The RNA world hypothesis describes a stage in the early evolution of life in which RNA
served as genome and as the only genome-encoded catalyst. To test whether RNA world …

In support of the RNA world hypothesis, previous studies identified trimetaphosphate (Tmp)
as a plausible energy source for RNA world organisms. In one of these studies, catalytic …

The RNA world hypothesis describes a stage in the early evolution of life in which catalytic
RNAs mediated the replication of RNA world organisms. One challenge to this hypothesis is …

To explore how an early, RNA-based life form could have functioned, in vitro selection
experiments have been used to develop catalytic RNAs (ribozymes) with relevant functions …

Synthesis of RNA in early life forms required chemically activated nucleotides, perhaps in
the same form of nucleoside 5′-triphosphates (NTPs) as in the contemporary biosphere …

Here we report the in vitro selection of an unusual ribozyme that efficiently performs
nucleotide synthesis even though it was selected to perform a distinctly different sugar …

The RNA world hypothesis states that during an early stage of life, RNA molecules
functioned as genome and as the only genome-encoded catalyst. This hypothesis is …

Ribozymes can catalyze phosphoryl or nucleotidyl transfer onto ribose hydroxyls of RNA
chains. We report a single ribozyme that performs both reactions, with a nucleobase serving …

Ribozymes are widespread, and catalyze some extremely important reactions in the cell.
Mechanistically most fall into one of two classes, using either metal ions or general acid …

The structural complexity required for substrate recognition within an active site constrains
the evolution of novel catalytic functions. To evaluate those constraints within populations of …