Article
A model for the evolution of nucleotide polymerase directionality.
PloS one - 22 Apr 2011
Ballanco Joshua, Mansfield Marc L
Abstract excerpt
BACKGROUND: In all known living organisms, every enzyme that synthesizes nucleic acid polymers does so by adding nucleotide 5′-triphosphates to the 3′-hydroxyl group of the growing chain. This results in the well known 5'→3' directionality of all DNA and RNA Polymerases. The lack of any alternative mechanism, e.g. addition in a 3'→5' direction, may indicate a very early founder effect in the evolution of life, or...
Read the complete abstract on PubMedTopics
Share this publication in a Topic to start or enrich a Post.