2007/04/01 by Carole Anastasi, Fabien F. Buchet, Michael A. Crowe +4 · 3 citations
Physics and Astronomy · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Origins and Evolution of Life #RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms #Protein Structure and Dynamics
paper · doi:10.1002/cbdv.200790060
openalex publication_date 2007/04/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Spectacular advances in structural and molecular biology have added support to the 'RNA world' hypothesis, and provide a mandate for chemistry to explain how RNA might have been generated prebiotically on the early earth. Difficulties in achieving a prebiotically plausible synthesis of RNA, however, have led many to ponder the question posed in the title of this paper. Herein, we review recent experimental work on the assembly of potential RNA precursors, focusing on methods for stereoselective C-C bond construction by aldolisation and related processes. This chemistry is presented in the context of a broader picture of the potential constitutional self-assembly of RNA. Finally, the relative accessibility of RNA and alternative nucleic acids is considered.