Drawbacks of the ancient RNA-based life-like system under primitive earth conditions

Following the discovery of ribozymes, the “RNA world” hypothesis has become the most accepted hypothesis concerning the origin of life and genetic information. However, this hypothesis has several drawbacks. Verification of the hypothesis from different viewpoints led us to proposals from the viewpoint of the hydrothermal origin of life, solubility of RNA and related biopolymers, and the possibility of creating an evolutionary system comparable to the in vitro selection technique for functional RNA molecules based on molecular biology.

► I summarize the chemical requisites for the RNA-based life-like system. ► Solubility of RNA under hydrothermal condition is an important factor. ► RNA-based evolutionary system should be created from entirely prebiotic molecules. ► Prebiotic replication is a key reaction for an in vitro RNA world.