RNA−Iron complexes catalyse prebiotic oxygen generation
Journal
Communications Chemistry
Journal Volume
9
Journal Issue
1
Start Page
Article number: 124
ISSN
2399-3669
Date Issued
2026-02-09
Author(s)
Abstract
The emergence of molecular oxygen on early Earth is conventionally attributed to the evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis. A persistent challenge for early life, however, was the management of reactive oxygen species such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which could arise through a variety of abiotic processes. Here we report that some RNA molecules, when coordinated with ferrous iron (Fe2+), catalyze the oxidation of H2O2 into O2 and H2O under anoxic conditions that mimic the early Earth environment. This previously unrecognized RNA-based redox activity suggests that ancient RNA-metal complexes may have contributed to the detoxification of H2O2 and the management of oxidative stress prior to the evolution of protein enzymes. Such RNA–Fe complexes provide a plausible molecular mechanism linking early geochemical oxidants to primitive biological redox chemistry.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Type
journal article