We propose a model for the replication of primordial protocell genomes that builds upon recent advances in the nonenzymatic copying of RNA. We suggest that the original genomes consisted of collections of oligonucleotides beginning and ending at all possible positions on both strands of one or more virtual circular sequences. Replication is driven by feeding with activated monomers and by the activation of monomers and oligonucleotides in situ. A fraction of the annealed configurations of the protocellular oligonucleotides would allow for template-directed oligonucleotide growth by primer extension or ligation. Rearrangements of these annealed configurations, driven either by environmental fluctuations or occurring spontaneously, would allow for continued oligonucleotide elongation. Assuming that shorter oligonucleotides were more abundant than longer ones, replication of the entire genome could occur by the growth of all oligonucleotides by as little as one nucleotide on average. We consider possible scenarios that could have given rise to such protocell genomes, as well as potential routes to the emergence of catalytically active ribozymes and thus the more complex cells of the RNA World.

中文翻译：

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用于原始 RNA 复制的虚拟环状基因组模型

我们提出了一种原始原始细胞基因组复制模型，该模型建立在 RNA 非酶复制的最新进展之上。我们建议原始基因组由在一个或多个虚拟环状序列的两条链上的所有可能位置开始和结束的寡核苷酸集合组成。复制是由供给活化单体和原位活化单体和寡核苷酸来驱动的。原细胞寡核苷酸的退火构型的一小部分将允许通过引物延伸或连接进行模板指导的寡核苷酸生长。这些退火构型的重排，由环境波动驱动或自发发生，将允许寡核苷酸持续延伸。假设较短的寡核苷酸比较长的寡核苷酸更丰富，整个基因组的复制可以通过所有寡核苷酸平均仅增长一个核苷酸而发生。我们考虑了可能产生这种原始细胞基因组的可能情况，以及催化活性核酶出现的潜在途径，从而产生更复杂的 RNA 世界细胞。