Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2009, 10(4), 1838-1852; doi:10.3390/ijms10041838
Article

Coenzyme Autocatalytic Network on the Surface of Oil Microspheres as a Model for the Origin of Life

Alexei A. Sharovemail
Genetics Laboratory, National Institute on Aging, NIA/NIH / 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
Received: 17 February 2009; in revised form: 14 April 2009 / Accepted: 16 April 2009 / Published: 22 April 2009
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Origin of Life)
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Abstract: Coenzymes are often considered as remnants of primordial metabolism, but not as hereditary molecules. I suggest that coenzyme-like molecules (CLMs) performed hereditary functions before the emergence of nucleic acids. Autocatalytic CLMs modified (encoded) surface properties of hydrocarbon microspheres, to which they were anchored, and these changes enhanced autocatalysis and propagation of CLMs. Heredity started from a single kind of self-reproducing CLM, and then evolved into more complex coenzyme autocatalytic networks containing multiple kinds of CLMs. Polymerization of CLMs on the surface of microspheres and development of template-based synthesis is a potential evolutionary path towards the emergence of nucleic acids.
Keywords: Origin of life; coenzyme world; RNA world; hydrocarbon; coding relation

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MDPI and ACS Style

Sharov, A.A. Coenzyme Autocatalytic Network on the Surface of Oil Microspheres as a Model for the Origin of Life. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2009, 10, 1838-1852.

AMA Style

Sharov AA. Coenzyme Autocatalytic Network on the Surface of Oil Microspheres as a Model for the Origin of Life. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2009; 10(4):1838-1852.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sharov, Alexei A. 2009. "Coenzyme Autocatalytic Network on the Surface of Oil Microspheres as a Model for the Origin of Life." Int. J. Mol. Sci. 10, no. 4: 1838-1852.

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