Synthesis of phospholipids and membranes in prebiotic conditions (original) (raw)

Nature volume 266, pages 78–80 (1977)Cite this article

Abstract

IT is generally agreed that stable membranes were prerequisite to the assembly of the earliest self-replicating systems1–4. Phospholipids, which are ubiquitous in biological membranes and which self-assemble in aqueous environments into stable lipid bilayers and vesicles4, are obvious candidates for prebiotic membrane components. We report here the abiotic synthesis of various lipids, including membranogenic phospholipids.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University of California, Davis, California, 95616
    W. R. HARGREAVES, S. J. MULVIHILL & D. W. DEAMER

Authors

  1. W. R. HARGREAVES
  2. S. J. MULVIHILL
  3. D. W. DEAMER

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HARGREAVES, W., MULVIHILL, S. & DEAMER, D. Synthesis of phospholipids and membranes in prebiotic conditions.Nature 266, 78–80 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1038/266078a0

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