Can coacervation unify disparate hypotheses in the origin of cellular life?

• Published in: Current opinion in colloid & interface science Vol. 52; p. 101415
• Main Authors: Ghosh, Basusree, Bose, Rudrarup, Tang, T-Y. Dora
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-04-2021
• Subjects: Coacervates; Enzyme reactions; Evolution; Lipid vesicles; Multiphase droplets; Origin of Life; Partitioning; Protocell; Protometabolism; RNA-peptide world; Multiphase droplets; Protometabolism; Lipid vesicles; Coacervates; Protocell; Partitioning; Evolution; Origin of Life; RNA-peptide world; Enzyme reactions
• ISSN: 1359-0294; 1879-0399
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cocis.2020.101415

Here, we review the recent progress in the characterisation and utilisation of coacervates as protocell models in the origin of life studies. We provide evidence that coacervation could have played a unique role during the origin of life, based on its ability to form from a range of different prebiotically relevant molecules; partition solutes; support and alter RNA catalysis and readily deform its shape. We discuss how these properties could have been important for the formation of the first membrane-bound cells, supporting RNA-peptide evolution and primitive metabolism, and in replicating and proliferating by growth and division processes.
•Length and chemistry of molecules affect coacervate formation and stability.•New approaches to biophysical characterisation of coacervate droplets.•Role of coacervates in hypothetical lipid, RNA, peptide world.•Active coacervates as the basis for primitive metabolism, growth and division.