Simulations of prebiological formation of liquid crystal membrane structures

Abstract

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