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The 3 31 Nucleotide tRNA Evolution Theorem and the Origin of Life
Version 1
: Received: 13 October 2023 / Approved: 16 October 2023 / Online: 17 October 2023 (11:01:52 CEST)
A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.
Lei, L.; Burton, Z.F. The 3 31 Nucleotide Minihelix tRNA Evolution Theorem and the Origin of Life. Life 2023, 13, 2224. Lei, L.; Burton, Z.F. The 3 31 Nucleotide Minihelix tRNA Evolution Theorem and the Origin of Life. Life 2023, 13, 2224.
Abstract
There are no theorems (proven theories) in the biological sciences. We propose that the 3 31 nt minihelix tRNA evolution theorem be universally accepted as one. The 3 31 nt minihelix theorem completely describes evolution of type I and type II tRNAs from ordered precursors (RNA repeats and inverted repeats). Despite diversification of tRNAome sequences, statistical tests overwhelmingly support the theorem. Furthermore, the theorem relates the dominant pathway for the origin of life on Earth, specifically, how tRNAomes and the genetic code may have coevolved. Alternate models for tRNA evolution (i.e., 2 minihelix, convergent and accretion models) are falsified. In the context of the pre-life world, tRNA was a molecule that via mutation could modify anticodon sequences and teach itself to code. We relate the clearest history to date of the chemical evolution of life on Earth. From analysis of tRNA evolution, ribozyme-mediated RNA ligation was a primary driving force in evolution of complexity during the pre-life to life transition on Earth.
Keywords
accretion model; convergent evolution model; divergent evolution model; folding of first proteins; genetic code evolution; origin of life; pseudosymmetry; ribozyme/primitive catalyst RNA ligation; type I and type II tRNA evolution
Subject
Biology and Life Sciences, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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