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Kawamura K, Konagaya N, Maruoka Y. Enhancement and Inhibitory Activities of Minerals for Alanine Oligopeptide Elongation Under Hydrothermal Conditions. ASTROBIOLOGY 2018; 18:1403-1413. [PMID: 30160529 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2017.1732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In a previous study, we have showed that the elongation of an alanine oligopeptide [L-alanyl-L-alanyl-L-alanyl-L-alanine ((Ala)4)] to higher oligopeptides is enhanced by calcite and dolomite at 275°C, using a mineral-mediated hydrothermal flow reactor system. However, a problem during the use of hydrothermal flow reactor system was that some of the minerals, such as clay, could not be tested due to their clogging in the reactor. In this article, we attempted to analyze the scope of enhancement for the formation of L-alanyl-L-alanyl-L-alanyl-L-alanyl-L-alanine ((Ala)5) and higher oligopeptides with different minerals including clay minerals for the elongation of alanine oligopeptide at 175°C. First, carbonate minerals and some clay minerals showed an enhancement of the formation of (Ala)5 from (Ala)4. On the contrary, volcanic products showed strong inhibitory activities. According to the pH dependence on the (Ala)4 elongations, we confirmed that most enhancement and inhibitory activities are due to the pH influence on the elongation of (Ala)4. However, the enhancement of montmorillonite (Tsukinuno), sphalerite, apatite, tourmaline, calcite (Nitto Funka), and the inhibitory activities by volcanic ash (Shinmoedake), volcanic ash (Sakurajima), dickite, and pyrophillite are not simply due to the pH change in the presence of these minerals. The difference found between the previous and present studies suggests that the interaction kinetics of the aqueous phase with the mineral phase is also an important factor for the elongation of (Ala)4. These data imply that the environments with pH near neutral to weak alkaline and with minerals might have been useful for the accumulation of oligopeptides in hydrothermal conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunio Kawamura
- 1 Department of Human Environmental Studies, Hiroshima Shudo University , Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Noriko Konagaya
- 2 Department of Nutritional Sciences, Yasuda Women's University , Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Yoshimi Maruoka
- 1 Department of Human Environmental Studies, Hiroshima Shudo University , Hiroshima, Japan
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Kawamura K. Hydrothermal Microflow Technology as a Research Tool for Origin-of-Life Studies in Extreme Earth Environments. Life (Basel) 2017; 7:E37. [PMID: 28974048 PMCID: PMC5745550 DOI: 10.3390/life7040037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Revised: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 09/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Although studies about the origin of life are a frontier in science and a number of effective approaches have been developed, drawbacks still exist. Examples include: (1) simulation of chemical evolution experiments (which were demonstrated for the first time by Stanley Miller); (2) approaches tracing back the most primitive life-like systems (on the basis of investigations of present organisms); and (3) constructive approaches for making life-like systems (on the basis of molecular biology), such as in vitro construction of the RNA world. Naturally, simulation experiments of chemical evolution under plausible ancient Earth environments have been recognized as a potentially fruitful approach. Nevertheless, simulation experiments seem not to be sufficient for identifying the scenario from molecules to life. This is because primitive Earth environments are still not clearly defined and a number of possibilities should be taken into account. In addition, such environments frequently comprise extreme conditions when compared to the environments of present organisms. Therefore, we need to realize the importance of accurate and convenient experimental approaches that use practical research tools, which are resistant to high temperature and pressure, to facilitate chemical evolution studies. This review summarizes improvements made in such experimental approaches over the last two decades, focusing primarily on our hydrothermal microflow reactor technology. Microflow reactor systems are a powerful tool for performing simulation experiments in diverse simulated hydrothermal Earth conditions in order to measure the kinetics of formation and degradation and the interactions of biopolymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunio Kawamura
- Department of Human Environmental Studies, Hiroshima Shudo University, Ozuka-higashi, Asaminami-ku, Hiroshima 731-3195, Japan.
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Kawamura K. A Hypothesis: Life Initiated from Two Genes, as Deduced from the RNA World Hypothesis and the Characteristics of Life-Like Systems. Life (Basel) 2016; 6:life6030029. [PMID: 27490571 PMCID: PMC5041005 DOI: 10.3390/life6030029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Revised: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA played a central role in the emergence of the first life-like system on primitive Earth since RNA molecules contain both genetic information and catalytic activity. However, there are several drawbacks regarding the RNA world hypothesis. Here, I briefly discuss the feasibility of the RNA world hypothesis to deduce the RNA functions that are essential for forming a life-like system. At the same time, I have conducted a conceptual analysis of the characteristics of biosystems as a useful approach to deduce a realistic life-like system in relation to the definition of life. For instance, an RNA-based life-like system should possess enough stability to resist environmental perturbations, by developing a cell-like compartment, for instance. Here, a conceptual viewpoint is summarized to provide a realistic life-like system that is compatible with the primitive Earth environment and the capabilities of RNA molecules. According to the empirical and conceptual analysis, I propose the hypothesis that the first life-like system could have initiated from only two genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunio Kawamura
- Department of Human Environmental Studies, Hiroshima Shudo University, 1-1-1, Ozuka-higashi, Asaminami-ku, Hiroshima 731-3195, Japan.
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Kumar VB, Sheinberger J, Porat Z, Shav-Tal Y, Gedanken A. A hydrothermal reaction of an aqueous solution of BSA yields highly fluorescent N doped C-dots used for imaging of live mammalian cells. J Mater Chem B 2016; 4:2913-2920. [DOI: 10.1039/c6tb00519e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In the current study, we present a new and facile synthesis of N doped C-dots (N@C-dots) by hydrothermally reacting an aqueous solution of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) for imaging of live mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Bhooshan Kumar
- Department of Chemistry and Bar-Ilan Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials
- Bar Ilan University
- Ramat-Gan 52900
- Israel
| | - Jonathan Sheinberger
- Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences & Institute of Nanotechnology
- Bar-Ilan University
- Ramat Gan 52900
- Israel
| | - Zeev Porat
- Division of Chemistry
- Nuclear Research Center-Negev
- Be'er-Sheva 84190
- Israel
- Institutes of Applied Research
| | - Yaron Shav-Tal
- Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences & Institute of Nanotechnology
- Bar-Ilan University
- Ramat Gan 52900
- Israel
| | - Aharon Gedanken
- Department of Chemistry and Bar-Ilan Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials
- Bar Ilan University
- Ramat-Gan 52900
- Israel
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering
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Dou J, Meng Y, Liu L, Li J, Ren D, Guo Y. Purification, characterization and antioxidant activities of polysaccharides from thinned-young apple. Int J Biol Macromol 2014; 72:31-40. [PMID: 25109456 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2014.07.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2014] [Revised: 07/12/2014] [Accepted: 07/31/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Purification, characterization and antioxidant activities of polysaccharides from thinned-young apple (TYA) were investigated in the study. A water-soluble polysaccharide (TYAP) was obtained with hot water extraction, which was further purified by chromatography of Cellulose DEAE-52 and Sephadex G-150 to get three purified fractions of TYAP-1, TYAP-2 and TYAP-3. HPLC analysis showed that the three fractions were mainly composed of galactose and arabinose with the average molecular weights of 115 kDa, 479 kDa and 403 kDa, respectively and the monosaccharide compositions of TYAP-2 and TYAP-3 were more complicated than that of TYAP-1. Moreover, TYAP fractions of three had no absorptions at 260 nm and 280 nm in the UV spectrum, indicating the absence of protein and nucleic acid. Their structure properties were further confirmed by FT-IR. In vitro antioxidant activities of three fractions were characterized by DPPH(•), HO(•), O2(•-) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power systems. The results indicated that TYAP-1, TYAP-2 and TYAP-3 possessed significant antioxidant effects in a concentration-dependant manner in the tested concentration range of 0.25-5.0mg/mL. Among the fractions tested, TYAP-3 showed significantly higher antioxidant activity than that of TYAP-1 and TYAP-2. All of these findings provide a scientific basis for the further use of polysaccharides from thinned-young apple.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Dou
- College of Food Engineering and Nutritional Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, China
| | - Yonghong Meng
- College of Food Engineering and Nutritional Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, China
| | - Lei Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Jie Li
- College of Food Engineering and Nutritional Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, China
| | - Daoyuan Ren
- College of Food Engineering and Nutritional Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, China
| | - Yurong Guo
- College of Food Engineering and Nutritional Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, China.
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Liu LL, Zhao YF, Jin WJ. Investigation on the effect of water on the spectroscopic behaviors of TPPS in acidic imidazolium-based ionic liquids. J PORPHYR PHTHALOCYA 2012. [DOI: 10.1142/s1088424612501118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The effect of water on the spectroscopic behaviors of meso-tetrakis-(4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin (TPPS) in acidic 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMIMBF4) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMIMBF4) is investigated by spectroscopic methods. In acidic ionic liquids without water, the Soret bands of the protonated form (H4TPPS2-) and J-aggregates of TPPS are centered at 449 and 469 nm, respectively, and the Q-band is centered at 679 nm. When increasing the content of water, the Soret band of H4TPPS2- is blue-shifted to 430 nm. However, the Soret and Q-bands of J-aggregates are red-shifted to 487 and 701 nm, respectively. The NMR and pyrene-scale polarity experiments reveal that the change of the bulk environment is responsible for the red-shift of J-aggregates and the blue-shift of H4TPPS2-. According to the analysis of the fluorescence spectra, the content of H4TPPS2- increases gradually with the addition of water, while the content of H2TPPS4- takes the opposite trend. Simultaneously, the content of J-aggregates decreases substantially when the addition of water is 0 ~ ca. 12 μL (or 13 μL) but it decreases slowly with further addition of water. Remarkably, the fluorescence intensity of J-aggregates is relatively strong. In addition, the fluorescence of J-aggregates can be detected when λex is set at both λex for TPPS monomers and λex for J-aggregates. While the fluorescence of TPPS monomers can be detected only when λex is set at λex for monomers. Moreover, with the addition of water, the fluorescence lifetimes of H2TPPS4- and H4TPPS2- increase from 3.202 and 0.830 ns to 9.623 and 2.964 ns, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Li Liu
- College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, P.R. China
| | - Yun Fang Zhao
- College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, P.R. China
| | - Wei Jun Jin
- College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, P.R. China
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High-throughput Ru(III) analysis using the hydrothermal flow reactor-mediated FIA by the extreme acceleration of Ru(III) complexation with 1,10-phenanthroline. Talanta 2012; 99:415-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2012.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2012] [Revised: 05/31/2012] [Accepted: 06/01/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Kawamura K. Drawbacks of the ancient RNA-based life-like system under primitive earth conditions. Biochimie 2012; 94:1441-50. [PMID: 22738727 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2012.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2011] [Accepted: 02/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Following the discovery of ribozymes, the "RNA world" hypothesis has become the most accepted hypothesis concerning the origin of life and genetic information. However, this hypothesis has several drawbacks. Verification of the hypothesis from different viewpoints led us to proposals from the viewpoint of the hydrothermal origin of life, solubility of RNA and related biopolymers, and the possibility of creating an evolutionary system comparable to the in vitro selection technique for functional RNA molecules based on molecular biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunio Kawamura
- Department of Human Environmental Studies, Hiroshima Shudo University, 1-1-1, Ozuka-higashi, Asaminami-ku, Hiroshima 731-3195, Japan.
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Reality of the Emergence of Life-Like Systems from Simple Prebiotic Polymers on Primitive Earth. CELLULAR ORIGIN, LIFE IN EXTREME HABITATS AND ASTROBIOLOGY 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-2941-4_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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Flow injection analysis combined with a hydrothermal flow reactor: Application to kinetic determination of trace amounts of iridium using a water-soluble porphyrin. Talanta 2011; 84:1318-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2011.02.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2010] [Revised: 02/02/2011] [Accepted: 02/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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KAWAMURA K. Development of Micro-Flow Hydrothermal Monitoring Systems and Their Applications to the Origin of Life Study on Earth. ANAL SCI 2011; 27:675. [DOI: 10.2116/analsci.27.675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kunio KAWAMURA
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka Prefecture University
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