Prebiotic selection for motifs in a model of template-free elongation of polymers within compartments.

ABSTRACT: The transition from prelife where self-replication does not occur, to life which exhibits self-replication and evolution, has been a subject of interest for many decades. Membranes, forming compartments, seem to be a critical component of this transition as they provide several concurrent benefits. They maintain localized interactions, generate electro-chemical gradients, and help in selecting cooperative functions as they arise. These functions pave the way for the emergence and maintenance of simple metabolic cycles and polymers. In the context of origin of life, evolution of information-carrying molecules and RNA based enzymes within compartments has been subject to intensive theoretical and experimental research. Hence, many experimental efforts aim to produce compartments that contain

SUBMITTER: Kinsler G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5516967 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature