On the early evolution of RNA polymerase

A. Lazcano, J. Fastag, P. Gariglio, C. Ramírez, J. Oró

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48 Scopus citations

Abstract

The lines of evidence suggesting that RNA preceded double-stranded DNA as an informational macromolecule are briefly reviewed. RNA polymerase is hypothesized to have been one of the earliest proteins to appear. It is argued that an important vestige of the original enzyme is found in the contemporary eubacterial β′ subunit of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase and its homologues among the archaebacterial and eukaryotic enzymes. The evidence that supports a catalytic role in replicase activity of this polypeptide is reviewed. It is suggested that several characteristics of the Escherichia coli transcriptional apparatus are relatively recent evolutionary developments. The phylogenetic importance of the eubacterial β′ subunit from RNA polymerase and its homologues is emphasized, because it allows the study of the evolutionary relationships of the major cellular lines (eubacteria, archaebacteria, and eukaryotes) as well as of some viral lineages.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)365-376
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Molecular Evolution
Volume27
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1988
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Eubacterial DNA-dependent RNA polymerase β′ subunit
  • RNA polymerase
  • RNA prior to DNA
  • RNA-dependent RNA synthesis

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