Prebiotic synthesis of sequential peptides on the Hadean beach by a molecular engine working with nitrogen oxides as energy sources |
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Authors: | Auguste Commeyras Hlne Collet Laurent Boiteau Jacques Taillades Odile Vandenabeele‐Trambouze Herv Cottet Jean‐Philippe Biron Raphaël Plasson Louis Mion Olivier Lagrille Herv Martin Franck Selsis Michel Dobrijevic |
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Affiliation: | Auguste Commeyras,Hélène Collet,Laurent Boiteau,Jacques Taillades,Odile Vandenabeele‐Trambouze,Hervé Cottet,Jean‐Philippe Biron,Raphaël Plasson,Louis Mion,Olivier Lagrille,Hervé Martin,Franck Selsis,Michel Dobrijevic |
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Abstract: | Addressing the still open question of the prebiotic origin of sequential macromolecules (peptides, nucleic acids) on the primitive Earth, we describe a molecular engine (the primary pump), which works at ambient temperature and continuously generates, elongates and complexifies sequential peptides. This new scenario is based on a cyclic reaction sequence, whose keystep is the activation of amino acids into their N‐carboxyanhydrides (NCA) through nitrosation by NOx. This process could have taken place on tidal beaches; it requires a buffered ocean, emerged land and a nitrosating atmosphere. With the help of geochemical studies and computer simulations of atmosphere photochemistry, we show that the primitive Earth during the Hadean may have satisfied all these requirements. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry. |
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Keywords: | molecular evolution amino acid‐N‐carboxyanhydrides peptides nitrogen oxides atmospheric photochemistry early continental crust |
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