Life may have emerged twice from a single ancient genetic code
In short: Did life start once, or twice? New research suggests that while our genetic code might be ancient, the transition into free-living cells happened independently in two different lineages.
Evidence suggesting that free-living cells might have emerged on two separate occasions was discovered by a team at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf's Institute of Molecular Evolution. By tracing enzyme origins during the earliest split between bacteria and archaea, the team suggests that pioneer bacteria and pioneer archaea may have independently moved from hydrothermal vents into free-living existence.
The study focuses on the metabolic network—a set of 420 chemical reactions—used to manufacture amino acids, RNA bases, and vitamins from early Earth materials like hydrogen gas, ammonia, and CO2. This metabolic framework is as universally conserved as the genetic code itself. This study offers a glimpse into how enzyme-driven metabolism developed from metal-catalyzed spontaneous reactions occurring within the Earth's crust.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: New Experimental Evidence: How Life Formed Before Cells
- Also: Scientists find evidence for two origins of life on Earth
- Also: Two origins of life: Free-living cells may have emerged twice as bacteria and archaea diverged
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