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Computational identification of obligatorily autocatalytic replicators embedded in metabolic networks

Kun, Ádám and Papp, Balázs and Szathmáry, Eörs (2008) Computational identification of obligatorily autocatalytic replicators embedded in metabolic networks. Genome Biology, 9 (3). R51. ISSN 1465-6906

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Abstract

Background If chemical A is necessary for the synthesis of more chemical A, then A has the power of replication (such systems are known as autocatalytic systems). We provide the first systems-level analysis searching for small-molecular autocatalytic components in the metabolisms of diverse organisms, including an inferred minimal metabolism. Results We find that intermediary metabolism is invariably autocatalytic for ATP. Furthermore, we provide evidence for the existence of additional, organism-specific autocatalytic metabolites in the forms of coenzymes (NAD+, coenzyme A, tetrahydrofolate, quinones) and sugars. Although the enzymatic reactions of a number of autocatalytic cycles are present in most of the studied organisms, they display obligatorily autocatalytic behavior in a few networks only, hence demonstrating the need for a systems-level approach to identify metabolic replicators embedded in large networks. Conclusion Metabolic replicators are apparently common and potentially both universal and ancestral: without their presence, kick-starting metabolic networks is impossible, even if all enzymes and genes are present in the same cell. Identification of metabolic replicators is also important for attempts to create synthetic cells, as some of these autocatalytic molecules will presumably be needed to be added to the system as, by definition, the system cannot synthesize them without their initial presence.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: Q Science / természettudomány > QH Natural history / természetrajz > QH301 Biology / biológia
Q Science / természettudomány > QH Natural history / természetrajz > QH301 Biology / biológia > QH3011 Biochemistry / biokémia
Q Science / természettudomány > QH Natural history / természetrajz > QH426 Genetics / genetika, örökléstan
Depositing User: Dr Ádám Kun
Date Deposited: 28 Oct 2014 11:01
Last Modified: 28 Oct 2014 11:01
URI: http://real.mtak.hu/id/eprint/17919

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