One of the biggest mysteries of science is how exactly life arose from nonliving matter. Authors
“Scientists estimate that somewhere between 3.5 and 3.8 billionyears ago, a tipping point occurred that marked the beginning of the transition from prebiotic chemistry to living biological systems, explains Vikas Nanda, author of the study. “We believe that this was due to several small precursor proteins that performed key steps in the ancient metabolic reaction. We think we've found one of these pioneering peptides."
According to the idea of the researchers, any potentialthe precursor chemical must be active enough to drive the biochemical processes, yet simple enough to spontaneously assemble in the primordial soup. So in order to find a suitable candidate, the team reduced modern metabolic proteins to their most basic structure. After much experimentation, they found one promising candidate. It is a 13 amino acid peptide that links two nickel ions to the main chain. Scientists have given the molecule the nickname "nickelback".
The authors of the study are confident that the peptide is responsibleall requirements. Among other things, nickel was a common metal in the early oceans. It is also very reactive - nickel ions act as strong catalysts to produce hydrogen gas, which would be a key source of energy for metabolic processes.
Of course, this does not necessarily mean that the peptideis responsible for all life on Earth, but it will help scientists learn more about this vital transition. Also, astronomers can revise the list of biosignatures to search for life on other planets.
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Cover photo: NIH