The dsRNA First Hypothesis for the Origin of Life
Author Information
Author(s): de Roos Albert DG
Primary Institution: Syncyte BioIntelligence, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Hypothesis
Modeling evolution on design-by-contract predicts an origin of Life through an abiotic double-stranded RNA world.
Conclusion
The study proposes that life may have originated from double-stranded RNA as an informational molecule, which later gave rise to catalytic single-stranded RNA.
Supporting Evidence
- Double-stranded RNA could be formed abiotically by hybridization of oligoribonucleotides.
- Thermal cycling could replicate dsRNA by separating and rehybridizing strands.
- Partial replication of dsRNA could produce the first template-based generation of catalytic ssRNA.
Takeaway
This study suggests that life might have started with double-stranded RNA, which then evolved into single-stranded RNA that could help make proteins.
Methodology
The hypothesis was tested by modeling the abiotic formation and replication of double-stranded RNA through thermal cycling and non-enzymatic processes.
Limitations
The model relies on the assumption that short ribonucleotide strands were available in prebiotic conditions, which is still debated.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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