作者:Katarzyna Adamala、Jack W. Szostak
DOI:10.1038/nchem.1650
日期:2013.6
The advent of Darwinian evolution required the emergence of molecular mechanisms for the heritable variation of fitness. One model for such a system involves competing protocell populations, each consisting of a replicating genetic polymer within a replicating vesicle. In this model, each genetic polymer imparts a selective advantage to its protocell by, for example, coding for a catalyst that generates a useful metabolite. Here, we report a partial model of such nascent evolutionary traits in a system that consists of fatty-acid vesicles containing a dipeptide catalyst, which catalyses the formation of a second dipeptide. The newly formed dipeptide binds to vesicle membranes, which imparts enhanced affinity for fatty acids and thus promotes vesicle growth. The catalysed dipeptide synthesis proceeds with higher efficiency in vesicles than in free solution, which further enhances fitness. Our observations suggest that, in a replicating protocell with an RNA genome, ribozyme-catalysed peptide synthesis might have been sufficient to initiate Darwinian evolution. Darwinian evolution involves competition between members of a population. Here, the synthesis of a hydrophobic dipeptide catalysed by a second dipeptide in a model protocell â a vesicle â is described. The reaction product partitions to the vesicle membrane, which grows by accumulating fatty acids derived from neighbouring vesicles. Thus, an encapsulated catalyst drives competition between the model protocells.
达尔文进化论的出现,要求出现适应性遗传变异的分子机制。这种系统的一种模式涉及相互竞争的原细胞群,每个原细胞群由复制囊泡中的复制基因聚合物组成。在这一模型中,每种基因聚合物通过编码产生有用代谢物的催化剂等方式,为其原细胞带来选择性优势。在这里,我们报告了这种新生进化性状的部分模型,该系统由含有二肽催化剂的脂肪酸囊泡组成,二肽催化剂可催化第二种二肽的形成。新形成的二肽与囊泡膜结合,增强了对脂肪酸的亲和力,从而促进了囊泡的生长。与自由溶液相比,二肽在囊泡中的催化合成效率更高,从而进一步提高了适应性。我们的观察结果表明,在具有 RNA 基因组的复制原细胞中,核糖酶催化的肽合成可能足以启动达尔文进化论。达尔文进化涉及种群成员之间的竞争。本文描述了一个疏水二肽在模型原细胞 "囊泡 "中由第二个二肽催化合成的过程。反应产物分化到囊泡膜上,囊泡膜通过积聚来自邻近囊泡的脂肪酸而生长。因此,封装催化剂推动了模型原细胞之间的竞争。