2',5'-Linked DNA Is a Template for Polymerase-Directed DNA Synthesis

摘要

Genomes are composed of nucleic acids bearing 3',5'-phosphodiester-linked sugars. The 2',5'-phosphodiester linkage is a fundamental alternative to the natural linkage (Figure 1) and is the predominant product of most nontemplate, nonenzymatic oligomerizations of nucleotide monomers. This fact suggests a chemical bias for the formation of 2',5'-phosphodiester bonds, an important consideration in the context of molecular evolution on Earth or elsewhere.