This work was supported by the National Science Foundation (CHE 97-32670) and by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences (DE-FG02-94ER14470). We thank Jeffrey Patrick (Eli Lilly Co.) for helpful discussions.
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Serine Octamer Reactions: Indicators of Prebiotic Relevance†
Article first published online: 30 JUL 2003
DOI: 10.1002/anie.200351210
Copyright © 2003 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
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How to Cite
Takats, Z., Nanita, S. C. and Cooks, R. G. (2003), Serine Octamer Reactions: Indicators of Prebiotic Relevance. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 42: 3521–3523. doi: 10.1002/anie.200351210
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Publication History
- Issue published online: 30 JUL 2003
- Article first published online: 30 JUL 2003
- Manuscript Received: 18 FEB 2003
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- amino acids;
- chemical evolution;
- chirality;
- mass spectrometry;
- serine
The earliest molecule of life? Chirally selective reactions relevant to the origin of homochiral life are undergone by serine. Chiral exchange between serine, glyceraldehyde, and glucose occurs, favoring the enantiomers (L-serine, D-sugars) present in modern living systems (see picture).