In article <78798 at netnews.upenn.edu>, bill at amy.med.upenn.edu (Bill Tozier) writes...
> Basically, these molecules are of the class of
>highly derivatized DNA and protein polymers,
>including cross-linked chains, folded DNA/protein
>covalently bound to one another, and other derivatives
>of biopolymers which aren't biologically
>feasible--that is, which don't really
>occur within organisms.
>>> Of course, any direct sources of information
>along these lines would be even better-appreciated.
CAS ( Chemical Abstracts Service) doesn't place heavy emphasis on the
distinction between naturally occurring and modified compounds.A lot
of their customers seem to be drug companies, and we frequently
bring up *very* modified compounds on our searches. For amino
acids, at least, they have 2 classes that describe these molecules:
"unusual amino acids" and "modified amino acids". CAS also has a help
line that can help you formulate a search.>
