Last Universal Common Ancestor Archives

Three hypotheses of metabolic evolution, and where appropriate, a reference to iron sulfur cluster development is given. Top left: the retrograde hypothesis of metabolic evolution (A–D = molecules of a biosynthetic pathway, with A being the end product; E1–E3 = enzymes). Top right: Granick’s forward hypothesis of metabolic evolution (A–D = small molecules that are of a biosynthetic pathway, with A being the end product; E1–E3 = enzymes). Bottom: the patchwork hypothesis of metabolic evolution (A–C = precursor molecules; D–F = products of an enzymatic transformation; E1 represents the ancestral catalyst which endowed substrate promiscuity that was able to catalyze three different, but similar reactions; E2 represents the next generation of enzymes, in which the amino acid sequence has diverged slightly and substrate specificity and catalytic activity have been increased). -- LIFE

Biophysics, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report

Evolution At The Origins Of Life?

by Keith CowingFebruary 26, 2024February 25, 2024

The role of evolutionary theory at the origin of life is an extensively debated topic. The origin and early development of life is usually separated into a prebiotic phase and […]

Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Press Release

The Antiquity of Metalloenzymes

by Keith CowingMay 18, 2013September 19, 2025

Astrobiologists funded in part by the NASA Astrobiology Institute have uncovered new information about the role of metalloenzymes in the origins of life. Metalloenzymes are enzymes where metals act as […]