2022 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Formation of RNA and Proteins by High-Pressure Torsion: An Insight into the Origin of Life
| Project/Area Number |
22K18737
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| Research Institution | Kyushu University |
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Principal Investigator |
エダラテイ カベー 九州大学, カーボンニュートラル・エネルギー国際研究所, 准教授 (60709608)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2022-06-30 – 2025-03-31
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| Keywords | Origin of Life / High-Pressure Torsion / Protein / Amino Acids / RNA |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
The high-pressure torsion method was applied to three amino acids (glycine, glutamic acid, and serine). All these amino acids were already detected in different meteorites. At the first step of the experiments, only pure forms of these amino acids were selected. The materials after processing by high-pressure torsion were examined by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance to find a piece of evidence for their polymerization. The most important finding was the formation of ethanol from glycine, while the crystal structures of three selected amino acids were significantly destroyed. The experiments were also conducted under different temperatures (300 K and 423 K) and pressures (1, 2 and 6 GPa) and it was found that enhancement of pressure and temperature can accelerate the structural changes. Although no evidence for the polymerization of amino acids and the formation of protein was achieved in the first step of experiments, these experiments confirmed that some additives which were present in the early Earth conditions should be mixed with the materials to examine the formation of polymers. Moreover, the amino acids were examined n dry conditions, but water is an important additive that needs to be considered in coming experiments.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
1: Research has progressed more than it was originally planned.
Reason
The plan was to apply the high-pressure torsion to glycine in FY2022, but we could apply the method to three amino acids and we also clarified the effect of pressure and temperature.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
We are planning to apply the high-pressure torsion method to adenosine monophosphate, a monomer for the formation of RNA. We will examine if polymerization can occur under different pressures and temperatures. Moreover, we are planning to add water to the material to simulate a more realistic condition. Other additives like phosphoric acid and minerals will be added to the material to simulate the impact conditions by small solar system bodies such as comets, meteoroids, transitional objects, and so on. The materials will be examined by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance.
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| Causes of Carryover |
The prices for some items and some characterization were less than expectations.
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| Remarks |
Our joint publication with Brazilian scientists in scientific reports resulted in press releases in several Brazilian newspapers, websites, and a major television channel.
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