Reviving the RNA World: An Insight into the Appearance of RNA Methyltransferases

2016/06/06 by Ajay Kumar Rana, Serge Ankri · 2 citations
Physics and Astronomy · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Origins and Evolution of Life #RNA modifications and cancer #RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms

paper · pdf · doi:10.3389/fgene.2016.00099

openalex publication_date 2016/06/06 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23

Abstract

RNA, the earliest genetic and catalytic molecule, has a relatively delicate and labile chemical structure, when compared to DNA. It is prone to be damaged by alkali, heat, nucleases, or stress conditions. One mechanism to protect RNA or DNA from damage is through site-specific methylation. Here, we propose that RNA methylation began prior to DNA methylation in the early forms of life evolving on Earth. In this article, the biochemical properties of some RNA methyltransferases (MTases), such as 2'-O-MTases (Rlml/RlmN), spOUT MTases and the NSun2 MTases are dissected for the insight they provide on the transition from an RNA world to our present RNA/DNA/protein world.

Citations

• The stability of the RNA bases: Implications for the origin of life
• Self-Sustained Replication of an RNA Enzyme
• RNA-Catalyzed RNA Polymerization: Accurate and General RNA-Templated Primer Extension
• A general two-metal-ion mechanism for catalytic RNA.
• High Frequency of Horizontal Gene Transfer in the Oceans
• A Production of Amino Acids Under Possible Primitive Earth Conditions
• Organic Compound Synthesis on the Primitive Earth
• Prebiotic Chemistry and the Origin of the RNA World
• BASE FLIPPING

Cited by

• Methyltransferase [wikipedia]
• RNA world [wikipedia]