N-phosphoryl amino acids and biomolecular origins

Orig Life Evol Biosph. 2004 Oct;34(5):455-64. doi: 10.1023/b:orig.0000043122.97856.79.

Abstract

The possible role of phosphoryl amino acids for biomolecular origins is briefly reviewed. Peptide formation, ester formation, ester exchange on phosphorus and N to O migration occurred when the N-phosphoryl amino acid was incubated at room temperature. Short nucleotides and peptides were formed when nucleoside was reacted with N-phosphoryl amino acid at room temperature. Serine and threonine residues in their conjugate with different nucleosides (mediated with phosphorus) showed different self-cleavage activities. N-phosphoryl Histine and Ser-His dipeptide could cleave nucleic acids, proteins and esters in neutral medium. Based on a simple model, a pathway of 'co-evolution of protein and nucleic acid' was proposed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / chemistry*
  • Esters / chemistry*
  • Nucleosides / chemistry*
  • Nucleotides / chemistry*
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Phosphorus

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Esters
  • Nucleosides
  • Nucleotides
  • Peptides
  • Phosphorus