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Aithal A, Dagar S, Rajamani S. Metals in Prebiotic Catalysis: A Possible Evolutionary Pathway for the Emergence of Metalloproteins. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:5197-5208. [PMID: 36816708 PMCID: PMC9933472 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c07635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Proteinaceous catalysts found in extant biology are products of life that were potentially derived through prolonged periods of evolution. Given their complexity, it is reasonable to assume that they were not accessible to prebiotic chemistry as such. Nevertheless, the dependence of many enzymes on metal ions or metal-ligand cores suggests that catalysis relevant to biology could also be possible with just the metal centers. Given their availability on the Hadean/Archean Earth, it is fair to conjecture that metal ions could have constituted the first forms of catalysts. A slow increase of complexity that was facilitated through the provision of organic ligands and amino acids/peptides possibly allowed for further evolution and diversification, eventually demarcating them into specific functions. Herein, we summarize some key experimental developments and observations that support the possible roles of metal catalysts in shaping the origins of life. Further, we also discuss how they could have evolved into modern-day enzymes, with some suggestions for what could be the imminent next steps that researchers can pursue, to delineate the putative sequence of catalyst evolution during the early stages of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anuraag Aithal
- Department
of Biology, Indian Institute of Science
Education and Research, Pune, Maharashtra 411008, India
| | - Shikha Dagar
- Department
of Biology, Indian Institute of Science
Education and Research, Pune, Maharashtra 411008, India
| | - Sudha Rajamani
- Department
of Biology, Indian Institute of Science
Education and Research, Pune, Maharashtra 411008, India
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2
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Pleyer HL, Moeller R, Fujimori A, Fox S, Strasdeit H. Chemical, Thermal, and Radiation Resistance of an Iron Porphyrin: A Model Study of Biosignature Stability. ASTROBIOLOGY 2022; 22:776-799. [PMID: 35647896 PMCID: PMC9298530 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2021.0144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Metal complexes of porphyrins and porphyrin-type compounds are ubiquitous in all three domains of life, with hemes and chlorophylls being the best-known examples. Their diagenetic transformation products are found as geoporphyrins, in which the characteristic porphyrin core structure is retained and which can be up to 1.1 billion years old. Because of this, and their relative ease of detection, metalloporphyrins appear attractive as chemical biosignatures in the search for extraterrestrial life. In this study, we investigated the stability of solid chlorido(2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octaethylporphyrinato)iron(III) [FeCl(oep)], which served as a model for heme-like molecules and iron geoporphyrins. [FeCl(oep)] was exposed to a variety of astrobiologically relevant extreme conditions, namely: aqueous acids and bases, oxidants, heat, and radiation. Key results are: (1) the [Fe(oep)]+ core is stable over the pH range 0.0-13.5 even at 80°C; (2) the oxidizing power follows the order ClO- > H2O2 > ClO3- > HNO3 > ClO4-; (3) in an inert atmosphere, the iron porphyrin is thermally stable to near 250°C; (4) at high temperatures, carbon dioxide gas is not inert but acts as an oxidant, forming carbon monoxide; (5) a decomposition layer is formed on ultraviolet irradiation and protects the [FeCl(oep)] underneath; (6) an NaCl/NaHCO3 salt mixture has a protective effect against X-rays; and (7) no such effect is observed when [FeCl(oep)] is exposed to iron ion particle radiation. The relevance to potential iron porphyrin biosignatures on Mars, Europa, and Enceladus is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannes Lukas Pleyer
- Department of Bioinorganic Chemistry and Chemical Evolution, Institute of Chemistry, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Ralf Moeller
- Space Microbiology Research Group, Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Akira Fujimori
- Molecular and Cellular Radiation Biology Group, Department of Charged Particle Therapy Research, Institute for Quantum Medical Science, Chiba, Japan
| | - Stefan Fox
- Department of Bioinorganic Chemistry and Chemical Evolution, Institute of Chemistry, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Henry Strasdeit
- Department of Bioinorganic Chemistry and Chemical Evolution, Institute of Chemistry, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
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de la Concepción JG, Cerdán L, Marcos-Arenal P, Burillo-Villalobos M, Fonseca-Bonilla N, Lizcano-Vaquero R, López-Cayuela MÁ, Caballero JA, Gómez F. Phot0, a plausible primeval pigment on Earth and rocky exoplanets. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:16979-16987. [PMID: 35731548 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp01703b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In view of the existing controversy around the origin of the photosynthesis and, therefore, the first photosynthetic pigments, our work focuses on the theoretical study of a hypothetical first pigment, simpler than those existing today, that collects energy from solar radiation on Earth-like exoplanets. Our theoretical results show that there could exist geochemical conditions that allow the abiotic formation of a primeval pigment that might become sufficiently abundant in the early stages of habitable rocky exoplanets. These conditions would place this pigment before the appearance of life in a very young planet, thanks to chemical routes instead of biochemical transformations. Thus, our results may refute the currently accepted hypothesis that the complex biomolecules that allowed the photosynthesis to be carried out were synthesized through complex and evolved metabolic pathways. In addition, we show that the proposed primeval pigment, which we call Phot0, is also a precursor of the more evolved pigments known today on Earth and demonstrate, for the first time, an abiotic chemical route leading to tetrapyrroles not involving pyrrole derivatives. Our proposal places simple and very abundant raw materials in never-before-proposed geochemical conditions that lead to the formation of biomolecules of biological interest.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luis Cerdán
- Instituto de Ciencia Molecular (ICMoL), Universidad de Valencia, 46071 Valencia, Spain
| | - Pablo Marcos-Arenal
- Centro de Astrobiología (CSIC-INTA), Ctra. de Ajalvir km. 4, Torrejón de Ardoz, 28850 Madrid, Spain.
| | | | - Nuria Fonseca-Bonilla
- Centro de Astrobiología (CSIC-INTA), Ctra. de Ajalvir km. 4, Torrejón de Ardoz, 28850 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Rubén Lizcano-Vaquero
- Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - María-Ángeles López-Cayuela
- Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA), Atmospheric Research and Instrumentation Branch, 28850 Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain
| | - José A Caballero
- Centro de Astrobiología (CSIC-INTA), European Space Astronomy Centre, Camino bajo del Castillo, 28691 Villanueva de la Cañada, Madrid, Spain
| | - Felipe Gómez
- Centro de Astrobiología (CSIC-INTA), Ctra. de Ajalvir km. 4, Torrejón de Ardoz, 28850 Madrid, Spain.
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Abstract
The evolution of coenzymes, or their impact on the origin of life, is fundamental for understanding our own existence. Having established reasonable hypotheses about the emergence of prebiotic chemical building blocks, which were probably created under palaeogeochemical conditions, and surmising that these smaller compounds must have become integrated to afford complex macromolecules such as RNA, the question of coenzyme origin and its relation to the evolution of functional biochemistry should gain new impetus. Many coenzymes have a simple chemical structure and are often nucleotide-derived, which suggests that they may have coexisted with the emergence of RNA and may have played a pivotal role in early metabolism. Based on current theories of prebiotic evolution, which attempt to explain the emergence of privileged organic building blocks, this Review discusses plausible hypotheses on the prebiotic formation of key elements within selected extant coenzymes. In combination with prebiotic RNA, coenzymes may have dramatically broadened early protometabolic networks and the catalytic scope of RNA during the evolution of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Kirschning
- Institut für Organische Chemie und Biomolekulares Wirkstoffzentrum (BMWZ)Leibniz Universität HannoverSchneiderberg 1B30167HannoverGermany
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Kirschning A. The coenzyme/protein pair and the molecular evolution of life. Nat Prod Rep 2020; 38:993-1010. [PMID: 33206101 DOI: 10.1039/d0np00037j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Covering: up to 2020What was first? Coenzymes or proteins? These questions are archetypal examples of causal circularity in living systems. Classically, this "chicken-and-egg" problem was discussed for the macromolecules RNA, DNA and proteins. This report focuses on coenzymes and cofactors and discusses the coenzyme/protein pair as another example of causal circularity in life. Reflections on the origin of life and hypotheses on possible prebiotic worlds led to the current notion that RNA was the first macromolecule, long before functional proteins and hence DNA. So these causal circularities of living systems were solved by a time travel into the past. To tackle the "chicken-and-egg" problem of the protein-coenzyme pair, this report addresses this problem by looking for clues (a) in the first hypothetical biotic life forms such as protoviroids and the last unified common ancestor (LUCA) and (b) in considerations and evidence of the possible prebiotic production of amino acids and coenzymes before life arose. According to these considerations, coenzymes and cofactors can be regarded as very old molecular players in the origin and evolution of life, and at least some of them developed independently of α-amino acids, which here are evolutionarily synonymous with proteins. Discussions on "chicken-and-egg" problems open further doors to the understanding of evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Kirschning
- Institut für Organische Chemie und Zentrum für Biomolekulare Wirkstoffchemie (BMWZ), Leibniz Universität Hannover, Schneiderberg 1B, D-30167 Hannover, Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Kirschning
- Institut für Organische Chemie und Biomolekulares Wirkstoffzentrum (BMWZ) Leibniz Universität Hannover Schneiderberg 1B 30167 Hannover Deutschland
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Pleyer HL, Strasdeit H, Fox S. A Possible Prebiotic Ancestry of Porphyrin-Type Protein Cofactors. ORIGINS LIFE EVOL B 2018; 48:347-371. [PMID: 30547367 DOI: 10.1007/s11084-018-9567-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
In previous experiments that simulated conditions on primordial volcanic islands, we demonstrated the abiotic formation of hydrophobic porphyrins. The present study focused on the question whether such porphyrins can be metalated by prebiotically plausible metal ion sources. We used water-insoluble octaethylporphyrin (H2oep) as a model compound. Experiments were conducted in a nitrogen atmosphere under cyclic wet-dry conditions in order to simulate the fluctuating environment in prebiotic rock pools. Wetting-drying proved to be a crucial factor. Significant yields of the metalloporphyrins (20-78% with respect to H2oep) were obtained from the soluble salts MCl2 (M = Mg, Fe, Co, Ni and Cu) in freshwater. Even almost insoluble minerals and rocks metalated the porphyrin. Basalt (an iron source, 11% yield), synthetic jaipurite (CoS, 33%) and synthetic covellite (CuS, 57%) were most efficient. Basalt, magnetite and FeCl2 gave considerably higher yields in artificial seawater than in freshwater. From iron sources, the highest yields, however, were obtained in an acidic medium (hydrochloric acid with an initial pH of 2.1). Under these conditions, iron meteorites also metalated the porphyrin. Acidic conditions were considered because they are known to occur during eruptions on volcanic islands. Octaethylporphyrinatomagnesium(II) did not form in acidic medium and was unstable towards dissolved Fe2+. It is therefore questionable whether magnesium porphyrins, i.e. possible ancestors of chlorophyll, could have accumulated in primordial rock pools. However, abiotically formed ancestors of the modern cofactors heme (Fe), B12 (Co), and F430 (Ni) may have been available to hypothetical protometabolisms and early organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannes Lukas Pleyer
- Department of Bioinorganic Chemistry and Chemical Evolution, Institute of Chemistry, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr. 30, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Henry Strasdeit
- Department of Bioinorganic Chemistry and Chemical Evolution, Institute of Chemistry, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr. 30, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Stefan Fox
- Department of Bioinorganic Chemistry and Chemical Evolution, Institute of Chemistry, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr. 30, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
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Liu K, Ren X, Sun J, Zou Q, Yan X. Primitive Photosynthetic Architectures Based on Self-Organization and Chemical Evolution of Amino Acids and Metal Ions. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2018; 5:1701001. [PMID: 29938179 PMCID: PMC6010005 DOI: 10.1002/advs.201701001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2017] [Revised: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of light-energy-utilizing metabolism is likely to be a critical milestone in prebiotic chemistry and the origin of life. However, how the primitive pigment is spontaneously generated still remains unknown. Herein, a primitive pigment model based on adaptive self-organization of amino acids (Cystine, Cys) and metal ions (zinc ion, Zn2+) followed by chemical evolution under hydrothermal conditions is developed. The resulting hybrid microspheres are composed of radially aligned cystine/zinc (Cys/Zn) assembly decorated with carbonate-doped zinc sulfide (C-ZnS) nanocrystals. The part of C-ZnS can work as a light-harvesting antenna to capture ultraviolet and visible light, and use it in various photochemical reactions, including hydrogen (H2) evolution, carbon dioxide (CO2) photoreduction, and reduction of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydride (NADH). Additionally, guest molecules (e.g., glutamate dehydrogenase, GDH) can be encapsulated within the hierarchical Cys/Zn framework, which facilitates sustainable photoenzymatic synthesis of glutamate. This study helps deepen insight into the emergent functionality (conversion of light energy) and complexity (hierarchical architecture) from interaction and reaction of prebiotic molecules. The primitive pigment model is also promising to work as an artificial photosynthetic microreactor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical EngineeringInstitute of Process EngineeringChinese Academy of Sciences100190BeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences100049BeijingChina
| | - Xiaokang Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical EngineeringInstitute of Process EngineeringChinese Academy of Sciences100190BeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences100049BeijingChina
| | - Jianxuan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical EngineeringInstitute of Process EngineeringChinese Academy of Sciences100190BeijingChina
| | - Qianli Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical EngineeringInstitute of Process EngineeringChinese Academy of Sciences100190BeijingChina
| | - Xuehai Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical EngineeringInstitute of Process EngineeringChinese Academy of Sciences100190BeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences100049BeijingChina
- Center for MesoscienceInstitute of Process EngineeringChinese Academy of Sciences100190BeijingChina
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Taniguchi M, Lindsey JS. Database of Absorption and Fluorescence Spectra of >300 Common Compounds for use in Photochem
CAD. Photochem Photobiol 2018; 94:290-327. [DOI: 10.1111/php.12860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 236] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Taniguchi M, Ptaszek M, Chandrashaker V, Lindsey JS. The Porphobilinogen Conundrum in Prebiotic Routes to Tetrapyrrole Macrocycles. ORIGINS LIFE EVOL B 2017; 47:93-119. [PMID: 27207103 DOI: 10.1007/s11084-016-9506-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/01/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Attempts to develop a credible prebiotic route to tetrapyrroles have relied on enzyme-free recapitulation of the extant biosynthesis, but this process has foundered from the inability to form the pyrrole porphobilinogen (PBG) in good yield by self-condensation of the precursor δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA). PBG undergoes robust oligomerization in aqueous solution to give uroporphyrinogen (4 isomers) in good yield. ALA, PBG, and uroporphyrinogen III are universal precursors to all known tetrapyrrole macrocycles. The enzymic formation of PBG entails carbon-carbon bond formation between the less stable enolate/enamine of one ALA molecule (3-position) and the carbonyl/imine (4-position) of the second ALA molecule; without enzymes, the first ALA reacts at the more stable enolate/enamine (5-position) and gives the pyrrole pseudo-PBG. pseudo-PBG cannot self-condense, yet has one open α-pyrrole position and is proposed to be a terminator of oligopyrromethane chain-growth from PBG. Here, 23 analogues of ALA have been subjected to density functional theoretical (DFT) calculations, but no motif has been identified that directs reaction at the 3-position. Deuteriation experiments suggested 5-(phosphonooxy)levulinic acid would react preferentially at the 3- versus 5-position, but a hybrid condensation with ALA gave no observable uroporphyrin. The results suggest efforts toward a biomimetic, enzyme-free route to tetrapyrroles from ALA should turn away from structure-directed reactions and focus on catalysts that orient the two aminoketones to form PBG in a kinetically controlled process, thereby avoiding formation of pseudo-PBG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiko Taniguchi
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695-8204, USA
| | - Marcin Ptaszek
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, 21250-0001, USA
| | | | - Jonathan S Lindsey
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695-8204, USA.
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11
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Fontenot KR, Ongarora BG, LeBlanc LE, Zhou Z, Jois SD, Vicente MGH. Targeting of the epidermal growth factor receptor with mesoporphyrin IX-peptide conjugates. J PORPHYR PHTHALOCYA 2016; 20:352-366. [PMID: 27738394 PMCID: PMC5058426 DOI: 10.1142/s1088424616500115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The synthesis and in vitro evaluation of four mesoporphyrin IX-peptide conjugates designed to target EGFR, over-expressed in colorectal and other cancers, are reported. Two peptides with known affinity for EGFR, LARLLT (1) and GYHWYGYTPQNVI (2), were conjugated to mesoporphyrin IX (MPIX, 3) via one or both the propionic side chains, directly (4, 5) or with a triethylene glycol spacer (7, 8). The conjugates were characterized using NMR, MS, CD, SPR, UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopies. Energy minimization and molecular dynamics suggest different conformations for the conjugates. SPR studies show that conjugate 4, bearing two LARLLT with no PEG spacers, has the greatest affinity for binding to EGFR, followed by conjugate 7 with two PEG and two LARLLT sequences. Molecular modeling and docking studies suggest that both conjugates 4 and 7 can bind to monomer and dimer EGFR in open and closed conformations. The cytotoxicity and cellular targeting ability of the conjugates were investigated in human HEp2 cells over-expressing EGFR. All conjugates showed low dark- and photo-toxicities. The cellular uptake was highest for conjugates 4 and 8 and lowest for 7 bearing two LARLLT linked via PEG groups, likely due to decreased hydrophobicity. Among the conjugates investigated 4 is the most efficient EGFR-targeting agent, and therefore the most promising for the detection of cancers that over-express EGFR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krystal R. Fontenot
- Department of Chemistry, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Benson G. Ongarora
- Department of Chemistry, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Logan E. LeBlanc
- Department of Chemistry, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Zehua Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Seetharama D. Jois
- University of Louisiana at Monroe, School of Pharmacy, Monroe, LA 71201, USA
| | - M. Graça H. Vicente
- Department of Chemistry, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
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12
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Deans RM, Taniguchi M, Chandrashaker V, Ptaszek M, Chambers DR, Soares ARM, Lindsey JS. Complexity in structure-directed prebiotic chemistry. Unexpected compositional richness from competing reactants in tetrapyrrole formation. NEW J CHEM 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6nj00543h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Acyclic reactants afford “partially defective” pyrroles that interfere with chain growth of “normal” pyrroles on the path to tetrapyrrole macrocycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard M. Deans
- Department of Chemistry
- North Carolina State University
- Raleigh
- USA
| | | | | | - Marcin Ptaszek
- Department of Chemistry
- North Carolina State University
- Raleigh
- USA
| | - Dana R. Chambers
- Department of Chemistry
- North Carolina State University
- Raleigh
- USA
| | - Ana R. M. Soares
- Department of Chemistry
- North Carolina State University
- Raleigh
- USA
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13
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Taniguchi M, Deans RM, Chandrashaker V, Ptaszek M, Lindsey JS. Scope and limitations of two model prebiotic routes to tetrapyrrole macrocycles. NEW J CHEM 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6nj01423b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Aqueous reaction (35 °C, 72 h) of two acyclic compounds, an α-aminoketone + β-ketoester or β-diketone (not shown), affords a pyrrole that self-condenses to give the porphyrinogen.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Richard M. Deans
- Department of Chemistry
- North Carolina State University
- Raleigh
- USA
| | | | - Marcin Ptaszek
- Department of Chemistry
- North Carolina State University
- Raleigh
- USA
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14
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Chandrashaker V, Ptaszek M, Taniguchi M, Lindsey JS. Synthesis of diverse acyclic precursors to pyrroles for studies of prebiotic routes to tetrapyrrole macrocycles. NEW J CHEM 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6nj02048h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Some 50 ketones, β-diketones, β-ketoesters and α-aminoketones have been prepared for studies of the formation of trisubstituted pyrroles equipped for self-condensation leading to tetrapyrrole macrocycles.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marcin Ptaszek
- Department of Chemistry
- North Carolina State University
- Raleigh
- USA
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15
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Deans RM, Taniguchi M, Chandrashaker V, Ptaszek M, Lindsey JS. Complexity in structure-directed prebiotic chemistry. Reaction bifurcation from a β-diketone in tetrapyrrole formation. NEW J CHEM 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6nj00545d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
An unsymmetrical β-diketone with δ-aminolevulinic acid affords both a “defective” and a “normal” pyrrole; upon combinatorial reaction the former terminates chain-growth of the latter on the path to tetrapyrrole macrocycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard M. Deans
- Department of Chemistry
- North Carolina State University
- Raleigh
- USA
| | | | | | - Marcin Ptaszek
- Department of Chemistry
- North Carolina State University
- Raleigh
- USA
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16
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Sahin T, Harris MA, Vairaprakash P, Niedzwiedzki DM, Subramanian V, Shreve AP, Bocian DF, Holten D, Lindsey JS. Self-Assembled Light-Harvesting System from Chromophores in Lipid Vesicles. J Phys Chem B 2015; 119:10231-43. [PMID: 26230425 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.5b04841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Lipid vesicles are used as the organizational structure of self-assembled light-harvesting systems. Following analysis of 17 chromophores, six were selected for inclusion in vesicle-based antennas. The complementary absorption features of the chromophores span the near-ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared region. Although the overall concentration of the pigments is low (~1 μM for quantitative spectroscopic studies) in a cuvette, the lipid-vesicle system affords high concentration (≥10 mM) in the bilayer for efficient energy flow from donor to acceptor. Energy transfer was characterized in 13 representative binary mixtures using static techniques (fluorescence-excitation versus absorptance spectra, quenching of donor fluorescence, modeling emission spectra of a mixture versus components) and time-resolved spectroscopy (fluorescence, ultrafast absorption). Binary donor-acceptor systems that employ a boron-dipyrrin donor (S0 ↔ S1 absorption/emission in the blue-green) and a chlorin or bacteriochlorin acceptor (S0 ↔ S1 absorption/emission in the red or near-infrared) have an average excitation-energy-transfer efficiency (ΦEET) of ~50%. Binary systems with a chlorin donor and a chlorin or bacteriochlorin acceptor have ΦEET ∼ 85%. The differences in ΦEET generally track the donor-fluorescence/acceptor-absorption spectral overlap within a dipole-dipole coupling (Förster) mechanism. Substantial deviation from single-exponential decay of the excited donor (due to the dispersion of donor-acceptor distances) is expected and observed. The time profiles and resulting ΦEET are modeled on the basis of (Förster) energy transfer between chromophores relatively densely packed in a two-dimensional compartment. Initial studies of two ternary and one quaternary combination of chromophores show the enhanced spectral coverage and energy-transfer efficacy expected on the basis of the binary systems. Collectively, this approach may provide one of the simplest designs for self-assembled light-harvesting systems that afford broad solar collection and efficient energy transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuba Sahin
- †Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-8204, United States
| | - Michelle A Harris
- ‡Department of Chemistry, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130-4889, United States
| | - Pothiappan Vairaprakash
- †Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-8204, United States
| | - Dariusz M Niedzwiedzki
- §Photosynthetic Antenna Research Center, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130-4889, United States
| | - Vijaya Subramanian
- ∥Center for Biomedical Engineering and Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-0001, United States
| | - Andrew P Shreve
- ∥Center for Biomedical Engineering and Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-0001, United States
| | - David F Bocian
- ⊥Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, California 92521-0403, United States
| | - Dewey Holten
- ‡Department of Chemistry, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130-4889, United States
| | - Jonathan S Lindsey
- †Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-8204, United States
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Deans RM, Chandrashaker V, Taniguchi M, Lindsey JS. Complexity in structure-directed prebiotic chemistry. Effect of a defective competing reactant in tetrapyrrole formation. NEW J CHEM 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c5nj01474c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
A reactive but defective pyrrole, derived from the simple β-diketone acetylacetone, terminates chain-growth in a quantitative combinatorial manner in tetrapyrrole formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard M. Deans
- Department of Chemistry
- North Carolina State University
- Raleigh
- USA
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Alexy EJ, Hintz CW, Hughes HM, Taniguchi M, Lindsey JS. Paley's watchmaker analogy and prebiotic synthetic chemistry in surfactant assemblies. Formaldehyde scavenging by pyrroles leading to porphyrins as a case study. Org Biomol Chem 2015; 13:10025-31. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ob01409c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Facile exchange of micromolar dialkylpyrrolic constituents among a Poisson distribution of aqueous micelles overcomes immense statistical odds against reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J. Alexy
- Department of Chemistry
- North Carolina State University
- Raleigh
- USA
| | - Carl W. Hintz
- Department of Chemistry
- North Carolina State University
- Raleigh
- USA
| | - Hubert M. Hughes
- Department of Chemistry
- North Carolina State University
- Raleigh
- USA
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Soares ARM, Taniguchi M, Chandrashaker V, Lindsey JS. Expanded combinatorial formation of porphyrin macrocycles in aqueous solution containing vesicles. A prebiotic model. NEW J CHEM 2013. [DOI: 10.1039/c3nj41041b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Soares ARM, Anderson DR, Chandrashaker V, Lindsey JS. Catalytic diversification upon metal scavenging in a prebiotic model for formation of tetrapyrrole macrocycles. NEW J CHEM 2013. [DOI: 10.1039/c3nj00498h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Soares ARM, Thanaiah Y, Taniguchi M, Lindsey JS. Aqueous–membrane partitioning of β-substituted porphyrins encompassing diverse polarity. NEW J CHEM 2013. [DOI: 10.1039/c3nj41042k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Soares ARM, Taniguchi M, Chandrashaker V, Lindsey JS. Primordial oil slick and the formation of hydrophobic tetrapyrrole macrocycles. ASTROBIOLOGY 2012; 12:1055-1068. [PMID: 23095096 PMCID: PMC3491618 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2012.0857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2012] [Accepted: 08/26/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The functional end products of the extant biosynthesis of tetrapyrrole macrocycles in photosynthetic organisms are hydrophobic: chlorophylls and bacteriochlorophylls. A model for the possible prebiogenesis of hydrophobic analogues of nature's photosynthetic pigments was investigated by reaction of acyclic reactants in five media: aqueous solution (pH 7, 60°C, 24 h); aqueous solution containing 0.1 M decanoic acid (which forms a turbid suspension of vesicles); or aqueous solution accompanied by dodecane, mesitylene, or a five-component organic mixture (each of which forms a phase-separated organic layer). The organic mixture was composed of equimolar quantities of decanoic acid, dodecane, mesitylene, naphthalene, and pentyl acetate. The reaction of 1,5-dimethoxy-3-methylpentan-2,4-dione and 1-aminobutan-2-one to give etioporphyrinogens was enhanced in the presence of decanoic acid, affording (following chemical oxidation) etioporphyrins (tetraethyltetramethylporphyrins) in yields of 1.4-10.8% across the concentration range of 3.75-120 mM. The yield of etioporphyrins was greater in the presence of the five-component organic mixture (6.6% at 120 mM) versus that with dodecane or mesitylene (2.1% or 2.9%, respectively). The reaction in aqueous solution with no added oil-slick constituents resulted in phase separation-where the organic reactants themselves form an upper organic layer-and the yield of etioporphyrins was 0.5-2.6%. Analogous reactions leading to uroporphyrins (hydrophilic, eight carboxylic acids) or coproporphyrins (four carboxylic acids) were unaffected by the presence of decanoic acid or dodecane, and all yields were at most ∼2% or ∼8%, respectively. Taken together, the results indicate a facile means for the formation of highly hydrophobic constituents of potential value for prebiotic photosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana R M Soares
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University , Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA
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