Cited by 39Origins and Evolution of LifeRNA and protein synthesis mechanismsEvolution and Genetic Dynamics

The search for missing links between self-replicating nucleic ACIDs and the RNA world

James, Kenneth D., Ellington, Andrew D.·1995·Origins of life and evolution of the biosphere

Abstract

The notion that modern metabolism was derived from a complex 'RNA world' in which most reactions were catalyzed by ribozymes has received wide acceptance. However, the evolutionary links between the first self-replicating systems and ribozymes as complex as, say, the Group I self-splicing intron or the HDV ribozyme, have remained elusive. While prebiotic chemists have succeeded in synthesizing short oligonucleotides, it is not immediately obvious how these could have replicated and evolved to the point where they could assume complex shapes and catalytic functions. Nonetheless, recent experiments from a variety of disciplines suggest a plausible pathway from prebiotic chemistry to complex metabolism, and this review is intended as a hypothetical roadmap for the origin and subsequent evolution of life.

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Crossref · 10.1007/bf01582021

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  • The notion of an extended RNA World in which RNAs catalyze many biochemical reactions as well as cell division remains controversial.

    “Despite these observations, the notion of an extended RNA World in which RNAs catalyze many biochemical reactions as well as cell division remains controversial”

    From The Emergence of Life (2019) · cites this paper as James and Ellington 1995

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Authors
James, K. D., & Ellington, A. D.
Affiliations
Indiana University Bloomington (US)
Venue
Origins of life and evolution of the biosphere
Published
1995-12
Volume
25
Issue
6
Pages
515-530
ISSN
  • 0169-6149 (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-0875
OpenAlex
W2034100594
Cited by
39
References
76
Citations by year
2025: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2012: 1
FWCI
3.21
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Francis Crick Institute
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
RNA world, ribozymes, origin of life, prebiotic chemistry, HDV ribozyme, metabolic evolution
MeSH terms
Biological Evolution, Molecular Biology, Nucleotides, RNA

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