Navigation Links
Simpler times: Did an earlier genetic molecule predate DNA and RNA?
Date:1/9/2012

this work is that TNA can fold into complex shapes that can bind to a desired target with high affinity and specificity". This feature suggests that in the future it may be possible to evolve TNA enzymes with functions required to sustain early life forms.

Nearly every organism on earth uses DNA to encode chunks of genetic information in genes, which are then copied into RNA. With the aid of specialized enzymes known as polymerases, RNA assembles amino acids to form essential proteins. Remarkably, the basic functioning of the genetic code remains the same, whether the organism is a snail or a senator, pointing to a common ancestor in the DNA-based microbial life already flourishing some 3.5 billion years ago.

Nevertheless, such ancestors were by this time quite complex, leading some scientists to speculate about still earlier forms of self-replication. Before DNA emerged to play its dominant role as the design blueprint for life, a simpler genetic world dominated by RNA may have prevailed. The RNA world hypothesis as it's known alleges that ribonucleic acid (RNA) acted to store genetic information and catalyze chemical reactions much like a protein enzyme, in an epoch before DNA, RNA and proteins formed the integrated system prevalent today throughout the living world.

While the iconic double helix of DNA is formed from two complimentary strands of nucleotides, attached to each other by base pairing in a helical staircase, RNA is single-stranded. The two nucleic acids DNA and RNA are named for the type of sugar complex that forms each molecule's sugar-phosphate backbonea kind of molecular thread holding the nucleotide beads together.

Could a simpler, self-replicating molecule have existed as a precursor to RNA, perhaps providing genetic material for earth's earliest organisms? Chaput's experiments with the nucleic acid TNA provide an attractive case. To begin with, TNA uses tetrose sugars, named for the four-carbon ring porti
'/>"/>

Contact: Joseph Caspermeyer
Joseph.Caspermeyer@asu.edu
Arizona State University
Source:Eurekalert

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2 3 4

Related biology news :

1. Simpler woodland strawberry genome aids research on more complex fruits
2. Simpler way of making proteins could lead to new nanomedicine agents
3. Health diagnosis made simpler
4. Compound screening for drug development made simpler
5. Just like old times: Generating RNA molecules in water
6. From heterogeneous patient measurements towards earlier diagnosis in Alzheimers disease
7. Hysterectomy increases risk for earlier menopause among younger women
8. UCLA researchers develop system that finds prostate cancer spread earlier than conventional imaging
9. When you can recite a poem but not remember who asked you to learn it a few days earlier
10. New understanding of biomarkers could lead to earlier diagnosis of fatal diseases
11. China fossil shows bird, crocodile family trees split earlier than thought
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
(Date:5/23/2013)... (May 23, 2013) A new report from ... for helping pupils engage in at least 60 minutes ... day. , No more than half of American youth ... of vigorous or moderate intensity physical activity daily, according ... "Because children are in school for nearly half of ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... Publishing in Neuron , the team reveal the ... in work funded by the Wellcome Trust and BBSRC. ... external stimuli we improve our perceptual abilities. While these ... they can also affect the fidelity of that response. ... Visual Neuroscience explains: "When you communicate with others, you ...
(Date:5/22/2013)... to improve durability in fuel cell powered buses, ... discovered links between electrode degradation processes and bus ... effects of electrode degradation stressors in the operating ... , The findings of the study, led by ... in a long-term study at Burnaby-based Ballard Power ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Schools should provide students with daily physical activity, IOM recommends 2Tests lead to doubling of fuel cell life 2
... biochemistry is how proteins recognize "correct" interaction partners in ... critical to know than in the brain, where interactions ... A team of biologists at the Salk Institute for ... regulates availability of a brain channel that modulates neuronal ...
... March 22, 2011 BGI (previously known as the ... world, announced its participation and pivotal role in the ... systematically determine the functional and evolutionary diversity of microbial ... planet and mankind. Unlike past microbial studies ...
... are transfused in the US every year. Routine blood screening ... C, HIV types 1 and 2, and syphilis, but not ... to chronic fatigue syndrome. A symposium at the New York ... in the testing and screening of the blood supply, diagnose ...
Cached Biology News:Salk scientists crack molecular code regulating neuronal excitability 2Salk scientists crack molecular code regulating neuronal excitability 3BGI to Play Pivotal Sampling, Next-Generation Sequencing and Bioinformatics Role in Earth Microbiome Project 2BGI to Play Pivotal Sampling, Next-Generation Sequencing and Bioinformatics Role in Earth Microbiome Project 3BGI to Play Pivotal Sampling, Next-Generation Sequencing and Bioinformatics Role in Earth Microbiome Project 4
(Date:5/23/2013)... May 23, 2013 On April 19th ... to supermarkets to search for the growing antibiotic resistant ... Results from a year long study were released late ... foods, specifically meats, over previous years. For those suffering ... growth of antibiotic resistant bacteria in food, may eventually ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... EASTON, Mass. , May 23, 2013 ... today announced that the Company will host a teleconference ... to provide a business update. The teleconference information is ... Time: 11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) ... ); (302) 607-2001 (Int,l) Passcode: VS22823 ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... 23, 2013 SynCardia Systems, Inc. ( ... FDA, Health Canada and CE (Europe) approved Total Artificial ... Scotland, which boasts more than 380,000 visitors annually, is ... powered by the Freedom® portable driver as part of ... advanced exhibitions of its kind. , “BodyWorks combines ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... May 23, 2013 Watlow®, an ... complete thermal systems, recently introduced its new catalog, ... of experience in designing and manufacturing industrial heaters, ... products to serve diverse customer needs. , A ... at the beginning of the book. These options ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Acne Cream, Probiotic Action Shares News on How Some Food may Breed Acne Causing Bacteria 2Pressure BioSciences, Inc. to Discuss First Quarter 2013 Financial Results and Provide Business Update 2SynCardia Total Artificial Heart Featured in $3 Million Exhibition at Glasgow Science Centre 2SynCardia Total Artificial Heart Featured in $3 Million Exhibition at Glasgow Science Centre 3Watlow Introduces Its New Industrial Heater Catalog 2
... 15 BioMed Realty Trust, Inc.,(NYSE: BMR ) today ... 2008 dividend of $0.335 per share of common stock. The,dividend ... share., BioMed also announced that its board of directors ... 7.375% Series A Cumulative,Redeemable Preferred Stock for the period from ...
... division of Nycomed,US Inc., today announced the FDA ... formulation compares to Taro,s Referenced Listed Drug (RLD),and ... # 0168-0133-15), 30g tubes,(NDC # 0168-0133-30) and 45g ... Clotrimazole Cream is another illustration of,Fougera,s robust product ...
... HAYWARD, Calif., Sept. 12 Acologix, Inc., a ... two,preclinical studies demonstrating that AC-100, its therapeutic product,candidate ... bone and,dental cells, promotes cartilage regeneration in large ... Catherine A. Middleton-Hardie on September,13, 2008 at the ...
Cached Biology Technology:BioMed Realty Trust Declares Third Quarter 2008 Common Stock and Preferred Stock Dividends 2Acologix Presents Preclinical Data on Cartilage Regeneration by AC-100 at the 30th ASBMR Annual Meeting 2Acologix Presents Preclinical Data on Cartilage Regeneration by AC-100 at the 30th ASBMR Annual Meeting 3
Goat polyclonal to XAGE1 ( Abpromise for all tested applications). Antigen: Synthetic peptide: CGFGFRRQGEDNT, corresponding to C terminal amino acids 149-160 of Human XAGE1 Entrez Gene ID: 9...
MDMA Mouse Monoclonal Antibody (Clone 3G8)...
... Immunogen: ... region encompassing the human, mouse, ... Accession Number: ... Assurance: Routinely evaluated by ...
TTC4 Antibody...
Biology Products: