Magnesium porphyrins as possible photosensitizers of macroergic phosphate bonds formation during prebiotic evolution

The paper presents experimental data on the light-induced ATP synthesis in the model systems containing chlorophyll adsorbates on aluminium or silicon oxides. The mechanism of phosphorylation observed in this system is based on the photosensitized electron transfer, where phosphate ion plays the role of an electron donor. Chlorophyll is a representative of magnesium porphyrins, which are known as photosensitizers. The formation of magnesium porphyrins in the prebiotic conditions seems to be quite probable, e.g. as a result of volcanic activity. During arising of life, magnesium porphyrins could participate in the formation of macroergic phosphate bonds of the dehydrating agents, which are necessary for the synthesis of biologically significant compounds.