scholarly journals Nonenzymatic copying of RNA templates containing all four letters is catalyzed by activated oligonucleotides

eLife ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noam Prywes ◽  
J Craig Blain ◽  
Francesca Del Frate ◽  
Jack W Szostak

The nonenzymatic replication of RNA is a potential transitional stage between the prebiotic chemistry of nucleotide synthesis and the canonical RNA world in which RNA enzymes (ribozymes) catalyze replication of the RNA genomes of primordial cells. However, the plausibility of nonenzymatic RNA replication is undercut by the lack of a protocell-compatible chemical system capable of copying RNA templates containing all four nucleotides. We show that short 5′-activated oligonucleotides act as catalysts that accelerate primer extension, and allow for the one-pot copying of mixed sequence RNA templates. The fidelity of the primer extension products resulting from the sequential addition of activated monomers, when catalyzed by activated oligomers, is sufficient to sustain a genome long enough to encode active ribozymes. Finally, by immobilizing the primer and template on a bead and adding individual monomers in sequence, we synthesize a significant part of an active hammerhead ribozyme, forging a link between nonenzymatic polymerization and the RNA world.

Polymers ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 232
Author(s):  
Carmen Moya-Lopez ◽  
Ivan Bravo ◽  
José A. Castro-Osma ◽  
David Chapron ◽  
Patrice Bourson ◽  
...  

Stereo-diblock copolymers of high molecular weight polylactide (PLA) were synthetized by the one pot-sequential addition method assisted by a heteroscorpionate catalyst without the need of a co-initiator. The alkyl zinc organometallic heteroscorpionate derivative (Zn(Et)(κ3-bpzteH)] (bpzteH = 2,2-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)-1-para-tolylethoxide) proved to assist in the mechanism of reaction following a coordination-insertion process. Kinetic studies along with the linear correlation between monomer and number average molecular weight (Mn) conversion, and the narrow polydispersities supported the truly living polymerization character of the initiator, whereas matrix-assisted laser desorption/Ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) studies showed a very low order of transesterification. The high stereo-control attained for the afforded high molecular weight derivatives was revealed by homonuclear decoupled 1H NMR spectra and polarimetry measurements. The nanostructure of the PLA derivatives was studied by both wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the stereocomplex phase of the PLA stereo-diblock copolymers was successfully identified.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie J. Zhang ◽  
Daniel Duzdevich ◽  
Christopher E. Carr ◽  
Jack W. Szostak

AbstractNonenzymatic template-directed RNA copying using chemically activated nucleotides is thought to have played a key role in the emergence of genetic information on the early Earth. A longstanding question concerns the number and nature of different environments that might have been necessary to enable all of the steps from nucleotide synthesis to RNA replication. Here we explore three sequential steps from this overall pathway: nucleotide activation, synthesis of imidazolium-bridged dinucleotides, and template-directed primer extension. We find that all three steps can take place in one reaction mixture, under conditions of multiple freeze-thaw cycles. Recent experiments have demonstrated a potentially prebiotic methyl isocyanide-based nucleotide activation chemistry. Unfortunately, the original version of this approach is incompatible with nonenzymatic RNA copying because the high required concentration of the imidazole activating group prevents the accumulation of the essential imidazolium-bridged dinucleotide needed for primer extension. Here we report that ice eutectic phase conditions facilitate not only the methyl isocyanide-based activation of ribonucleotide 5′-monophosphates with stoichiometric 2-aminoimidazole, but also the subsequent conversion of these activated mononucleotides into imidazolium-bridged dinucleotides. Furthermore, this one pot approach is compatible with template-directed primer extension in the same reaction mixture. Our results suggest that the simple and common environmental fluctuation of freeze-thaw cycles could have played an important role in prebiotic nucleotide activation and nonenzymatic RNA copying.Significance StatementThe replication of RNA without the aid of evolved enzymes may have enabled the inheritance of useful molecular functions during the origin of life. Several key steps on the path to RNA replication have been studied in isolation, including chemical nucleotide activation, synthesis of a key reactive intermediate, and nonenzymatic RNA copying. Here we report a prebiotically plausible scenario under which these reactions can happen together under mutually compatible conditions. Thus, this pathway could potentially have operated in nature without the complicating requirement for exchange of materials between distinct environments.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huong T. D. Nguyen ◽  
Y B. N. Tran ◽  
Hung N. Nguyen ◽  
Tranh C. Nguyen ◽  
Felipe Gándara ◽  
...  

<p>Three novel lanthanide metal˗organic frameworks (Ln-MOFs), namely MOF-590, -591, and -592 were constructed from a naphthalene diimide tetracarboxylic acid. Gas adsorption measurements of MOF-591 and -592 revealed good adsorption of CO<sub>2</sub> (low pressure, at room temperature) and moderate CO<sub>2</sub> selectivity over N<sub>2</sub> and CH<sub>4</sub>. Accordingly, breakthrough measurements were performed on a representative MOF-592, in which the separation of CO<sub>2</sub> from binary mixture containing N<sub>2</sub> and CO<sub>2</sub> was demonstrated without any loss in performance over three consecutive cycles. Moreover, MOF-590, MOF-591, and MOF-592 exhibited catalytic activity in the one-pot synthesis of styrene carbonate from styrene and CO<sub>2</sub> under mild conditions (1 atm CO<sub>2</sub>, 80 °C, and solvent-free). Among the new materials, MOF-590 revealed a remarkable efficiency with exceptional conversion (96%), selectivity (95%), and yield (91%). </p><br>


2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 465-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zita Rádai ◽  
Réka Szabó ◽  
Áron Szigetvári ◽  
Nóra Zsuzsa Kiss ◽  
Zoltán Mucsi ◽  
...  

The phospha-Brook rearrangement of dialkyl 1-aryl-1-hydroxymethylphosphonates (HPs) to the corresponding benzyl phosphates (BPs) has been elaborated under solid-liquid phase transfer catalytic conditions. The best procedure involved the use of triethylbenzylammonium chloride as the catalyst and Cs2CO3 as the base in acetonitrile as the solvent at room temperature. The substrate dependence of the rearrangement has been studied, and the mechanism of the transformation under discussion was explored by quantum chemical calculations. The key intermediate is an oxaphosphirane. The one-pot version starting with the Pudovik reaction has also been developed. The conditions of this tandem transformation were the same, as those for the one-step HP→BP conversion.


2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (20) ◽  
pp. 2341-2355
Author(s):  
Thaipparambil Aneeja ◽  
Sankaran Radhika ◽  
Mohan Neetha ◽  
Gopinathan Anilkumar

One-pot syntheses are a simple, efficient and easy methodology, which are widely used for the synthesis of organic compounds. Imidazoline is a valuable heterocyclic moiety used as a synthetic intermediate, chiral auxiliary, chiral catalyst and a ligand for asymmetric catalysis. Imidazole is a fundamental unit of biomolecules that can be easily prepared from imidazolines. The one-pot method is an impressive approach to synthesize organic compounds as it minimizes the reaction time, separation procedures, and ecological impact. Many significant one-pot methods such as N-bromosuccinimide mediated reaction, ring-opening of tetrahydrofuran, triflic anhydrate mediated reaction, etc. were reported for imidazoline synthesis. This review describes an overview of the one-pot synthesis of imidazolines and covers literature up to 2020.


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 302-311
Author(s):  
Younes Ghalandarzehi ◽  
Mehdi Shahraki ◽  
Sayyed M. Habibi-Khorassani

Aim & Scope: The synthesis of highly substituted piperidine from the one-pot reaction between aromatic aldehydes, anilines and β-ketoesters in the presence of tartaric acid as a catalyst has been investigated in both methanol and ethanol media at ambient temperature. Different conditions of temperature and solvent were employed for calculating the thermodynamic parameters and obtaining an experimental approach to the kinetics and mechanism. Experiments were carried out under different temperature and solvent conditions. Material and Methods: Products were characterized by comparison of physical data with authentic samples and spectroscopic data (IR and NMR). Rate constants are presented as an average of several kinetic runs (at least 6-10) and are reproducible within ± 3%. The overall rate of reaction is followed by monitoring the absorbance changes of the products versus time on a Varian (Model Cary Bio- 300) UV-vis spectrophotometer with a 10 mm light-path cell. Results: The best result was achieved in the presence of 0.075 g (0.1 M) of catalyst and 5 mL methanol at ambient temperature. When the reaction was carried out under solvent-free conditions, the product was obtained in a moderate yield (25%). Methanol was optimized as a desirable solvent in the synthesis of piperidine, nevertheless, ethanol in a kinetic investigation had none effect on the enhancement of the reaction rate than methanol. Based on the spectral data, the overall order of the reaction followed the second order kinetics. The results showed that the first step of the reaction mechanism is a rate determining step. Conclusion: The use of tartaric acid has many advantages such as mild reaction conditions, simple and readily available precursors and inexpensive catalyst. The proposed mechanism was confirmed by experimental results and a steady state approximation.


2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 197-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prabhakar Rairala ◽  
Bandi Yadagiri ◽  
Rajashaker Bantu ◽  
Vijayacharan Guguloth ◽  
Lingaiah Nagarapu

Molbank ◽  
10.3390/m1140 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (2) ◽  
pp. M1140
Author(s):  
Jack Bennett ◽  
Paul Murphy

(2S,3R,6R)-2-[(R)-1-Hydroxyallyl]-4,4-dimethoxy-6-methyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-ol was isolated in 18% after treating the glucose derived (5R,6S,7R)-5,6,7-tris[(triethylsilyl)oxy]nona-1,8-dien-4-one with (1S)-(+)-10-camphorsulfonic acid (CSA). The one-pot formation of the title compound involved triethylsilyl (TES) removal, alkene isomerization, intramolecular conjugate addition and ketal formation. The compound was characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, ESI mass spectrometry and IR spectroscopy. NMR spectroscopy was used to establish the product structure, including the conformation of its tetrahydropyran ring.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shay Laps ◽  
Fatima Atamleh ◽  
Guy Kamnesky ◽  
Hao Sun ◽  
Ashraf Brik

AbstractDespite six decades of efforts to synthesize peptides and proteins bearing multiple disulfide bonds, this synthetic challenge remains an unsolved problem in most targets (e.g., knotted mini proteins). Here we show a de novo general synthetic strategy for the ultrafast, high-yielding formation of two and three disulfide bonds in peptides and proteins. We develop an approach based on the combination of a small molecule, ultraviolet-light, and palladium for chemo- and regio-selective activation of cysteine, which enables the one-pot formation of multiple disulfide bonds in various peptides and proteins. We prepare bioactive targets of high therapeutic potential, including conotoxin, RANTES, EETI-II, and plectasin peptides and the linaclotide drug. We anticipate that this strategy will be a game-changer in preparing millions of inaccessible targets for drug discovery.


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