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An autocatalytic network for ribozyme self-construction

The emergence of a primordial RNA world would have required the formation of RNA polymers of sufficient length to possess catalytic activities, which are difficult to obtain by spontaneous polymerization. An analysis of an autocatalytic assembly pathway that can self-construct a functioning ribozyme from smaller oligonucleotide building blocks describes a potential route for RNA extension.

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Figure 1: Model for the emergence of complex ribozymes in an RNA world.

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Seelig, B. An autocatalytic network for ribozyme self-construction. Nat Chem Biol 4, 654–655 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/nchembio1108-654

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