Polynucleotide analogs: acrylic acid and maleic acid copolymers of 1-vinyluracil and 9-vinyladenine.

Radical-induced copolymerization of 1-vinyluracil and maleic anhydride gave, after hydrolysis, a polymer containing a 1:1 monomer ratio of 1-vinyluracil-maleic acid. Gamma-Ray-induced copolymerization of 1-vinyluracil with acrylic acid gave a polymer with a ratio of 1:1.7. Similar treatment of 9-vinlyadenine and acrylic acid resulted in a polymer with a 1:3.2 ratio. These three compounds are potent stimulants of poly (uridylic acid) coded polyphenylalanine synthesis in an in vitro cell free system purified from Escherichia coli MRE 600. The double-stranded polymer, poly(inosinic acid)-poly(cytidylic acid), also stimulates polyphenylalanine synthesis in this assay.