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Chou L, Grefenstette N, Borges S, Caro T, Catalano E, Harman CE, McKaig J, Raj CG, Trubl G, Young A. Chapter 8: Searching for Life Beyond Earth. ASTROBIOLOGY 2024; 24:S164-S185. [PMID: 38498822 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2021.0104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
The search for life beyond Earth necessitates a rigorous and comprehensive examination of biosignatures, the types of observable imprints that life produces. These imprints and our ability to detect them with advanced instrumentation hold the key to our understanding of the presence and abundance of life in the universe. Biosignatures are the chemical or physical features associated with past or present life and may include the distribution of elements and molecules, alone or in combination, as well as changes in structural components or physical processes that would be distinct from an abiotic background. The scientific and technical strategies used to search for life on other planets include those that can be conducted in situ to planetary bodies and those that could be observed remotely. This chapter discusses numerous strategies that can be employed to look for biosignatures directly on other planetary bodies using robotic exploration including those that have been deployed to other planetary bodies, are currently being developed for flight, or will become a critical technology on future missions. Search strategies for remote observations using current and planned ground-based and space-based telescopes are also described. Evidence from spectral absorption, emission, or transmission features can be used to search for remote biosignatures and technosignatures. Improving our understanding of biosignatures, their production, transformation, and preservation on Earth can enhance our search efforts to detect life on other planets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luoth Chou
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
- Center for Space Sciences and Technology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Natalie Grefenstette
- Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Tristan Caro
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Enrico Catalano
- Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, The BioRobotics Institute, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Jordan McKaig
- Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Gareth Trubl
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, USA
| | - Amber Young
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
- Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
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Guerra C, Rodríguez-Núñez YA, Ensuncho AE. Role of Triplet States in the Photolysis of Proteogenic Amino Acids. Chemphyschem 2024; 25:e202300655. [PMID: 38057134 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.202300655] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
This investigation delves into the UV photodissociation of pivotal amino acids (Alanine, Glycine, Leucine, Proline, and Serine) at 213 nm, providing insights into triplet-state deactivation pathways. Utilizing a comprehensive approach involving time-dependent density functional calculations (TD-DFT), multi-configurational methods, and ab-initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations, we scrutinize the excited electronic states (T1 , T2 , and S1 ) subsequent to 213 nm excitation. Our findings demonstrate that α-carbonyl C-C bond-breaking in triplet states exhibits markedly lower barriers than in singlet states (below 5.0 kcal mol-1 ). AIMD simulations corroborate the potential involvement of triplet states in amino acid fragmentation, underscoring the significance of accounting for these states in photochemistry. Chemical bonding analyses unveil distinctive patterns for S1 and T1 states, with the asymmetric redistribution of electron density characterizing the C-C breaking in triplet states, in contrast to the symmetric breaking observed in singlet states. This research complements recent experimental discoveries, enhancing our comprehension of amino acid reactions in the interstellar medium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Guerra
- Universidad Andrés Bello, Centro de Química Teórica y Computacional (CQTC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Avenida República 275, 8370146, Santiago de Chile, Chile
- Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Facultad de Ingeniería, Avenida Pedro de Valdivia 425, 7500912, Santiago de Chile, Chile
- Universidad de Córdoba, Grupo de Química Computacional, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Carrera 6 No. 77-305, Montería-Córdoba, Colombia
| | - Yeray A Rodríguez-Núñez
- Universidad Andrés Bello, Centro de Química Teórica y Computacional (CQTC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Avenida República 275, 8370146, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Adolfo E Ensuncho
- Universidad de Córdoba, Grupo de Química Computacional, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Carrera 6 No. 77-305, Montería-Córdoba, Colombia
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Bocková J, Jones NC, Topin J, Hoffmann SV, Meinert C. Uncovering the chiral bias of meteoritic isovaline through asymmetric photochemistry. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3381. [PMID: 37291172 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39177-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Systematic enrichments of L-amino acids in meteorites is a strong indication that biological homochirality originated beyond Earth. Although still unresolved, stellar UV circularly polarized light (CPL) is the leading hypothesis to have caused the symmetry breaking in space. This involves the differential absorption of left- and right-CPL, a phenomenon called circular dichroism, which enables chiral discrimination. Here we unveil coherent chiroptical spectra of thin films of isovaline enantiomers, the first step towards asymmetric photolysis experiments using a tunable laser set-up. As analogues to amino acids adsorbed on interstellar dust grains, CPL-helicity dependent enantiomeric excesses of up to 2% were generated in isotropic racemic films of isovaline. The low efficiency of chirality transfer from broadband CPL to isovaline could explain why its enantiomeric excess is not detected in the most pristine chondrites. Notwithstanding, small, yet consistent L-biases induced by stellar CPL would have been crucial for its amplification during aqueous alteration of meteorite parent bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Bocková
- Institut de Chimie de Nice (ICN), CNRS UMR 7272, Université Côte d'Azur, 06108, Nice, France
| | - Nykola C Jones
- ISA, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Jérémie Topin
- Institut de Chimie de Nice (ICN), CNRS UMR 7272, Université Côte d'Azur, 06108, Nice, France
| | - Søren V Hoffmann
- ISA, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Cornelia Meinert
- Institut de Chimie de Nice (ICN), CNRS UMR 7272, Université Côte d'Azur, 06108, Nice, France.
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Moore B, Mahoney K, Zeng MF, Djuricanin P, Momose T. Ultraviolet Photodissociation of Proteinogenic Amino Acids. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:11045-11055. [PMID: 37167534 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c00124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The ultraviolet photochemistry of the amino acids glycine, leucine, proline, and serine in their neutral forms was investigated using parahydrogen matrix-isolation spectroscopy. Irradiation by 213 nm light destroys the chirality of all three chiral amino acids as a result of the α-carbonyl C-C bond cleavage and hydrocarboxyl (HOCO) radical production. The temporal behavior of the Fourier-transform infrared spectra revealed that HOCO radicals rapidly reach a steady state, which occurs predominantly due to photodissociation of HOCO into CO + OH or CO2 + H. In glycine and leucine, the amine radicals generated by the α-carbonyl C-C bond cleavage rapidly undergo hydrogen elimination to yield methanimine and 3-methylbutane-1-imine, respectively. Breaking of the α-carbonyl C-C bond in proline appeared to yield 1-pyrroline, although due to its weak absorption it remains unconfirmed. In serine, additional products were formaldehyde and E/Z ethanimine. The present study shows that the direct production of HOCO previously observed in α-alanine generalizes to other amino acids of varying structure. It also revealed a tendency for amino acid photolysis to form imines rather than amine radicals. HOCO should be useful in the search for amino acids in interstellar space, particularly in combination with simple imine molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Moore
- Department of Chemistry, The University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Kyle Mahoney
- Department of Chemistry, The University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Mei Fei Zeng
- Department of Chemistry, The University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Pavle Djuricanin
- Department of Chemistry, The University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Takamasa Momose
- Department of Chemistry, The University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z1, Canada
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Jenniskens P, Gabadirwe M, Yin QZ, Proyer A, Moses O, Kohout T, Franchi F, Gibson RL, Kowalski R, Christensen EJ, Gibbs AR, Heinze A, Denneau L, Farnocchia D, Chodas PW, Gray W, Micheli M, Moskovitz N, Onken CA, Wolf C, Devillepoix HAR, Ye Q, Robertson DK, Brown P, Lyytinen E, Moilanen J, Albers J, Cooper T, Assink J, Evers L, Lahtinen P, Seitshiro L, Laubenstein M, Wantlo N, Moleje P, Maritinkole J, Suhonen H, Zolensky ME, Ashwal L, Hiroi T, Sears DW, Sehlke A, Maturilli A, Sanborn ME, Huyskens MH, Dey S, Ziegler K, Busemann H, Riebe MEI, Meier MMM, Welten KC, Caffee MW, Zhou Q, Li QL, Li XH, Liu Y, Tang GQ, McLain HL, Dworkin JP, Glavin DP, Schmitt-Kopplin P, Sabbah H, Joblin C, Granvik M, Mosarwa B, Botepe K. The impact and recovery of asteroid 2018 LA. METEORITICS & PLANETARY SCIENCE 2021; 56:844-893. [PMID: 34295141 PMCID: PMC7611328 DOI: 10.1111/maps.13653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The June 2, 2018, impact of asteroid 2018 LA over Botswana is only the second asteroid detected in space prior to impacting over land. Here, we report on the successful recovery of meteorites. Additional astrometric data refine the approach orbit and define the spin period and shape of the asteroid. Video observations of the fireball constrain the asteroid's position in its orbit and were used to triangulate the location of the fireball's main flare over the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. 23 meteorites were recovered. A consortium study of eight of these classifies Motopi Pan as a HED polymict breccia derived from howardite, cumulate and basaltic eucrite, and diogenite lithologies. Before impact, 2018 LA was a solid rock of ~156 cm diameter with high bulk density ~2.85 g/cm3, a relatively low albedo pv ~ 0.25, no significant opposition effect on the asteroid brightness, and an impact kinetic energy of ~0.2 kt. The orbit of 2018 LA is consistent with an origin at Vesta (or its Vestoids) and delivery into an Earth-impacting orbit via the v6 resonance. The impact that ejected 2018 LA in an orbit towards Earth occurred 22.8 ± 3.8 Ma ago. Zircons record a concordant U-Pb age of 4563 ± 11 Ma and a consistent 207Pb/206Pb age of 4563 ± 6 Ma. A much younger Pb-Pb phosphate resetting age of 4234 ± 41 Ma was found. From this impact chronology, we discuss what is the possible source crater of Motopi Pan and the age of Vesta's Veneneia impact basin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Jenniskens
- SETI Institute, 189 Bernardo Avenue, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA
- NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Mohutsiwa Gabadirwe
- Botswana Geoscience Institute, Plot 11566, Khama 1 Avenue, Private Bag 0014, Lobatse, Botswana
| | - Qing-Zhu Yin
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of California Davis, One Shields Avenue, CA 95616, USA
| | - Alexander Proyer
- Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Private Bag 16, Palapye, Botswana
| | - Oliver Moses
- University of Botswana, Okavango Research Institute, Private Bag 285, Maun, Botswana
| | - Tomas Kohout
- Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki, P. O. Box 64, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Ursa Finnish Fireball Network, Kopernikuksentie 1, FI-00130 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Fulvio Franchi
- Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Private Bag 16, Palapye, Botswana
| | - Roger L. Gibson
- School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, P.O. WITS, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
| | - Richard Kowalski
- Catalina Sky Survey, Lunar & Planetary Laboratory, The University of Arizona, 1629 E University Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Eric J. Christensen
- Catalina Sky Survey, Lunar & Planetary Laboratory, The University of Arizona, 1629 E University Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Alex R. Gibbs
- Catalina Sky Survey, Lunar & Planetary Laboratory, The University of Arizona, 1629 E University Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Aren Heinze
- ATLAS, Institute for Astronomy, 2680 Woodlawn Drive, Honolulu, HI 96822-1839, USA
| | - Larry Denneau
- ATLAS, Institute for Astronomy, 2680 Woodlawn Drive, Honolulu, HI 96822-1839, USA
| | - Davide Farnocchia
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - Paul W. Chodas
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - William Gray
- Project Pluto, 168 Ridge Road, Bowdoinham, ME 04008, USA
| | - Marco Micheli
- ESA NEO Coordination Centre, Largo Galileo Galilei 1, I-00044, Frascati, Italy
| | - Nick Moskovitz
- Lowell Observatory, 1400 W. Mars Hill Rd., Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA
| | - Christopher A. Onken
- Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, The Australian National University, Canberra ACT 2611, Australia
| | - Christian Wolf
- Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, The Australian National University, Canberra ACT 2611, Australia
| | | | - Quanzhi Ye
- Department of Astronomy, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
- Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy, Caltech, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Darrel K. Robertson
- NASA Ames Research Center, Asteroid Threat Assessment Project, Mail Stop 239-1, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Peter Brown
- Centre for Planetary Science and Exploration, Western University, London, Ontario, N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Esko Lyytinen
- Ursa Finnish Fireball Network, Kopernikuksentie 1, FI-00130 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jarmo Moilanen
- Ursa Finnish Fireball Network, Kopernikuksentie 1, FI-00130 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jim Albers
- SETI Institute, 189 Bernardo Avenue, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA
| | - Tim Cooper
- Astronomical Society of Southern Africa, Suite 617, Private Bag X043, Benoni 1500, South Africa
| | - Jelle Assink
- Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute, R&D Seismology and Acoustics, P. O. Box 201, NL-3730 AE De Bilt, The Netherlands
| | - Läslo Evers
- Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute, R&D Seismology and Acoustics, P. O. Box 201, NL-3730 AE De Bilt, The Netherlands
- Delft University of Technology, Department of Geoscience and Engineering, P. O. Box 5048, NL-2600 GA Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Panu Lahtinen
- Ursa Finnish Fireball Network, Kopernikuksentie 1, FI-00130 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lesedi Seitshiro
- Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Private Bag 16, Palapye, Botswana
| | - Matthias Laubenstein
- Gran Sasso National Laboratory, National Institute for Nuclear Physics, Via G. Acitelli 22, I-67100 Assergi, Italy
| | - Nggie Wantlo
- Botswana Geoscience Institute, Plot 11566, Khama 1 Avenue, Private Bag 0014, Lobatse, Botswana
| | - Phemo Moleje
- Botswana Geoscience Institute, Plot 11566, Khama 1 Avenue, Private Bag 0014, Lobatse, Botswana
| | - Joseph Maritinkole
- Botswana Geoscience Institute, Plot 11566, Khama 1 Avenue, Private Bag 0014, Lobatse, Botswana
| | - Heikki Suhonen
- University of Helsinki, Department of Physics, P. O. Box 64, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Lewis Ashwal
- School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, P.O. WITS, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
| | - Takahiro Hiroi
- Brown University, Reflectance Experiment Laboratory, Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Science, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Derek W. Sears
- NASA Ames Research Center / Bay Area Environmental Research Institute, Mail Stop 245-3, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Alexander Sehlke
- NASA Ames Research Center / Bay Area Environmental Research Institute, Mail Stop 245-3, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Alessandro Maturilli
- Institute for Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center DLR, Rutherfordstrasse 2, D-12489 Berlin-Adlershof, Germany
| | - Matthew E. Sanborn
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of California Davis, One Shields Avenue, CA 95616, USA
| | - Magdalena H. Huyskens
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of California Davis, One Shields Avenue, CA 95616, USA
| | - Supratim Dey
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of California Davis, One Shields Avenue, CA 95616, USA
| | - Karen Ziegler
- University of New Mexico, Institute of Meteoritics, 221 Yale Blvd NE, 331 Northrop Hall, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Henner Busemann
- Institute of Geochemistry and Petrology, ETH Zürich, Clausiusstrasse 25, CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - My E. I. Riebe
- Institute of Geochemistry and Petrology, ETH Zürich, Clausiusstrasse 25, CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias M. M. Meier
- Naturmuseum St. Gallen, Rorschacher Strasse 263, CH-9016 St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Kees C. Welten
- University of California Berkeley, Space Science Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Marc W. Caffee
- Purdue University, Dept. Physics and Astronomy, 525 Northwestern Avenue, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Qin Zhou
- National Astronomical Observatories, Beijing, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Qiu-Li Li
- National Astronomical Observatories, Beijing, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Xian-Hua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Guo-Qiang Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Hannah L. McLain
- Catholic University of America, Department of Chemistry, 620 Michigan Ave, N.E., Washington, DC 20064, USA
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, 8800 Greenbelt Rd., Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA
| | - Jason P. Dworkin
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, 8800 Greenbelt Rd., Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA
| | - Daniel P. Glavin
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, 8800 Greenbelt Rd., Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA
| | - Philippe Schmitt-Kopplin
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Research Unit Analytical BioGeoChemistry, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany
- Technische Universität München, Analytical Food Chemistry, D-85354 Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany
| | - Hassan Sabbah
- IRAP, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, CNES, Université de Toulouse (UPS), F-31028 Toulouse Cedex 4, France
| | | | - Mikael Granvik
- University of Helsinki, Department of Physics, P. O. Box 64, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Asteroid Engineering Laboratory, Onboard Space Systems, Lulea University of Technology, Box 848, S-981 28 Kiruna, Sweden
| | - Babutsi Mosarwa
- Botswana National Museum, 161 Queens Rd., Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Koketso Botepe
- Botswana Geoscience Institute, Plot 11566, Khama 1 Avenue, Private Bag 0014, Lobatse, Botswana
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Schaefer K, Dambuza IM, Dall’Angelo S, Yuecel R, Jaspars M, Trembleau L, Zanda M, Brown GD, Netea MG, Gow NAR. A Weakened Immune Response to Synthetic Exo-Peptides Predicts a Potential Biosecurity Risk in the Retrieval of Exo-Microorganisms. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8071066. [PMID: 32708909 PMCID: PMC7409182 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8071066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary We tested the immune response of T cells of the mammalian immune system towards protein antigens that includes the unusual amino acids isovaline and α-aminoisobutyric. Those amino acids have been found in high abundance on carbonaceous meteorites but are extremely rare in proteomes of earth organisms. We hypothesised that proteins of non-terrestrial alien life forms might contain such amino acids and tested whether chemically synthesised “exopeptides” that contain these amino acids could be detected by the immune system. Our assays, based on the responses of CD8+ T cells to these exopeptides, indicated that antigen cleavage, processing, and subsequent T cell activation still occurred, but were less efficient than the response to control peptides that lacked these amino acids. We therefore speculate that the encounter of putative exo-microorganisms of an unusual antigenic repertoire might pose an immunological risk for space missions aiming to retrieve potentially biotic samples from exoplanets and moons. Abstract The discovery of liquid water at several locations in the solar system raises the possibility that microbial life may have evolved outside Earth and as such could be accidently introduced into the Earth’s ecosystem. Unusual sugars or amino acids, like non-proteinogenic isovaline and α-aminoisobutyric acid that are vanishingly rare or absent from life forms on Earth, have been found in high abundance on non-terrestrial carbonaceous meteorites. It is therefore conceivable that exo-microorganisms might contain proteins that include these rare amino acids. We therefore asked whether the mammalian immune system would be able to recognize and induce appropriate immune responses to putative proteinaceous antigens that include these rare amino acids. To address this, we synthesised peptide antigens based on a backbone of ovalbumin and introduced isovaline and α-aminoisobutyric acid residues and demonstrated that these peptides can promote naïve OT-I cell activation and proliferation, but did so less efficiently than the canonical peptides. This is relevant to the biosecurity of missions that may retrieve samples from exoplanets and moons that have conditions that may be permissive for life, suggesting that accidental contamination and exposure to exo-microorganisms with such distinct proteomes might pose an immunological challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Schaefer
- The Aberdeen Fungal Group, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK; (I.M.D.); (G.D.B.); (N.A.R.G.)
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - Ivy M. Dambuza
- The Aberdeen Fungal Group, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK; (I.M.D.); (G.D.B.); (N.A.R.G.)
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Sergio Dall’Angelo
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK; (S.D.); (M.Z.)
| | - Raif Yuecel
- Iain Fraser Cytometry Centre (IFCC), University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK;
- Centre for Cytomics, Geoffrey Pope Building, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Marcel Jaspars
- Marine Biodiscovery Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Meston Walk, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, UK; (M.J.); (L.T.)
| | - Laurent Trembleau
- Marine Biodiscovery Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Meston Walk, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, UK; (M.J.); (L.T.)
| | - Matteo Zanda
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK; (S.D.); (M.Z.)
- Sir David Davies Building, Centre for Imaging Science, School of Science, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
| | - Gordon D. Brown
- The Aberdeen Fungal Group, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK; (I.M.D.); (G.D.B.); (N.A.R.G.)
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Mihai G. Netea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands;
- Department for Genomics & Immunoregulation, Life and Medical Sciences Institute (LIMES), University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Neil A. R. Gow
- The Aberdeen Fungal Group, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK; (I.M.D.); (G.D.B.); (N.A.R.G.)
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
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7
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Brückner H, Degenkolb T. Sequences of Tolypins, Insecticidal Efrapeptin-Type Peptaibiotics from Species of the Fungal Genus Tolypocladium. Chem Biodivers 2020; 17:e2000276. [PMID: 32573986 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202000276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
A peptide mixture named tolypin, originally isolated from species of the fungal genus Tolypocladium, was structurally characterised and sequences compared to those reported for efrapeptins isolated from strains of Tolypocladium inflatum. Chiral amino acid analysis, direct infusion, and online HPLC electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry provided composition, molecular weights of peptides, and series of diagnostic fragment ions. Sequences deduced from ESI-MS revealed that tolypins C-G are identical to efrapeptins C-G. The results were corroborated by ESI-MS and HPLC of an authentic efrapeptin sample from Eli Lilly Research Laboratories (USA). Comparison of the HPLC elution profiles of efrapeptin and tolypin indicated a pronounced microheterogeneity of the former. A high-resolution HPLC of authentic efrapeptin has not been published before. Close relationship and partial identity of sequences of tolypins and efrapeptins, which had previously been postulated, were definitely proven. The geographical origin of the two most important T. inflatum strains used for sequencing of efrapeptins/tolypins could unambiguously be clarified. A new minor compound, designated tolypin H1, was sequenced. High proportions of helicogenic Aib (α-aminoisobutyric acid) and l-isovaline, N-terminal acetyl-l-pipecolic acid and the unusual, amide-bound C-terminal residue, named (S)-2-amino-1-(1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-ene-5-ylium)-4-methylpentane corresponding to 1-[(2S)-2-amino-4-methylpentyl]-2,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrimidin-1-ium, define these peptides as linear, cationic peptaibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Brückner
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre for BioSystems, Land Use and Nutrition (IFZ), Department of Food Sciences, Institute of Nutritional Science, Justus-Liebig University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, DE, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Thomas Degenkolb
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre for BioSystems, Land Use and Nutrition (IFZ), Department of Food Sciences, Institute of Nutritional Science, Justus-Liebig University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, DE, 35392 Giessen, Germany.,Present address: Interdisciplinary Research Centre for BioSystems, Land Use and Nutrition (IFZ), Institute of Insect Biotechnology, Department of Applied Entomology, Justus-Liebig University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, DE, 35392 Giessen, Germany
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8
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Glavin DP, Burton AS, Elsila JE, Aponte JC, Dworkin JP. The Search for Chiral Asymmetry as a Potential Biosignature in our Solar System. Chem Rev 2019; 120:4660-4689. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.9b00474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel P. Glavin
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland 20771, United States
| | - Aaron S. Burton
- NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas 77058, United States
| | - Jamie E. Elsila
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland 20771, United States
| | - José C. Aponte
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland 20771, United States
- Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. 20064, United States
| | - Jason P. Dworkin
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland 20771, United States
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9
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Simkus DN, Aponte JC, Elsila JE, Parker ET, Glavin DP, Dworkin JP. Methodologies for Analyzing Soluble Organic Compounds in Extraterrestrial Samples: Amino Acids, Amines, Monocarboxylic Acids, Aldehydes, and Ketones. Life (Basel) 2019; 9:E47. [PMID: 31174308 PMCID: PMC6617175 DOI: 10.3390/life9020047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 05/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Soluble organic compositions of extraterrestrial samples offer valuable insights into the prebiotic organic chemistry of the solar system. This review provides a summary of the techniques commonly used for analyzing amino acids, amines, monocarboxylic acids, aldehydes, and ketones in extraterrestrial samples. Here, we discuss possible effects of various experimental factors (e.g., extraction protocols, derivatization methods, and chromatographic techniques) in order to highlight potential influences on the results obtained from different methodologies. This detailed summary and assessment of current techniques is intended to serve as a basic guide for selecting methodologies for soluble organic analyses and to emphasize some key considerations for future method development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle N Simkus
- NASA Postdoctoral Program at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA.
- Solar System Exploration Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA.
| | - José C Aponte
- Solar System Exploration Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. 20064, USA.
| | - Jamie E Elsila
- Solar System Exploration Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA.
| | - Eric T Parker
- Solar System Exploration Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA.
| | - Daniel P Glavin
- Solar System Exploration Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA.
| | - Jason P Dworkin
- Solar System Exploration Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA.
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10
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Alonso JL, Peña I, López JC, Alonso ER, Vaquero V. The Shape of the Simplest Non-proteinogenic Amino Acid α-Aminoisobutyric Acid (Aib). Chemistry 2019; 25:2288-2294. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201805038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- José L. Alonso
- Grupo de Espectroscopía Molecular (GEM); Edificio Quifima; Laboratorio de Espectroscopia y Bioespectroscopia; Unidad Asociada CSIC; Parque Científico Uva; Universidad de Valladolid; 47011 Valladolid Spain
| | - Isabel Peña
- Grupo de Espectroscopía Molecular (GEM); Edificio Quifima; Laboratorio de Espectroscopia y Bioespectroscopia; Unidad Asociada CSIC; Parque Científico Uva; Universidad de Valladolid; 47011 Valladolid Spain
| | - Juan C. López
- Departamento de Química Física e Inorgánica; Facultad de, Ciencias; Universidad de Valladolid; 47011 Valladolid Spain
| | - Elena R. Alonso
- Grupo de Espectroscopía Molecular (GEM); Edificio Quifima; Laboratorio de Espectroscopia y Bioespectroscopia; Unidad Asociada CSIC; Parque Científico Uva; Universidad de Valladolid; 47011 Valladolid Spain
| | - Vanesa Vaquero
- Grupo de Espectroscopía Molecular (GEM); Edificio Quifima; Laboratorio de Espectroscopia y Bioespectroscopia; Unidad Asociada CSIC; Parque Científico Uva; Universidad de Valladolid; 47011 Valladolid Spain
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11
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Data-Driven Astrochemistry: One Step Further within the Origin of Life Puzzle. Life (Basel) 2018; 8:life8020018. [PMID: 29857564 PMCID: PMC6027145 DOI: 10.3390/life8020018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2018] [Revised: 05/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrochemistry, meteoritics and chemical analytics represent a manifold scientific field, including various disciplines. In this review, clarifications on astrochemistry, comet chemistry, laboratory astrophysics and meteoritic research with respect to organic and metalorganic chemistry will be given. The seemingly large number of observed astrochemical molecules necessarily requires explanations on molecular complexity and chemical evolution, which will be discussed. Special emphasis should be placed on data-driven analytical methods including ultrahigh-resolving instruments and their interplay with quantum chemical computations. These methods enable remarkable insights into the complex chemical spaces that exist in meteorites and maximize the level of information on the huge astrochemical molecular diversity. In addition, they allow one to study even yet undescribed chemistry as the one involving organomagnesium compounds in meteorites. Both targeted and non-targeted analytical strategies will be explained and may touch upon epistemological problems. In addition, implications of (metal)organic matter toward prebiotic chemistry leading to the emergence of life will be discussed. The precise description of astrochemical organic and metalorganic matter as seeds for life and their interactions within various astrophysical environments may appear essential to further study questions regarding the emergence of life on a most fundamental level that is within the molecular world and its self-organization properties.
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Burton AS, Berger EL. Insights into Abiotically-Generated Amino Acid Enantiomeric Excesses Found in Meteorites. Life (Basel) 2018; 8:life8020014. [PMID: 29757224 PMCID: PMC6027462 DOI: 10.3390/life8020014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Revised: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Biology exhibits homochirality, in that only one of two possible molecular configurations (called enantiomers) is used in both proteins and nucleic acids. The origin of this phenomenon is currently unknown, as nearly all known abiotic mechanisms for generating these compounds result in equal (racemic) mixtures of both enantiomers. However, analyses of primitive meteorites have revealed that a number of amino acids of extraterrestrial origin are present in enantiomeric excess, suggesting that there was an abiotic route to synthesize amino acids in a non-racemic manner. Here we review the amino acid contents of a range of meteorites, describe mechanisms for amino acid formation and their potential to produce amino acid enantiomeric excesses, and identify processes that could have amplified enantiomeric excesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron S Burton
- Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX 77058, USA.
| | - Eve L Berger
- GeoControl Systems, Jacobs JETS contract, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX 77058, USA.
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13
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Gas chromatographic separation of stereoisomers of non-protein amino acids on modified γ-cyclodextrin stationary phase. J Chromatogr A 2015; 1411:101-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2015.07.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2015] [Revised: 07/20/2015] [Accepted: 07/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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14
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Röhrich CR, Jaklitsch WM, Voglmayr H, Iversen A, Vilcinskas A, Nielsen KF, Thrane U, von Döhren H, Brückner H, Degenkolb T. Front line defenders of the ecological niche! Screening the structural diversity of peptaibiotics from saprotrophic and fungicolous Trichoderma/Hypocrea species. FUNGAL DIVERS 2014; 69:117-146. [PMID: 25722662 PMCID: PMC4338523 DOI: 10.1007/s13225-013-0276-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Approximately 950 individual sequences of non-ribosomally biosynthesised peptides are produced by the genus Trichoderma/Hypocrea that belong to a perpetually growing class of mostly linear antibiotic oligopeptides, which are rich in the non-proteinogenic α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib). Thus, they are comprehensively named peptaibiotics. Notably, peptaibiotics represent ca. 80 % of the total inventory of secondary metabolites currently known from Trichoderma/Hypocrea. Their unique membrane-modifying bioactivity results from amphipathicity and helicity, thus making them ideal candidates in assisting both colonisation and defence of the natural habitats by their fungal producers. Despite this, reports on the in vivo-detection of peptaibiotics have scarcely been published in the past. In order to evaluate the significance of peptaibiotic production for a broader range of potential producers, we screened nine specimens belonging to seven hitherto uninvestigated fungicolous or saprotrophic Trichoderma/Hypocrea species by liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray high resolution mass spectrometry. Sequences of peptaibiotics found were independently confirmed by analysing the peptaibiome of pure agar cultures obtained by single-ascospore isolation from the specimens. Of the nine species examined, five were screened positive for peptaibiotics. A total of 78 peptaibiotics were sequenced, 56 (=72 %) of which are new. Notably, dihydroxyphenylalaninol and O-prenylated tyrosinol, two C-terminal residues, which have not been reported for peptaibiotics before, were found as well as new and recurrent sequences carrying the recently described tyrosinol residue at their C-terminus. The majority of peptaibiotics sequenced are 18- or 19-residue peptaibols. Structural homologies with 'classical representatives' of subfamily 1 (SF1)-peptaibiotics argue for the formation of transmembrane ion channels, which are prone to facilitate the producer capture and defence of its substratum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian R Röhrich
- Bioresources Project Group, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Winchesterstrasse 2, 35394 Giessen, Germany. Present Address: AB SCIEX Germany GmbH, Landwehrstrasse 54, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Walter M Jaklitsch
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Faculty Centre of Biodiversity, University of Vienna, Rennweg 14, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Hermann Voglmayr
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Faculty Centre of Biodiversity, University of Vienna, Rennweg 14, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Anita Iversen
- Department of Systems Biology, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, Building 221, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark. Present Address: Danish Emergency Management Agency, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Bioresources Project Group, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Winchesterstrasse 2, 35394 Giessen, Germany; Interdisciplinary Research Centre for BioSystems, Land Use and Nutrition (IFZ), Department of Applied Entomology, Institute of Phytopathology and Applied Zoology (IPAZ), University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Kristian Fog Nielsen
- Department of Systems Biology, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, Building 221, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ulf Thrane
- Department of Systems Biology, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, Building 221, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Hans von Döhren
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology OE 2, Institute of Chemistry, Technical University of Berlin, Franklinstrasse 29, 10587 Berlin, Germany
| | - Hans Brückner
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre for BioSystems, Land Use and Nutrition (IFZ), Department of Food Sciences, Institute of Nutritional Science, University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Thomas Degenkolb
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre for BioSystems, Land Use and Nutrition (IFZ), Department of Applied Entomology, Institute of Phytopathology and Applied Zoology (IPAZ), University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany
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15
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Yu W, Smith AB, Pilitsis J, Shin DS. Isovaline attenuates epileptiform activity and seizure behavior in 4-aminopyridine treated rats. Epilepsy Res 2014; 108:331-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2013.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2013] [Revised: 11/01/2013] [Accepted: 11/21/2013] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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16
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Röhrich CR, Iversen A, Jaklitsch WM, Voglmayr H, Berg A, Dörfelt H, Thrane U, Vilcinskas A, Nielsen KF, Von Döhren H, Brückner H, Degenkolb T. Hypopulvins, novel peptaibiotics from the polyporicolous fungus Hypocrea pulvinata, are produced during infection of its natural hosts. Fungal Biol 2012; 116:1219-1231. [PMID: 23245616 PMCID: PMC4886835 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2012.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2012] [Revised: 10/15/2012] [Accepted: 10/16/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In order to investigate the significance of antibiotics for the producing organism(s) in the natural habitat, we screened specimens of the polyporicolous fungus Hypocrea pulvinata growing on its natural hosts Piptoporus betulinus and Fomitopsis pinicola. Results showed that a particular group of nonribosomally biosynthesised antibiotic polypeptides, the peptaibiotics, which contain the nonproteinogenic marker amino acid α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib), was produced in the natural habitat by the fungicolous producer and, consequently, released into the host. Using liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray high-resolution mass spectrometry we detected especially 19-, but also 11-, 18-, and 20-residue peptaibiotics in the five infected specimens analysed. Structures of peptaibiotics found were confirmed by analysing the peptaibiome of pure agar cultures obtained by single-ascospore isolation from the specimens. The 19-residue peptaibols were determined as deletion sequences of the trichosporins B lacking the Aib residue in position 6. Notably, 26 of the 28 peptaibiotics sequenced were novel; therefore the name 'hypopulvins' was introduced. Considering not only the ubiquity of both the two host species but also the highly specific association between H. pulvinata and P. betulinus/F. pinicola, and the abundance of this fungicolous species in north temperate regions of the world, a decisive role for the peptaibiotics detected in this study is predicted, which may act as mediators of the complex interactions between the basidiomycetous host and its fungicolous ascomycete 'partner'. Structural analogies of the hypopulvins, particularly with other 18-, 19-, and 20-residue peptaibiotics, suggest that the hypopulvins are forming transmembrane ion channels and could thus support the hypothesis of a parasitic lifestyle of the fungicolous producer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian René Röhrich
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Bioresources Project Group, Winchesterstraße 2, 35394 Gießen, Germany
| | - Anita Iversen
- Department of Systems Biology, Center for Microbial Biotechnology, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, Building 221, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Walter Michael Jaklitsch
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Faculty Centre of Biodiversity, University of Vienna, Rennweg 14, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Hermann Voglmayr
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Faculty Centre of Biodiversity, University of Vienna, Rennweg 14, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Albrecht Berg
- Department of Biomaterials, Innovent e.V., Prüssingstraße 27 B, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Heinrich Dörfelt
- Department of Microbial Communication, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Neugasse 25, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Ulf Thrane
- Department of Systems Biology, Center for Microbial Biotechnology, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, Building 221, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Bioresources Project Group, Winchesterstraße 2, 35394 Gießen, Germany
- Institute of Phytopathology and Applied Zoology, Department of Applied Entomology, IFZ, Justus-Liebig University Gießen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Gießen, Germany
| | - Kristian Fog Nielsen
- Department of Systems Biology, Center for Microbial Biotechnology, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, Building 221, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Hans Von Döhren
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Chemistry, Technical University of Berlin, Franklinstraße 29, 10587 Berlin, Germany
| | - Hans Brückner
- Department of Food Sciences, IFZ, Justus-Liebig University Gießen, 35392 Gießen, Germany
- Department of Food Sciences and Nutrition, College of Food Sciences and Agriculture, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Thomas Degenkolb
- Department of Systems Biology, Center for Microbial Biotechnology, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, Building 221, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
- Institute of Phytopathology and Applied Zoology, Department of Applied Entomology, IFZ, Justus-Liebig University Gießen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Gießen, Germany
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Burton AS, Stern JC, Elsila JE, Glavin DP, Dworkin JP. Understanding prebiotic chemistry through the analysis of extraterrestrial amino acids and nucleobases in meteorites. Chem Soc Rev 2012; 41:5459-72. [PMID: 22706603 DOI: 10.1039/c2cs35109a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The discoveries of amino acids of extraterrestrial origin in many meteorites over the last 50 years have revolutionized the Astrobiology field. A variety of non-terrestrial amino acids similar to those found in life on Earth have been detected in meteorites. A few amino acids have even been found with chiral excesses, suggesting that meteorites could have contributed to the origin of homochirality in life on Earth. In addition to amino acids, which have been productively studied for years, sugar-like molecules, activated phosphates, and nucleobases have also been determined to be indigenous to numerous meteorites. Because these molecules are essential for life as we know it, and meteorites have been delivering them to the Earth since accretion, it is plausible that the origin(s) of life on Earth were aided by extraterrestrially-synthesized molecules. Understanding the origins of life on Earth guides our search for life elsewhere, helping to answer the question of whether biology is unique to Earth. This tutorial review focuses on meteoritic amino acids and nucleobases, exploring modern analytical methods and possible formation mechanisms. We will also discuss the unique window that meteorites provide into the chemistry that preceded life on Earth, a chemical record we do not have access to on Earth due to geologic recycling of rocks and the pervasiveness of biology across the planet. Finally, we will address the future of meteorite research, including asteroid sample return missions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron S Burton
- Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA.
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18
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Whitehead R, Puil E, Ries C, Schwarz S, Wall R, Cooke J, Putrenko I, Sallam N, MacLeod B. GABAB receptor-mediated selective peripheral analgesia by the non-proteinogenic amino acid, isovaline. Neuroscience 2012; 213:154-60. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2011] [Revised: 04/10/2012] [Accepted: 04/12/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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19
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Gas chromatographic enantioseparation of derivatized α-amino acids on chiral stationary phases—Past and present. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2011; 879:3122-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2011.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2011] [Revised: 03/28/2011] [Accepted: 04/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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20
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Bhushan R, Brückner H. Use of Marfey's reagent and analogs for chiral amino acid analysis: Assessment and applications to natural products and biological systems. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2011; 879:3148-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2011.05.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2010] [Revised: 05/18/2011] [Accepted: 05/29/2011] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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21
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De Zotti M, Biondi B, Crisma M, Hjørringgaard CU, Berg A, Brückner H, Toniolo C. Isovaline in naturally occurring peptides: A nondestructive methodology for configurational assignment. Biopolymers 2011; 98:36-49. [DOI: 10.1002/bip.21679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2011] [Revised: 05/03/2011] [Accepted: 05/10/2011] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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