Self-Replication of Hexadeoxynucleotide Analogues: Autocatalysis versus Cross-Catalysis

To pedal a replication bicycle (right) the “combinatorial” synthesis of four templates (AA′, BB′, AB′, BA′) from four components parts (A, A′, B, B′) is necessary. Two combinations yield a pair of complementary templates (AA′, BB′) that cross-catalyze each other's formation. The remaining combinations give self-complementary templates (AB′, BA′) that autocatalyze their own synthesis. As a second prerequisite, the molecular egotists AB′ or BA′ must not outcompete the molecular altruists AA′ and BB′.