An evaluation of the critical parameters for abiotic peptide synthesis in submarine hydrothermal systems.

It has been proposed that oligopeptides may be formed in submarine hydrothermal systems (SHSs). Oligopeptides have been synthesized previously under simulated SHS conditions which are likely geochemically implausible. We have herein investigated the oligomerization of glycine under SHS-like conditions with respect to the limitations imposed by starting amino acid concentration, heating time, and temperature. When 10(-1) M glycine solutions were heated at 250 degrees C for < 20 min glycine oligomers up to tetramers and diketopiperazine (DKP) were detectable. At 200 degrees C, less oligomerization was noted. Peptides beyond glycylglycine (gly2) and DKP were not detected below 150 degrees C. At 10(-2) M initial glycine concentration and below, only gly2, DKP, and gly3 were detected, and then only above 200 degrees C at < 20 min reaction time. Gly3 was undetectable at longer reaction times. The major parameters limiting peptide synthesis in SHSs appear to be concentration, time, and temperature. Given the expected low concentrations of amino acids, the long residence times and range of temperatures in SHSs, it is unlikely that SHS environments were robust sources of even simple peptides. Possible unexplored solutions to the problems presented here are also discussed.