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DNA-Tethered RNA Polymerase for Programmable In vitro Transcription and Molecular Computation
Published on: December 29, 2021
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Evolution towards increasing complexity through functional diversification in a protocell model of the RNA world
Suvam Roy1, Supratim Sengupta1
1Department of Physical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur-741246, India.
Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|November 17, 2021
Summary
Protocells with diverse ribozymes evolved in an RNA world. Our model shows conditions that enhance ribozyme variety, enabling functionally diverse protocells to dominate and increasing complexity towards the origin of life.
Area of Science:
- Origin of Life Studies
- Astrobiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Protocell formation in an RNA world involved encapsulating genetic material and developing internal components.
- RNA within lipid vesicles can grow and divide via physical processes, with replication producing numerous RNA strands.
Purpose of the Study:
- To model the evolution of protocells with functionally diverse ribozymes.
- To investigate the impact of RNA replication on ribozyme emergence and protocell population evolution.
Main Methods:
- Developed a model for protocell evolution incorporating error-prone RNA replication via the rolling circle mechanism.
- Identified conditions that promote synergistic increases in ribozyme diversity within protocells.
Main Results:
- Distinct ribozymes can arise with low probability during RNA replication.
- Identified conditions that enhance the number and diversity of ribozymes within protocells.
- Functionally diverse protocells containing multiple ribozymes were shown to dominate the population.
Conclusions:
- Demonstrated an effective pathway for increasing protocell complexity.
- This pathway may have contributed to the origin of life in an RNA world.
- Highlights the importance of ribozyme diversity in early protocell evolution.
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