Investigating the potential of a metallo-base pair to induce the prebiotic polymerization of nucleic acids

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K14597
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 17050:Biogeosciences-related
• Research Institution: Ohu University
• Principal Investigator: Dairaku Takenori 奥羽大学, 薬学部, 助教 (80642636)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: メタロ塩基対 / DNA / RNA / Agナノ粒子 / NMR / サイクリックボルタンメトリー

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To investigate the potential of a metallo-base pair to induce the prebiotic polymerization of nucleic acids, experiments (1-3) were conducted with a Ag+-mediated base pair on a cytidine monomer. (1) 1H/13C NMR spectroscopic studies provided detailed insights into the 2:1 complex formation of the cytidine/Ag+ systems. We also provided 109Ag NMR spectroscopic evidence of the formation of [Ag(cytidine)2]+, which corresponds to a simple cytosine-Ag+-cytosine (C-Ag+-C) base pairing. (2) Cyclic voltammetry studies revealed that the C-Ag+-C base pairing makes it more difficult to reduce the captured Ag+ ions. (3) Nanoparticle (NP) tracking analysis suggested that cytidine may act as a capping agent, inhibiting the growth of AgNPs and preventing AgNPs aggregation. From these observations, it can be suggested that the C-Ag+-C base pair can be useful in the formation of AgNPs, which can be used to catalyze chemical reactions.

Free Research Field

核酸関連化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

現存する生命でみられるようなゲノム長の核酸分子の生成過程は未解決の難問となっている。本研究の成果は、ヌクレオシドモノマーにおいてもメタロ塩基対形成が可能であることを示している。また、ヌクレオシドモノマーがメタロ塩基対形成を経由することで、化学反応の触媒となりうる物質であるAgナノ粒子の形成に関与できることも示唆された。このような、核酸分子の隠れた特性の解明は、生命誕生の謎を解き明かすための重要なヒントにつながることが期待される。