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RNA Pull-down Procedure to Identify RNA Targets of a Long Non-coding RNA

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Origin of Coding RNA from Random-Sequence RNA.

Gaspar Banfalvi¹

¹Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.

DNA and Cell Biology

|January 15, 2019

Summary

The unique structure of D-ribose, specifically its C2-OH group, favored the prebiotic formation of RNA over other nucleic acids, suggesting a single pathway for early life. This process involved random RNA formation and hydrolysis, providing nucleotides for genetic RNA synthesis.

Keywords:

abiotic RNA formation genetic RNA molecular modeling prebiotic RNA degradation reactions of ribose

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Area of Science:

Astrobiology
Organic Chemistry
Biochemistry

Background:

D-ribose and D-arabinose isomers differ in the C2-OH group's orientation, crucial for early biochemical reactions.
The C2-OH moiety's position, reactivity, and flexibility influenced the emergence and selection of RNA.
Prebiotic conditions lacked nucleotides and enzymes, necessitating alternative pathways for RNA formation.

Purpose of the Study:

To propose a hypothesis for the abiotic formation of random-sequence RNA.
To explain the selection of ribose over other sugars for early nucleic acid synthesis.
To elucidate the potential pathway from random RNA to genetic RNA.

Main Methods:

Hypothesizing based on the absence of prebiotic nucleotides and enzymes.
Proposing polymerization of ribose 5-phosphate units for backbone formation.
Analyzing the bonding interactions in the sugar-phosphate backbone and nucleobase attachment.

Main Results:

The steric configuration of D-ribose favored RNA synthesis, excluding other nucleic acid-based life.
A model for polarized ribose-phosphate backbone formation under abiotic conditions.
Random-sequence RNA formed and hydrolyzed to nucleotides, creating a pool for genetic RNA.

Conclusions:

The C2-OH group's stereochemistry was a key factor in selecting ribose for early life.
Abiotic RNA formation likely involved polymerization and subsequent hydrolysis.
This process potentially established the foundation for genetic RNA and subsequent life.