Exploring a Model for the Primordial RNA Replicase Based on the Ribosome

人们普遍认为，以RNA或类RNA生物聚合物为中心的生物系统先于现在占主导地位的含DNA、RNA和蛋白质的系统。然而，这个“RNA世界”现在与现代生物化学脱节，目前的理解并不清楚它是如何通过一系列连续的进化步骤产生现在的世界的。这项研究的目的是探索现代核糖体是原始RNA复制酶的分子化石的假设。在更广泛的意义上，这项研究旨在解决从假设的RNA有机体到最后的宇宙共同祖先(LUCA)的转变。为此，首席调查者的研究小组将探索目前执行碳心酰胺和酯键形成的核糖体是否也可以在同一活性部位进行以磷酸为中心的酯交换反应，这表明存在核酶样化学。该研究小组还将在现代翻译设备的背景下调查适配器介导的复制的结构合理性，而不是自Watson和Crick的早期工作以来一直主导的模板定向复制模型。该项目更广泛的影响在于，它通过正式的课程作业、指导和科学演示，努力加强与研究主题相关的大学和大学前科学教育。

It is widely believed that a biological system centered on RNA or RNA-like biopolymer, preceded the DNA-, RNA-, and protein-containing system that now dominates. However, this "RNA world" is now disjointed from modern biochemistry and current understanding does not make clear how it could have given rise to the present world through a continuous set of evolutionary steps. The purpose of this research is to explore the hypothesis that the modern ribosome is a molecular fossil of the primordial RNA replicase. In a broader sense, the research aims to address the transition from a hypothetical RNA organism to the Last Universal Common Ancestor (LUCA). To do this, the research group of the Principal Investigator will explore whether the ribosome that currently performs carbon-centered amide and ester bond formation can also perform phosphate-centered transesterification reactions indicative of ribozyme-like chemistry in the same active site. The research group will also investigate the structural plausibility of adaptor-mediated replication in the context of the modern translation apparatus rather than the template-directed replication model that has dominated since the early work of Watson and Crick. The broader impact of this project lies in its effort to enhance both university and pre-university science education related to the themes of the research, through formal coursework, mentoring, and science demonstrations.