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

0556902 - ÚFCH JH 2023 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
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
R&D Projects: GA ČR GA19-03314S; GA MŠMT EF16_019/0000778
Institutional support: RVO:61388955
Keywords : 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
OECD category: Physical chemistry
Impact factor: 4.2, year: 2022
Method of publishing: 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.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0331018