Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41507187›Full record

ArticleNature communications2026

A universal polyphosphate kinase powers in vitro transcription.

Ryusei Matsumoto, Takayoshi Watanabe, Eishin Yamazaki, Ako Kagawa, Liam M Longo, Tomoaki Matsuura

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Nature communications, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Ryusei Matsumoto *Department of Life Science and Technology, Institute of Science Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Takayoshi Watanabe *Earth-Life Science Institute, Institute of Science Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Eishin YamazakiDepartment of Life Science and Technology, Institute of Science Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Ako KagawaEarth-Life Science Institute, Institute of Science Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Liam M LongoEarth-Life Science Institute, Institute of Science Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. llongo@elsi.jp.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1773-0611
Tomoaki MatsuuraEarth-Life Science Institute, Institute of Science Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. matsuura_tomoaki@elsi.jp.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1015-6781

Funding

Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) RGEC29/2025Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) RGP003/2023MEXT | Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) JPMJBS2430MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) 22K21344 and 21H05228National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) 80NSSC25K7873
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Polyphosphate kinases (PPKs) catalyze phosphoryl transfer between polyphosphates and nucleotides. Polyphosphates are a cost-effective source of phosphorylating power, making PPKs attractive enzymes for nucleotide production. However, at present, applications that require the simultaneous utilization of diverse nucleotides are not possible due to the restricted substrate profiles of PPKs. Here, we present a universal PPK capable of efficiently phosphorylating all eight common ribonucleotides (purines and pyrimidines, monophosphates and diphosphates) to triphosphates. Under optimal conditions, ~70% triphosphate conversion was observed for each substrate. To demonstrate the biotechnological potential of a universal PPK, we developed a one-pot assay for PPK-powered in vitro transcription. Primitive biology likely relied on enzyme promiscuity to support nascent metabolism with a compact proteome. This work highlights how applying the same principle to synthetic biology can facilitate the construction of complex in vitro reaction systems.

Indexed as

Phosphotransferases (Phosphate Group Acceptor)Transcription, GeneticPhosphorylationPolyphosphatesRibonucleotidesSubstrate SpecificityPhosphotransferases (Phosphate Group Acceptor)polyphosphate kinasePolyphosphatesRibonucleotides

Identifiers

PMID41507187
PMCPMC12864786

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.