Mineral-Mediated Oligoribonucleotide Condensation: Broadening the Scope of Prebiotic Possibilities on the Early Earth
The origin of life on earth requires the synthesis of protobiopolymers in realistic geologic environments along strictly abiotic pathways that rely on inorganic phases (such as minerals) instead of cellular machinery to promote condensation. One such class of polymer central to biochemistry is the p...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Life |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/13/9/1899 |
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| author | Vincent S. Riggi E. Bruce Watson Andrew Steele Karyn L. Rogers |
| author_facet | Vincent S. Riggi E. Bruce Watson Andrew Steele Karyn L. Rogers |
| author_sort | Vincent S. Riggi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The origin of life on earth requires the synthesis of protobiopolymers in realistic geologic environments along strictly abiotic pathways that rely on inorganic phases (such as minerals) instead of cellular machinery to promote condensation. One such class of polymer central to biochemistry is the polynucleotides, and oligomerization of activated ribonucleotides has been widely studied. Nonetheless, the range of laboratory conditions tested to date is limited and the impact of realistic early Earth conditions on condensation reactions remains unexplored. Here, we investigate the potential for a variety of minerals to enhance oligomerization using ribonucleotide monomers as one example to model condensation under plausible planetary conditions. The results show that several minerals differing in both structure and composition enhance oligomerization. Sulfide minerals yielded oligomers of comparable lengths to those formed in the presence of clays, with galena being the most effective, yielding oligonucleotides up to six bases long. Montmorillonite continues to excel beyond other clays. Chemical pretreatment of the clay was not required, though maximum oligomer lengths decreased from ~11 to 6 bases. These results demonstrate the diversity of mineral phases that can impact condensation reactions and highlight the need for greater consideration of environmental context when assessing prebiotic synthesis and the origin of life. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:31:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0f5795cd1c2d4a02a181df2ac4f76220 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-1729 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:31:41Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Life |
| spelling | doaj.art-0f5795cd1c2d4a02a181df2ac4f762202023-11-19T11:37:50ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292023-09-01139189910.3390/life13091899Mineral-Mediated Oligoribonucleotide Condensation: Broadening the Scope of Prebiotic Possibilities on the Early EarthVincent S. Riggi0E. Bruce Watson1Andrew Steele2Karyn L. Rogers3Rensselaer Astrobiology Research and Education Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USARensselaer Astrobiology Research and Education Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USARensselaer Astrobiology Research and Education Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USARensselaer Astrobiology Research and Education Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USAThe origin of life on earth requires the synthesis of protobiopolymers in realistic geologic environments along strictly abiotic pathways that rely on inorganic phases (such as minerals) instead of cellular machinery to promote condensation. One such class of polymer central to biochemistry is the polynucleotides, and oligomerization of activated ribonucleotides has been widely studied. Nonetheless, the range of laboratory conditions tested to date is limited and the impact of realistic early Earth conditions on condensation reactions remains unexplored. Here, we investigate the potential for a variety of minerals to enhance oligomerization using ribonucleotide monomers as one example to model condensation under plausible planetary conditions. The results show that several minerals differing in both structure and composition enhance oligomerization. Sulfide minerals yielded oligomers of comparable lengths to those formed in the presence of clays, with galena being the most effective, yielding oligonucleotides up to six bases long. Montmorillonite continues to excel beyond other clays. Chemical pretreatment of the clay was not required, though maximum oligomer lengths decreased from ~11 to 6 bases. These results demonstrate the diversity of mineral phases that can impact condensation reactions and highlight the need for greater consideration of environmental context when assessing prebiotic synthesis and the origin of life.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/13/9/1899prebiotic chemistrypolymerizationcondensationribonucleic acidmineralogyadsorption |
| spellingShingle | Vincent S. Riggi E. Bruce Watson Andrew Steele Karyn L. Rogers Mineral-Mediated Oligoribonucleotide Condensation: Broadening the Scope of Prebiotic Possibilities on the Early Earth Life prebiotic chemistry polymerization condensation ribonucleic acid mineralogy adsorption |
| title | Mineral-Mediated Oligoribonucleotide Condensation: Broadening the Scope of Prebiotic Possibilities on the Early Earth |
| title_full | Mineral-Mediated Oligoribonucleotide Condensation: Broadening the Scope of Prebiotic Possibilities on the Early Earth |
| title_fullStr | Mineral-Mediated Oligoribonucleotide Condensation: Broadening the Scope of Prebiotic Possibilities on the Early Earth |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mineral-Mediated Oligoribonucleotide Condensation: Broadening the Scope of Prebiotic Possibilities on the Early Earth |
| title_short | Mineral-Mediated Oligoribonucleotide Condensation: Broadening the Scope of Prebiotic Possibilities on the Early Earth |
| title_sort | mineral mediated oligoribonucleotide condensation broadening the scope of prebiotic possibilities on the early earth |
| topic | prebiotic chemistry polymerization condensation ribonucleic acid mineralogy adsorption |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/13/9/1899 |
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