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Geochemical Continuity and Catalyst/Cofactor Replacement in the Emergence and Evolution of Life
Author(s) -
FontecillaCamps Juan C.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201808438
Subject(s) - abiogenesis , cofactor , catalysis , rna world hypothesis , chemistry , metabolism , redox , early earth , nad+ kinase , purine , earth (classical element) , biochemistry , rna , biology , astrobiology , inorganic chemistry , gene , enzyme , ribozyme , physics , mathematical physics
The origin of life is mostly divided into “genetics first” and “metabolism first” hypotheses. The former is based on spark‐tube tests and organic species from meteorites and comets, and proposes a heterotrophic origin of life also consistent with the “RNA World” concept. The “metabolism first” hypothesis posits that life began autotrophically on minerals and/or hydrothermal vents. The lack of direct evidence means it is not possible to lend solid support to either hypothesis but the “metabolism first” option can be explored if a continuous geochemical, catalytically dynamic process is assumed. Using this approach, it is speculated that purine and pyrimidine synthesis originated on a mineral surface, which was later replaced by ATP. The same applies to redox processes where metal‐bound hydrides could have been replaced by NAD.