Trimetaphosphate Activates Prebiotic Peptide Synthesis across a Wide Range of Temperature and pH.

ABSTRACT: The biochemical activation of amino acids by adenosine triphosphate (ATP) drives the synthesis of proteins that are essential for all life. On the early Earth, before the emergence of cellular life, the chemical condensation of amino acids to form prebiotic peptides or proteins may have been activated by inorganic polyphosphates, such as tri metaphosphate (TP). Plausible volcanic and other potential sources of TP are known, and TP readily activates amino acids for peptide synthesis. But de novo peptide synthesis also depends on pH, temperature, and processes of solvent drying, which together define a varied range of potential activating conditions. Although we cannot replay the tape of life on Earth, we can examine how activator, temperature, acidity and other conditions may have collectiv

SUBMITTER: Sibilska I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8092023 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature