Chemical evolution induced by water -in situ observation of formation of prebiotic RNA by high-resolution AFM-

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19H02015
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 17050:Biogeosciences-related
• Research Institution: Kanazawa University (2022); Ritsumeikan University (2019-2021)
• Principal Investigator: Araki Yuki 金沢大学, 数物科学系, 助教 (50734480)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 古川 善博 東北大学, 理学研究科, 准教授 (00544107)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 水和構造 / 前生物的RNA / 周波数変調原子間力顕微鏡

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study is to reveal the behavior of water on mineral surfaces and the effect of dissolved ions on the interfacial water by atomic-scale observations in order to elucidate whether RNA formation, a dehydration reaction, can occur in the primitive ocean. The adsorption of nucleotides on the surface of catalytic minerals and the hydration structure of the mineral surface during the adsorption process were observed in situ at high resolution using frequency modulation atomic force microscopy, which revealed that dissolved magnesium ions significantly increase the adsorption of nucleotides and change the hydration structure of the mineral surfaces.

Free Research Field

界面科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

マグネシウムは生体内の酵素活性、結石の析出防止剤、整腸剤など水溶液中で起こる現象に非常によく使われている。マグネシウムが用いられる必然性は明らかにされていないが、本研究で着目した「物質表面の水への影響」がこれらの機構に関わっている可能性が高い。身近な物質であるため、近年、マグネシウムは石油掘削の潤滑剤や生分解性材料等、新たな活路を見出されており、マグネシウムが固体表面の水に及ぼす影響を継続して研究することで、これらの応用技術への波及効果が期待できる。