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Circular RNAs: relics of precellular evolution?

T O Diener1

  • 1Center for Agricultural Biotechnology, University of Maryland, College Park, 20742.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|December 1, 1989
PubMed
Summary

Viroids and viroid-like satellite RNAs, not introns, are proposed as "living fossils" of the RNA world. These small, circular RNAs offer simpler, more plausible models for early self-replicating systems and precellular evolution.

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Origin of Life Studies
  • RNA World Hypothesis

Background:

  • RNA molecules possess both genetic (template) and catalytic (enzymatic) functions.
  • This dual role suggests RNA could have been central to early life, enabling genotype and phenotype simultaneously.
  • Current models often focus on intron-derived ribozymes for precellular RNA systems.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose alternative candidates for "living fossils" of the precellular RNA world.
  • To evaluate the plausibility of small plant pathogenic RNAs (viroids, viroid-like satellite RNAs) as models for early RNA evolution.
  • To challenge the prevailing view that introns are the primary candidates.

Main Methods:

  • Phylogenetic analysis of plant pathogenic RNAs.
  • Evaluation of known biochemical properties of viroids and viroid-like satellite RNAs.
  • Comparison of these RNAs with intron-derived ribozymes regarding size, structure, and catalytic activity.

Main Results:

  • Viroids and viroid-like satellite RNAs are suggested as more plausible "living fossils" than introns.
  • Their small size and circularity enhance survival and replication in primitive RNA systems.
  • Some of these plant RNAs exhibit self-cleaving enzymatic activity, simpler than intron-derived ribozymes.

Conclusions:

  • Small plant pathogenic RNAs represent compelling candidates for relics of the RNA world.
  • Their inherent properties support their role in early self-replicating and evolving RNA systems.
  • The evolutionary direction may be from viroids/satellite RNAs to introns, contrary to common speculation.

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