Thermodynamic procedure to synthesize heteropolymers that can renature to recognize a given target molecule

Abstract

We suggest a procedure to synthesize polymers with characteristics similar to those observed in globular proteins: renaturability and the existence of an 'active site' capable of specifically recognizing a given target molecule. This procedure is investigated by computer simulation, which finds a yield of up to 65%. We believe that, in principle, this scheme can be realized in vitro. The applicability of this approach as a model of prebiotic synthesis in vivo is also discussed.