Synthetic DNA Expands the Genetic Alphabet

Researchers identify the structural basis of eight-letter genetic transcription

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Researchers demonstrated that E. coli RNA polymerase can transcribe an expanded genetic alphabet with eight nucleotide letters.
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The study introduced the 'hachimoji' system, which includes four synthetic bases: P, Z, B, and S, forming two additional pairs.
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The incorporation rate of the synthetic pair P:Z was approximately twofold lower than that of the natural guanine-cytosine pair.
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A modified base called Z* was developed to reduce incorrect pairing with guanine while maintaining pairing with P.
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The research provided insights into how biological machinery interacts with synthetic genetic material, highlighting transcription errors.

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