Jianxi Ying

Abstract The abiotic formation of peptides in water remains a fundamental challenge in origin-of-life research. Direct aqueous condensation of amino acids is thermodynamically hindered; consequently, existing models frequently depend on activation agents or require extreme conditions. We have developed and implemented an aqueous pathway for peptide synthesis mediated by carbamoyl phosphate (CAP) within a mild, “warm little pond” scenario.

Abstract Bioorganic molecules, such as amino acids, nucleobases, and sugars, are widely distributed in space. Here, we utilized the Chinese Space Station to carry out an investigation on the solid-state condensation reactions of these “prebiotic organic molecules” under the combined effects of ionizing radiation and forsterite. Cumulative low-dose ionizing radiation can trigger dipeptide formations and phosphorylation of riboses.

Biomimetic prebiotic synthesis of homochiral peptides via a potential 5′-aa-AMP precursor† Inspired by biosynthetic peptides, we investigate the chiral recognition properties of adenylate amidate (N-aa-AMP, a potential analog of 5′-aa-AMP) in prebiotic peptide formation. Our findings demonstrate that N-L-aa-AMP preferentially binds to L-aa, facilitating the formation of homochiral peptides, while N-D-aa-AMP shows a preference for D-aa, thereby achieving homochirality in peptide synthesis.