The Ribofilm as a Concept for Life's Origins

Cell. 2015 Jul 2;162(1):13-5. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2015.06.038.

Abstract

Recent phylogenetic data indicating that the first archaea were methane-producing galvanizes cross-disciplinary evidence supporting the hypothesis that life arose via thermodynamically directed events at hydrothermal vents. The new developments lead us to propose the concept of a ribofilm in which RNA's origin-of-life role is more akin to a slowly changing platform than a spontaneous self-replicator.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Archaea / classification
  • Archaea / cytology
  • Archaea / genetics*
  • Archaea / metabolism*
  • Hydrothermal Vents / chemistry
  • Hydrothermal Vents / microbiology*
  • Methane / metabolism
  • Origin of Life*
  • Phylogeny
  • Proteins / chemistry
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • RNA / chemistry
  • RNA / metabolism
  • Thermodynamics

Substances

  • Proteins
  • RNA
  • Methane