On the Role of Water as a Catalyst in Prebiotic Chemistry

ChemPhysChem ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 313-320
Author(s):  
José M. Saa ◽  
Antonio Frontera
Keyword(s):  
Prebiotic Chemistry

scholarly journals Gamma Irradiation of Aqueos Solution of L-Aspartic Acid, L-Aspartic Acid in Solid State, and L-Aspartic Acid Adsorbed into Na-Montmorillonite: Its Relevance in Chemistry Prebiotic

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-108
Author(s):  
A. Meléndez-López ◽  
M. F. García-Hurtado ◽  
J. Cruz-Castañeda ◽  
A. Negrón-Mendoza ◽  
S. Ramos-Bernal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Solid State ◽  
Aspartic Acid ◽  
Prebiotic Chemistry ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Energy Conditions ◽  
Gamma Radiolysis ◽  
The Stability

Aspartic acid is an amino acid present in the modern proteins, however, is considered a primitive amino acid hence its importance in prebiotic chemistry experiments studies. In some works of prebiotic chemistry have been studied the synthesis and the stability of organic matter under high energy sources, and the role of clays has been highlighted due to clays that can affect the reaction mechanisms in the radiolytic processes. The present work is focused on the study of the role of Namontmorillonite in the gamma radiolysis processes of L-aspartic acid. Gamma radiolysis processes were carried out in three different systems a) L-aspartic acid in aqueous solution; b) L-aspartic acid in solid-state; and c) L-aspartic acid adsorbed into Na-montmorillonite. L-aspartic acid was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography−electrospray ionization−mass spectrometry (HPLCESI-MS). The results showed that the decomposition of L-aspartic acid considerably decreased in the presence of clay thus highlighting the protector role of clays and favors the stability of organic matter even under the possible high energy conditions of primitive environments. The principal product ofgamma radiolysis of L-aspartic acid was succinic acid produced by deamination reaction. On the other hand, when aspartic acid was irradiated in solid-state the main product was the L-aspartic acid dimer. Both radiolysis products are important for chemical evolution processes for L-aspartic acid in primitive environments.

Energy Conservation via Thioesters in a Non-Enzymatic Metabolism-like Reaction Network

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elodie Chevallot-Beroux ◽  
Jan Gorges ◽  
Joseph Moran
Keyword(s):  
Prebiotic Chemistry ◽  
Reaction Network ◽  
Biochemical Networks ◽  
Biochemical Evolution ◽  
Top Down ◽  
The Core ◽  
Energy Flows ◽  
Oxidative Breakdown ◽  
Intermediary Role

<p><b>Life’s catabolic processes capture chemical energy from the oxidative breakdown of metabolites. In the catabolic pathways at the core of biochemistry, the oxidation of </b>α-<b>ketoacids or aldehydes is coupled to the synthesis of thioesters, whose energy-releasing hydrolysis is in turn coupled to the production of adenosine 5’-triphosphate (ATP). How these processes became linked before life emerged, and thus how the framework for modern bioenergetics was established, is a major problem for understanding the origins of biochemistry. The structure of biochemical networks suggests that the intermediary role of thioesters in biological energy flows, and their central role in biosynthesis, is a consequence of their entry into metabolism at the earliest stage of biochemical evolution. However, how thioesters could have become embedded within a metabolic network before the advent of enzymes remains unclear. Here we demonstrate non-enzymatic oxidant- or light-driven thioester synthesis from biological </b>α-<b>ketoacids and show it can be integrated within an iron-promoted metabolism-like reaction network. The thioesters obtained are those predicted to be pivotal in computational reconstructions of primitive biochemical networks (acetyl, malonyl, malyl and succinyl thioesters), demonstrating a rare convergence between top-down and bottom-up approaches to the origins of metabolism. The diversity and simplicity of conditions that form thioesters from core metabolites suggests the energetic link between thioester synthesis and catabolism was in place at the earliest stage of prebiotic chemistry, constraining the path for the later evolution of life’s phosphorus-based energy currencies.</b></p>

The role of sulfur in prebiotic chemistry

1986 ◽  
Vol 16 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 286-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amal Bhadra ◽  
Cyril Ponnamperuma
Keyword(s):  
Prebiotic Chemistry

scholarly journals UV-Induced Nanoparticles-Formation, Properties and Their Potential Role in Origin of Life

Nanomaterials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lukas Nejdl ◽  
Kristyna Zemankova ◽  
Martina Havlikova ◽  
Michaela Buresova ◽  
David Hynek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Dots ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Prebiotic Chemistry ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Inorganic Nanoparticles ◽  
Uv Exposure ◽  
Balloon Flight ◽  
Stratospheric Balloon ◽  
Reaction Surfaces

Inorganic nanoparticles might have played a vital role in the transition from inorganic chemistry to self-sustaining living systems. Such transition may have been triggered or controlled by processes requiring not only versatile catalysts but also suitable reaction surfaces. Here, experimental results showing that multicolor quantum dots might have been able to participate as catalysts in several specific and nonspecific reactions, relevant to the prebiotic chemistry are demonstrated. A very fast and easy UV-induced formation of ZnCd quantum dots (QDs) with a quantum yield of up to 47% was shown to occur 5 min after UV exposure of the solution containing Zn(II) and Cd(II) in the presence of a thiol capping agent. In addition to QDs formation, xanthine activity was observed in the solution. The role of solar radiation to induce ZnCd QDs formation was replicated during a stratospheric balloon flight.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document