Abstract
Life as we know it requires three basic types of polymers: polypeptide, polynucleotide, and polysaccharide. Here we evaluate both universal and idiosyncratic characteristics of these biopolymers. We incorporate this information into a model that explains much about their origins, selection, and early evolution. We observe that all three biopolymer types are pre-organized, conditionally self-complementary, chemically unstable in aqueous media yet persistent because of kinetic trapping, with chiral monomers and directional chains. All three biopolymers are synthesized by dehydration reactions that are catalyzed by molecular motors driven by hydrolysis of phosphorylated nucleosides. All three biopolymers can access specific states that protect against hydrolysis. These protected states are folded, using self-complementary interactions among recurrent folding elements within a given biopolymer, or assembled, in associations between the same or different biopolymer types. Self-association in a hydrolytic environment achieves self-preservation. Heterogeneous association achieves partner-preservation. These universal properties support a model in which life’s polymers emerged simultaneously and co-evolved in a common hydrolytic milieu where molecular persistence depended on folding and assembly. We believe that an understanding of the structure, function, and origins of any given type of biopolymer requires the context of other biopolymers.
Highlights
Chemical CousinsIn contrast to the usual approach of analyzing each biopolymer separately, we focus first on phenomena that are common to all biopolymers (Table 1)
Polymers are large molecules formed by covalently linking small monomers into chains
Biopolymers can persist for extended periods of time in nonequilibrium states via kinetic trapping; rates of degradation are reduced by folding and assembly
Summary
In contrast to the usual approach of analyzing each biopolymer separately, we focus first on phenomena that are common to all biopolymers (Table 1). We use the same nomenclature to describe a given phenomenon or characteristic without regard to the type of biopolymer
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