Hachimoji DNA
Hachimoji DNA (from
Benefits of such a nucleic acid system may include an enhanced ability to store data, as well as insights into what may be possible in the search for extraterrestrial life.[5][6]
The hachimoji DNA system produced one type of catalytic RNA (ribozyme or aptamer) in vitro.
Description
Natural
In natural DNA, each nucleotide is composed of one of four
Hachimoji DNA is similar to natural DNA but differs in the number, and type, of nucleobases.
New base pairs
DNA and RNA are naturally composed of four nucleotide bases that form hydrogen bonds in order to pair. Hachimoji DNA uses an additional four synthetic nucleotides to form four types of base pairs, two of which are unnatural: P binds with Z and B binds with S (dS in DNA, rS in RNA).[1]
Base Name Formula SMILESStructure ChemSpider PubChem P 2-Aminoimidazo[1,2a][1,3,5]triazin-4(1H)-one
2-amino-8-(1′-b-D-2′-deoxyribofuranosyl)-imidazo-[1,2a]-1,3,5-triazin-[8H]-4-one[1]
C5H5N5O C1=CN2C(=O)NC(=NC2=N1)N 10205066 135600909 Z 6-Amino-5-nitropyridin-2-one
6-amino-3-(1′-b-D-2′-deoxyribofuranosyl)-5-nitro-1H-pyridin-2-one[1]
C5H5N3O3 C1=CC(=O)NC(=C1[N+](=O)[O-])N 9357814 11182729 B Isoguanine
6-amino-9[(1′-b-D-2′-deoxyribofuranosyl)-4-hydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)-oxolan-2-yl]-1H-purin-2-one[1]
C5H5N5O C1=NC2=NC(=O)NC(=C2N1)N 69351 76900 S rS Isocytosine C4H5N3O C1=CN=C(NC1=O)N 60309 66950 dS 1-Methylcytosine
3-methyl-6-amino-5-(1′-b-D-2′-deoxyribofuranosyl)-pyrimidin-2-one[1]
C5H7N3O CN1C=CC(=NC1=O)N 71474 79143
Background
Earlier, the research group responsible for the hachimoji DNA system, headed by Harvard University chemist Steven Benner, had studied a synthetic DNA analog system, named Artificially Expanded Genetic Information System (AEGIS), that used twelve different nucleotides, including the four found in DNA.[11][12][13][14][15]
Biology
Scripps Research chemist Floyd Romesberg, noted for creating the first Unnatural Base Pair (UBP), and expanding the genetic alphabet of four letters to six in 2012,[16] stated that the invention of the hachimoji DNA system is an example of the fact that the natural bases (G, C, A and T) "are not unique".[17][18] Creating new life forms may be possible, at least theoretically,[9] with the new DNA system.[18] For now, however, the hachimoji DNA system is not self-sustaining; the system needs a steady supply of unique building blocks and proteins found only in the laboratory. As a result, "Hachimoji DNA can go nowhere if it escapes the laboratory."[4]
Applications
According to researchers,
See also
References
- ^ PMID 30792304.
- EurekAlert!. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
- ^ a b Brown D, Landau E (21 February 2019). "Research creates DNA-like molecule to aid search for alien life". Phys.org. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
- ^ a b c d Dumé B (22 February 2019). "Hachimoji DNA doubles the genetic code". Physics World. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
- ^ a b c d Zimmer C (21 February 2019). "DNA Gets a New — and Bigger — Genetic Alphabet - DNA is spelled out with four letters, or bases. Researchers have now built a system with eight. It may hold clues to the potential for life elsewhere in the universe and could also expand our capacity to store digital data on Earth". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
- ^ Dvorsky G (22 February 2019). "Freaky Eight-Letter DNA Could Be the Stuff Aliens Are Made Of". Gizmodo. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
- ISBN 978-0-8153-4432-2. Archived from the originalon 14 July 2014. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
- ^ Purcell A. "DNA". Basic Biology. Archived from the original on 5 January 2017. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
- ^ PMID 30809059.
- ^ Thulin L (25 February 2019). "Scientists Successfully Double the DNA Alphabet - "Hachimoji DNA" is structurally sound, offers new possibilities for data storage and raises questions about the molecular makeup potential alien life". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
- PMID 17074747.
- PMID 14510412.
- PMID 21162682.
- ^ Klotz I (27 February 2009). "Synthetic life form grows in Florida lab". Science. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- ^ Lloyd R (14 February 2009). "New Artificial DNA Points to Alien Life". LiveScience. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- PMID 22773812.
- ^ Saplakoglu Y (21 February 2019). "Scientists Have Created Synthetic DNA with 4 Extra Letters". Live Science. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
- ^ a b Molteni M (21 February 2019). "Doubling Our DNA Building Blocks Could Lead To New Life Forms". Wired. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
- CNN News. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
- ^ Carpineti A (22 February 2019). "New Artificial DNA Has Doubled The Alphabet Of Life". IFLScience.com. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
Further reading
- Bains W (2004). "Many chemistries could be used to build living systems" (PDF). Astrobiology. 4 (2): 137–67. S2CID 27477952. Hypothesis paper.