One tiny chemical difference between RNA and DNA may help explain how life began
Researchers have discovered that a minor chemical difference between RNA and DNA explains how RNA forms protective, liquid-like droplets. These condensates may have provided the necessary environment for early life to develop before cellular membranes existed.
Why it matters
Understanding the origins of life helps scientists grasp the fundamental principles of molecular self-organization and biological evolution.
One of the biggest puzzles surrounding the origin of life is a classic chicken or egg problem: How could RNA have helped create the first cells when no cells yet existed to keep RNA contained?
Without cellular compartments, fragile RNA molecules would have faced major obstacles on the early Earth. They would have needed to encounter one another often enough to interact while also surviving a hot, acidic, and chemically challenging environment.
One possible solution is RNA's ability to gather into liquid-like droplets known as condensates. These structures do not have membranes, but they can concentrate RNA molecules in one place. That could have increased the chances for chemical interactions while also providing some protection from harsh surroundings.
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