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Origin of fatty acid synthesis - Thermodynamics and kinetics of reaction pathwaysThe primitiveness of contemporary fatty acid biosynthesis was evaluated by using the thermodynamics and kinetics of its component reactions to estimate the extent of its dependence on powerful and selective catalysis by enzymes. Since this analysis indicated that the modern pathway is not primitive because it requires sophisticated enzymatic catalysis, an alternative pathway of primitive fatty acid synthesis is proposed that uses glycolaldehyde as a substrate. In contrast to the modern pathway, this primitive pathway is not dependent on an exogenous source of phosphoanhydride energy. Furthermore, the chemical spontaneity of its reactions suggests that it could have been readily catalyzed by the rudimentary biocatalysts available at an early stage in the origin of life.
Document ID
19910051318
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Weber, Arthur L.
(Salk Institute for Biological Studies San Diego, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Molecular Evolution
Volume: 32
ISSN: 0022-2844
Subject Category
Space Biology
Accession Number
91A35941
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-2097
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-7627
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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