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Spectroscopic and Biophysical Methods to Determine Differential Salt-Uptake by Primitive Membraneless Polyester

Chen Chen¹, Ruiqin Yi¹, Motoko Igisu²

¹Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8550, Japan.

|May 19, 2023

Summary

Prebiotic polyester microdroplets selectively absorb salt cations, altering their structure and coalescence. This highlights how early salt concentrations could influence the development of primitive protocells.

Keywords:

membraneless compartments origins of life phase separation prebiotic chemistry protocells

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Area of Science:

Origin of life studies
Prebiotic chemistry
Biophysics

Background:

α-Hydroxy acids form polyester microdroplets, proposed as early protocells.
Salts in primitive environments may affect protocell chemistry and structure.
Polyester-salt interactions are poorly understood due to measurement challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate salt uptake by polyester microdroplets.
To quantify cation partitioning and its effect on microdroplet properties.
To understand how salts influence protocell structure and behavior.

Main Methods:

Spectroscopic and biophysical techniques were employed.
Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry measured cation concentration.
Turbidity, size, surface potential, and water distribution were analyzed.

Main Results:

Polyester microdroplets selectively partition salt cations.
Salt uptake alters microdroplet turbidity, size, and surface potential.
Ionic screening reduces electrostatic repulsion, promoting microdroplet coalescence.

Conclusions:

Salt composition significantly impacts polyester microdroplet structure and dynamics.
Differential salt uptake can lead to varied protocellular structural changes.
This work provides insights into salt-environment interactions in prebiotic chemistry.