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Unidirectional polymerization leading to homochirality in the RNA world

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2006

M. Nilsson
Affiliation:
Nordita, Blegdamsvej 17, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark e-mail: mnilsson@nordita.dk Department of Physical Resource Theory, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Göteborg, Sweden
A. Brandenburg
Affiliation:
Nordita, Blegdamsvej 17, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark e-mail: mnilsson@nordita.dk
A. C. Andersen
Affiliation:
Nordita, Blegdamsvej 17, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark e-mail: mnilsson@nordita.dk
S. Höfner
Affiliation:
Nordita, Blegdamsvej 17, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark e-mail: mnilsson@nordita.dk Department of Astronomy & Space Physics, Uppsala University, Box 515, SE-751 20 Uppsala, Sweden

Abstract

The differences between unidirectional and bidirectional polymerization are considered. The unidirectional case is discussed in the framework of the RNA world. Similar to earlier models of this type, where polymerization was assumed to proceed in a bidirectional fashion (presumed to be relevant to peptide nucleic acids), left- and right-handed monomers are produced via an autocatalysis from an achiral substrate. The details of the bifurcation from a racemic solution to a homochiral state of either handedness is shown to be remarkably independent of whether the polymerization is unidirectional or bidirectional. Slightly larger differences are seen when dissociation is allowed and the dissociation fragments are recycled into the achiral substrate.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2006 Cambridge University Press

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