Peptides by Activation of Amino Acids with CO on (Ni,Fe)S Surfaces: Implications for the Origin of Life
- 31 July 1998
- journal article
- other
- Published by American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Science
- Vol. 281 (5377), 670-672
- https://doi.org/10.1126/science.281.5377.670
Abstract
In experiments modeling volcanic or hydrothermal settings amino acids were converted into their peptides by use of coprecipitated (Ni,Fe)S and CO in conjunction with H2S (or CH3SH) as a catalyst and condensation agent at 100°C and pH 7 to 10 under anaerobic, aqueous conditions. These results demonstrate that amino acids can be activated under geochemically relevant conditions. They support a thermophilic origin of life and an early appearance of peptides in the evolution of a primordial metabolism.Keywords
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