Enzymatic incorporation of a new base pair into DNA and RNA extends the genetic alphabet
- 1 January 1990
- journal article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in Nature
- Vol. 343 (6253), 33-37
- https://doi.org/10.1038/343033a0
Abstract
A new Watson-Crick base pair, with a hydrogen bonding pattern different from that in the A.T and G.C base pairs, is incorporated into duplex DNA and RNA by DNA and RNA polymerases and expands the genetic alphabet from 4 to 6 letters. This expansion could lead to RNAs with greater diversity in functional groups and greater catalytic potential.Keywords
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