Drawbacks of the ancient RNA-based life-like system under primitive earth conditions

Biochimie. 2012 Jul;94(7):1441-50. doi: 10.1016/j.biochi.2012.02.017. Epub 2012 Feb 23.

Abstract

Following the discovery of ribozymes, the "RNA world" hypothesis has become the most accepted hypothesis concerning the origin of life and genetic information. However, this hypothesis has several drawbacks. Verification of the hypothesis from different viewpoints led us to proposals from the viewpoint of the hydrothermal origin of life, solubility of RNA and related biopolymers, and the possibility of creating an evolutionary system comparable to the in vitro selection technique for functional RNA molecules based on molecular biology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Earth, Planet*
  • Evolution, Chemical
  • Genotype
  • Origin of Life*
  • Phenotype
  • RNA* / chemistry
  • RNA* / genetics
  • RNA* / metabolism

Substances

  • RNA