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Cited by 63Origins and Evolution of LifeEvolution and Genetic DynamicsRNA and protein synthesis mechanisms

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A Fission-Fusion Origin for Life

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Norris, V., Raine, D. J.·1998·Origins of life and evolution of the biosphere
DOI 10.1023/a:1006568226145
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Abstract

To develop a comprehensive 'cells-first' approach to the origin of life, we propose that protocells form spontaneously and that the fission and fusion of these protocells drives the dynamics of their evolution. The fitness criterion for this evolution is taken to be the the stability (conservation) of domains in the protocellular membrane as determined by non-covalent molecular associations between the amphiphiles of the membrane and a subset of the macromolecules in the protocell. In the presence of a source of free energy the macromolecular content of the protocell (co-)evolves as the result of (domain-dependent) membrane-catalysed polymerisation of the prebiotic constituents delivered to the protocell by fusion. The metabolism of the cell therefore (co-)evolves on a rugged fitness landscape. We indicate how domain evolution with the same fitness criterion can potentially give rise to coding. Membrane domains may therefore provide the link between protocells and the RNA/DNA-world.

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Metadata

Authors
Norris, V., & Raine, D. J.
Affiliations
  • Université de Rouen Normandie (FR)
  • University of Leicester (GB)
ORCID
Venue
Origins of life and evolution of the biosphere
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
1998-10
Volume
28
Issue
4-6
Pages
523-537
ISSN
  • 0169-6149 (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-0875
DOI
10.1023/a:1006568226145
OpenAlex
W2033867172
Cited by
63
References
54
Citations by year
2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 5
FWCI
2.18
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Origins and Evolution of Life
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
Keywords
origin of life, protocells, cell fission, cell fusion, membrane domains, amphiphilic molecules, prebiotic metabolism, fitness landscape, coevolution, RNA world
MeSH terms
Origin of Life, Amino Acids, Cell Membrane, DNA, Energy Metabolism, Membrane Fusion, Membrane Lipids, Models, Biological, Nucleotides, RNA, Thermodynamics, Evolution, Chemical

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Norris, V., & Raine, D. J. (1998). A Fission-Fusion Origin for Life. Origins of life and evolution of the biosphere. https://doi.org/10.1023/a%3A1006568226145