Models for the Autocatalytic Replication of RNA

摘要: It is generally believed that the earliest progenitor of modern life was a set chemical shapes or reactions could reproduce itself. Although it convenient to hypothesize began with nucleic acid such as RNA, there no priori reason believe replicators were composed compounds identical those found in contemporary organisms. The difficulties inherent forming nucleotide and oligonucleotide precursors under prebiotic conditions (Pace, 1991) have led many authors propose may been ‘unnatural’ acids contained modified backbones internucleotide linkages replicated via complementary Watson-Crick base pairings (reviewed Joyce, 1989; Ellington, 1993). However, while style complementarity clearly well-suited copying information, not necessary envisage life. Wachtershauser (1988) has proposed scenario which cycles, Cairns-Smith (1982) suggested first living systems crystalline matrices, clays, grow diversify. These non-Watson-Crick gradually replaced by ‘genetic takeover’