Evolution without divergence and multiple ancestors of life (特集シンポジウム立体構造からみたタンパク質の進化)

概要

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Discrepancies among phylogenetic trees based on different biopolymers and morphology, as well as diversity of fundamental features in spite of general belief that most fundamental features are common to all forms of life, led us to propose a hypothesis that the major driving force for evolution is information exchanges among different species, rather than divergence of species resulting from accumulation of point mutations. Mutations are mainly responsible for the changes in the biopolymer sequences in different species. Examples of diversity in biochemical features of living things dealt with include such fundamental features as chirality of the membrane lipids, mechanisms to mature mRNAs, synthesis of aminoacyl-tRNAs, synthesis of isoprenoid precursors, coenzymes, etc. Admitting interspecies information exchanges as the driving force for evolution, the life is not necessarily originated from a single ancestor, but the possibilities of multiple ancestors have to be considered. Several hypotheses for the origin of life, which are consistent with multiple ancestors are presented.
2010-03-01