Origins of the protein synthesis cycle

Abstract

Largely derived from experiments in molecular evolution, a theory of the origins of protein synthesis cycles has been constructed. The sequence begins with ordered thermal proteins resulting from the self-sequencing of mixed amino acids. Ordered thermal proteins then aggregate to cell-like structures. When they contained proteinoids sufficiently rich in lysine, the structures were able to synthesize offspring peptides. Since lysine-rich proteinoid (LRP) also catalyzes the polymerization of nucleoside triphosphate to polynucleotides, the same microspheres containing LRP could have synthesized both original cellular proteins and cellular nucleic acids. The LRP within protocells would have provided proximity advantageous for the origin and evolution of the genetic code.

Molecular selection in the roots of evolved life and mind

“…The type of thermal protein that is most active in catalyzing synthesis of peptide bonds from amino acids and ATP, and internucleotide bonds from mononucleotides, is the basic type [21,24]. It is active when dissolved in aqueous solution or in an aqueous suspension of phase-separated particles containing basic proteinoid.…”

“…That the laboratory protocells containing both basic and acidic proteinoids can catalyze the formation of both major kinds of macromolecular bond has been 24 FOX related to the origin of the genetic code [21,24,25]. These two cellular processes are manifestations of a single catalyst, basic proteinoid.…”

“…While nucleic acids and proteins contain transferrable information, we know of no nucleic acid [ 121 nor protein molecule that literally replicates itself [24].…”

“…That self-replication is a property literally possessed alone by nucleic acids is a presupposition devoid of experimental support, as can be seen in the statement of biochemist Komberg [ 1 I]. While nucleic acids and proteins contain transferrable information, we know of no nucleic acid [ 121 nor protein molecule that literally replicates itself [24].…”

Unidirectional circulation in a prebiotic photochemical cycle

“…Its relative merit as compared with other possibilities cannot well be judged at present due to our ignorance of major environmental factors of the prebiotic world (3,11,12). We present it here simply as a suggestion worthy of consideration.…”