The Zn2+ promoted hydrolysis of short oligonucleotides has been studie
d. The results obtained show that thr presence of an adjacent phosphat
e group enhances the metal ion promoted hydrolysis of phosphodiester b
onds. The effect of dianionic monophosphate groups is 10-fold larger t
han that of monoanionic phosphodiester bond. The mechanism of the rate
-enhancement will be discussed.