Abstract
A prevailing strategy in origins of life studies is to explore how chemistry constrained by hypothetical prebiotic conditions could have led to molecules and system level processes proposed to be important for life’s beginnings. This strategy has yielded model prebiotic reaction networks that elucidate pathways by which relevant compounds can be generated, in some cases, autocatalytically. These prebiotic reaction networks provide a rich platform for further understanding and development of emergent “life-like” behaviours. In this review, recent advances in experimental and analytical procedures associated with classical prebiotic reaction networks, like formose and Miller-Urey, as well as more recent ones are highlighted. Instead of polymeric networks, i.e., those based on nucleic acids or peptides, the focus is on small molecules. The future of prebiotic chemistry lies in better understanding the genuine complexity that can result from reaction networks and the construction of a centralised database of reactions useful for predicting potential network evolution is emphasised.
Highlights
The complexity of the cell is perhaps best indicated by the chart of intermediary metabolism [1]—an interconnected network of reactions consisting of ~500 small molecules, and derivative polymers, all within a single compartment, namely, the cellular membrane
This review provides a focused update on some of the more recent experimental reports detailing model prebiotic reaction networks that occur in liquid water
The Miller-Urey experiment has been credited [54] as the first intentional demonstration of prebiotic synthesis, which historically helped to initiate the modern era of prebiotic chemistry research
Summary
The complexity of the cell is perhaps best indicated by the chart of intermediary metabolism [1]—an interconnected network of reactions consisting of ~500 small molecules, and derivative polymers, all within a single compartment, namely, the cellular membrane. A major challenge central to studying the origins of life is that experimental models for prebiotic reaction networks do not yet approach the same level of complexity that allows, for example, the cell to reproduce whilst responding to and extracting energy from its environment This challenge may be deconstructed into three overlapping problems: (i) developing the tools with which to analyse the salient features of complex chemical systems, (ii) developing theoretical constructs of the generic features that underpin complex chemical system behaviour, in sufficient detail as to understand their dynamic modes, and (iii) acquiring the ability to generate entirely new complex chemical networks in the laboratory. Understanding how a dynamic network of all needed synthetic pathways can come together within an enclosed volume [33,34,35,36,37] the size of the cell remains one of the primary goals of prebiotic chemistry If this goal is to be achieved, the theory and tools of chemical reaction networks must be applied to constructively guide laboratory experimental practice. Discussion of reaction networks involving nonenzymatic oligo- and polymerisation of nucleic acids, peptides or similar structures will be avoided, focusing instead on small molecules
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