Limited Sequence Diversity Within a Population Supports Prebiotic RNA Reproduction

Life
Ryo Mizuuchi, Niles Lehman

Abstract

The origins of life require the emergence of informational polymers capable of reproduction. In the RNA world on the primordial Earth, reproducible RNA molecules would have arisen from a mixture of compositionally biased, poorly available, short RNA sequences in prebiotic environments. However, it remains unclear what level of sequence diversity within a small subset of population is required to initiate RNA reproduction by prebiotic mechanisms. Here, using a simulation for template-directed recombination and ligation, we explore the effect of sequence diversity in a given population for the onset of RNA reproduction. We show that RNA reproduction is improbable in low and high diversity of finite populations; however, it could robustly occur in an intermediate sequence diversity. The intermediate range broadens toward higher diversity as population size increases. We also found that emergent reproducible RNAs likely form autocatalytic networks and collectively reproduce by catalyzing the formation of each other, allowing the expansion of information capacity. These results highlight the potential of abiotic RNAs, neither abundant nor diverse, to kick-start autocatalytic reproduction through spontaneous network formation.

References

Mar 16, 1989·Nature·G F Joyce
Mar 7, 1986·Journal of Theoretical Biology·S A Kauffman
Feb 18, 1983·Science·T Inoue, L E Orgel
Jan 1, 1982·Journal of Molecular Evolution·F J Dyson
May 19, 1994·Nature·D Sievers, G von Kiedrowski
May 2, 1996·Nature·J P FerrisL E Orgel
Mar 25, 2004·Journal of Theoretical Biology·Wim Hordijk, Mike Steel
Apr 20, 2007·Chemistry & Biodiversity·Alexei V LutayValentin V Vlassov
Jan 10, 2009·Science·Tracey A Lincoln, Gerald F Joyce
Jun 21, 2011·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Wim HordijkMike Steel
Oct 19, 2012·Nature·Nilesh VaidyaNiles Lehman
Feb 27, 2013·Chemistry & Biology·Nilesh VaidyaNiles Lehman
Nov 22, 2013·Nature Chemistry·James AttwaterPhilipp Holliger
Mar 25, 2015·Nature Chemistry·Bhavesh H PatelJohn D Sutherland
Aug 4, 2015·The Journal of Chemical Physics·Alexei V Tkachenko, Sergei Maslov
Oct 23, 2015·Molecular BioSystems·Philippe NgheNiles Lehman
Dec 13, 2016·Science·Shigeyoshi MatsumuraAndrew D Griffiths
Jul 10, 2018·Nucleic Acids Research·Simon ArsènePhilippe Nghe
Aug 29, 2018·Nature Ecology & Evolution·Ryo Mizuuchi, Norikazu Ichihashi
Nov 2, 2018·Biochemistry·Angelica MarianiJohn D Sutherland

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Aug 24, 2019·Life·Roberto Serra, Marco Villani
Feb 10, 2021·Nature Communications·Sandeep AmetaPhilippe Nghe
May 1, 2021·Life·Jozef Nahalka, Eva Hrabarova

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Software Mentioned

Python
NetworkX

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.