Sub-exponential growth and coexistence of non-enzymatically replicating templates.
The experimentally reported kinetic behaviour (sub-exponential but supra-linear growth) of non-enzymatic template replication is incorporated into a simple model of template competition. Sub-exponential growth is shown to lead to coexistence invariably. Thus coexistence of different non-enzymatically replicating sequences is predicted. This type of coexistence could have been important in maintaining a sufficient diversity of RNA modules used later to build functional molecules such as ribozymes. Experimental tests of this theoretical prediction are possible.
Szathmáry
E
E
Department of Plant Taxonomy and Ecology, Roland Eötvös University, Budapest, Hungary.
Gladkih
I
I
D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012313:RNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013698:Templates, Genetic
D012313:RNA