Crystallization as a selection force at the polymerization of nucleotides in a prebiotic context

0576584 - BFÚ 2024 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Šponer, Judit E. - Šponer, Jiří - Výravský, J. - Matyášek, Roman - Kovařík, Aleš - Dudziak, W. - Slepokura, K.
Crystallization as a selection force at the polymerization of nucleotides in a prebiotic context.
iScience. Roč. 26, č. 9 (2023), č. článku 107600. E-ISSN 2589-0042
R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GA22-25057S
Institutional support: RVO:68081707
Keywords : 3′,5′cGMP * 3′,5′cCMP (free acid) readily crystallize from nucleotide mixtures * Crystallization could sequester 3′,5′cGMP * 3′,5′cCMP from the prebiotic soup * 3′,5′cCMP and 3′,5′cGMP phase-separate upon dry-wet cycling
OECD category: Organic chemistry
Impact factor: 5.8, year: 2022
Method of publishing: Open access
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004223016772?via%3Dihub

Accumulation and selection of nucleotides is one of the most challenging problems surrounding the origin of the first RNA molecules on our planet. In the current work we propose that guanosine 3',5' cyclic mono phosphate could selectively crystallize upon evaporation of an acidic prebiotic pool containing various other nucleotides. The conditions of the evaporative crystallization are fully compatible with the subsequent acid catalyzed polymerization of this cyclic nucleotide reported in earlier studies and may be relevant in a broad range of possible prebiotic environments. Albeit cytidine 3',5' cyclic monophosphate has the ability to selectively accumulate under the same conditions, its crystal structure is not likely to support polymer formation.
Permanent Link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0349241