One of the most likely chemicals to start life was a simple peptide with a framework of two nickel atoms and nitrogen atoms called Nickelback. A peptide is a constituent part of a protein made up of several essential building blocks, amino acids.

details of the study

Somewhere between 3.5 and 3.8 billion years ago, a tipping point occurred that triggered the transition from prebiotic chemistry (molecules that precede life) to living biological systems. We believe this change is due to several small precursor proteins that perform important steps in an ancient metabolic reaction. And we think we’ve found one of these pioneer peptides,
– says Vikas Nanda, one of the study’s authors.

Studying the universe with the help of telescopes and probes to look for signs of life. Scientists are looking for specific biosignatures that could be harbingers of life.. According to the researchers, such a chemical should be simple enough to spontaneously combine into a “prebiotic soup.” But at the same time, it is chemically active enough to be able to use energy from the environment to start a biochemical process.

The authors of the study began by examining the available modern proteins involved in metabolic processes. But these proteins are too complex to emerge early in Earth’s history, so scientists have shortened them and simplified them to a basic structure. As a result of laboratory experiments, it became clear that best nominated Nickelback. The peptide consists of 13 amino acids and binds two nickel ions.

Nickel was a common metal in the early oceans. When attached to a peptide, nickel atoms become powerful catalysts, attracting additional protons and electrons and producing hydrogen gas. Hydrogen was also abundant on the young Earth and could be an important source of energy.