Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026

Sequence-specific Labeling of Nucleic Acids and Proteins with Methyltransferases and Cofactor Analogues
Published on: November 22, 2014
From formamide to adenine: a self-catalytic mechanism for an abiotic approach
Jing Wang1, Jiande Gu, Minh Tho Nguyen
1Interdisciplinary Nanotoxicity Center, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Jackson State University , Jackson, Mississippi 39217, United States.
Abstract:
Mechanisms for abiotic reaction pathways from formamide (H2NCHO) to adenine are presented herein. Formamide is a simple C1 building block hypothesized to be a precursor to many protometabolic compounds. On the basis of a step-by-step mechanism of the reaction pathways, formamide is suggested to be more reactive in addition reactions than HCN. In addition to its simplicity, the formamide self-catalyzed mechanism is energetically (kinetically) more viable than either a water-catalyzed mechanism or noncatalyzed processes. Moreover, this self-catalyzed mechanism accounts for the yields of purine and adenine previously observed in experiments. This mechanism may elucidate processes that were vital for the emergence of life on the early earth.
More Related Videos
05:33Author Spotlight: Characterizing Novel Enzymes from Extremophiles and Common Pathogens to Understand DNA Repair and Replication
Published on: July 5, 2024
09:14DamID-seq: Genome-wide Mapping of Protein-DNA Interactions by High Throughput Sequencing of Adenine-methylated DNA Fragments
Published on: January 27, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Maxam-Gilbert Sequencing
Challenges of the Maxam-Gilbert Method
The...
Biosynthesis of Nucleic Acids
Aldehydes and Ketones with Amines: Enamine Formation Mechanism
Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation
Amino Acid Catabolism
Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET)
Similar to cross-metathesis, ADMET also involves the formation of metallacyclobutane intermediate by [2+2] cycloaddition of one of the double bonds of a terminal diene with...