Simultaneous origin of homochirality, the genetic code and its directionality.
The origin of homochirality in molecules characterizing living systems has remained a mystery since Pasteur's recognition of the problem some 150 years ago.(2-5) Most theories also assume that homochirality emerged in one class of molecules (e.g. ribose) from which it was enriched in other molecules (e.g. amino acids) as well.(2-5)I propose a novel, experimentally testable hypothesis describing a process by which selective chirality in amino acids and ribonucleotides emerged simultaneously and hand-in-hand with the origin and directionality of the genetic code within a system of interactions involving amino acids, peptides, nucleotide bases, their sugars and polynucleotides.
Root-Bernstein
Robert
R
Department of Physiology, 2174 Biomedical and Physical Sciences Building, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA. rootbern@msu.edu
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005815:Genetic Code / Q000235:genetics*; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009711:Nucleotides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D013237:Stereoisomerism
D000596:Amino Acids; D009711:Nucleotides; D010455:Peptides