Recently, a group of researchers from Rutgers University and New York City University in the US have identified a protein that can play an important role in the formation of life - a simple peptite called nickelback.
Nickelback is the backbone of a protein, consisting of a chain of amino acids and two thousand- Z Z Zaten atoms bound together by a pair of Niken atoms.
In addition to clarifying how life on Earth is formed, the discovery could provide clues to search for life on other planets where these essential chemical components have just begun to form.
Vikas Nanda, a pharmaceutical and mobile biochemistry sinhologist at Rutgers University, said: "Scientificists believe that there was a starting point that occurred around 3.5 to 3.8 billion years ago, changing pre-biological chemistry to living biological systems."
"The team believes that the change originated from a few small proteins (pepts) that pioneered the implementation of important steps in ancient metabolic reactions. We think we have found one of these peptides," Vikas added.
To have the final peptit structure, scientists have begun with modern proteins that are responsible for providing energy for metabolism, promoting many biochemical reactions. Ancient proteins will have a simpler structure, so these proteins will be divided into the most basic parts.
A series of experiments have created nickelback as a potential factor for the formation of life on Earth in prebiotics. It uses a total of 13 amino acids, which are thought to be the bricks that build protein, and in fact contribute to life.
Niken (Nickel) is a rich metal that existed in the first oceans on Earth. When bound to peptides, nickel atoms act as a catalyst in the release of hydrogen gas, an important energy source that lasted for billions of years.
If nickelback plays an important role in starting life on Earth, it is reasonable to say that it may also be forming on other planets.
Researchers are relying on biometrics to search for life further in the universe because chemical traces can indicate the presence or development potential of living things. Nickelback is likely to be added to this biometric list.
Exploring the moment of the origin of life on Earth is not easy. However, through some techniques, we are gradually understanding more clearly how life is formed.
