Scientists say they have discovered the source of life on Earth
Miscellaneous / / April 02, 2023
Scientists from Rutgers University (USA) have discovered a protein that could have given rise to life on Earth. Their results research published in Science Advances.
According to their theory, the main catalyst for the origin of life on Earth was the evolution of proteins. So that's where the research began.
The scientists reduced their search to the most basic structure and eventually came up with a simple peptide with two nickel atoms, which they called Nickelback. And in their opinion, this is the best candidate for the position of the primary source of life, since it consists of 13 basic amino acids and binds two nickel ions at once.
Scientists explain that nickel existed in the ancient oceans. Thanks to its properties, even then it was able to produce gaseous hydrogen under a variety of conditions, which is considered the most important source of energy on the early Earth.
This work shows that simple enzymes of protein metabolism are not only possible, but also very stable and active, making them a plausible starting point for the emergence of life.
Vikas Nanda
Researcher at the Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine at Rutgers University
Researchers believe that the tipping point in the transformation of chemicals occurred between 3.5 and 3.8 billion years ago. In other words, it was during this period that life originated on Earth.
This research may also be the key to the exploration of other planets. Peptides like Nickelback could be used as new indicators of signs of the origin of life on other worlds, the scientists say.
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