Abstract:
This study proposes a landscape-based scenario for the origin of viruses and cells, focusing on the adaptability of preexisting replicons from the RNP (ribonucleoprotein) world. The scenario postulates that life emerged in a subterranean \"warm little pond\" where organic matter accumulated, resulting in a prebiotic soup rich in nucleotides, amino acids, and lipids, which served as nutrients for the first self-replicating entities. Over time, the RNA world, followed by the RNP world, came into existence. Replicators/replicons, along with the nutritious soup from the pond, were washed out into the river and diluted. Lipid bubbles, enclosing organic matter, provided the last suitable environment for replicons to replicate. Two survival strategies emerged under these conditions: cell-like structures that obtained nutrients by merging with new bubbles, and virus-like entities that developed various techniques to transmit themselves to fresh bubbles. The presented hypothesis provides the possibility for the common origin of cells and viruses on rocky worlds hosting liquid water, like Earth.
摘要:
这项研究为病毒和细胞的起源提出了一个基于景观的场景,专注于RNP(核糖核蛋白)世界中预先存在的复制子的适应性。该场景假设生命出现在地下“温暖的小池塘”中,有机物积聚在那里,产生富含核苷酸的益生元汤,氨基酸,和脂质,作为第一个自我复制实体的营养素。随着时间的推移,RNA世界,其次是RNP世界,出现了。复制者/复制子,还有池塘里的营养汤,被冲进河里稀释.脂质气泡,封闭有机物质,为复制子的复制提供了最后的合适环境。在这些条件下出现了两种生存策略:通过与新气泡合并获得营养的细胞样结构,和病毒样实体开发了各种技术来将自己传播到新鲜的气泡。提出的假设提供了在承载液态水的岩石世界上细胞和病毒共同起源的可能性,像地球一样。