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Science 31 July 1998:
Vol. 281. no. 5377, pp. 670 - 672
DOI: 10.1126/science.281.5377.670
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Reports

Peptides by Activation of Amino Acids with CO on (Ni,Fe)S Surfaces: Implications for the Origin of Life

Claudia Huber, Günter Wächtershäuser *

In experiments modeling volcanic or hydrothermal settings amino acids were converted into their peptides by use of coprecipitated (Ni,Fe)S and CO in conjunction with H2S (or CH3SH) as a catalyst and condensation agent at 100°C and pH 7 to 10 under anaerobic, aqueous conditions. These results demonstrate that amino acids can be activated under geochemically relevant conditions. They support a thermophilic origin of life and an early appearance of peptides in the evolution of a primordial metabolism.

C. Huber, Department for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstraße 4, D-85747 Garching, Germany. G. Wächtershäuser, Tal 29, D-80331 München, Germany.
*   To whom correspondence should be addressed.

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