Hachimoji DNA and RNA. A Genetic System with Eight Building Blocks

Abstract

Reported here are DNA and RNA-like systems built from eight (hachi-) nucleotide letters (-moji) that form four orthogonal pairs. This synthetic genetic biopolymer meets the structural requirements needed to support Darwinism, including a polyelectrolyte backbone, predictable thermodynamic stability, and stereoregular building blocks that fit a Schrödinger aperiodic crystal. Measured thermodynamic parameters predict the stability of hachimoji duplexes, allowing hachimoji DNA to double the information density of natural terran DNA. Three crystal structures show that the synthetic building blocks do not perturb the aperiodic crystal seen in the DNA double helix. Hachimoji DNA was then transcribed to give hachimoji RNA in the form of a functioning fluorescent hachimoji aptamer. These results expand the scope of molecular structures that might support life, including life throughout the cosmos.

One Sentence Summary:

DNA with eight nucleotide letters forms four orthogonal pairs with predictable thermodynamics, supports transcription to give a functioning 8-letter fluorescent RNA aptamer, and creates double helices that fit the Schrödinger aperiodic crystal needed for Darwinism, presumed to be universally necessary for life in the cosmos.