ISSN:
1432-1432
Keywords:
Origin of life
;
Adenine
;
Catalysts
;
Nucleic acids
;
Polymers
;
Poly(allylamine)
;
p-Nitrophenylacetate
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Summary An important issue in the problem of the origins of life is whether or not nucleic acids may exert catalytic activities. In order to study the possible role of the adenine ring in catalysis, we have synthesized polymers containing aliphatic amino groups and the nucleic base adenine linked to macromolecules by its 6-amino group. These polymers exhibit pronounced catalytic activities in the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenylacetate. In mild basic conditions, the strong increase in the activities observed can be related to a cooperative effect between the amino groups and the adenine rings of the polymers. These properties and our previous results on the catalytic activity of N6-ribosyl-adenine are consistent with a possible role for the adenine ring in prebiotic catalysis.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00178594
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