Effect of high hydrostatic pressure on prebiotic peptide synthesis

Abstract

Prebiotic peptide synthesis is a central issue concerning life’s origins. Many studies considered that life might come from Hadean deep-sea environment, that is, under high hydrostatic pressure conditions. However, the properties of prebiotic peptide formation under high hydrostatic pressure conditions have seldom been mentioned. Here we report that the yields of dipeptides increase with raised pressures. Significantly, effect of pressure on the formation of dipeptide was obvious at relatively low temperature. Considering that the deep sea is of high hydrostatic pressure, the pressure may serve as one of the key factors in prebiotic peptide synthesis in the Hadean deep-sea environment. The high hydrostatic pressure should be considered as one of the significant factors in studying the origin of life.