Modern views of ancient metabolic networks. Issue 8 (April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Goldford, Joshua E.; Segrè, Daniel
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in systems biology. Issue 8(2018)
• Page Start: 117
• Page End: 124
• Publication Date: 2018-04
• Subjects: Metabolism -- Evolution -- Network expansion -- Origin of life; Systems biology -- Periodicals; 570
• DOI: 10.1016/j.coisb.2018.01.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2452-3100

Abstract

Abstract: Metabolism is a molecular, cellular, ecological and planetary phenomenon, whose fundamental principles are likely at the heart of what makes living matter different from inanimate one. Systems biology approaches developed for the quantitative analysis of metabolism at multiple scales can help understand metabolism's ancient history. In this review, we highlight work that uses network-level approaches to shed light on key innovations in ancient life, including the emergence of proto-metabolic networks, collective autocatalysis and bioenergetics coupling. Recent experiments and computational analyses have revealed new aspects of this ancient history, paving the way for the use of large datasets to further improve our understanding of life's principles and abiogenesis. Highlights: Current and primordial cells are both collectively autocatalytic chemical networks. Metabolism is multiscale, and its history can be studied at the biosphere level. New experiments show how metabolism could operate prior to gene-coded enzymes. Chemical network principles and geochemical knowledge constrain ancient metabolism. Discovery opportunities exist at boundary of systems biology and origin of life.