Synergism and Mutualism in Non-Enzymatic RNA Polymerization
The link between non-enzymatic RNA polymerization and RNA self-replication is a key step towards the “RNA world” and still far from being solved, despite extensive research. Clay minerals, lipids and, more recently, peptides were found to catalyze the non-enzymatic synthesis of RNA oligomers. Herei...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2014-11-01
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| Series: | Life |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/4/4/598 |
| _version_ | 1798043700813627392 |
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| author | Hussein Kaddour Nita Sahai |
| author_facet | Hussein Kaddour Nita Sahai |
| author_sort | Hussein Kaddour |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The link between non-enzymatic RNA polymerization and RNA self-replication is a key step towards the “RNA world” and still far from being solved, despite extensive research. Clay minerals, lipids and, more recently, peptides were found to catalyze the non-enzymatic synthesis of RNA oligomers. Herein, a review of the main models for the formation of the first RNA polymers is presented in such a way as to emphasize the cooperation between life’s building blocks in their emergence and evolution. A logical outcome of the previous results is a combination of these models, in which RNA polymerization might have been catalyzed cooperatively by clays, lipids and peptides in one multi-component prebiotic soup. The resulting RNAs and oligopeptides might have mutualistically evolved towards functional RNAs and catalytic peptides, preceding the first RNA replication, thus supporting an RNA-peptide world. The investigation of such a system is a formidable challenge, given its complexity deriving from a tremendously large number of reactants and innumerable products. A rudimentary experimental design is outlined, which could be used in an initial attempt to study a quaternary component system. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T22:52:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8d771c6104994e75bce7d1a597a75f4d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-1729 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T22:52:46Z |
| publishDate | 2014-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Life |
| spelling | doaj.art-8d771c6104994e75bce7d1a597a75f4d2022-12-22T03:58:32ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292014-11-014459862010.3390/life4040598life4040598Synergism and Mutualism in Non-Enzymatic RNA PolymerizationHussein Kaddour0Nita Sahai1Department of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325-3909, USADepartment of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325-3909, USAThe link between non-enzymatic RNA polymerization and RNA self-replication is a key step towards the “RNA world” and still far from being solved, despite extensive research. Clay minerals, lipids and, more recently, peptides were found to catalyze the non-enzymatic synthesis of RNA oligomers. Herein, a review of the main models for the formation of the first RNA polymers is presented in such a way as to emphasize the cooperation between life’s building blocks in their emergence and evolution. A logical outcome of the previous results is a combination of these models, in which RNA polymerization might have been catalyzed cooperatively by clays, lipids and peptides in one multi-component prebiotic soup. The resulting RNAs and oligopeptides might have mutualistically evolved towards functional RNAs and catalytic peptides, preceding the first RNA replication, thus supporting an RNA-peptide world. The investigation of such a system is a formidable challenge, given its complexity deriving from a tremendously large number of reactants and innumerable products. A rudimentary experimental design is outlined, which could be used in an initial attempt to study a quaternary component system.http://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/4/4/598activated nucleotidespeptidessingle-chain amphiphilemineral surfacesprotocellorganocatalysisRNA polymerizationRNA-peptide world |
| spellingShingle | Hussein Kaddour Nita Sahai Synergism and Mutualism in Non-Enzymatic RNA Polymerization Life activated nucleotides peptides single-chain amphiphile mineral surfaces protocell organocatalysis RNA polymerization RNA-peptide world |
| title | Synergism and Mutualism in Non-Enzymatic RNA Polymerization |
| title_full | Synergism and Mutualism in Non-Enzymatic RNA Polymerization |
| title_fullStr | Synergism and Mutualism in Non-Enzymatic RNA Polymerization |
| title_full_unstemmed | Synergism and Mutualism in Non-Enzymatic RNA Polymerization |
| title_short | Synergism and Mutualism in Non-Enzymatic RNA Polymerization |
| title_sort | synergism and mutualism in non enzymatic rna polymerization |
| topic | activated nucleotides peptides single-chain amphiphile mineral surfaces protocell organocatalysis RNA polymerization RNA-peptide world |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/4/4/598 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT husseinkaddour synergismandmutualisminnonenzymaticrnapolymerization AT nitasahai synergismandmutualisminnonenzymaticrnapolymerization |