A heated rock crack captures and polymerizes primordial DNA and RNA

Dirscherl, Christina F.; Ianeselli, Alan; Tetiker, Damla; Matreux, Thomas; Queener, Robbin M; Mast, Christof B.; Braun, Dieter

doi:10.1039/d2cp04538a

Cited by 9 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…Experiments with 2′,3′‐cyclic phosphates have so far only generated oligomers of length around 10 [24,25] . Also, with 3′,5′‐cyclic phosphates, only rather short oligomers have been formed [28,29] .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Experiments with 2',3'-cyclic phosphates have so far only generated oligomers of length around 10. [24,25] Also, with 3',5'cyclic phosphates, only rather short oligomers have been formed. [28,29] Our model M1 predicts shorter mean length for M1 than M0 if the z 1 ratio is the same (Figure 3(b)).…”

Section: Supporting Informationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Polymerization of cyclic nucleotides was also studied with strands trapped in thin rock cracks by cycles of convection/thermophoresis. [25] Polymerization of 3',5'-cyclic phosphates has also been studied experimentally. [26][27][28][29][30] These are interesting because of their prominent roles in modern biochemistry, with cyclic nucleotides functioning as secondary messengers in many signaling pathways.…”

Section: Polymerization Of Nucleotidesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…generated RNA strands that were up to 10 nucleotides in length by use of air‐water interfaces, where evaporation and condensation cycles periodically concentrated and rehydrated monomers and polymers. Polymerization of cyclic nucleotides was also studied with strands trapped in thin rock cracks by cycles of convection/thermophoresis [25] …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Equilibrium and Non‐equilibrium Reaction Schemes for Prebiotic Polymerization of Ribonucleotides

Kitson,

Sanders,

Dass

et al. 2023

ChemSystemsChem

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The RNA World theory for the origin of life requires polymers to be generated initially by abiotic reactions. Experiments have studied polymerization of 5′‐monophosphates, 2′,3′‐cyclic phosphates, and 5′‐triphosphates. We consider theoretical models of polymerization in solution illustrating the differences between these cases. We consider (i) a basic model where all monomers undergo reversible joining and breaking; (ii) a model where 2′,3′‐cyclic phosphates can join, and breaking regenerates the cyclic phosphate; (iii) a model where 5′‐triphosphates can join irreversibly, in addition to the joining and breaking of 2′,3′‐cyclic phosphates. In cases (i) and (ii) there is an equilibrium steady state with balance between making and breaking bonds. In case (iii) there is a circular reaction flux in which monomers are activated by an external phosphate source, activated monomers form polymers, and polymers break to release non‐activated monomers. The mean length can be calculated as a function of concentration. In case (iii), the mean length switches from a low‐concentration regime controlled by the 5′‐triphosphates to a high‐concentration regime controlled by the 2′,3′‐cyclic phosphates. The circular reaction flux is reminiscent of a metabolism. If formation of 5’‐triphosphates was already in place for RNA synthesis, ATP could subsequently been co‐opted for metabolism.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Supporting Informationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Polymerization Of Nucleotidesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Equilibrium and Non‐equilibrium Reaction Schemes for Prebiotic Polymerization of Ribonucleotides

Kitson,

Sanders,

Dass

et al. 2023

ChemSystemsChem

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“…Upon contact of the fluids, highly reactive Fe(Ni)S minerals precipitate and enclose the alkaline fluid stream to form a tubular network that grows into chimney-like structures (3,7). The precipitate thereby acts as a permeable mineral membrane (8)(9)(10) that allows for the generation of steep gradients in pH, redox potential, and temperature, thus providing not only the nonequilibria that might have been crucial for the emergence of life (11)(12)(13) but also a potential energy source for early life forms (2,9). The mineral surfaces, at the same time, could serve as a catalytic site for abiotic organic synthesis reactions (7,14), while the inflowing water would provide a constant source of chemical nourishment (2).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alkaline vents recreated in two dimensions to study pH gradients, precipitation morphology, and molecule accumulation

Weingart,

Chen,

Donat

et al. 2023

Sci. Adv.

Self Cite

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Alkaline vents (AVs) are hypothesized to have been a setting for the emergence of life, by creating strong gradients across inorganic membranes within chimney structures. In the past, three-dimensional chimney structures were formed under laboratory conditions; however, no in situ visualization or testing of the gradients was possible. We develop a quasi–two-dimensional microfluidic model of AVs that allows spatiotemporal visualization of mineral precipitation in low-volume experiments. Upon injection of an alkaline fluid into an acidic, iron-rich solution, we observe a diverse set of precipitation morphologies, mainly controlled by flow rate and ion concentration. Using microscope imaging and pH-dependent dyes, we show that finger-like precipitates can facilitate formation and maintenance of microscale pH gradients and accumulation of dispersed particles in confined geometries. Our findings establish a model to investigate the potential of gradients across a semipermeable boundary for early compartmentalization, accumulation, and chemical reactions at the origins of life.

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Interactions of Clay Minerals with Biomolecules and Protocells Complex Structures in the Origin of Life: A Review

Yan,

Yang

2024

Adv Funct Materials

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The origin of life (OoL) has always been a mysterious and challenging topic that puzzles human beings. Clay minerals have unique properties and wide distribution in early Earth environments. They can not only adsorb biological small molecules to catalyze their polymerization, but play an active role in the formation and evolution of protocells. In this review, the research progress on the interactions of clay minerals with biomolecules and protocells complex structures in the field of the OoL based on chemical evolution theory is summarized. The types, structures and properties of clay minerals, biological molecules and protocell models related to the OoL are introduced in detail. The mechanism of interaction between clay minerals and biological molecules, the construction of protocells and the role of clay minerals in the formation, structure and stability of protocells are systematically described. Finally, the future research priorities and challenges in the field of OoL based on clay minerals, biomolecules and protocells are discussed. It is aspired that this review can further advance the exploration of the OoL from a new perspective, and can also bring some interesting findings and ideas to the interdisciplinary research of materials, biology, chemistry and other related disciplines.Clay minerals have a variety of interactions with small biomolecules, which can be used as structural and functional templates to promote the organic synthesis of biomolecules and the formation and evolution of protocells, playing a non‐negligible role in the field of the OoL.

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A heated rock crack captures and polymerizes primordial DNA and RNA

Abstract: Life is based on informational polymers such as DNA or RNA. For their polymerization, high concentrations of complex monomer building blocks are required. Therefore, the dilution by diffusion poses a...

Cited by 9 publications

References 59 publications

Equilibrium and Non‐equilibrium Reaction Schemes for Prebiotic Polymerization of Ribonucleotides

Equilibrium and Non‐equilibrium Reaction Schemes for Prebiotic Polymerization of Ribonucleotides

Alkaline vents recreated in two dimensions to study pH gradients, precipitation morphology, and molecule accumulation

Interactions of Clay Minerals with Biomolecules and Protocells Complex Structures in the Origin of Life: A Review

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