On the Emergence of a Proto-Metabolism and the Assembly of Early Protocells

Kee, Terence P.; Monnard, Pierre‐Alain

doi:10.2113/gselements.12.6.419

Cited by 15 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…The same pores that ameliorate osmotic stress will also permit increasingly concentrated nutrients to enter protocells during a dry-down. Nutrients combined with sources of energy entering the crowded interiors of aggregated protocells in the gel phase set up the possibility for the emergence of autocatalyzed metabolic cycles (Saha et al, 2014;Kee and Monnard, 2016;Hordijk et al, 2019;Kauffman, 2019).…”

Section: Hot Spring Origin Of Lifementioning

confidence: 99%

The Hot Spring Hypothesis for an Origin of Life

2020

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We present a testable hypothesis related to an origin of life on land in which fluctuating volcanic hot spring pools play a central role. The hypothesis is based on experimental evidence that lipid-encapsulated polymers can be synthesized by cycles of hydration and dehydration to form protocells. Drawing on metaphors from the bootstrapping of a simple computer operating system, we show how protocells cycling through wet, dry, and moist phases will subject polymers to combinatorial selection and draw structural and catalytic functions out of initially random sequences, including structural stabilization, pore formation, and primitive metabolic activity. We propose that protocells aggregating into a hydrogel in the intermediate moist phase of wet-dry cycles represent a primitive progenote system. Progenote populations can undergo selection and distribution, construct niches in new environments, and enable a sharing network effect that can collectively evolve them into the first microbial communities. Laboratory and field experiments testing the first steps of the scenario are summarized. The scenario is then placed in a geological setting on the early Earth to suggest a plausible pathway from life's origin in chemically optimal freshwater hot spring pools to the emergence of microbial communities tolerant to more extreme conditions in dilute lakes and salty conditions in marine environments. A continuity is observed for biogenesis beginning with simple protocell aggregates, through the transitional form of the progenote, to robust microbial mats that leave the fossil imprints of stromatolites so representative in the rock record. A roadmap to future testing of the hypothesis is presented. We compare the oceanic vent with land-based pool scenarios for an origin of life and explore their implications for subsequent evolution to multicellular life such as plants. We conclude by utilizing the hypothesis to posit where life might also have emerged in habitats such as Mars or Saturn's icy moon Enceladus. Key Words: Origin of life-Prebiotic chemistry-Hydrothermal systems-Protocells-Progenotes-Microbial communities. Astrobiology 20, 429-452. ''To postulate one fortuitously catalyzed reaction, perhaps catalyzed by a metal ion, might be reasonable, but to postulate a suite of them is to appeal to magic.''

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Section: Hot Spring Origin Of Lifementioning

confidence: 99%

The Hot Spring Hypothesis for an Origin of Life

2020

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“…Over 80 amino acids have been identified in carbonaceous chondrites, including 12 proteinaceous amino acids. Their abundance oscillates between 0.2 and 2400ppm (Kitadai & Maruyama, 2018;Kee & Monnard, 2016). In Murchison meteorite, for example, over 70 amino acids (racemic mixture), some purine and pyrimidine bases, fatty acids have been identified (Brack, 1991).…”

Section: On the Formation Of Organic Compounds On Early Earthmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The question arises of the hypothetical favourable places (niches) on the early Earth that would have favoured the accumulation (concentration) of the organic compounds and the polymerization or polycondensation reactions. In the absence of enzymes, the catalysts of these reactions were probably "nongenetic" molecules, metal-ion complexes, short peptides, mineral formations or particles (Kee & Monnard, 2016). Tidal pools, icy environments, mineral surface (4.5 to 4Ga ago, there were over 1,000 mineral species) would have been conducive to these processes (Kitadai & Maruyama, 2018).…”

Section: Formation Of Complex Organic Molecules and Macromoleculesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tidal pools, icy environments, mineral surface (4.5 to 4Ga ago, there were over 1,000 mineral species) would have been conducive to these processes (Kitadai & Maruyama, 2018). Spontaneously or as a result of drying processes, amino acids and activated nucleotides could adhere and polymerize to the surface of some minerals (Kee & Monnard, 2016). With the expansion of dry land, which led to the division of the ocean, small aquatic basins were formed, where organic compounds were concentrated, and repeated wetting/drying cycles, clays and minerals might have provided their polymerization.…”

Section: Formation Of Complex Organic Molecules and Macromoleculesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It has been found, for example, that montmorillonite catalyses both RNA polymerization and membrane assembly. Clay particles can provide both RNA synthesis and vesiculation of amphiphiles (Schrum et al, 2010;Kee & Monnard, 2016). Capillary channels can concentrate fatty acids and cause their self-assembly in the vesicles, but also the concentration of oligonucleotides and their encapsulation in these vesicles, forming spontaneous precellular structures.…”

Section: Pre-cellular Forms Of Lifementioning

confidence: 99%

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The Prebiotic Stage and the Evolution of Life on Earth

Ghiorghiţă¹,

Surpateanu²

2019

ENRR

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The paper is a synthesis of the information collected so far on the origin and evolution of life on Earth. The life appearance and its evolution is correlated to matter evolution in univers: Big Bang, inorganic, organic, prebiotic, unicellular and multicellular stages. Concerning prebiotic stage in life evolution we present our theory based on syntone chemistry. Three syntones-methylene, nitrene and carbon monoxid carried by molecular nitrogen at law temperature could furnish the prebiotic bricks (sugars, lipids, proteins) at the contact to primary atmosphere components. Also, we think that these syntones could be considered as sources of great number of organic molecules. All organisms on Earth descend from a last universal common ancestor (LUCA). Two branches were derived from LUCA: one led to bacteria and the other to archaea and eukaryotes. The appearance of photosynthesis determined a transition from the oxygen-free atmosphere to the oxic atmosphere. Due to a series of endosymbioses, Eukaryotes emerged as organisms with nucleated cells and aerobic metabolism (which significantly increased the efficiency of cellular energy production). At about the same time appeared the first multicellular organisms. The paper also presents other important moments in the evolution of life on Earth, including the major biological crises in certain periods, resulting in the mass extinction of some groups of organisms. The evolution of the living world on Earth culminated with the emergence of man, the most complex being with language, superior thinking, emotions, creativity, etc.

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Nanominerals and Nanomaterials Utilized in Pharmacy and Therapeutics

Gomes

Santos

Amaral

2021

Minerals Latu Sensu and Human Health

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The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

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On the Emergence of a Proto-Metabolism and the Assembly of Early Protocells

Cited by 15 publications

References 34 publications

The Hot Spring Hypothesis for an Origin of Life

The Hot Spring Hypothesis for an Origin of Life

The Prebiotic Stage and the Evolution of Life on Earth

Nanominerals and Nanomaterials Utilized in Pharmacy and Therapeutics

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