(iron and lithium-containing protein, possibly extraterrestrial[1][2][3])
Hemolithin was found in Acfer 086,[4][5] an Allende meteorite similar to that pictured.
Function
unknown, although possibly able to split water to hydroxyl and hydrogen moieties[1]
Hemolithin (sometimes confused with the similar space polymer Hemoglycin) is a proposed protein containing iron and lithium, of extraterrestrial origin, according to an unpublished preprint.[1][6][7][8] The result has not been published in any peer-reviewed scientific journal. The protein was purportedly found inside two CV3 meteorites, Allende and Acfer-086,[1][2][4] by a team of scientists led by Harvard University biochemist Julie McGeoch.[1][2] The report of the discovery was met with some skepticism and suggestions that the researchers had extrapolated too far from incomplete data.[9][10]
^ abcdeMcGeoch, Malcolm. W.; Dikler, Sergei; McGeoch, Julie E. M. (22 February 2020). "Hemolithin: a Meteoritic Protein containing Iron and Lithium". arXiv:2002.11688 [astro-ph.EP].
^ abcFerreira, Becky (28 February 2020). "A Key Ingredient for Life Has Been Found on an 'Extraterrestrial Source,' Scientists Report in this unpublished report". Vice. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
^Cite error: The named reference SA-20200302 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ abStaff (3 March 2020). "Acfer 086". The Meteoritical Society. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
^Cite error: The named reference MB-19910901 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Prostak, Sergio (26 March 2020). "Researchers Find Extraterrestrial Protein in Meteorite Acfer 086". Science News. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
^Yirka, Bob (3 March 2020). "Protein discovered inside a meteorite". Phys.org. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
^Anderson, Paul (17 March 2020). "Have The First Proteins Been Found In Meteorites?". Earth & Sky. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
^Cite error: The named reference NS-20200303 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference SPC-20200303 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
Hemolithin (sometimes confused with the similar space polymer Hemoglycin) is a proposed protein containing iron and lithium, of extraterrestrial origin...
Global Information