Functions and possible provenance of primordial proteins

J Proteome Res. 2004 Nov-Dec;3(6):1296-9. doi: 10.1021/pr049861n.

Abstract

Nanobacteria or living nanovesicles are of great interest to the scientific community because of their dual nature: on the one hand, they appear as primal biosystems originating life; on the other hand, they can cause severe diseases. Their survival as well as their pathogenic potential is apparently linked to a self-synthesized protein-based slime, rich in calcium and phosphate (when available). Here, we provide challenging evidence for the occurrence of nanobacteria in the stratosphere, reflecting a possibly primordial provenance of the slime. An analysis of the slime's biological functions may lead to novel strategies suitable to block adhesion modalities in modern bacterial populations.

MeSH terms

  • Apatites
  • Atmosphere*
  • Exobiology
  • Meteoroids*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Nanoarchaeota / chemistry*
  • Nanoarchaeota / cytology
  • Nanostructures
  • Origin of Life*
  • Particle Size
  • Proteins / analysis
  • Proteins / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Apatites
  • Proteins