Chen Xi, Li Na, Ellington Andrew D
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
Chem Biodivers. 2007 Apr;4(4):633-55. doi: 10.1002/cbdv.200790055.
In vitro selection has proven to be a useful means of explore the molecules and catalysts that may have existed in a primordial 'RNA world'. By selecting binding species (aptamers) and catalysts (ribozymes) from random sequence pools, the relationship between biopolymer complexity and function can be better understood, and potential evolutionary transitions between functional molecules can be charted. In this review, we have focused on several critical events or transitions in the putative RNA world: RNA self-replication; the synthesis and utilization of nucleotide-based cofactors; acyl-transfer reactions leading to peptide and protein synthesis; and the basic metabolic pathways that are found in modern living systems.
体外筛选已被证明是探索可能存在于原始“RNA世界”中的分子和催化剂的一种有用方法。通过从随机序列库中选择结合物种（适体）和催化剂（核酶），可以更好地理解生物聚合物复杂性与功能之间的关系，并描绘功能分子之间潜在的进化转变。在本综述中，我们重点关注了假定的RNA世界中的几个关键事件或转变：RNA自我复制；基于核苷酸的辅因子的合成和利用；导致肽和蛋白质合成的酰基转移反应；以及现代生命系统中发现的基本代谢途径。
