Peptides by activation of amino acids with CO on (Ni,Fe)S surfaces: implications for the origin of life.
In experiments modeling volcanic or hydrothermal settings amino acids were converted into their peptides by use of coprecipitated (Ni,Fe)S and CO in conjunction with H2S (or CH3SH) as a catalyst and condensation agent at 100 degreesC and pH 7 to 10 under anaerobic, aqueous conditions. These results demonstrate that amino acids can be activated under geochemically relevant conditions. They support a thermophilic origin of life and an early appearance of peptides in the evolution of a primordial metabolism.
Department for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, D-85747 Garching, Germany.
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D019342:Acetic Acid / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D049148:Aminoacylation; D000693:Anaerobiosis; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D002384:Catalysis; D004151:Dipeptides / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000737:chemistry; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007700:Kinetics; D009532:Nickel / Q000737:chemistry*; D000069497:Origin of Life; D010452:Peptide Biosynthesis; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D013816:Thermodynamics
D000596:Amino Acids; D004151:Dipeptides; D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; C005231:methylmercaptan; D009532:Nickel; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; C017558:nickel sulfide; D019342:Acetic Acid; C022597:ferrous sulfide; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide