The enzymatic synthesis of polyribonucleotides using 5′-adenylylmethylenediphosphonate: A phosphonic acid analog of adenosine triphosphate

Abstract

1. 1. The effects on RNA polymerase (nucleoside triphosphate: RNA nucleotidyltransferase, EC 2.7.7.6) of 5′-adenylylmethylenediphosphonate, an analog of ATP in which the polyphosphate side chain has been varied, have been studied. 2. 2. Enzymatic synthesis of polyribonucleotides as catalyzed by the enzyme and primed for by DNA and deoxyadenylate-deoxythymidylate copolymer, is shown to occur when 5′-adenylylmethylenediphosphonate is substituted for ATP. The extent of this synthesis is from 30 to 50 % of that observed with the natural substrate, ATP.