纳米酶与生命起源

Nanozyme and Abiogenesis

纳米酶是中国科学家发现的纳米材料的全新特性,其不仅具有类似天然酶的高催化活性,还呈现稳定性高、活性可调以及低温催化等特点。纳米酶的发现首次揭示了无机纳米材料的生物催化活性。而无机矿物也被认为是生命起源重要催化剂,参与早期生物分子的合成。无机矿物不仅能够通过氧化还原反应促进无机小分子向有机小分子的转化,还能够利用其表面结构实现手性选择、生物大分子合成以及发挥辐射保护功能。最新研究表明,无机纳米材料不仅可以温和催化生物分子合成,也能够参与生物大分子的聚合和辐射保护。不仅如此,纳米矿物也被发现广泛存在于地球和地外空间中。因此,本文将基于无机矿物在生命起源中的不同作用,结合纳米酶的特性,探讨纳米酶作为生命起源过程催化剂的可能,为生命起源研究提供新的方向。

Nanozymes,a groundbreaking discovery by Chinese scientists,represent a novel and remarkable property of nanomaterials.They not only exhibit catalytic activity comparable to natural enzymes,but also boast exceptional stability,tunable reactivity,and the ability to catalyze reactions under mild conditions.The identification of nanozymes has unveiled the biocatalytic potential of inorganic nanomaterials.In parallel,inorganic minerals have long been regarded as pivotal catalysts in the origin of life,driving the synthesis of early biomolecules.These minerals not only facilitate redox reactions that convert simple inorganic compounds into organic molecules but also enable chiral selection,the synthesis of biomacromolecules,and radioprotective functions via their surface structures.Recent advances suggest that inorganic nanomaterials can delicately catalyze the formation of biomolecules,aid in macromolecular assembly,and provide radiation shielding.Furthermore,nanominerals are found in abundance across Earth and extraterrestrial environments.This paper seeks to explore the potential of nanozymes as catalytic agents in the processes that gave rise to life,integrating the catalytic roles of inorganic minerals with the unique attributes of nanozymes,which will provide a new perspective for research of origin of life.