Evolution of the RNA world: From signals to codes

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary Biology
• Synthetic Biology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Modern synthetic biology enhances understanding of prebiotic chemical evolution.
• The transition from the RNA World to the RNA-protein World is a key hypothetical stage.
• Biological codes offer a framework for viewing these evolutionary paths.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline key hypothetical stages of prebiotic evolution.
• To explore the emergence of translation, genetic codes, and regulatory networks.
• To connect modern biological codes to prebiotic evolutionary achievements.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis integrating evolutionary biology and synthetic biology findings.
• Application of the biological codes concept to prebiotic evolution.
• Review of proposed stages: RNA adaptors, primitive translation, signaling pathways, and regulatory networks.

Main Results:

• Prebiotic evolution likely involved RNA-based adaptors connecting distinct molecular families.
• Emergence of primitive translation with proto-transfer RNAs and adaptors between amino acids and codons.
• Development of RNA-based signaling pathways and regulatory networks, including riboswitches and signal sequences.

Conclusions:

• The evolution towards the RNA-protein World involved crucial steps like translation and genetic code emergence.
• RNA-based signaling molecules and regulatory networks were foundational to modern gene regulation.
• The diversity of modern biological codes has roots in prebiotic evolutionary events.