Document Detail


Adsorption and polymerization of amino acids on mineral surfaces: a review.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  18344011     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The present paper offers a review of recent (post-1980) work on amino acid adsorption and thermal reactivity on oxide and sulfide minerals. This review is performed in the general frame of evaluating Bernal's hypothesis of prebiotic polymerization in the adsorbed state, but written from a surface scientist's point of view. After a general discussion of the thermodynamics of the problem and exactly what effects surfaces should have to make adsorbed-state polymerization a viable scenario, we examine some practical difficulties in experimental design and their bearing on the conclusions that can be drawn from extant works, including the relevance of the various available characterization techniques. We then present the state of the art concerning the mechanisms of the interactions of amino acids with mineral surfaces, including results from prebiotic chemistry-oriented studies, but also from several different fields of application, and discuss the likely consequences for adsorption selectivities. Finally, we briefly summarize the data concerning thermally activated amide bond formation of adsorbed amino acids without activating agents. The reality of the phenomenon is established beyond any doubt, but our understanding of its mechanism and therefore of its prebiotic potential is very fragmentary. The review concludes with a discussion of future work needed to fill the most conspicuous gaps in our knowledge of amino acids/mineral surfaces systems and their reactivity.
Authors:
Jean-François Lambert
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Review     Date:  2008-03-15
Journal Detail:
Title:  Origins of life and evolution of the biosphere : the journal of the International Society for the Study of the Origin of Life     Volume:  38     ISSN:  0169-6149     ISO Abbreviation:  Orig Life Evol Biosph     Publication Date:  2008 Jun 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2008-05-13     Completed Date:  2008-09-03     Revised Date:  2008-11-21    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8610391     Medline TA:  Orig Life Evol Biosph     Country:  Netherlands    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  211-42     Citation Subset:  IM; S    
Affiliation:
Laboratoire de Réactivité de Surface, UMR CNRS 7609, UPMC Univ Paris 06 and CNRS, Paris, France. lambert@ccr.jussieu.fr
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adsorption
Amino Acids / chemistry*
Biogenesis*
Hot Temperature*
Minerals / chemistry*
Models, Chemical*
Polymers / chemistry*
Thermodynamics
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Amino Acids; 0/Minerals; 0/Polymers

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Glycerol stimulates innate chaperoning, proteasomal and stress-resistance functions: implications fo...
Next Document:  Leukoencephalopathies associated with inborn errors of metabolism in adults.