α-hydroxy and α-amino acids under possible hadean, volcanic origin-of-life conditions

被引:139
作者
Huber, Claudia [1 ]
Waechterschaeuser, Guenter [1 ]
机构
[1] Tech Univ Munich, Dept Organ Chem & Biochem, D-85747 Garching, Germany
关键词
D O I
10.1126/science.1130895
中图分类号
O [数理科学和化学]; P [天文学、地球科学]; Q [生物科学]; N [自然科学总论];
学科分类号
07 ; 0710 ; 09 ;
摘要
To test the theory of a chemoautotrophic origin of life in a volcanic, hydrothermal setting, we explored mechanisms for the buildup of bio-organic compounds by carbon fixation on catalytic transition metal precipitates. We report the carbon monoxide - dependent formation of carbon-fixation products, including an ordered series of alpha-hydroxy and alpha-amino acids of the general formula R-CHA-COOH (where R is H, CH3, C2H5, or HOCH2 and A is OH or NH2) by carbon fixation at 80 degrees to 120 degrees C, catalyzed by nickel or nickel, iron precipitates with carbonyl, cyano, and methylthio ligands as carbon sources, with or without sulfido ligands. Calcium or magnesium hydroxide was added as a pH buffer. The results narrow the gap between biochemistry and volcanic geochemistry and open a new gateway for the exploration of a volcanic, hydrothermal origin of life.
引用
收藏
页码:630 / 632
页数:3
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