Simulating the origins of life: The dual role of RNA replicases as an obstacle to evolution

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180827
• Publication Date: 2017-07-10T13:44:36Z
• Authors: Natalia Szostak; Jaroslaw Synak; Marcin Borowski; Szymon Wasik; Jacek Blazewicz
• Keywords: RNA world hypothesis

Despite years of study, it is still not clear how life emerged from inanimate matter and evolved into the complex forms that we observe today. One most recognized hypotheses for origins life, RNA World hypothesis, assumes was sparked by prebiotic replicating chains. In this paper, address problems caused interplay between hypothetical replicases parasitic species. We consider coexistence parasite RNAs as well impact parasites on further evolution replicases. For these purposes, used multi-agent modeling techniques allow realistic assumptions regarding movement spatial interactions modeled The general model in study based work Takeuchi Hogeweg. Our results confirm possible a spatially extended system, even if take consideration more than However, also showed presence trade-off takes account an folding process could pose serious obstacle to replication. conclude might be cause one greatest transitions took place early evolution-the separation function DNA templates protein enzymes, with central role