First experimental evidence for the preferential stabilization of the natural D- over the nonnatural L-configuration in nucleic acids

• DOI: 10.1261/rna.564507
• Publication Date: 2007-09-06T01:26:59Z
• Authors: Sarah Bolik; Michael Rübhausen; Stephan Binder; Benjamin Schulz; Markus Perbandt; Nicolay Genov; Volker Erdmann; Sven Klussmann; Christian Betzel
• Keywords: Biomolecule; Deoxyribose; Homochirality; Ribose; Abiogenesis

The homochirality of biomolecules is a prerequisite for the origin and evolution terrestrial life. unique selection D-monosaccharides, in particular, D-ribose RNA D-deoxyribose DNA, leads to construction proteins by L-amino acids. This points exclusive role stereoselectivity most important physiological processes. So far, there no experimental confirmation theoretical calculations energy differences between enantiomers used explanation stereoselection biomolecules. Therefore, question why nature prefers one configuration over other still lacks definitive answer. Here, we present first evidence that D-enantiomer has different electronic structure compared corresponding L-enantiomer. When varying incident photon ultraviolet Raman probe across 5 eV, D- L-isomers duplex with sequence [r(CUGGGCGG).r(CCGCCUGG)] show intensity vibrational modes energies 124.0 meV 210.8 meV. difference these can be traced back levels L-RNA leading preferential stabilization naturally occurring D-configuration L-configuration.