The ribosome challenge to the RNA world

Journal of Molecular Evolution
Jessica C BowmanLoren Dean Williams

Abstract

An RNA World that predated the modern world of polypeptide and polynucleotide is one of the most widely accepted models in origin of life research. In this model, the translation system shepherded the RNA World into the extant biology of DNA, RNA, and protein. Here, we examine the RNA World Hypothesis in the context of increasingly detailed information available about the origins, evolution, functions, and mechanisms of the translation system. We conclude that the translation system presents critical challenges to RNA World Hypotheses. Firstly, a timeline of the RNA World is problematic when the ribosome is incorporated. The mechanism of peptidyl transfer of the ribosome appears distinct from evolved enzymes, signaling origins in a chemical rather than biological milieu. Secondly, we have no evidence that the basic biochemical toolset of life is subject to substantive change by Darwinian evolution, as required for the transition from the RNA world to extant biology. Thirdly, we do not see specific evidence for biological takeover of ribozyme function by protein enzymes. Finally, we can find no basis for preservation of the ribosome as ribozyme or the universality of translation, if it were the case that other information transd...Continue Reading

References

Nov 1, 1977·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·C R Woese, G E Fox
Oct 1, 1976·FEBS Letters·L S VictorovaB P Gottikh
Jun 10, 1977·Science·F Jacob
Sep 1, 1989·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·S A BennerA Tauer
May 2, 1989·Biochemistry·A WarshelJ K Hwang
Oct 21, 1986·Biochemistry·J R RoesserS M Hecht
Dec 1, 1968·Journal of Molecular Biology·F H Crick
Jun 9, 1970·Biochemistry·S FahnestockA Rich
Aug 8, 1970·Nature·F Crick
Jul 23, 1971·Science·S Fahnestock, A Rich
Dec 1, 1968·Journal of Molecular Biology·L E Orgel
Nov 25, 1981·Nucleic Acids Research·H F NollerC R Waese
Jul 1, 1993·Scientific American·M Eigen
Jan 1, 1993·FASEB Journal : Official Publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·G J Olsen, C R Woese
Mar 1, 1993·Annals of Vascular Surgery·M J PerkoJ E Lorentzen
Jan 24, 1997·Cell·V E VelculescuK W Kinzler
Mar 7, 1998·Journal of Molecular Evolution·A M PooleD Penny
Mar 7, 1998·Journal of Molecular Evolution·D C JeffaresD Penny
Jan 6, 1999·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·P KhaitovichH F Noller
Mar 13, 1999·Chemistry & Biology·B Seelig, A Jäschke
Sep 25, 1999·Science·J H CateH F Noller
Nov 5, 1999·Trends in Biochemical Sciences·J R Warner
Mar 29, 2000·Nucleic Acids Research·M P Robertson, A D Ellington
Jul 19, 2000·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·C R Woese
Oct 3, 2000·Nature·B T WimberlyV Ramakrishnan
Feb 24, 2001·Nature·J W SzostakP L Luisi
Mar 17, 2001·Nature Reviews. Genetics·R D KnightL F Landweber
Aug 3, 2001·The EMBO Journal·D J KleinT A Steitz
Aug 11, 2001·RNA·C R Woese
Oct 25, 2001·Journal of Molecular Evolution·R D KnightM Yarus
Jun 22, 2002·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Carl R Woese
Jul 30, 2002·Journal of Molecular Biology·Jason A MearsStephen C Harvey
Nov 7, 2002·Molecular Cell·Martha J Fedor, Eric Westhof
Nov 21, 2002·Biochemical Society Transactions·T R Cech
Apr 25, 2003·Nucleic Acids Research·Dongbo BuRunsheng Chen
Aug 1, 1954·The Australian Journal of Experimental Biology and Medical Science·G L ADA, B T PERRY
Mar 1, 1956·Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics·F C CHAO, H K SCHACHMAN

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Feb 10, 2016·Philosophical Transactions. Series A, Mathematical, Physical, and Engineering Sciences·Peter R Wills
Jan 7, 2016·Journal of Molecular Evolution·Aaron David GoldmanLaura F Landweber
Nov 20, 2015·Journal of Molecular Evolution·Anthony M PooleDavid Penny
Dec 13, 2016·Molecules : a Journal of Synthetic Chemistry and Natural Product Chemistry·Ilana C Agmon
Oct 28, 2017·Molecular Biology and Evolution·Charles W Carter, Peter R Wills
Apr 30, 2016·Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics : PCCP·Sankar Chatterjee
Aug 30, 2017·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Jay G ForsytheFacundo M Fernández
Nov 23, 2017·Nature Reviews. Molecular Cell Biology·Kathrin LeppekMaria Barna
Feb 16, 2020·Journal of Molecular Evolution·David A LiberlesAndrew Storfer
Aug 19, 2020·Journal of Molecular Evolution·Yuta A TakagiAaron D Goldman
Nov 28, 2015·Biology Direct·Anatoly D Altstein
Jun 3, 2018·Nature Communications·Ryota YamagamiPhilip C Bevilacqua
Jan 4, 2019·Journal of Molecular Evolution·Jason Allen Davidson
Dec 21, 2016·Journal of Molecular Evolution·Jan Spitzer
Nov 30, 2019·Nucleic Acids Research·Michael J HammerlingMichael C Jewett
Dec 26, 2018·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Kristopher Opron, Zachary F Burton
Oct 27, 2018·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Yunsoo KimZachary F Burton
Feb 3, 2021·Open Biology·K A Dill, L Agozzino
Dec 20, 2020·Life·Quoc Phuong TranAlbert C Fahrenbach
Feb 27, 2020·Chemical Reviews·Moran Frenkel-PinterLuke J Leman
Apr 18, 2021·Nature Communications·Svetlana KalmykovaDmitri Pervouchine
Mar 31, 2021·Annual Review of Biochemistry·Charles W Carter, Peter R Wills
May 19, 2020·Chemical Reviews·David M FialhoNicholas V Hud
Jul 3, 2021·Origins of Life and Evolution of the Biosphere : the Journal of the International Society for the Study of the Origin of Life·Besik Kankia
Nov 11, 2021·Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews : MMBR·Madhan R TirumalaiGeorge E Fox

❮ Previous
Next ❯

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.