title: Photocatalytic reversible amination of α-keto acids on a ZnS surface: implications for the prebiotic metabolism.
abstract: We report the enzyme-like reversible amination of four intermediates pertinent to the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle on a photo-irradiated surface of mineral sphalerite (ZnS). Given its prevalence in the waters of early Earth, we suggest that the mineral-based photochemistry might have catalyzed the homeostasis of prebiotic metabolic systems.
authors.affiliation: CCMST, Academy of Fundamental and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150080, China. wwang_ol@hit.edu.cn
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Qiliang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Xiaoyang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yanqiang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Wenhui
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Su
mesh_terms: D000586:Amination; D002384:Catalysis; D007651:Keto Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D008903:Minerals / Q000737:chemistry*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D055668:Photochemical Processes; D013440:Sulfides / Q000737:chemistry*; D017967:Zinc Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D007651:Keto Acids; D008903:Minerals; D013440:Sulfides; D017967:Zinc Compounds; C031238:zinc sulfide