Dynamic co-evolution of peptides and chemical energetics, a gateway to the emergence of homochirality and the catalytic activity of peptides

• Published in: Origins of life and evolution of biospheres Vol. 34; no. 1-2; pp. 35 - 55
• Main Authors: Commeyras, Auguste, Taillades, Jacques, Collet, Hélène, Boiteau, Laurent, Vandenabeele-Trambouze, Odile, Pascal, Robert, Rousset, Alain, Garrel, Laurence, Rossi, Jean-Christophe, Biron, Jean-Philippe, Lagrille, Olivier, Plasson, Raphaël, Souaid, Eddy, Danger, Grégoire, Selsis, Franck, Dobrijévic, Michel, Martin, Hervé
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Springer Nature B.V 01.02.2004; Springer-Verlag
• Subjects: Amino acids; Amino Acids - chemistry; Ammonia; Carbonyl compounds; Catalysis; Chemical Sciences; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Coevolution; Evolution; Hydrogen cyanide; Mass Spectrometry; Molecular biology; Organic chemistry; Peptides; Peptides - chemistry; Stereoisomerism
• DOI: 10.1023/b:orig.0000009827.54856.59
• ISSN: 0169-6149; 0920-9417

We propose a scenario for the dynamic co-evolution of peptides and energy on the primitive Earth. From a multi component system consisting of hydrogen cyanide, several carbonyl compounds, ammonia, alkyl amine, carbonic anhydride, borate and isocyanic acid, we show that the reversibility of this system leads to several intermediate nitriles, that irreversibly evolve to alpha-amino acids and N-carbamoyl amino acids via selective catalytic processes. On the primitive Earth these N-carbamoyl amino acids combined with energetic molecules (NOx) may have been the core of a molecular engine producing peptides permanently and assuring their recycling and evolution. We present this molecular engine, a production example, and its various selectivities. The perspectives for such a dynamic approach to the emergence of peptides are evoked in the conclusion.