title: Steps towards the formation of a protocell: the possible role of short peptides.
abstract: The paper deals with molecular self-organization leading to formation of a protocell. Plausible steps towards a protocell include: polymerization of peptides and oligonucleotides on mineral surfaces; coevolution of peptides and oligonucleotides with formation of collectively autocatalytic sets; self-organization of short peptides into vesicles; entrapment of the peptide/oligonucleotide systems in mixed peptide and simple amphiphile membranes; and formation of functioning protocells with metabolism and cell division. The established propensity of short peptides to self-ordering and to formation of vesicles makes this sequence plausible. We further suggest that evolution of a protocell produced cellular ancestors of viruses as well as ancestors of cellular organisms.
authors.affiliation: Evolving Systems Technology, 95 Hawkfield Crescent NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. mfishkis@telus.net
authors.forename: Maya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fishkis
mesh_terms: D002468:Cell Physiological Phenomena; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000378:metabolism; D010455:Peptides / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D009841:Oligonucleotides; D010455:Peptides