A new study published in Scientific Reports has discovered that arsenic and selenium may have been more prevalent in the early evolution of life on earth than previously thought.
A new study published in Scientific Reports has discovered that arsenic and selenium may have been more prevalent in the early evolution of life on earth than previously thought. The work may also lead to innovations for treating contaminated environments.
Duquesne University researchers analyzed more than 1,500 protein sequences of enzymes with molybdenum at their core to determine which were most ancient. They found that enzymes that were involved in methane, arsenic and selenium metabolism were indeed ancient. What made this work unique was the large number of protein sequences and the method of analysis.
"Our approach was to look at proteins to recreate a record so that we can get an idea of how these enzymes evolved in the world," said Dr. John Stolz, environmental microbiology professor and director of Duquesne's Center for Environmental Research and Education. "Using that information, we have been able to confirm it with geochemical evidence."
The research may help inform environmental experts who work with arsenic issues, especially in places such as Bangladesh, where arsenic-contaminated drinking water lead to increases in cancer and other diseases.
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