Ribozyme Catalysis of Metabolism in the RNA World
Abstract
In vitro selection has proven to be a useful means of explore the molecules and catalysts that may have existed in a primoridal ‘RNA world’. By selecting binding species (aptamers) and catalysts (ribozymes) from random sequence pools, the relationship between biopolymer complexity and function can be better understood, and potential evolutionary transitions between functional molecules can be charted. In this review, we have focused on several critical events or transitions in the putative RNA world: RNA self‐replication; the synthesis and utilization of nucleotide‐based cofactors; acyl‐transfer reactions leading to peptide and protein synthesis; and the basic metabolic pathways that are found in modern living systems.
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Today, RNA serves as the sole genetic molecule in many viruses.
“Today, RNA serves as the sole genetic molecule in many viruses, and the number of reactions catalyzed by RNA enzymes (“ribozymes”) is ever increasing (Doudna and Cech, 2002; Chen et al., 2007).”
From The Astrobiology Primer v2.0 (2016) · cites this paper as Chen et al., 2007
The number of reactions catalyzed by RNA enzymes (ribozymes) is ever increasing.
“Today, RNA serves as the sole genetic molecule in many viruses, and the number of reactions catalyzed by RNA enzymes (“ribozymes”) is ever increasing (Doudna and Cech, 2002; Chen et al., 2007).”
From The Astrobiology Primer v2.0 (2016) · cites this paper as Chen et al., 2007
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- Authors
- Chen, X., Li, N., & Ellington, A. D.
- Affiliations
- The University of Texas at Austin (US)
- Venue
- Chemistry & Biodiversity
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2007-04
- Volume
- 4
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 633-655
- ISSN
- 1612-1872 (ISSN-L)
- 1612-1880
- OpenAlex
- W1984319638
- Cited by
- 196
- References
- 10
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 12
- FWCI
- 1.50
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Chemistry & Biodiversity (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (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 › Genetics › Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Keywords
- ribozymes, RNA world, in vitro selection, aptamers, RNA self-replication, nucleotide cofactors, acyl transfer, peptide synthesis, protein synthesis, origin of life, metabolic pathways, evolutionary transitions
- MeSH terms
- Base Sequence, Catalysis, Models, Molecular, Molecular Sequence Data, Nucleic Acid Conformation, Protein Biosynthesis, RNA, Catalytic
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