A thermodynamic chemical reaction network drove autocatalytic prebiotic peptides formation

Abstract

The chemical reaction networks (CRNs), which led to the transition on early Earth from geochemistry to biochemistry remain unknown. We show that under mild hydrothermal circumstances, a thermodynamic chemical reaction network including sulfite/sulfate coupled with anaerobic ammonium oxidation (Sammox), might have driven prebiotic peptides synthesis. Peptides comprise 14 proteinogenic amino acids, endowed Sammox-driven CRNs with autocatalysis. The peptides exhibit both forward and reverse catalysis, with the opposite catalytic impact in sulfite- and sulfate-fueled Sammox-driven CRNs, respectively, at both a variable temperature range and a fixed temperature, resulting in seesaw-like catalytic properties. The ratio of sulfite to sulfate switches the catalytic orientation of peptides, resulting in Sammox-driven CRNs that has both anabolic and catabolic reactions at all times. Furthermore, peptides produced from sulfite-fueled Sammox-driven CRNs could catalyze both sulfite-fueled Sammox and Anammox (nitrite reduction coupled with anaerobic ammonium oxidation) reactions. We propose that Sammox-driven CRNs were critical in the creation of life and that Anammox microorganisms that have both Sammox functions are direct descendants of Sammox-driven CRNs.