Purines, interstellar

The formation of purines in interstellar space has been considered feasible for some considerable time. A theoretical study (using ab initio methods) on the mechanism of adenine formation from monocyclic HCN pentamers has been reported and has afforded a deeper insight into the gas-phase chemistry of possible purine syntheses. The authors drew the following conclusions from their results ... 

This study again shows the prime importance of the purine base adenine, whether in the vastness of interstellar space or in the biochemical processes taking place in a single cell (Glaser et al 2007). 

X 10 kg. Analyses of interstellar dust clouds and heavenly bodies fotmd on Earth, such as the Murchison meteorite, showed the presence of a variety of important prebiotic compotmds. such as amino acids, ureas, alcohols. aldehydes, purines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and organic acids,"" highlighting the significance of extraterrestrial carbon delivery to Earth. 

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