Information transfer from DNA to peptide nucleic acids by template-directed syntheses

摘要

Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are analogs of nucleic acids in which the ribose-phosphate backbone is replaced by a backbone held together by amide bonds. PNAs are interesting as models of alternative genetic systems because they form potentially informational base paired helical structures. Oligocytidylates have been shown to act as templates for formation of longer oligomers of G from PNA G₂ dimers. In this paper we show that information can be transferred from DNA to PNA. DNA C₄T₂C₄ is an efficient template for synthesis of PNA G₄A₂G₄ using G₂ and A₂ units as substrates. The corresponding synthesis of PNA G₄C₂G₄ on DNA C₄G₂C₄ is less efficient. Incorporation of PNA T₂ into PNA products on DNA C₄A₂C₄ is the least efficient of the three reactions. These results, obtained using PNA dimers as substrates, parallel those obtained using monomeric activated nucleotides.