Revisiting the Extinction of the RNA World.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Origin of Life Studies
• Molecular Evolution

Background:

• The prevailing hypothesis suggests ribozymes evolved peptide synthesis due to amino acid catalytic superiority.
• RNA's polyanionic nature presents challenges for cellular integration and complex enzymatic functions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose an alternative hypothesis for the transition from the RNA world to the protein-DNA world.
• To investigate the role of RNA's charge in the limitations of early life.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical analysis of RNA and DNA chemical properties.
• Comparative study of phosphotriester formation stability in RNA and DNA.
• Evaluation of charge neutralization's impact on membrane integration and enzymatic activity.

Main Results:

• RNA's polyanionic charges, unneutralized by stable phosphotriester formation, hindered hydrophobic core development.
• These charges limited RNA's ability to integrate into membranes and perform complex enzymatic reactions.
• DNA's stable phosphotriester modification indicates charge neutralization was a critical evolutionary step.

Conclusions:

• RNA's inherent charge, rather than amino acid superiority, may have driven the extinction of riboorganisms.
• The evolution of proteins predates DNA, facilitated by overcoming RNA's charge limitations.
• Stable phosphotriester formation in DNA supports a protein-first evolutionary model.