Vlassov AV, Kazakov SA, Johnston BH, Landweber LF. The RNA World on Ice: A New Scenario for the Emergence of RNA Information.
J Mol Evol 2005;
61:264-73. [PMID:
16044244 DOI:
10.1007/s00239-004-0362-7]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2004] [Accepted: 04/08/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The RNA world hypothesis refers to a hypothetical era prior to coded peptide synthesis, where RNA was the major structural, genetic, and catalytic agent. Though it is a widely accepted scenario, a number of vexing difficulties remain. In this review we focus on a missing link of the RNA world hypothesis-primitive miniribozymes, in particular ligases, and discuss the role of these molecules in the evolution of RNA size and complexity. We argue that prebiotic conditions associated with freezing, rather than "warm and wet" conditions, could have been of key importance in the early RNA world.
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