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> Based on laboratory studies, Rutgers scientists say one of the most likely chemical candidates that kickstarted life was a simple peptide with two nickel atom
by Octokiddie 4y ago
> Based on laboratory studies, Rutgers scientists say one of the most likely chemical candidates that kickstarted life was a simple peptide with two nickel atoms they are calling “Nickelback,” not because it has anything to do with the Canadian rock band, but because its backbone nitrogen atoms bond two critical nickel atoms. A peptide is a constituent of a protein made up of a few elemental building blocks known as amino acids.
Very doubtful this has anything to do with origins of life.
The complex catalyzes the production of dihydrogen from hydrogen cation. It's a cool reaction, but to say this may have "sparked life on earth" is way off.
Small peptide catalysts like this one have been known for some time and can even be designed for a wide range of reactions. A Nobel prize was awarded for this very field a few years back.
- gus_massa 4y agoI agree. Perhaps I'm too enthusiastic about the RNA world hypothesis, but if the RNA world hypothesis is true, shouldn't they be looking for a Ribozyme (made of RNA) instead of and Enzyme (made of protein)? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ribozyme https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ribozyme
- flobosg 4y agoSome versions of the RNA world hypothesis state that small peptides acted as cofactors for ribozymes. At some point their roles were reversed, with nucleotides ending up as cofactors for protein-based catalysts (enzymes).
- gus_massa 4y agoI learned that this year and it's so obvious that it hurts that I didn't thought it myself. [I'm not a Biologist, so I guess it is not mandatory that I make brilliant Biology discoveries :) .] [Yes, I know it's not confirmed, but IMHO it's too good not to be true.]
- dekhn 4y agopeptoids