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Boron-assisted abiotic polypeptide synthesis
Yuki Sumie1, Keiichiro Sato1, Takeshi Kakegawa1
1Department of Earth Science, Tohoku University, 6-3, Aza-aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8578, Japan.
Communications Chemistry
|May 11, 2023
Summary
Boric acid aids in the prebiotic synthesis of polypeptides at acidic to neutral pH, supporting the origin of life by enabling protein and RNA formation in early Earth conditions.
Area of Science:
- Origin of Life studies
- Prebiotic Chemistry
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Protein and RNA interactions were crucial for early life.
- Abiotic peptide synthesis is limited by short lengths and alkaline conditions, unsuitable for early Earth.
- Boron-rich environments favor abiotic RNA synthesis, but its effect on amino acid polymerization is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of boric acid in abiotic amino acid polymerization.
- To determine if boron can facilitate polypeptide formation under plausible prebiotic conditions.
Main Methods:
- Heating experiments of amino acid solutions with borate/boric acid.
- Varying pH levels to assess polymerization efficiency.
Main Results:
- Boric acid enables amino acid polymerization at acidic and near-neutral pH.
- This process occurs under simple heating conditions.
Conclusions:
- Boron-assisted synthesis of polypeptides is possible in prebiotically relevant environments.
- These conditions also support RNA formation and primordial protein-RNA interactions, vital for early life evolution.
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