Enzymes can't tell artificial DNA from the real thing

Artificial DNA Expansion: Researchers at the University of California San Diego successfully created artificial DNA with two new base pairs, expanding the genetic alphabet beyond the natural four.

RNA Polymerase Recognition: The study demonstrated that RNA polymerase, a critical enzyme in protein synthesis, could recognize and transcribe these artificial base pairs in the same way it does with natural ones.

Potential for Custom Proteins: This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize synthetic biology, as it allows for the development of custom proteins, opening new possibilities for designing medicines and other molecular applications.

Support for Tautomer Hypothesis: The research provided evidence supporting the tautomer hypothesis, suggesting that nucleotide mismatched pairs can occur due to structural variations, potentially leading to genetic mutations.

Future Research: The researchers are now interested in exploring the consistency of this effect with other combinations of synthetic base pairs and cellular enzymes, further advancing the field of expanded genetic alphabets.