Catalytic RNA and the origin of genetic systems

Angus I. Lamond, Toby J. Gibson

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    22 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The recent discovery of catalytic RNA molecules has provoked enormous interest in the origin of life and has given rise to new speculations about how living systems developed on the primitive earth. Here we outline why the discovery of catalytic RNA molecules has profound evolutionary implications, and then go on to discuss models for the emergence of metabolic complexity and protein synthesis in a primitive 'RNA world', emphasizing the constraints imposed on such models by genetical arguments.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)145-149
    Number of pages5
    JournalTrends in Genetics
    Volume6
    Issue numberC
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1990

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Genetics

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