Synergism of Ce (IV) and Pr(III) for the fastest non-enzymatic DNA hydrolysis ever.

By the synergistic catalysis of Ce4+ and Pr3+, DNA is efficiently hydrolyzed at so far the highest rate. When [Ce4+] = 10 mM and [Pr3+] = 5 mM, the half-life of dinucleotide hydrolysis at pH 7 and 50 degrees C is only 24 min. This catalytic activity is 9 times as large as that of Ce4+, which is the only prominent catalyst hitherto reported. The Ce(4+)-Nd3+ combination is also effective. These bimetallic catalytic systems are eminent tools for the future molecular biology and biotechnology.