Serial transfer can aid the evolution of autocatalytic sets

Area of Science:

• Origin of Life Research
• Systems Chemistry
• Molecular Evolution

Background:

• Autocatalytic sets of molecules are key theoretical and empirically demonstrated concepts.
• Demonstrating the evolvability of these sets is crucial for origins-of-life scenarios.
• Catalytic RNA molecules have been used to empirically demonstrate autocatalytic sets.

Purpose of the Study:

• To simulate and expand on empirical systems of self-assembling RNA fragments forming autocatalytic networks.
• To examine the role of serial transfer versus equilibrium (batch) scenarios in molecular evolution.
• To compare simulation results with experimental observations.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a Gillespie algorithm for improved simulations.
• Modeled an empirical system of self-assembling RNA fragments.
• Compared serial transfer dynamics to equilibrium (batch) conditions.

Main Results:

• Simulation model closely replicated experimental observations of varying autocatalytic subsets over time.
• Batch scenarios led to equilibrium driven by resource competition and stochastic fluctuations.
• Serial transfer prevented equilibrium, with dynamics dominated by reaction rates, strengthening selection potential with increased molecule numbers.

Conclusions:

• Simulations offer a realistic model of wet lab conditions for self-assembling catalytic RNAs.
• Serial transfer, mimicking cyclic dehydration/rehydration, provides an evolutionary advantage in prebiotic scenarios.
• This cyclicity may promote evolution in primordial autocatalytic sets, potentially leading to early biology.