Arai N, Kobayashi Y, Yasuoka K. A biointerface effect on the self-assembly of ribonucleic acids: a possible mechanism of RNA polymerisation in the self-replication cycle.
NANOSCALE 2020;
12:6691-6698. [PMID:
32163058 DOI:
10.1039/c9nr09537c]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Despite decades of intensive research, many questions remain on the formation and growth of the first cells on Earth. Here, we used computer simulation to compare the self-assembly process of ribonucleic acids in two environments: enclosed in a vesicle-cell membrane and in the bulk. The self-assembly was found to be more favoured in the former environment, and the origin of such a biointerface effect was identified. These results will contribute to a better understanding of the origin of life on the primitive Earth.
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