Ryugu asteroid sample contains all five nucleobases of DNA and RNA

Researchers analyzing two Hayabusa 2 samples from asteroid Ryugu report detection of the five nucleobases adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine and uracil, and the results were published in Nature Astronomy.

Scientists report that two rock samples returned by Japan's Hayabusa 2 mission from asteroid Ryugu contain the five nucleobases adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine and uracil. Ryugu is a carbon-rich asteroid that formed about 4.6 billion years ago and has been considered a relatively unspoiled record of early solar system material. Hayabusa 2 collected material from Ryugu between 2018 and 2019 and returned samples to Earth on Dec. 5, 2020. The analysis was led by JAXA biogeochemist Toshiki Koga and published in the journal Nature Astronomy. Prior studies of the same Ryugu samples had indicated the asteroid once had liquid water on its surface. Key findings: - The analysis detected the five nucleobases adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine and uracil in two Ryugu samples. - Hayabusa 2 collected the samples in 2018–2019 and returned them to Earth on Dec. 5, 2020. - Ryugu is a carbonaceous body formed about 4.6 billion years ago and preserves early solar system material. - Earlier work on these samples showed evidence that liquid water once flowed on Ryugu's surface. - The study compared Ryugu results to analyses of asteroid Bennu and the Murchison and Orgueil meteorites and found differences in nucleobase concentrations across those materials. Summary: The research reports that nucleobases used in DNA and RNA are present in Ryugu samples, indicating these molecules existed in early solar system materials. The study also notes compositional differences among Ryugu, Bennu and certain meteorites; Undetermined at this time.