Dynamic co-evolution of peptides and chemical energetics, a gateway to the emergence of homochirality and the catalytic activity of peptides.
We propose a scenario for the dynamic co-evolution of peptides and energy on the primitive Earth. From a multi component system consisting of hydrogen cyanide, several carbonyl compounds, ammonia, alkyl amine, carbonic anhydride, borate and isocyanic acid, we show that the reversibility of this system leads to several intermediate nitriles, that irreversibly evolve to alpha-amino acids and N-carbamoyl amino acids via selective catalytic processes. On the primitive Earth these N-carbamoyl amino acids combined with energetic molecules (NOx) may have been the core of a molecular engine producing peptides permanently and assuring their recycling and evolution. We present this molecular engine, a production example, and its various selectivities. The perspectives for such a dynamic approach to the emergence of peptides are evoked in the conclusion.
Organisation Moleculaire, Evolution & Matériaux Fluorés (UMR5073-CNRS), Département de Chimie, CC017, Université of Montpellier 2, F-34095 Montpellier Cedex 5, France. acommeyras@univ-montp2.fr
Auguste
A
Commeyras
Jacques
J
Taillades
Hélène
H
Collet
Laurent
L
Boiteau
Odile
O
Vandenabeele-Trambouze
Robert
R
Pascal
Alain
A
Rousset
Laurence
L
Garrel
Jean-Christophe
JC
Rossi
Jean-Philippe
JP
Biron
Olivier
O
Lagrille
Raphaël
R
Plasson
Eddy
E
Souaid
Grégoire
G
Danger
Franck
F
Selsis
Michel
M
Dobrijévic
Hervé
H
Martin
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D002384:Catalysis; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry*; D013237:Stereoisomerism
D000596:Amino Acids; D010455:Peptides