UC San Diego Shows Enzyme Reads 8-Letter DNA, Doubling Life's 4-Letter Genetic Code
Updated
Updated · ScienceDaily · Sep 5
UC San Diego Shows Enzyme Reads 8-Letter DNA, Doubling Life's 4-Letter Genetic Code
2 articles · Updated · ScienceDaily · Sep 5
Summary
UC San Diego researchers found that RNA polymerase can accurately read and transcribe an eight-letter DNA alphabet, showing cells may handle synthetic genetic information with existing machinery.
Cryo-EM images of E. coli RNA polymerase revealed the enzyme recognizes two synthetic base pairs using many of the same structural and biochemical cues it uses for natural DNA.
A related PNAS study also showed RNA polymerase can process another synthetic base pair lacking the hydrogen bonds normally central to DNA pairing, widening the case for expanded genetic systems.
The work, published Sept. 2 in Nature Communications, moves synthetic biology closer to diagnostic tools, therapeutics and engineered organisms that make compounds or perform functions not found in nature.