Difluorotoluene, a nonpolar isostere for thymine, codes specifically and efficiently for adenine in DNA replication

The role of thymidine's hydrogen-bonding groups on the fidelity of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) polymerase during DNA replication was analyzed by utilizing difluorotoluene nucleoside. Difluorotoluene nucleoside acted as a good template for the analysis of DNA polymerase activity during DNA replication. The analog also promoted the efficiency of nucleoside insertion in a level that is similar to the activity of natural thymidine. Furthermore, the analog successfully promoted the fidelity of nucleoside insertion by retaining the steric shape and conformation of the natural nucleoside.