title: An embryo of protocells: The capsule of graphene with selective ion channels.
abstract: The synthesis of artificial cell is a route for searching the origin of protocell. Here, we create a novel cell model of graphene capsules with selective ion channels, indicating that graphene might be an embryo of protocell membrane. Firstly, we found that the highly oxidized graphene and phospholipid-graphene oxide composite would curl into capsules under a strongly acidic saturated solution of heavy metallic salt solution at low temperature. Secondly, L-amino acids exhibited higher reactivity than D-amino acids on graphene oxides to form peptides, and the formed peptides in the influence of graphene would be transformed into a secondary structure, promoting the formation of left-handed proteins. Lastly, monolayer nanoporous graphene, prepared by unfocused (84)Kr(25+), has a high selectivity for permeation of the monovalent metal ions ( Rb(+) > K(+) > Cs(+) > Na(+) > Li(+), based on permeation concentration), but does not allow Cl(-) go through. It is similar to K(+) channels, which would cause an influx of K(+) into capsule of graphene with the increase of pH in the primitive ocean, creating a suitable inner condition for the origin of life. Therefore, we built a model cell of graphene, which would provide a route for reproducing the origin of life.
authors.affiliation: 1] Key Laboratory of Chemistry of Northwestern Plant Resources, Key Laboratory for Natural Medicine of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, P.R. China [2] Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Zhan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of CAAS, Lanzhou, 730050, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Chunmei
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Radiochemistry Laboratory, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Longlong
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.affiliation: Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.affiliation: Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Huijun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Chemistry, State Key Lab of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Shanghai Key Lab of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China [2] School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Shiwei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.affiliation: Radiochemistry Laboratory, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Suomin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Radiochemistry Laboratory, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Keliang
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: Brookhaven National Laboratory Medical Department, Building 901, Room 106, Upton, NY 11973.
authors.forename: Youwen
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Chemistry of Northwestern Plant Resources, Key Laboratory for Natural Medicine of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Zhang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mingliang
authors.affiliation: Radiochemistry Laboratory, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Chemistry of Northwestern Plant Resources, Key Laboratory for Natural Medicine of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Hongdeng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Radiochemistry Laboratory, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Wangsuo
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of CAAS, Lanzhou, 730050, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Xiaoli
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: School of life science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: An
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wenzhen
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D058045:Artificial Cells / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology*; D002414:Cations, Monovalent; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000737:chemistry*; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D010087:Oxides
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D002414:Cations, Monovalent; D007473:Ion Channels; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D010087:Oxides; D006108:Graphite