RNA droplets may have helped start life on Earth
It's one of the origins-of-life chicken-or-egg problems: How could RNA have helped give rise to the first cells before there were cells to contain it?
RNA droplets may have played a crucial role in the emergence of life on Earth, according to new research published in Nature Communications. The study, led by the University at Buffalo, reveals how a small chemical difference between RNA and DNA enables RNA to form liquid-like droplets more readily, particularly under high temperatures.
These condensates could have provided a protective environment for RNA molecules, increasing the chances of interaction and potentially shielding them from harsh conditions in the primordial soup. The key factor appears to be the presence of a 2′-hydroxyl group in RNA, which enhances interactions with magnesium ions and reduces hydration of the RNA backbone.
This property allows RNA to form gel-like networks, offering better protection than DNA or similar single-stranded DNA when exposed to environmental stressors. While RNA world theory suggests RNA played a central role in the origin of life, the study highlights how simple molecular changes can lead to complex self-organizing structures, potentially bridging the gap between simple molecules and the earliest forms of life.
Further research aims to engineer RNA droplets to perform basic cell functions, offering a pathway to designing all-RNA synthetic cells.
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