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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Chromatin Isolation by RNA Purification (ChIRP)

Chromatin Isolation by RNA Purification (ChIRP)

Published on: March 25, 2012

Chiral histidine selection by D-ribose RNA.

Mali Illangasekare¹, Rebecca Turk, G Colin Peterson

¹Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA.

RNA (New York, N.Y.)

|October 14, 2010

Summary

The study reveals that D-ribose RNA preferentially binds L-histidine, suggesting a chiral preference in early biological translation. This finding explains the prevalence of L-amino acids in modern biology.

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Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Origin of Life Studies
Molecular Biology

Background:

Biological systems exhibit a strong chiral preference, utilizing L-amino acids and D-ribose RNA.
The evolutionary reasons for this specific homochirality remain a key question in understanding life's origins.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the chiral binding preferences between D-ribose RNA and histidine enantiomers (L-histidine and D-histidine).
To provide insights into the potential selection mechanisms favoring L-amino acids in early biological translation.

Main Methods:

Utilized mixed, equimolar D-ribose RNAs with varying randomized nucleotide lengths.
Employed simultaneous affinity selection using immobilized L- and D-histidine on an achiral support.
Analyzed bound and eluted RNA fractions to determine binding affinities and preferences.

Main Results:

D-ribose RNA showed a four- to sixfold greater abundance of binding sites for L-histidine compared to D-histidine.
The most prevalent L-histidine binding sites on D-ribose RNA were smaller, requiring fewer nucleotides.
Reproducible selection of L-histidine sites and recurrence of cognate coding triplets were observed.

Conclusions:

D-ribose RNA exhibits a significant chiral preference for L-histidine, supporting its potential role in early translation.
This preference could explain the evolutionary selection of L-amino acids for biological systems.
The findings suggest that D-ribose RNA's inherent chirality influenced the homochiral nature of biological molecules.