Search for catalytic properties of simple polypeptides.

Simple polypeptides were used as possible supports for nucleotide polymerization, in the absence of any preformed polynucleotide template. Sequential copolymers of alanine and glycine, water soluble polypeptides based on arginine and poly(Glu-Ser-Glu) have been tested. No catalytic effect has been found although poly(Glu-Ser-Glu) favors the 2'-5' internucleotide linkage. More interestingly, polypeptides containing arginine residues strongly accelerate the hydrolysis of oligoadenylic acids. The influence of pH, temperature, nature of the buffer and polypeptide sequence was investigated.