The Fate of Lipid Biosignatures in a Mars-Analogue Sulfur Stream

Scientific Reports
Jonathan TanM A Sephton

Abstract

Past life on Mars will have generated organic remains that may be preserved in present day Mars rocks. The most recent period in the history of Mars that retained widespread surface waters was the late Noachian and early Hesperian and thus possessed the potential to sustain the most evolved and widely distributed martian life. Guidance for investigating late Noachian and early Hesperian rocks is provided by studies of analogous acidic and sulfur-rich environments on Earth. Here we report organic responses for an acid stream containing acidophilic organisms whose post-mortem remains are entombed in iron sulphates and iron oxides. We find that, if life was present in the Hesperian, martian organic records will comprise microbial lipids. Lipids are a potential sizeable reservoir of fossil carbon on Mars, and can be used to distinguish between different domains of life. Concentrations of lipids, and particularly alkanoic or "fatty" acids, are highest in goethite layers that reflect high water-to-rock ratios and thus a greater potential for habitability. Goethite can dehydrate to hematite, which is widespread on Mars. Mars missions should seek to detect fatty acids or their diagenetic products in the oxides and hydroxides of iron as...Continue Reading

References

Dec 1, 1989·Biochemical Society Transactions·C Ratledge
Jun 9, 1967·Science·G Eglinton, R J Hamilton
Feb 19, 2005·Science·Aline GendrinStéphane LeMouélic
Feb 19, 2005·Science·Jean-Pierre BibringUNKNOWN OMEGA team
Dec 2, 2005·Nature·F PouletUNKNOWN Omega Team
May 1, 2002·FEMS Microbiology Ecology·H T S Boschker, J J Middelburg
Jul 31, 2010·Science·Andreas SchirmerStephen B del Cardayre
Jul 22, 2011·Astrobiology·Lewis R Dartnell
Dec 6, 2011·Origins of Life and Evolution of the Biosphere : the Journal of the International Society for the Study of the Origin of Life·María Colín-GarcíaDavid Fernández-Remolar
Mar 9, 2012·Nature·Karine LalondeYves Gélinas
Jun 3, 2014·Astrobiology·Mary N ParenteauSherry L Cady
Dec 23, 2015·Journal of Geophysical Research. Planets·C FreissinetM-P Zorzano

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jun 13, 2019·Cognitive Neuroscience·Tobias Staudigl, Simon Hanslmayr
Jan 23, 2021·Astrobiology·Cristina García-FlorentinoJuan Manuel Madariaga

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Methods Mentioned

BETA
X-ray

Software Mentioned

’ Pert HighScore

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.