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Science 9 December 1966:
Vol. 154. no. 3754, pp. 1344 - 1346
DOI: 10.1126/science.154.3754.1344
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Articles

Synthesis of Amino Acid Residues with Reactive Side Chainsunder Simple Conditions

Gary Steinman 1

1 Department of Biochemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park

The side chains of amino acid residues can be converted from nonreactive to reactive species. Under the influence of electrical discharge, alanine is converted to aspartic acid in the presence of CO2, for example. The possible implications of these findings to events taking place on primitive Earth are discussed.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Synthesis of a Sulfur-Containing Amino Acid under Simulated Prebiotic Conditions.
G. Steinman, A. E. Smith, and J. J. Silver (1968)
Science 159, 1108-1109
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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)