Open AccessNonprotein Amino Acids from Spark Discharges and Their Comparison with the Murchison Meteorite Amino Acids
Author(s) -
Y. Wolman,
William J. Haverland,
Stanley L. Miller
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.69.4.809
Subject(s) - murchison meteorite , amino acid , norvaline , chemistry , norleucine , alanine , butyric acid , sarcosine , glycine , valine , meteorite , biochemistry , chondrite , leucine , biology , astrobiology
All the nonprotein amino acids found in the Murchison meteorite are products of the action of electric discharge on a mixture of methane, nitrogen, and water with traces of ammonia. These amino acids include α-amino-n -butyric acid, α-aminoisobutyric acid, norvaline, isovaline, pipecolic acid, β-alanine, β-amino-n-butyric acid, β-aminoisobutyric acid, γ-aminobutyric acid, sarcosine,N -ethylglycine, andN -methylalanine. In addition, norleucine, alloisoleucine,N -propylglycine,N -isopropylglycine,N -methyl-β-alanine,N -ethyl-β-alanine α,β-diaminopropionic acid, isoserine, α,γ-diaminobutyric acid, and α-hydroxy-γ-aminobutyric acid are produced by the electric discharge, but have not been found in the meteorite.