RNA played a central role in the emergence of the first life-like system on primitive Earth since RNA molecules contain both genetic information and catalytic activity. However, there are several drawbacks regarding the RNA world hypothesis. Here, I briefly discuss the feasibility of the RNA world hypothesis to deduce the RNA functions that are essential for forming a life-like system. At the same time, I have conducted a conceptual analysis of the characteristics of biosystems as a useful approach to deduce a realistic life-like system in relation to the definition of life. For instance, an RNA-based life-like system should possess enough stability to resist environmental perturbations, by developing a cell-like compartment, for instance. Here, a conceptual viewpoint is summarized to provide a realistic life-like system that is compatible with the primitive Earth environment and the capabilities of RNA molecules. According to the empirical and conceptual analysis, I propose the hypothesis that the first life-like system could have initiated from only two genes.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5041005 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/life6030029 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Cytoskeleton-functionalized synthetic cells with life-like mechanical features and regulated membrane dynamicity.
Nat Chem
January 2025
Department of Bio-Organic Chemistry, Institute of Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
The cytoskeleton is a crucial determinant of mammalian cell structure and function, providing mechanical resilience, supporting the cell membrane and orchestrating essential processes such as cell division and motility. Because of its fundamental role in living cells, developing a reconstituted or artificial cytoskeleton is of major interest. Here we present an approach to construct an artificial cytoskeleton that imparts mechanical support and regulates membrane dynamics.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProgramming scheduled self-assembly of circadian materials.
Nat Commun
January 2025
Department of Physics and Biophysics, University of San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA.
Active biological molecules present a powerful, yet largely untapped, opportunity to impart autonomous regulation of materials. Because these systems can function robustly to regulate when and where chemical reactions occur, they have the ability to bring complex, life-like behavior to synthetic materials. Here, we achieve this design feat by using functionalized circadian clock proteins, KaiB and KaiC, to engineer time-dependent crosslinking of colloids.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA possible origin of life in nonpolar environments.
Biosystems
December 2024
University of Maribor, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Koroška Cesta 160, 2000, Maribor, Slovenia; University of Maribor, Faculty of Medicine, Taborska ulica 8, 2000, Maribor, Slovenia. Electronic address:
Explaining the emergence of life is perhaps the central and most challenging question in modern science. We are proposing a new hypothesis concerning the origins of life. The new hypothesis is based on the assumption that during the emergence of life, evolution had to first involve autocatalytic systems which only subsequently acquired the capacity of genetic heredity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF3D extrusion bioprinting of microbial inks for biomedical applications.
Adv Drug Deliv Rev
December 2024
Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, 1230 Washington Street, Blacksburg 24061, USA; Macromolecular Innovation Institute, Virginia Tech, 240 W Campus Dr, Blacksburg 24060, USA. Electronic address:
In recent years, the field of 3D bioprinting has witnessed the intriguing development of a new type of bioink known as microbial inks. Bioinks, typically associated with mammalian cells, have been reimagined to involve microbes, enabling many new applications beyond tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. This review presents the latest advancements in microbial inks, including their definition, types, composition, salient characteristics, and biomedical applications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEvolving Emulsion Microcompartments via Enzyme-Mimicking Amyloid-Mediated Interfacial Catalysis.
Small
December 2024
State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Key Lab of Biomedical Materials of Natural Macromolecules (Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Ministry of Education), Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China.
Living organisms take in matter and energy from their surroundings, transforming these inputs into forms that cells can use to sustain metabolism and power various functions. A significant advancement in the development of protocells and life-like materials has been the creation of cell-like microcompartments capable of evolving into higher-order structures characterized by hierarchy and complexity. In this study, a smart emulsion system is designed to digests chemical substrates and generates organic or inorganic products, driving the self-organization and structuration of microcompartments.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!