Origin of Life: Chiral Short RNA Chains Capable of Non-Enzymatic Peptide Bond Formation

Abstract

A semi-symmetric vestige of an RNA apparatus with stereochemically controlled ribozyme capabilities is embedded and functions as the site of peptide bond formation within all contemporary ribosomes, a finding that is in line with Lahav and Leiserowitz earlier discoveries on stereochemically controlled chemical reactions. As the structure of this semi-symmetrical self-folded RNA entity is almost fully conserved in all known ribosomes, it seems to be resilient to evolution, thus hinting at its pre-biotic origin and hence, suggested by us, to be the protoribosome. Recent studies, described shortly below, demonstrated peptide bond formation by the laboratory-designed protoribosomes, which supports the notion that a pre-biotic bonding entity is still functioning in all contemporary ribosomes.