Experimental data suggest that four billion years ago amino acids, purines and pyrimidines could be present in prebiotic soup. Non- enzymatic synthesis of peptides and RNA is possible. RNA can act as replicators and catalysts. Ribonucleic acids are very likely to be recognized as the molecules that gave rise to life. Riboorganisms used amino acids for the synthesis of purine and pyrimidine rings. They developed genetic code and translation. First proteins were used to create channels across phospholipid membranes and to stabilize ribozymes. Ribonucleoproteins containing catalytic RNA can be regarded as relicts from RNA World.
Z. Szweykowska-Kulinska, Zaklad Ekspresji Genow, Instytut Biologii Molekularnej i Biotechnologii, Uniwersytet im. Adama Mickiewicza, ul. Miedzychodzka 5, 60-371 Poznan, Poland