An important stage in evolution of organic matter on the primitive earth was the formation of phase-separated systems based on liquid crystal lipid membranes. High molecular fluidity of these systems together with the existence of internal order determined the dynamic properties of proto-cellular assemblies.In simulation experiments the basic stages of the formation of these membrane vesicles were recreated as follows:i. Photo-oxidative synthesis of amphiphilic molecules from hydrocarbons on water surfaces under ultraviolet radiation (appearance of free radical centers were detected by ESR and polar carbonyl groups determined by IR spectra); 2. Self-assembly of synthetic amphiphilic molecules into liquidcrystal aggregates in bulk phase of salt-water solution (demonstrated by polarized-light microscopy); 3. Production of bilayer vesicles by modification of surface monolayers of synthetic amphiphilic molecules in c(mparison with natural lipids (studied by surface tension method); 4. Modulation of structural and functional properties of vesicles by the incorporation of protein molecules.This study demonstrates a new approach to the modeling of prebiotic genesis of protocellular structures.
537
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.