Question

DNA is a known polymer of nucleotides being linked to each other by 3' -5' phosphodiester bond . suggest the modification that would prevent polymerisation of nucleotides.

Answer 1

Dear Student,

The nucleotides of DNA are linked to each other by phosphodiester bonds. This bond forms between the 3' carbon atom of one sugar molecule and 5' carbon atom of another sugar molecule. The sugar present in DNA and RNA is deoxyribose and ribose, respectively.

There are few conditions and chemical agents which lead to the disruption of phosphodiester bonds. These are as follows:

a) Acidic pH: If DNA is treated with low pH i.e less than 1, it results into the denaturation of DNA by breaking phosphodiester bonds.

b) Alkylating agents: These chemical groups form the covalent bond with the nucleophilic 3'OH of DNA and causes the hydrolysis of phosphodiester bonds.

c) Phosphodiesterase is the enzymes that break the phosphodiester linkage between two sugars.

d) X-rays and γ- rays lead to the opening of heterocyclic rings of nucleotides and results in the breakage of phosphodiester bonds.

Regards