Re: Article: RNA enzyme structure offers a glimpse into the origins

In article <etike3$15ab$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Tim Tyler <seemysig@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Robert Karl Stonjek quoted from
http://www.physorg.com/news93190714.html:

RNA enzyme structure offers a glimpse into the origins of life

Researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz, have determined the
three-dimensional structure of an RNA enzyme, or "ribozyme," that carries
out a fundamental reaction required to make new RNA molecules. Their results
provide insight into what may have been the first self-replicating molecule
to arise billions of years ago on the evolutionary path toward the emergence
of life.

In all forms of life known today, the synthesis of DNA and RNA molecules is
carried out by enzymes made of proteins. The instructions for making those
proteins are contained in genes made of DNA or RNA (nucleic acids). The
circularity of this process poses a challenge for theories about the origins
of life.

In a word, scaffolding - e.g.:

Refuting Michael Behe's "Irreducible Complexity" with Roman Arches

When it comes to ribosomes, Behe's fantasies were refuted well before
Behe got them, in 1970s, where it was shown that individual components
of ribosomes gradually contribute to the spontaneous polypeptide synthesis.

"Which came first, nucleic acids or proteins? This question once seemed an
intractable paradox, but with the discovery of ribozymes, it is now possible
to imagine a prebiotic 'RNA World' in which self-replicating ribozymes
accomplished both tasks," said William Scott, associate professor of
chemistry and biochemistry at UC Santa Cruz.

A *prebiotic* RNA world?!?

That would be 'prebiotic' in the sense used by the
yogurt drink manufacturers - and not in the sense of:

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=prebiotic

Bill uses the term as it is used by most biologists: prebiotic = precellular

DK

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: O.K. Heres one.
    ... that ribozymes about 100 bases long DO exist castrates his festering ... ribozymes to cleave their own genomic RNA to become infective). ... It does fold - BUT NOT ALL FOLDS GENERATE RIBOZYME ACTIVITIES. ... mRNA that doesn't fold ...
    (talk.origins)
  • Re: Article: RNA enzyme structure offers a glimpse into the origins
    ... Researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz, have determined the ... three-dimensional structure of an RNA enzyme, or "ribozyme," that carries ... out a fundamental reaction required to make new RNA molecules. ... intractable paradox, but with the discovery of ribozymes, it is now possible ...
    (sci.bio.evolution)
  • Re: O.K. Heres one.
    ... RNA, and you have a pathological need to bellow about things you don't ... Since the RNA genome encodes functional RIBOZYMES, then any mRNA ... when transcribing this *ORIGINAL* DNA. ...
    (talk.origins)
  • Re: O.K. Heres one.
    ... all RNA over a certain length be a ribozyme, ... That RNA genome is then converted yo DNA. ... That DNA encodes the *ORIGINAL* Ribozymes. ... Now when you transcribe the DNA into mRNA. ...
    (talk.origins)
  • Re: O.K. Heres one.
    ... RNA ribozymes, are touted as the enzymatical saviours of abiogenesis & ... Why would you expect mRNA to have enzymatic activity? ...
    (talk.origins)