Oligonucleotides as probes for studying polymerization reactions in dilute aqueous solution |
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Authors: | Kolb Vera Orgell E. Leslie |
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Affiliation: | (1) The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Post Office Box 85800, 92186-5800 San Diego, CA, USA;(2) University of Wisconsin-Parkside, 53141 Kenosha, WI, USA |
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Abstract: | We have prepared a [32P]-labeled oligonucleotide probe carrying a free primary amine at its 3′terminus. This probe is used to initiate polymerization of aziridine (ethyleneimine) in aqueous solution. The nature of the oligomeric products and the kinetics of their formation are then monitored by gel electrophoresis. Our results are generally consistent with those obtained using conventional techniques. We have also investigated the effect of polyanionic templates on the rate of oligomerization of aziridine. We find that water-soluble polyanions generally accelerate the polymerization. The sodium salt of polymethacrylic acid is the most effective of the templates that we studied. The methods introduced in this paper should be applicable to a variety of polymerization reactions in aqueous solution. They should greatly simplify the screening of potentially prebiotic polymerization reactions. Correspondence to: L.E. Orgel on sabbatical leave |
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Keywords: | Aziridine Polymerization Template polymerization Oligonucleotide initiators Electrophoretic analysis |
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