A Novel Proteomics-Based Strategy for the Investigation of Peptide Sequences in Extraterrestrial Samples
Analyse de peptides dans des échantillons extraterrestre
Résumé
Method development is part of the objectives of astrophysical community for characterizing the organic matter in objects of the Solar System. In this context, we report on the development of an enzyme-catalyzed stereoselective hydrolysis, inspired from the proteomics discipline, which has enabled the indirect detection of peptide sequences in extraterrestrial samples. A proof of concept has been performed on a Murchison extract. We showed that our approach can successfully highlight L- and D-amino acids involved in peptide bonds. While we showed that some D-amino acids must have been involved in peptide bonds, we cannot at this stage conclude on the indigenous or exogenous nature of these biopolymers. However, our strategy constitutes the first step towards the direct UPLC-MS evidence of peptide sequences in extraterrestrial samples. It should thus participate to deepen knowledge on the molecules available in the Solar System, hence providing new clues on their chemical history, especially on Earth.
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