The molecular framework for protometabolism-chemical reactions in a prebiotic environment preceding modern metabolism-has remained unknown in evolutionary biology.
prebiotic
![The original role of proteins was to stabilize RNA, rather than to act as enzymes. (a) The peptidyl transferase center of the Escherichia coli ribosome [96]. The figure shows the RNA that forms the catalytic site, as identified by [97], with the three proteins that form the closest association with it: the large subunit proteins L2 (red), L4 (green) and L15 (magenta). All of these have substantial non-globular parts, which are the parts in contact with the RNA. The catalytic center is in the middle of the RNA helix. (b) The human 17S U2 snRNP involved in the first step of RNA splicing [98], showing the RNA core and the protein most closely associated with it (splicing factor 3b). Again, the part of the protein in contact with the RNA is lacking in regular secondary structure. -- LIFE via PubMed](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Autocatalytic-Selection-As-A-Driver.png?resize=1200%2C720&ssl=1)
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report
Autocatalytic Selection As A Driver For The Origin Of Life
Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection was revolutionary because it provided a mechanism by which variation could be selected. This mechanism can only operate on living systems and thus […]
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release
Researchers Challenge A Fundamental Assumption In Evolutionary Biochemistry
How did life originate? Ancient proteins may hold important clues. Every organism on Earth is made up of proteins. Although all organisms — even single-celled ones — have complex protein […]
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Microbiology & Virology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report
Reduction Of NAD and NMN On Mineral Surfaces With H2 Reveals A Functional Role For The Adenosine Moiety In Prebiotic Evolution
Many cofactors share a molecular structure – adenosine – that otherwise occurs in nucleic acids. The presence of adenosine in cofactors has presented an evolutionary puzzle.
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biophysics, Extinction events, Habitable Zones, Impact events, Magnetic Fields, Electromagnetism, bioelectricity,, Meteorites & Asteroids, Origin & Evolution of Life, Space Weather & Heliophysics, Status Report, Terraforming & Geoengineering, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Ray Ionisation Of A Post-impact Early Earth Atmosphere: Solar Cosmic Ray Ionisation Must Be Considered In Origin-of-life Scenarios
Cosmic rays (CR), both solar and Galactic, have an ionising effect on the Earth’s atmosphere and are thought to be important for prebiotic molecule production. In particular, the H2-dominated atmosphere […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Impact events, Lava / magma ocean / Volcanic Worlds, Origin & Evolution of Life, Panspermia, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Deep Mantle-Atmosphere Coupling And Carbonaceous Bombardment: Options For Biomolecule Formation On Aan Oxidized Early Earth
Understanding what environmental conditions prevailed on early Earth during the Hadean eon, and how this set the stage for the origins of life, remains a challenge.
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Status Report
Genome‐scale Metabolic Modelling Of Extremophiles And Its Applications In Astrobiological Environments
Metabolic modelling approaches have become the powerful tools in modern biology. These mathematical models are widely used to predict metabolic phenotypes of the organisms or communities of interest, and to […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Interstellar, Status Report
Chemistry In The Galactic Center
Gas and dust in the Galactic Center are subjected to energetic processing by intense UV radiation fields, widespread shocks, enhanced rates of cosmic-rays and X-rays, and strong magnetic fields.
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report
Early Ocean World Chemistry: Prebiotic Nucleoside Phosphorylation in a Simulated Deep-Sea Supercritical Carbon Dioxide-Water Two-Phase Environment
Prebiotic synthesis of complex organic molecules in water-rich environments has been a long-standing challenge. In the modern deep sea, emission of liquid CO2 has been observed in multiple locations, which […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Meteorites & Asteroids, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release
Astrochemistry: The Mystery of Life’s Handedness Deepens
The mystery of why life uses molecules with specific orientations has deepened with a NASA-funded discovery that RNA — a key molecule thought to have potentially held the instructions for […]