[BCU Seminar] RNA-based ligation reactions driven by a microscale water cycle under CO2 atmosphere.

Biological Complexity Unit's internal seminar

Speaker: Leonie Karr, Ludwig Maximilian Universität

Title: RNA-based ligation reactions driven by a microscale water cycle under CO2 atmosphere.

Abstract:

In the so-called RNA world, RNA is hypothesized to act as both storage of genetic information as well as catalyst of chemical reactions. However, product inhibition by locking the template and product in double stranded form is a limiting factor. This problem is further aggravated by the high metal ion concentration needed for ribozymes to fold into their active form.

Conducting experiments in a prebiotically plausible non-equilibrium setting driven by temperature gradients can solve this problem: by mimicking a rock pore containing a water-CO2 interface that is subject to local changes of salinity and pH, it was possible to achieve strand separation of template and product strand. The ligating sunY ribozyme was able to complete RNA replication cycles of a hammerhead ribozyme that was separated from its template showing catalytic activity. This one-pot reaction thus represents a plausible early Earth setting achieving multiple rounds of RNA replication.

Zoom link: https://oist.zoom.us/j/91016289534?pwd=SlRpTE5OMU9pU25vZlBHcER2eGhkZz09

Meeting ID: 910 1628 9534

Passcode: 946584