Quantum Dots in Peroxidase-like Chemistry and Formamide-Based Hot Spring Synthesis of Nucleobases

0556902 - ÚFCH JH 2023 RIV US eng J - Článek v odborném periodiku
Nejdl, L. - Petera, Lukáš - Šponer, J. - Zemánková, K. - Pavelicová, K. - Knížek, Antonín - Adam, V. - Vaculovičová, M. - Ivanek, Ondřej - Ferus, Martin
Quantum Dots in Peroxidase-like Chemistry and Formamide-Based Hot Spring Synthesis of Nucleobases.
Astrobiology. Roč. 22, č. 5 (2022). ISSN 1531-1074. E-ISSN 1557-8070
Grant CEP: GA ČR GA19-03314S; GA MŠMT EF16_019/0000778
Institucionální podpora: RVO:61388955
Klíčová slova: nucleic-acid components * prebiotic synthesis * hydrogen-peroxide * amino-acids * miller-urey * origin * life * nanozymes * 1st * degradation * UV-induced nanoparticles * Origin of life * Metal ions * Thiols * Nanoparticle world * Nanozymes * Formamide
Obor OECD: Physical chemistry
Impakt faktor: 4.2, rok: 2022
Způsob publikování: Open access

Quantum dots (QDs) are usually seen as artificial semiconductor particles exhibiting optical and electronic properties interesting for nanotechnological applications. However, they may also play a role in prebiotic chemistry. Starting from zinc acetate, cadmium acetate, and mercaptosuccinic acid, we demonstrate the formation of ZnCd QDs upon UV irradiation in prebiotic liquid formamide. We show that ZnCd QDs are able to increase the yield of RNA nucleobase synthesis from formamide up to 300 times, suggesting they might have served as universal catalysts in a primordial milieu. Based on the experimentally observed peroxidase-like activity of ZnCd QDs upon irradiation with visible light, we propose that QDs could be relevant to a broad variety of processes relating to the emergence of terrestrial life.
Trvalý link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0331018