Nonenzymatic Recombination of RNA: Possible Mechanism for the Formation of Novel Sequences

Abstract

We report on the formation of novel RNA molecules in a recombination-like, nonenzymatic reaction proceeding in the complex of partially complementary RNA-oligonucleotides under very simple conditions. Analysis of the isolated products demonstrated that at least 5% of the formed linkages are of the (natural) 3',5'-phosphodiester type. We suggest that similar reactions could contribute to the development of the 'RNA world', but could also proceed in vivo within variously structured RNA or RNA complexes containing loops, bulges, or dangling ends, providing an emergence of novel RNA sequences.

82 Structural aspects of non-enzymatic recombination in viral RNA

“…Molecular Dynamics studies, focusing on the area surrounding the ligation site, have indicated multiple opportunities for recombination between model RNAs. Our results also suggest a preference in product formation, which reflects the experimental findings of Lutay et al (2007).…”

Inorganic Polyphosphate Modulates TRPM8 Channels

“…The emergence of longer RNA strings could have proceeded not only via polymerization but also through spontaneous rearrangements of RNA sequences that may progress in the absence of any enzymes or ribozymes [351][352][353]; such rearrangements may have dramatically accelerated evolution [57,354].…”

Ribozyme Activity of RNA Nonenzymatically Polymerized from 3′,5′-Cyclic GMP

“…Pioneering reports of RNA recombination have appeared [7][8][9][10][11][12]. With the possible exception of the systems described in [13][14][15], the reactions reported so far are not simple and robust enough to be of likely prebiotic relevance.…”