The bubble theory: exploring the transition from first replicators to cells and viruses in a landscape-based scenario

TL;DR

This paper explores how viruses and cells may have originated from RNA-based replicators in a prebiotic environment.

Contribution

The study introduces a landscape-based scenario linking the emergence of cells and viruses from RNA replicons in a subterranean 'warm little pond'.

Findings

A prebiotic soup in a subterranean pond supported the first self-replicating entities.

Lipid bubbles created a suitable environment for replicons to evolve into cell-like and virus-like entities.

The hypothesis suggests a common origin for cells and viruses on water-rich rocky planets.

Abstract

This study proposes a landscape-based scenario for the origin of viruses and cells, focusing on the adaptability of preexisting replicons from the RNP (ribonucleoprotein) world. The scenario postulates that life emerged in a subterranean “warm little pond” where organic matter accumulated, resulting in a prebiotic soup rich in nucleotides, amino acids, and lipids, which served as nutrients for the first self-replicating entities. Over time, the RNA world, followed by the RNP world, came into existence. Replicators/replicons, along with the nutritious soup from the pond, were washed out into the river and diluted. Lipid bubbles, enclosing organic matter, provided the last suitable environment for replicons to replicate. Two survival strategies emerged under these conditions: cell-like structures that obtained nutrients by merging with new bubbles, and virus-like entities that developed various techniques to transmit themselves to fresh bubbles. The presented hypothesis provides the possibility for the common origin of cells and viruses on rocky worlds hosting liquid water, like Earth.

Figures