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Origin of the simplest genetic code as an evolutionary stage of the Earth

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Abstract

The minimal set of conditions is found under which a primitive genetic code can be formed in the chemical world in which polypeptides and polynucleotides can be produced. Molecular modeling demonstrates that multiple cycles of synthesis and thermal destruction of biopolymers result in spontaneous complication of their structure. This evolutionary progressive complication of polypeptides and polynucleotides coding them results in certain specific functions of the polypeptides, which are similar to properties of enzymes. Computer simulations confirm the internal logical consistency of the simplified scenario suggested for the origin of a genetic code as a process of transferring information on the structure of biomolecules to the historical future, in spite of the continuous thermal decomposition of these structures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry (GEOKhI), Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia

    V. A. Dement’ev

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  1. V. A. Dement’ev
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Correspondence to V. A. Dement’ev.

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Original Russian Text © V.A. Dement’ev, 2018, published in Geokhimiya, 2018, No. 1, pp. 70–76.

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Dement’ev, V.A. Origin of the simplest genetic code as an evolutionary stage of the Earth. Geochem. Int. 56, 65–70 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0016702918010020

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0016702918010020

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