A Light-Releasable Potentially Prebiotic Nucleotide Activating Agent

Common and Potentially Prebiotic Origin for Precursors of Nucleotide Synthesis and Activation.

We have recently shown that 2-aminoimidazole is a superior nucleotide activating group for nonenzymatic RNA copying. Here we describe a prebiotic synthesis of 2-aminoimidazole that shares a common mechanistic pathway with that of 2-aminooxazole, a previously described key intermediate in prebiotic nucleotide synthesis. In the presence of glycolaldehyde, cyanamide, phosphate and ammonium ion, bo...

A stereoelectronic effect in prebiotic nucleotide synthesis.

A plausible route for the spontaneous synthesis of an activated ribonucleotide that is poised for polymerization has been put forth (Powner et al. (2009) Nature, 459, 239-242). A key step in this route necessitates the regioselective phosphorylation of the secondary alcohol on C(3') of an anhydroarabinonucleoside in the presence of the primary alcohol on C(5'). Here, we propose that this regios...

A new and potentially prebiotic α-cytidine derivative†

A new α-cytidine derivative was synthesised from the prebiotic reaction of ribose aminooxazoline and dicyanoacetylene. The tetracyclic structure of the product was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and then an alternative 6-step synthetic pathway to the product was found which was suitable for large-scale synthesis.

Production of potentially prebiotic condensed phosphates by phosphorus redox chemistry.

Alpha 1 Microglobulin: A Potentially Paradoxical Anti-Oxidant Agent

Alpha 1 microglobulin is a low molecular weight heme binding antioxidant protein with interesting, and potentially important, clinical applications. However, much remains to be learned about its in vivo effects. This invited review raises a number of physiologic issues regarding this compound as it pertains to clinical use.