Publication details

Crystallization as a selection force at the polymerization of nucleotides in a prebiotic context

Authors

ŠPONER Judit E. ŠPONER Jiří VÝRAVSKÝ Jakub MATYÁŠEK Roman KOVAŘÍK Aleš DUDZIAK Wojciech ŚLEPOKURA Katarzyna

Year of publication 2023
Type Article in Periodical
Magazine / Source iScience
MU Faculty or unit

Faculty of Science

Citation
Web https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004223016772
Doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2023.107600
Keywords Natural sciences; Biological sciences; Biochemistry
Description Accumulation and selection of nucleotides is one of the most challenging problems surrounding the origin of the first RNA molecules on our planet. In the current work we propose that guanosine 3',5' cyclic mono phosphate could selectively crystallize upon evaporation of an acidic prebiotic pool containing various other nucleotides. The conditions of the evaporative crystallization are fully compatible with the subsequent acid catalyzed polymerization of this cyclic nucleotide reported in earlier studies and may be relevant in a broad range of possible prebiotic environments. Albeit cytidine 3',5' cyclic monophosphate has the ability to selectively accumulate under the same conditions, its crystal structure is not likely to support polymer formation.

You are running an old browser version. We recommend updating your browser to its latest version.

More info