Redesigning Biology: Changing the substrate requirements of DNA polymerases by directed evolution KU Leuven
All polymerases make use of nucleotide triphosphates as substrates, incorporating the nucleobase, sugar, and α-phosphate onto the growing chain, while discarding a pyrophosphate moiety (β and γ phosphates). In this context, the pyrophosphate is nature’s leaving group – activating the nucleotide monophosphate, and facilitating the reaction, but not a part of the final product. Other leaving groups are chemically possible (such as the ...