A Self‐Replicating Hexadeoxynucleotide
Abstract
Autocatalysis in a nonenzymatic, templete-directed condensation has been demonstrated in a system consisting of three oligonucleotides. A simple form of self-replication occurs, albeit only to a small extent: the template T organizes the building blocks Å and B in such a way that condensation can occur, leading to a second template molecule. Such a nonenzymatic process has long been sought, because it is postulated as a sine qua non for prebiotic evolution in theories on the origin of life.
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The selection-free regime exists only above a critical total concentration.
“In this case the selection-free regime exists only above a critical total concentration [17,75].”
From Ecology and Evolution in the RNA World Dynamics and Stability of Prebiotic Replicator Systems (2017) · cites this paper as [75]
This type of self-replication causes replicator concentrations to undergo parabolic rather than exponential growth, with x ̇=rx^p, p=1/2.
“This type of self-replication substantially alters the dynamics of the system; replicator concentrations undergo parabolic rather than exponential growth (cf. Equation (1) and see e.g., [75]):(10)x˙=rxpwhere x is the total concentration of A and AA, p = 1/2”
From Ecology and Evolution in the RNA World Dynamics and Stability of Prebiotic Replicator Systems (2017) · cites this paper as [75]
Chemically embodied artificial replicators (modified hexanucleotides) behave according to this type of kinetics.
“As von Kiedrowski first pointed out in 1986 [75], chemically embodied artificial replicators (modified hexanucleotides) behave according to this type of kinetics”
From Ecology and Evolution in the RNA World Dynamics and Stability of Prebiotic Replicator Systems (2017) · cites this paper as [75]
Exponential growth in von Kiedrowski's system is not obtained due to the high thermodynamic stability of the [T∙T] dimer, leading to product inhibition.
“Exponential growth in this system is not obtained due to the high thermodynamic stability of the [T∙T] dimer, leading to product inhibition.”
From Towards open-ended evolution in self-replicating molecular systems (2017) · cites this paper as [30]
The autocatalytic nature of von Kiedrowski's reaction was proven by adding small amounts of preformed template molecules to the reaction mixture.
“The autocatalytic nature of the reaction was proven by adding small amounts of preformed template molecules to the reaction mixture.”
From Towards open-ended evolution in self-replicating molecular systems (2017) · cites this paper as [30]
In von Kiedrowski's system, two trinucleotides condense to form a hexamer template molecule T that catalyzes its own formation.
“Upon activation, these trinucleotides can condense to form a hexamer template molecule T, depicted in Figure 4, which catalyzes its own formation.”
From Towards open-ended evolution in self-replicating molecular systems (2017) · cites this paper as [30]
von Kiedrowski's system exhibits parabolic replication with p = 1/2.
“Kinetic analysis revealed that the system exhibits parabolic replication (p = 1/2).”
From Towards open-ended evolution in self-replicating molecular systems (2017) · cites this paper as [30]
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- Authors
- von Kiedrowski, G.
- Venue
- Angewandte Chemie International Edition in English
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 1986-10
- Volume
- 25
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 932-935
- ISSN
- 0570-0833 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2166879101
- Cited by
- 583
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 27 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 24 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 26 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 20 · 2014: 23 · 2013: 18 · 2012: 17
- FWCI
- 6.66
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Angewandte Chemie International Edition in English (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Origins and Evolution of Life
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › DNA and Nucleic Acid Chemistry
- Keywords
- prebiotic evolution, origin of life, oligonucleotide synthesis
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