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Did membrane electrochemistry precede translation?

C C King1

  • 1Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Auckland.

Origins of Life and Evolution of the Biosphere : the Journal of the International Society for the Study of the Origin of Life
|January 1, 1990
PubMed
Summary
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The discovery of RNA enzymes suggests RNA catalysis preceded protein enzymes. This paper explores how membrane-associated electrochemical processes may have powered the RNA world.

Area of Science:

  • Origin of life studies
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular evolution

Background:

  • The 'RNA world' hypothesis proposes RNA preceded DNA and proteins as the primary genetic material and catalyst.
  • Ribonuclease-P is an example of a naturally occurring RNA enzyme (ribozyme).
  • Understanding the energetic basis of early life is crucial for origin of life research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine evidence supporting the role of electrochemical processes in early life.
  • To investigate the potential for membrane-associated electrochemistry to provide energy for the RNA world.
  • To explore how these processes might have preceded coded protein enzymes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing biochemical and geological evidence.
  • Theoretical analysis of electrochemical gradients at early membranes.

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  • Comparative analysis of RNA catalysis and potential prebiotic energy sources.

    • Main Results:

    • Evidence suggests RNA molecules possessed catalytic activity before proteins.
    • Electrochemical gradients across primitive membranes could have provided energy for RNA phosphorylation.
    • This mechanism offers a plausible precursor to protein enzyme-driven metabolism.

    Conclusions:

    • Membrane-associated electrochemical processes may have been a foundational energy source for the RNA world.
    • This provides a potential pathway for the emergence of complex biochemistry preceding protein enzymes.
    • Further research into prebiotic electrochemistry is warranted for origin of life studies.