Abstract
The synthesis of putrescine was accomplished by decarboxylation of L-orithine when this amino acid was heated in aqueous solution and in the absence of oxygen. Chromatographic, radioisotopic, and enzymatic techniques were used to demonstrate that one mole of non-radioactive putrescine and one mole of14CO2 was formed during the heating of L-(1-14C)-ornithine. This work indicates that the synthesis of putrescine can occur starting with ornithine and in conditions that are presumed could have existed on the primitive Earth. The possible significance of these results in the prebiotic molecular evolution is briefly discussed.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 145-156 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Origins of Life and Evolution of the Biosphere |
Volume | 21 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 1991 |