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Template-directed synthesis of a genetic polymer in a model protocell

Author

Listed:
  • Sheref S. Mansy

    (Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA)

  • Jason P. Schrum

    (Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA)

  • Mathangi Krishnamurthy

    (Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA)

  • Sylvia Tobé

    (Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA)

  • Douglas A. Treco

    (Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA)

  • Jack W. Szostak

    (Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA)

Abstract

Origins of life: The first cell membranes The phospholipids that form the membranes of modern cells present a formidable barrier to polar and charged molecules, necessitating complex channels and pumps to permit the exchange of molecules with the external environment. This presents a problem when trying to imagine what a primitive cell would have looked like earlier in the evolution of life. With no transport machinery, how could simple cells take in complex nutrients? A possible answer comes in the form of a model 'protocell' produced by a team at Harvard. Fatty acids and their derivatives are attractive candidates as components of early protocell membranes as they are simple amphiphiles that form bilayer membrane vesicles. A proto-cell equipped with such a membrane is found to be able to take in charged molecules such as nucleotides, while retaining longer genetic polymers made from them inside.

Suggested Citation

  • Sheref S. Mansy & Jason P. Schrum & Mathangi Krishnamurthy & Sylvia Tobé & Douglas A. Treco & Jack W. Szostak, 2008. "Template-directed synthesis of a genetic polymer in a model protocell," Nature, Nature, vol. 454(7200), pages 122-125, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:454:y:2008:i:7200:d:10.1038_nature07018
    DOI: 10.1038/nature07018
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    Cited by:

    1. Shang Dai & Zhenming Xie & Binqiang Wang & Rui Ye & Xinwen Ou & Chen Wang & Ning Yu & Cheng Huang & Jie Zhao & Chunhui Cai & Furong Zhang & Damiano Buratto & Taimoor Khan & Yan Qiao & Yuejin Hua & Ruh, 2023. "An inorganic mineral-based protocell with prebiotic radiation fitness," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Hua Wu & Xuanlin Du & Xiaohui Meng & Dong Qiu & Yan Qiao, 2021. "A three-tiered colloidosomal microreactor for continuous flow catalysis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-8, December.

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