Stabilization of short oligonucleotides in the prebiotic mix: the potential role of amino alcohols

Alkylation of RNA oligonucleotides by the amino alcohols 2- amino-2-hydroxymethyl-propane-1,3-diol (commonly known as Tris-base) and 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol has been observed in strongly acidic environments. The reaction occurs according to a carbocationic mechanism and is time-, temperature-, concentration- and, strictly, pH-dependent. Our results suggest that amino alcohols present in the prebiotic mix could not only alter the chemical composition of the oligonucleotides formed on dry land under hydrothermal conditions, but, more importantly, they could protect the first informational polymers from degradation.