemical simplicity, TNA is considered to be a possible progenitor of RNA. As an initial step toward developing the molecular tools necessary to investigate the functional capabilities of TNA by in vitro selection, we have screened a variety of DNA polymerases for TNA synthesis activity on a DNA template. We wish to report that several polymerases show surprisingly good ability to synthesize TNA using α-l-threofuranosyl thymidine-3′-triphosphate as a substrate.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)9274-9275
Number of pages2
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume125
Issue number31
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 6 2003
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Catalysis
  • General Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Colloid and Surface Chemistry

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