Besides, as it will be shown later they are the main constituents of
chromatin in the chromosomes — bearers of heredity and instrument for
distributing genetic material in cell divisions.
In the Prologue of the Russian translation of the remarkable book
“Molecular Biology of the Cell” Alberts et al. (1986) have noted: ”When the
dominating role of DNA has already been established, the feeling cropped up
that upon understanding the structure and function of nucleic acids we have
comprehended the essence of the living state and that the greatest mysteries
of biology have been unveiled… This view is not however shared by us”.
The stated by the authors of the book conforms with the existing
understanding of the exceptional intricacy of life whose “secrets” are so deeply
encryptioned that is impossible for many of them to be yet deciphered. In the
search of ways and approaches for their disclosure only two issues that are of
vital importance for the “white spots” erasure will be considered.
Can Proteins Self-Reproduce?
Let the posing of this question not raise alarm. Its importance lies mainly in
the initial stages of biological evolution. Some authors tend to leave it
without the due consideration, while others would state their outright
dissent. Being raised in the same categorical manner in the
above-mentioned book of Eigen (1973) it has got a negative answer. And yet, at
the end of his conclusion the author has remarked: “As far as proteins in
their being self-reproductive molecules display advantages as well as
shortcomings this problem ought to be surveyed in a greater detail”.
The slightly open door left by Eigen lets in those who share an opinion
differing from the one imposed by the so-called Central dogma in biology
that has postulated the dominant role of nucleic acids in protein synthesis.
For example, the easy obtaining of amino acids and their polymerization in
conditions resembling the prebiological ones existing on the Earth has led
some researchers (Dose, 1974; Fox, Dose, 1977; Dyson, 1982; Kauffman,
1986) to the idea that primitive replication mechanisms have existed in
polypeptides.
In another article Fox (1975) forwards the following scenario for the
initial steps of the primary living systems: “At the initial stage the question is
posed in the following manner: which information molecule has cropped up
first? It is not obligatory for the macromolecule to be a nucleic acid in order
to be an information one. Experiments at high temperatures give an answer
to this question: proteinoids (not proteins) are primary since as such
polymers they have possessed a high inner orderliness and catalytic
activities as well. The proto-cell formed by such a polymer would have been
capable of self-reproduction at the pre-cell level. Proto-nucleic acids have
emerged at a second stage. They have bound to the basic proto-proteins
(proteinoids) thus forming proto-ribosomes. At the third stage proteins and
nucleic acids have been formed approximately at the same time. Protein