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HCN - A plausible source of purines, pyrimidines and amino acids on the primitive earthDilute (0.1 M) solutions of HCN condense to oligomers at pH 9.2, and hydrolysis of these oligomers yields 4,5-dihydroxypyrimidine, orotic acid, 5-hydroxyuracil, adenine, 4-aminoimidazole-5-carboxamide, and amino acids. It is suggested that the three main classes of nitrogen-containing biomolecules - purines, pyrimidines, and amino acids may have originated from HCN on the primitive earth. It is also suggested that the presence of orotic acid and 4-aminoimidazole-5-carboxamide might indicate that contemporary biosynthetic pathways for nucleotides evolved from the compounds released on hydrolysis of HCN oligomers.
Document ID
19790036251
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Ferris, J.-P.
(Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst. Troy, NY, United States)
Joshi, P. C.
(Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst. Troy, NY, United States)
Edelson, E. H.
(Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N.Y., United States)
Lawless, J. G.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, Calif., United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
October 6, 1978
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Molecular Evolution
Volume: 11
Subject Category
Chemistry And Materials (General)
Accession Number
79A20264
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF CHE-76-11000
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-30-018-148
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF MPS-73-04352
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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