Unveiling the Formation of Primordial Proteins on Prebiotic Earth
Scientists at Tohoku University have discovered that boric acid can catalyze the formation of lengthy peptides under neutral and acidic conditions, challenging previous theories that alkaline conditions were necessary. The presence of boron-containing minerals in ancient rocks supports the idea that boron-rich, neutral environments on prebiotic Earth could have facilitated protein synthesis. This finding sheds light on the origin of life and the formation of catalytic organic polymers. The researchers evaporated amino acid solutions containing boric acid and observed the creation of polypeptides, with the longest peptides reaching 39 monomers in length under neutral conditions. The study suggests that boron-rich, neutral evaporative environments were ideal for the formation and interaction of essential polymers in the chemical evolution of life.