Oligonucleotide formation catalyzed by mononucleotide matrices

Pb(2+)-containing precipitates of mononucleotides form matrices which catalyze the self-condensation of nucleotide 5-prime-phosphorimidazolides and their condensation with nucleosides. The reactions exhibit base-pairing specificity between matrix nucleotide and substrate, and usually follow the Watson-Crick pairing rules. Although purine polynucleotides do not facilitate the oligomerization of pyrimidine nucleotide monomers in solution, it is interesting that purine-containing matrices do catalyze such a reaction. The significance of the results in the context of the prebiotic evolution of polynucleotides is discussed.