How the discovery of ribozymes cast RNA in the roles of both chicken and egg in origin-of-life theories

Scientific theories about the origin-of-life theories have historically been characterized by the chicken-and-egg problem of which essential aspect of life was the first to appear, replication or self-sustenance. By the 1950s the question was cast in molecular terms and DNA and proteins had come to represent the carriers of the two functions. Meanwhile, RNA, the other nucleic acid, had played a capricious role in origin theories. Because it contained building blocks very similar to DNA, biologists recognized early that RNA could store information in its linear sequences. With the discovery in the 1980s that RNA molecules were capable of biological catalysis, a function hitherto ascribed to proteins alone, RNA took on the role of the single entity that could act as both chicken and egg. Within a few years of the discovery of these catalytic RNAs (ribozymes) scientists had formulated an RNA World hypothesis that posited an early phase in the evolution of life where all key functions were performed by RNA molecules. This paper traces the history the role of RNA in origin-of-life theories with a focus on how the discovery of ribozymes influenced the discourse.

► Article examines impact of ribozyme discovery on origins-of-life theorizing.
► RNA catalysis meant that one entity could store information and mediate metabolism.
► Discovery of ribozymes helped resolve issue of DNA vs. proteins in origins discourse.
► Discovery of ribozymes led to RNA World hypothesis as model for early life on Earth.
► Article discusses intellectual and experimental antecedents to RNA World hypothesis.