1
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Bechtel M, Kurrle NJ, Trapp O. A Prebiotic Pathway to Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide. Chemistry 2024:e202402055. [PMID: 38884181 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202402055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Enzymes play a fundamental role in cellular metabolism. A wide range of enzymes require the presence of complementary coenzymes and cofactors to function properly. While coenzymes are believed to have been part of the last universal ancestor (LUCA) or have been present even earlier, the syntheses of crucial coenzymes like the redox-active coenzymes flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) remain challenging. Here, we present a pathway to NAD+ under prebiotic conditions starting with ammonia, cyanoacetaldehyde, prop-2-ynal and sugar-forming precursors, yielding in situ the nicotinamide riboside. Regioselective phosphorylation and water stable light activated adenosine monophosphate derivatives allow for topographically and irradiation-controlled formation of NAD+. Our findings indicate that NAD+, a coenzyme vital to life, can be formed non-enzymatically from simple organic feedstock molecules via photocatalytic activation under prebiotically plausible early Earth conditions in a continuous process under aqueous conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Bechtel
- Department of Chemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Nathalie J Kurrle
- Department of Chemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Oliver Trapp
- Department of Chemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377, Munich, Germany
- Max-Planck-Institute for Astronomy, Königstuhl 17, 69117, Heidelberg, Germany
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2
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Kirschning A. Why pyridoxal phosphate could be a functional predecessor of thiamine pyrophosphate and speculations on a primordial metabolism. RSC Chem Biol 2024; 5:508-517. [PMID: 38846080 PMCID: PMC11151856 DOI: 10.1039/d4cb00016a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The account attempts to substantiate the hypothesis that, from an evolutionary perspective, the coenzyme couple pyridoxal phosphate and pyridoxamine phosphate preceded the coenzyme thiamine pyrophosphate and acted as its less efficient chemical analogue in some form of early metabolism. The analysis combines mechanism-based chemical reactivity with biosynthetic arguments and provides evidence that vestiges of "TPP-like reactivity" are still found for PLP today. From these thoughts, conclusions can be drawn about the key elements of a primordial form of metabolism, which includes the citric acid cycle, amino acid biosynthesis and the pentose phosphate pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Kirschning
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Schneiderberg 1B 30167 Hannover Germany
- Uppsala Biomedical Center (BMC), University Uppsala, Husargatan 3 752 37 Uppsala Sweden
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3
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Hansen TN, Olsen CA. Contemporary Applications of Thioamides and Methods for Their Synthesis. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202303770. [PMID: 38088462 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202303770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Thioamides are naturally occurring isosteres of amide bonds in which the chalcogen atom of the carbonyl is changed from oxygen to sulfur. This substitution gives rise to altered nucleophilicity and hydrogen bonding properties with importance for both chemical reactivity and non-covalent interactions. As such, thioamides have been introduced into biologically active compounds to achieve improved target affinity and/or stability towards hydrolytic enzymes but have also been applied as probes of protein and peptide folding and dynamics. Recently, a series of new methods have been developed for the synthesis of thioamides as well as their utilization in peptide chemistry. Further, novel strategies for the incorporation of thioamides into proteins have been developed, enabling both structural and functional studies to be performed. In this Review, we highlight the recent developments in the preparation of thioamides and their applications for peptide modification and study of protein function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias N Hansen
- Center for Biopharmaceuticals & Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 160, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christian A Olsen
- Center for Biopharmaceuticals & Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 160, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Hensinger MJ, Eitzinger A, Trapp O, Ofial AR. Nucleophilicity of 4-(Alkylthio)-3-imidazoline Derived Enamines. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202302764. [PMID: 37850416 PMCID: PMC10962604 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202302764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Imidazolidine-4-thiones (ITOs) are cyclic, secondary amines that were considered as potential prebiotic organocatalysts for light-driven α-alkylations of aldehydes by bromoacetonitrile (BAN). Recent studies showed that the initially supplied ITOs represent the pre-catalyst because they undergo S-alkylation with BAN to give 4-(alkylthio)-3-imidazolines (TIMs). Given that the same reagent mix that undergoes light-driven α-alkylations is also effective in the dark, we synthesized ten ITO- or TIM-derived enamines of aldehydes and characterized their nucleophilic reactivities by kinetic studies in acetonitrile. The experimental second-order rate constants k2 for reactions of enamines with benzhydrylium ions (reference electrophiles) were evaluated by the Mayr-Patz equation, lg k2 (20 °C)=sN (N+E). The determined nucleophilicities N (and sN ) reveal the reactivity profiles of these enamines under prebiotically relevant conditions as well as their potential for use in organocatalytic synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magenta J. Hensinger
- Department ChemieLudwig-Maximilians-Universtität MünchenButenandtstrasse 5–1381377MünchenGermany
| | - Andreas Eitzinger
- Department ChemieLudwig-Maximilians-Universtität MünchenButenandtstrasse 5–1381377MünchenGermany
| | - Oliver Trapp
- Department ChemieLudwig-Maximilians-Universtität MünchenButenandtstrasse 5–1381377MünchenGermany
- Max-Planck-Institute for AstronomyKönigstuhl 1769117HeidelbergGermany
| | - Armin R. Ofial
- Department ChemieLudwig-Maximilians-Universtität MünchenButenandtstrasse 5–1381377MünchenGermany
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Bechtel M, Ebeling M, Huber L, Trapp O. (Photoredox) Organocatalysis in the Emergence of Life: Discovery, Applications, and Molecular Evolution. Acc Chem Res 2023; 56:2801-2813. [PMID: 37752618 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.3c00396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
ConspectusLife as we know it is built on complex and perfectly interlocking processes that have evolved over millions of years through evolutionary optimization processes. The emergence of life from nonliving matter and the evolution of such highly efficient systems therefore constitute an enormous synthetic and systems chemistry challenge. Advances in supramolecular and systems chemistry are opening new perspectives that provide insights into living and self-sustaining reaction networks as precursors for life. However, the ab initio synthesis of such a system requires the possibility of autonomous optimization of catalytic properties and, consequently, of an evolutionary system at the molecular level. In this Account, we present our discovery of the formation of substituted imidazolidine-4-thiones (photoredox) organocatalysts from simple prebiotic building blocks such as aldehydes and ketones under Strecker reaction conditions with ammonia and cyanides in the presence of hydrogen sulfide. The necessary aldehydes are formed from CO2 and hydrogen under prebiotically plausible meteoritic or volcanic iron-particle catalysis in the atmosphere of the early Earth. Remarkably, the investigated imidazolidine-4-thiones undergo spontaneous resolution by conglomerate crystallization, opening a pathway for symmetry breaking, chiral amplification, and enantioselective organocatalysis. These imidazolidine-4-thiones enable α-alkylations of aldehydes and ketones by photoredox organocatalysis. Therefore, these photoredox organocatalysts are able to modify their aldehyde building blocks, which leads in an evolutionary process to mutated second-generation and third-generation catalysts. In our experimental studies, we found that this mutation can occur not only by new formation of the imidazolidine core structure of the catalyst from modified aldehyde building blocks or by continuous supply from a pool of available building blocks but also by a dynamic exchange of the carbonyl moiety in ring position 2 of the imidazolidine moiety. Remarkably, it can be shown that by incorporating aldehyde building blocks from their environment, the imidazolidine-4-thiones are able to change and adapt to altering environmental conditions without undergoing the entire formation process. The selection of the mutated catalysts is then based on the different catalytic activities in the modification of the aldehyde building blocks and on the catalysis of subsequent processes that can lead to the formation of molecular reaction networks as progenitors for cellular processes. We were able to show that these imidazolidine-4-thiones not only enable α-alkylations but also facilitate other important transformations, such as the selective phosphorylation of nucleosides to nucleotides as a key step leading to the oligomerization to RNA and DNA. It can therefore be expected that evolutionary processes have already taken place on a small molecular level and have thus developed chemical tools that change over time, representing a hidden layer on the path to enzymatically catalyzed biochemical processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Bechtel
- Department Chemie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377 München, Germany
| | - Marian Ebeling
- Department Chemie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377 München, Germany
| | - Laura Huber
- Department Chemie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377 München, Germany
| | - Oliver Trapp
- Department Chemie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377 München, Germany
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Dennis JA, Johnson NW, Thorpe TW, Wallace S. Biocompatible α-Methylenation of Metabolic Butyraldehyde in Living Bacteria. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202306347. [PMID: 37477977 PMCID: PMC10952924 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202306347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Small molecule organocatalysts are abundant in all living organisms. However, their use as organocatalysts in cells has been underexplored. Herein, we report that organocatalytic aldol chemistry can be interfaced with living Escherichia coli to enable the α-methylenation of cellular aldehydes using biogenic amines such as L-Pro or phosphate. The biocompatible reaction is mild and can be interfaced with butyraldehyde generated from D-glucose via engineered metabolism to enable the production of 2-methylenebutanal (2-MB) and 2-methylbutanal (2-MBA) by anaerobic fermentation, and 2-methylbutanol (2-MBO) by whole-cell catalysis. Overall, this study demonstrates the combination of non-enzymatic organocatalytic and metabolic reactions in vivo for the sustainable synthesis of valuable non-natural chemicals that cannot be accessed using enzymatic chemistry alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan A. Dennis
- Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of Biological SciencesUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghEH9 3FFUK
- EaStCHEM School of ChemistryUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghEH9 3FJUK
| | - Nick W. Johnson
- Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of Biological SciencesUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghEH9 3FFUK
| | - Thomas W. Thorpe
- Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of Biological SciencesUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghEH9 3FFUK
| | - Stephen Wallace
- Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of Biological SciencesUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghEH9 3FFUK
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Bechtel M, Hümmer E, Trapp O. Selective Phosphorylation of RNA‐ and DNA‐Nucleosides under Prebiotically Plausible Conditions. CHEMSYSTEMSCHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/syst.202200020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Bechtel
- Department of Chemistry Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich Butenandtstr. 5–13 81377 Munich Germany
| | - Eva Hümmer
- Department of Chemistry Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich Butenandtstr. 5–13 81377 Munich Germany
| | - Oliver Trapp
- Department of Chemistry Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich Butenandtstr. 5–13 81377 Munich Germany
- Max-Planck-Institute for Astronomy Königstuhl 17 69117 Heidelberg Germany
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Closs AC, Bechtel M, Trapp O. Dynamischer Austausch von Substituenten in einem präbiotischen Organokatalysator: Erste Schritte auf dem Weg zu einem evolutionären System. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202112563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna C. Closs
- Department Chemie Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Butenandtstr. 5–13 81377 München Deutschland
- Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie Königstuhl 17 69117 Heidelberg Deutschland
| | - Maximilian Bechtel
- Department Chemie Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Butenandtstr. 5–13 81377 München Deutschland
| | - Oliver Trapp
- Department Chemie Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Butenandtstr. 5–13 81377 München Deutschland
- Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie Königstuhl 17 69117 Heidelberg Deutschland
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9
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Closs AC, Bechtel M, Trapp O. Dynamic Exchange of Substituents in a Prebiotic Organocatalyst: Initial Steps towards an Evolutionary System. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 61:e202112563. [PMID: 34705315 PMCID: PMC9298921 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202112563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
All evolutionary biological processes lead to a change in heritable traits over successive generations. The responsible genetic information encoded in DNA is altered, selected, and inherited by mutation of the base sequence. While this is well known at the biological level, an evolutionary change at the molecular level of small organic molecules is unknown but represents an important prerequisite for the emergence of life. Here, we present a class of prebiotic imidazolidine-4-thione organocatalysts able to dynamically change their constitution and potentially capable to form an evolutionary system. These catalysts functionalize their building blocks and dynamically adapt to their (self-modified) environment by mutation of their own structure. Depending on the surrounding conditions, they show pronounced and opposing selectivity in their formation. Remarkably, the preferentially formed species can be associated with different catalytic properties, which enable multiple pathways for the transition from abiotic matter to functional biomolecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna C Closs
- Department of Chemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377, Munich, Germany.,Max-Planck-Institute for Astronomy, Königstuhl 17, 69117, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Maximilian Bechtel
- Department of Chemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Oliver Trapp
- Department of Chemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377, Munich, Germany.,Max-Planck-Institute for Astronomy, Königstuhl 17, 69117, Heidelberg, Germany
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Stolar T, Grubešić S, Cindro N, Meštrović E, Užarević K, Hernández JG. Mechanochemical Prebiotic Peptide Bond Formation*. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:12727-12731. [PMID: 33769680 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202100806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The presence of amino acids on the prebiotic Earth, either stemming from endogenous chemical routes or delivered by meteorites, is consensually accepted. Prebiotically plausible pathways to peptides from inactivated amino acids are still unclear as most oligomerization approaches rely on thermodynamically disfavored reactions in solution. Now, a combination of prebiotically plausible minerals and mechanochemical activation enables the oligomerization of glycine at ambient temperature in the absence of water. Raising the reaction temperature increases the degree of oligomerization concomitantly with the formation of a commonly unwanted cyclic glycine dimer (DKP). However, DKP is a productive intermediate in the mechanochemical oligomerization of glycine. The findings of this research show that mechanochemical peptide bond formation is a dynamic process that provides alternative routes towards oligopeptides and establishes new synthetic approaches for prebiotic chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomislav Stolar
- Division of Physical Chemistry, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička c. 54, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Saša Grubešić
- Xellia Pharmaceuticals, Slavonska avenija 24/6, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nikola Cindro
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ernest Meštrović
- Xellia Pharmaceuticals, Slavonska avenija 24/6, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Krunoslav Užarević
- Division of Physical Chemistry, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička c. 54, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - José G Hernández
- Division of Physical Chemistry, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička c. 54, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
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Stolar T, Grubešić S, Cindro N, Meštrović E, Užarević K, Hernández JG. Mechanochemical Prebiotic Peptide Bond Formation**. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202100806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tomislav Stolar
- Division of Physical Chemistry Ruđer Bošković Institute Bijenička c. 54 10000 Zagreb Croatia
| | - Saša Grubešić
- Xellia Pharmaceuticals Slavonska avenija 24/6 10000 Zagreb Croatia
| | - Nikola Cindro
- Department of Organic Chemistry Faculty of Science University of Zagreb Horvatovac 102a 10000 Zagreb Croatia
| | - Ernest Meštrović
- Xellia Pharmaceuticals Slavonska avenija 24/6 10000 Zagreb Croatia
| | - Krunoslav Užarević
- Division of Physical Chemistry Ruđer Bošković Institute Bijenička c. 54 10000 Zagreb Croatia
| | - José G. Hernández
- Division of Physical Chemistry Ruđer Bošković Institute Bijenička c. 54 10000 Zagreb Croatia
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