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.
Commeyras
Auguste
A
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
Taillades
Jacques
J
Collet
Hélène
H
Boiteau
Laurent
L
Vandenabeele-Trambouze
Odile
O
Pascal
Robert
R
Rousset
Alain
A
Garrel
Laurence
L
Rossi
Jean-Christophe
JC
Biron
Jean-Philippe
JP
Lagrille
Olivier
O
Plasson
Raphaël
R
Souaid
Eddy
E
Danger
Grégoire
G
Selsis
Franck
F
Dobrijévic
Michel
M
Martin
Hervé
H
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