Unveiling the role of inorganic nanoparticles in Earth’s biochemical evolution through electron transfer dynamics
Summary: This article explores the intricate interplay between inorganic nanoparticles and Earth’s biochemical history, with a focus on their electron transfer properties. It reveals how iron oxide and sulfide nanoparticles, as examples of inorganic nanoparticles, exhibit oxidoreductase activity sim...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2024-05-01
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| Series: | iScience |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004224007776 |
| _version_ | 1797210029217021952 |
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| author | Xiao-Lan Huang |
| author_facet | Xiao-Lan Huang |
| author_sort | Xiao-Lan Huang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Summary: This article explores the intricate interplay between inorganic nanoparticles and Earth’s biochemical history, with a focus on their electron transfer properties. It reveals how iron oxide and sulfide nanoparticles, as examples of inorganic nanoparticles, exhibit oxidoreductase activity similar to proteins. Termed “life fossil oxidoreductases,'' these inorganic enzymes influence redox reactions, detoxification processes, and nutrient cycling in early Earth environments. By emphasizing the structural configuration of nanoparticles and their electron conformation, including oxygen defects and metal vacancies, especially electron hopping, the article provides a foundation for understanding inorganic enzyme mechanisms. This approach, rooted in physics, underscores that life’s origin and evolution are governed by electron transfer principles within the framework of chemical equilibrium. Today, these nanoparticles serve as vital biocatalysts in natural ecosystems, participating in critical reactions for ecosystem health. The research highlights their enduring impact on Earth’s history, shaping ecosystems and interacting with protein metal centers through shared electron transfer dynamics, offering insights into early life processes and adaptations. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T10:04:06Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-501c604b5fbd47c7aff9f8c0ea56d1f3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2589-0042 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T10:04:06Z |
| publishDate | 2024-05-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | iScience |
| spelling | doaj.art-501c604b5fbd47c7aff9f8c0ea56d1f32024-04-13T04:21:37ZengElsevieriScience2589-00422024-05-01275109555Unveiling the role of inorganic nanoparticles in Earth’s biochemical evolution through electron transfer dynamicsXiao-Lan Huang0Center for Clean Water Technology, School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-6044, USA; Corresponding authorSummary: This article explores the intricate interplay between inorganic nanoparticles and Earth’s biochemical history, with a focus on their electron transfer properties. It reveals how iron oxide and sulfide nanoparticles, as examples of inorganic nanoparticles, exhibit oxidoreductase activity similar to proteins. Termed “life fossil oxidoreductases,'' these inorganic enzymes influence redox reactions, detoxification processes, and nutrient cycling in early Earth environments. By emphasizing the structural configuration of nanoparticles and their electron conformation, including oxygen defects and metal vacancies, especially electron hopping, the article provides a foundation for understanding inorganic enzyme mechanisms. This approach, rooted in physics, underscores that life’s origin and evolution are governed by electron transfer principles within the framework of chemical equilibrium. Today, these nanoparticles serve as vital biocatalysts in natural ecosystems, participating in critical reactions for ecosystem health. The research highlights their enduring impact on Earth’s history, shaping ecosystems and interacting with protein metal centers through shared electron transfer dynamics, offering insights into early life processes and adaptations.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004224007776chemistryinorganic chemistrybiochemistry |
| spellingShingle | Xiao-Lan Huang Unveiling the role of inorganic nanoparticles in Earth’s biochemical evolution through electron transfer dynamics iScience chemistry inorganic chemistry biochemistry |
| title | Unveiling the role of inorganic nanoparticles in Earth’s biochemical evolution through electron transfer dynamics |
| title_full | Unveiling the role of inorganic nanoparticles in Earth’s biochemical evolution through electron transfer dynamics |
| title_fullStr | Unveiling the role of inorganic nanoparticles in Earth’s biochemical evolution through electron transfer dynamics |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unveiling the role of inorganic nanoparticles in Earth’s biochemical evolution through electron transfer dynamics |
| title_short | Unveiling the role of inorganic nanoparticles in Earth’s biochemical evolution through electron transfer dynamics |
| title_sort | unveiling the role of inorganic nanoparticles in earth s biochemical evolution through electron transfer dynamics |
| topic | chemistry inorganic chemistry biochemistry |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004224007776 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT xiaolanhuang unveilingtheroleofinorganicnanoparticlesinearthsbiochemicalevolutionthroughelectrontransferdynamics |