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Omnipotent RNA
Author(s) -
Spirin Alexander S
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/s0014-5793(02)03434-8
Subject(s) - rna , rna world hypothesis , dna , abiogenesis , genetics , non coding rna , biology , computational biology , gene , ribozyme
The capability of polyribonucleotide chains to form unique, compactly folded structures is considered the basis for diverse non‐genetic functions of RNA, including the function of recognition of various ligands and the catalytic function. Together with well‐known genetic functions of RNA – coding and complementary replication – this has led to the concept of the functional omnipotence of RNA and the hypothesis that an ancient RNA world supposedly preceded the contemporary DNA–RNA–protein life. It is proposed that the Woese universal precursor in the ancient RNA world could be a cell‐free community of mixed RNA colonies growing and multiplying on solid surfaces.