Models of Replicator Proliferation Involving Differential Replicator Subunit Stability.

ABSTRACT: Several models for the origin of life involve molecules that are capable of self-replication, such as self-replicating polymers composed of RNA or DNA or amino acids. Here we consider a hypothetical replicator (AB) composed of two subunits, A and B. Programs written in Python and C programming languages were used to model AB replicator abundance as a function of cycles of replication (iterations), under specified hypothetical conditions. Two non-exclusive models describe how a reduced stability for B relative to A can have an advantage for replicator activity and/or evolution by generating free A subunits. In model 1, free A subunits associate with AB replicators to create AAB replicators with greater activity. In simulations, reduced stability of B was beneficial when the replication acti

SUBMITTER: Li Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6237645 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature