Scientists replicate the first step of the origin of life on Earth

A group of researchers from University College London claim to have replicated the first step in protein formation. This could bring us closer to understanding the origin of life on Earth.

The study, published in Nature, suggests that simple chemical reactions in neutral water could have allowed amino acids to bind to RNA, a key mechanism in evolution.

How might the first step have occurred?

The scientists argue that RNA molecules could have spontaneously interacted with amino acids to form proteins. This solves a central paradox: proteins are indispensable for cells, but they can only be caused within them.

"We managed to reproduce the first step of this complex process with elementary chemistry in neutral water. The reaction was spontaneous, selective, and plausible on early Earth," explained Matthew Powner, co-author of the study.

The role of pantetheine in the experiments

The team used pantetheine, a reactive molecule linked to metabolism and abundant in ancient lakes, to join amino acids in an aqueous environment. This caused an intermediate molecule called aminoacyl thiol.

When interacting with free RNA, this molecule spontaneously transferred the amino acids. It facilitated a mechanism by which RNA could begin to control protein synthesis.

A step toward solving the mystery?

The findings suggest that simple chemical reactions may have been inevitable on early Earth. However, not everyone agrees that the mystery is solved.

Biochemist Nick Lane warned that pantetheine may have been too diluted in the primitive oceans. The chains obtained in the laboratory lack the precision of cellular proteins. Still, he acknowledged that this advance provides a key piece to the puzzle.

The eternal dilemma

This study reignites a debate that transcends science: how did the first form of life arise? The new experiments provide a solid clue that could change our view of the origins.