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Montmorillonite catalysis of RNA oligomer formation in aqueous solution. A model for the prebiotic formation of RNAOligomers of adenylic acid of up to the 11-mer in length are formed by the reaction of the phosphorimidazolide of adenosine (ImpA) in pH 8 aqueous solution at room temperature in the presence of Na(+)-montmorillonite. These oligomers are joined by phosphodiester bonds in which the 3',5'-linkage predominates over the 2',5'-linkage by a 2:1 ratio. Reaction of a 9:1 mixture of ImpA, A5'ppA results in the formation of oligomers with a 3:1 ratio of 3',5'- to 2',5'-linked phosphodiester bonds. A high proportion of these oligomers contain the A5'ppA grouping. A5'ppA reacts much more rapidly with ImpA than does 5'-ADP (ppA) or 5'-ATP (pppA). The exchangeable cation associated with the montmorillonite effects the observed catalysis with Li+, Na+, NH4+, and Ca2+ being the more effective while Mg2+ and Al3+ are almost ineffective catalysts. 2',5'-Linked oligomers, up to the tetramer in length, are formed using UO2(2+)-montmorillonite. The structure analysis of individual oligomer fractions was performed by selective enzymatic and KOH hydrolytic studies followed by HPLC analysis of the reaction products. It is concluded from the composition of the oligomers that the rate of addition ImpA to a 3'-terminus containing a 2',5'-linkage is slower than the addition to a nucleoside joined by a 3',5'-linked phosphodiester bond. The potential importance of mineral catalysis of the formation of RNA and other oligomers on primitive Earth is discussed.
Document ID
20040089490
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Ferris, J. P.
(Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, New York 12180-3590, United States)
Ertem, G.
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1993
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of the American Chemical Society
Volume: 115
Issue: 26
ISSN: 0002-7863
Subject Category
Exobiology
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR38018-1148
CONTRACT_GRANT: CHE9-301812
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Non-NASA Center
NASA Discipline Exobiology

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