EFFECT OF CROSS-LINKS ON THE AUTOCATALYTIC POLYMERIZATION OF RNA-LIKECHAINS

In order to discuss some prebiotic stages, we present computer simulat ions assuming an autocatalytic polymerization of RNA-like chains from a random collection of oligomers in two dimensions through an equilibr ium process. In the simulations we consider the effect of the possible cross-links (non-specific weak bindings among or within the polymers) , that may actually contribute to the folded shape of some real polyme rs, and we show that cross-linking favors the appearance of larger pol ymers. Furthermore, we discuss the obtained scenario with regard to so me experimental results, which compare well with our numerical ones. ( C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.