The ability to evolve is a key characteristic that distinguishes living things from non-living chemical compounds. The construction of an evolvable cell-like system entirely from non-living molecules has been a major challenge. In this study, we construct an evolvable artificial cell model from an assembly of biochemical molecules. The artificial cell model contains artificial genomic RNA that replicates through the translation of its encoded RNA replicase. We perform a long-term (600-generation) replication experiment using this system, in which mutations are spontaneously introduced into the RNA by replication error, and highly replicable mutants dominate the population according to Darwinian principles. During evolution, the genomic RNA gradually reinforces its interaction with the translated replicase, thereby acquiring competitiveness against selfish (parasitic) RNAs. This study provides the first experimental evidence that replicating systems can be developed through Darwinian evolution in a cell-like compartment, even in the presence of parasitic replicators.
Researcher Information
The Exploratory Research for Advanced Technology (ERATO),
Yomo Dynamical Micro-scale Reaction Environment Project
Journal Information
Authors: Norikazu Ichihashi, Kimihito Usui, Yasuaki Kazuta, Takeshi Sunami, Tomoaki Matsuura, and Tetsuya Yomo
Title: Darwinian evolution of a translation-coupled RNA replication system in a cell-like compartment.
doi: 10.1038/ncomms3494
Contact
[About Research]
Tetsuya Yomo Ph.D.
Professor, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology,
Osaka University
E-mail:
[About Program]
Tsuyoshi Nakamura
Department of Research Project
Japan Science and Technology Agency
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