News Life

Ancient enzymes adapted to a cooler Earth to keep life’s chemical reactions going

Re-creating 3-billion-year genetic history of adenylate kinase reveals evolutionary path

adenylate kinase enzyme bond

HOT AND COLD Scientists reconstructed three billion years of genetic history for the adenylate kinase enzyme (shown here bound to another molecule) to see how ancient enzymes might have adapted to a cooler Earth.

Ayacop/Wikimedia Commons 

By Laurel Hamers

- More than 2 years ago

Like lifelong Floridians dropped into a Wisconsin winter, enzymes accustomed to warmth don’t always fare well in colder climes.