title: RNA tetraplex as a primordial peptide synthesis scaffold.
abstract: Peptide bond formation at the peptidyl transferase center on the ribosome is a crucial phenomenon in life systems. In this study, we conceptually propose possible roles of the RNA tetraplex as a scaffold for two aminoacyl minihelices that enable peptide bond formation. The basic rationale of this model is that "parallel" complementary templates composed of only 10-mer nucleotides can position two amino acids in close proximity, which is conceptually and essentially similar to the situation observed in ribosomes. Using supportive experimental data, we discuss the origin and evolution of peptide bond formation in early biological systems.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan.
authors.forename: Takuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Umehara
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kitagawa
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakazawa
authors.forename: Hinako
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoshino
authors.forename: Ryohei
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nemoto
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tamura
mesh_terms: D002942:Circular Dichroism; D024202:Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay; D031541:Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer; D010452:Peptide Biosynthesis; D012313:RNA / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D012313:RNA