Information transfer from DNA to peptide nucleic acids by template-directed syntheses

Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are analogs of nucleic acids in which the ribose-phosphate backbone is replaced by a backbone held together by amide bonds. PNAs are interesting as models of alternative genetic systems because they form potentially informational base paired helical structures. Oligocytidylates have been shown to act as templates for formation of longer oligomers of G from PNA G(2) dimers. In this paper we show that information can be transferred from DNA to PNA. DNA C4T2C4 is an efficient template for synthesis of PNA G(4)A(2)G(4) using G(2) and A(2) units as substrates. The corresponding synthesis of PNA G(4)C(2)G(4) on DNA C(4)G(2)C(4) is less efficient. Incorporation of PNA T-2 into PNA products on DNA C(4)A(2)C(4) is the least efficient of the three reactions. These results, obtained using PNA dimers as substrates, parallel those obtained using monomeric activated nucleotides.