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Unidirectional polymerization leading to homochirality in the RNA world

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2006

M. Nilsson ,
A. Brandenburg ,
A. C. Andersen  and
S. Höfner
M. Nilsson
Affiliation:
Nordita, Blegdamsvej 17, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark e-mail: [email protected] Department of Physical Resource Theory, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Göteborg, Sweden
A. Brandenburg
Affiliation:
Nordita, Blegdamsvej 17, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark e-mail: [email protected]
A. C. Andersen
Affiliation:
Nordita, Blegdamsvej 17, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark e-mail: [email protected]
S. Höfner
Affiliation:
Nordita, Blegdamsvej 17, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark e-mail: [email protected] Department of Astronomy & Space Physics, Uppsala University, Box 515, SE-751 20 Uppsala, Sweden
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Abstract

The differences between unidirectional and bidirectional polymerization are considered. The unidirectional case is discussed in the framework of the RNA world. Similar to earlier models of this type, where polymerization was assumed to proceed in a bidirectional fashion (presumed to be relevant to peptide nucleic acids), left- and right-handed monomers are produced via an autocatalysis from an achiral substrate. The details of the bifurcation from a racemic solution to a homochiral state of either handedness is shown to be remarkably independent of whether the polymerization is unidirectional or bidirectional. Slightly larger differences are seen when dissociation is allowed and the dissociation fragments are recycled into the achiral substrate.

Keywords

enantiomeric cross-inhibitionorigin of homochiralityRNA and DNA polymerization
Type
Research Article
Information
International Journal of Astrobiology , Volume 4 , Issue 3-4 , October 2005 , pp. 233 - 239
Copyright
2006 Cambridge University Press

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