Efficient Oligomerization of Aromatic Amino Acids Induced by Gaps in Four-Helix Bundles of DNA or RNA.

The formation of peptides from amino acids is one of the processes associated with life. Because of the dominant role of translation in extant biology, peptide-forming processes that are RNA induced are of particular interest. We have previously reported the formation of phosphoramidate-linked peptido RNAs as the products of spontaneous condensation reactions between ribonucleotides and free amino acids in aqueous solution.

Determining the Diastereoselectivity of the Formation of Dipeptidonucleotides by NMR Spectroscopy.

Proteins are composed of l-amino acids, but nucleic acids and most oligosaccharides contain d-sugars as building blocks. It is interesting to ask whether this is a coincidence or a consequence of the functional interplay of these biomolecules. One reaction that provides an opportunity to study this interplay is the formation of phosphoramidate-linked peptido RNA from amino acids and ribonucleotides in aqueous condensation buffer.