Whether RNA is the original molecule of life or evolved from less optimal precursors, it likely played a key role in establishing life on Earth. It is interesting to consider the ultimate selection of each of the components of RNA. In particular, we are fascinated and puzzled by the inclusion of guanosine monophosphate (GMP) among the four ribonucleotides. This is because GMP exhibits unique, reversible self-aggregation to form H-bonded tetrads that are building blocks of higher-order structures. Given this competing pathway for GMP, did it come to be one of the four ribonucleotides in RNA in spite of, or because of, its unique properties? We hypothesize that the answer is �because of�, and furthermore, that GMP on prebiotic earth served to direct nucleotide polymerization toward those sequences best suited to establishment of life. This talk will focus on our rationale for this hypothesis and our efforts to test it.

Why G? The curious case of a self-assembling nucleobase in a prebiotic RNA world scenario

245th National Meeting (2013)

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