Primitive Genetic Polymers

Engelhart, A. E.; Hud, N. V.

doi:10.1101/cshperspect.a002196

Cited by 101Origins and Evolution of LifeRNA and protein synthesis mechanismsDNA and Nucleic Acid Chemistry

Primitive Genetic Polymers

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Engelhart, A. E., Hud, N. V.·2010·Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology

DOI 10.1101/cshperspect.a002196PMC PMC2982173

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Abstract

Since the structure of DNA was elucidated more than 50 years ago, Watson-Crick base pairing has been widely speculated to be the likely mode of both information storage and transfer in the earliest genetic polymers. The discovery of catalytic RNA molecules subsequently provided support for the hypothesis that RNA was perhaps even the first polymer of life. However, the de novo synthesis of RNA using only plausible prebiotic chemistry has proven difficult, to say the least. Experimental investigations, made possible by the application of synthetic and physical organic chemistry, have now provided evidence that the nucleobases (A, G, C, and T/U), the trifunctional moiety ([deoxy]ribose), and the linkage chemistry (phosphate esters) of contemporary nucleic acids may be optimally suited for their present roles-a situation that suggests refinement by evolution. Here, we consider studies of variations in these three distinct components of nucleic acids with regard to the question: Is RNA, as is generally acknowledged of DNA, the product of evolution? If so, what chemical and structural features might have been more likely and advantageous for a proto-RNA?

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Purine precursors or PNA nucleotides precursors were also obtained in racemic mixtures.
“Purine precursors or PNA nucleotides (Engelhart and Hud, 2010) precursors were also obtained in racemic mixtures.”
From The Origin and Early Evolution of Life: Homochirality Emergence in Prebiotic Environments (2023) · cites this paper as Engelhart and Hud, 2010
The paper discusses PNA backbones and acyclonucleosides in ‘Challenges and Future Directions’ (page unavailable), so it supports the reference to PNA-related building blocks. It does not say that PNA nucleotide precursors were obtained in racemic mixtures; a search for ‘racemic’ did not find that result in the paper’s discussion. (LLM, conf=0.80)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
Water-induced damage leads to significant challenges in synthesizing DNA and RNA polymers abiotically under aqueous conditions.
“This damage leads to significant challenges in synthesizing these polymers abiotically under aqueous conditions (Engelhart and Hud, 2010).”
From The Astrobiology Primer v2.0 (2016) · cites this paper as Engelhart and Hud, 2010

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Authors: Engelhart, A. E., & Hud, N. V.
Affiliations: Georgia Institute of Technology (US)
ORCID: Engelhart, A. E.
Hud, N. V.
Venue: Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Published: 2010-05-12
Volume: 2
Issue: 12
Pages: a002196-a002196
ISSN: 1943-0264 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a002196
PMC: PMC2982173
OpenAlex: W2117911568
Cited by: 101
References: 163
Citations by year: 2026: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 10
Type: posted content
Language: en
Open access: bronze
doi.org
Locations: Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology (publishedVersion)
Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders: National Science Foundation
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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: origin of life, RNA world, prebiotic chemistry, nucleic acid evolution, nucleobases, ribose, phosphate esters, ribozymes, Watson-Crick base pairing, de novo RNA synthesis, nucleic acid structure
MeSH terms: Origin of Life, Nucleic Acids, RNA, Molecular Structure, Evolution, Chemical, Polymerization

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