1
|
Scaggion C, Marinato M, Dal Sasso G, Nodari L, Saupe T, Aneli S, Pagani L, Scheib CL, Rigo M, Artioli G. A fresh perspective on infrared spectroscopy as a prescreening method for molecular and stable isotopes analyses on ancient human bones. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1028. [PMID: 38200208 PMCID: PMC10781948 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51518-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Following the development of modern genome sequencing technologies, the investigation of museum osteological finds is increasingly informative and popular. Viable protocols to help preserve these collections from exceedingly invasive analyses, would allow greater access to the specimens for scientific research. The main aim of this work is to survey skeletal tissues, specifically petrous bones and roots of teeth, using infrared spectroscopy as a prescreening method to assess the bone quality for molecular analyses. This approach could overcome the major problem of identifying useful genetic material in archaeological bone collections without resorting to demanding, time consuming and expensive laboratory studies. A minimally invasive sampling of archaeological bones was developed and bone structural and compositional changes were examined, linking isotopic and genetic data to infrared spectra. The predictive model based on Infrared parameters is effective in determining the occurrence of ancient DNA (aDNA); however, the quality/quantity of aDNA cannot be determined because of the influence of environmental and local factors experienced by the examined bones during the burial period.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Scaggion
- Department of Geosciences, University of Padova, 35131, Padova, Italy.
- INSTM, National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology, 50121, Firenze, Italy.
| | - Maurizio Marinato
- Department of Cultural Heritage: Archaeology and History of Art, Cinema and Music, University of Padova, 35139, Padova, Italy
| | - Gregorio Dal Sasso
- Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, Italian National Research Council-CNR, 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - Luca Nodari
- Institute of Condensed Matter Chemistry and Technologies for Energy, Italian National Research Council-CNR, 35127, Padova, Italy
| | - Tina Saupe
- Estonian Biocentre, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, 51010, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Serena Aneli
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, 35122, Padova, Italy
- Department of Public Health Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Luca Pagani
- Estonian Biocentre, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, 51010, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, 35122, Padova, Italy
| | - Christiana L Scheib
- Estonian Biocentre, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, 51010, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Manuel Rigo
- Department of Geosciences, University of Padova, 35131, Padova, Italy
- Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, Italian National Research Council-CNR, 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - Gilberto Artioli
- Department of Geosciences, University of Padova, 35131, Padova, Italy
- INSTM, National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology, 50121, Firenze, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Banreti A, Bhattacharya S, Wien F, Matsuo K, Réfrégiers M, Meinert C, Meierhenrich U, Hudry B, Thompson D, Noselli S. Biological effects of the loss of homochirality in a multicellular organism. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7059. [PMID: 36400783 PMCID: PMC9674851 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34516-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Homochirality is a fundamental feature of all known forms of life, maintaining biomolecules (amino-acids, proteins, sugars, nucleic acids) in one specific chiral form. While this condition is central to biology, the mechanisms by which the adverse accumulation of non-L-α-amino-acids in proteins lead to pathophysiological consequences remain poorly understood. To address how heterochirality build-up impacts organism's health, we use chiral-selective in vivo assays to detect protein-bound non-L-α-amino acids (focusing on aspartate) and assess their functional significance in Drosophila. We find that altering the in vivo chiral balance creates a 'heterochirality syndrome' with impaired caspase activity, increased tumour formation, and premature death. Our work shows that preservation of homochirality is a key component of protein function that is essential to maintain homeostasis across the cell, tissue and organ level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agnes Banreti
- grid.461605.0Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Inserm, Institut de Biologie Valrose, 06108 Nice, France
| | - Shayon Bhattacharya
- grid.10049.3c0000 0004 1936 9692Department of Physics, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland
| | - Frank Wien
- grid.426328.9DISCO Beamline, Synchrotron SOLEIL, 91192 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Koichi Matsuo
- grid.257022.00000 0000 8711 3200HiSOR Hiroshima Synchrotron Radiation Center, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Matthieu Réfrégiers
- grid.417870.d0000 0004 0614 8532Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS; UPR4301, 45071 Orléans, France
| | - Cornelia Meinert
- grid.462124.70000 0004 0384 8488Université Côte d’Azur, Institut de Chimie de Nice, CNRS; UMR 7272, 06108 Nice, France
| | - Uwe Meierhenrich
- grid.462124.70000 0004 0384 8488Université Côte d’Azur, Institut de Chimie de Nice, CNRS; UMR 7272, 06108 Nice, France
| | - Bruno Hudry
- grid.461605.0Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Inserm, Institut de Biologie Valrose, 06108 Nice, France
| | - Damien Thompson
- grid.10049.3c0000 0004 1936 9692Department of Physics, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland
| | - Stéphane Noselli
- grid.461605.0Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Inserm, Institut de Biologie Valrose, 06108 Nice, France
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Pillalamarri M, Manyam R, Pasupuleti S, Birajdar S, Akula ST. Biochemical analyses for dental age estimation: a review. EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.1186/s41935-021-00260-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
For various legal and forensic scenarios, establishing an individual’s age, both living and dead, plays a crucial role. Various morphological, radiographic, and molecular methods can be used for age estimation. In children and adolescents, age estimation is based on the established developmental stages. However, in adults, where the development ceases into maturation, the degenerative changes play a role in determining the age.
Main body of the abstract
In the natural aging process, several molecular changes occur most commonly in the long-living proteins and hard tissues like the teeth and bone. These molecular changes gradually lead to alterations in several organs and organ systems, which can be quantified and correlated with age, including aspartic acid racemization, collagen crosslinks, advanced glycation-end products, and mitochondrial DNA mutations.
Short conclusion
Among the above methods, the racemization of aspartic acid can be considered as the most precise method. The main advantage of using aspartic acid racemization is that the sample can be collected from tissues (teeth) protected from various environmental and nutritional factors. If all the confounding factors are stable, the utilization of advanced glycation-end products can also be considered valuable. Environmental factors like lead accumulations may also help determine the age. However, further studies need to be conducted, focusing on providing a more standardized method. This review provides a concise summary of the biochemical techniques that can be used for estimation of age.
Collapse
|
4
|
Villain E, Fort P, Kajava AV. Aspartate-phobia of thermophiles as a reaction to deleterious chemical transformations. Bioessays 2021; 44:e2100213. [PMID: 34791689 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202100213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Prokaryotes growing at high temperatures have a high proportion of charged residues in their proteins to stabilize their 3D structure. By mining 175 disparate bacterial and archaeal proteomes we found that, against the general trend for charged residues, the frequency of aspartic acid residues decreases strongly as natural growth temperature increases. In search of the explanation, we hypothesized that the reason for such unusual correlation is the deleterious consequences of spontaneous chemical transformations of aspartate at high temperatures. Our subsequent statistical analysis supported this hypothesis. This finding reveals that organisms have likely adapted to high temperatures by minimizing the harmful consequences of spontaneous chemical transformations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Etienne Villain
- Centre de Recherche en Biologie cellulaire de Montpellier, UMR 5237 CNRS, Université de Montpellier 1919 Route de Mende, Montpellier, France
| | - Philippe Fort
- Centre de Recherche en Biologie cellulaire de Montpellier, UMR 5237 CNRS, Université de Montpellier 1919 Route de Mende, Montpellier, France
| | - Andrey V Kajava
- Centre de Recherche en Biologie cellulaire de Montpellier, UMR 5237 CNRS, Université de Montpellier 1919 Route de Mende, Montpellier, France
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhang Z, Conant CR, El-Baba TJ, Raab SA, Fuller DR, Hales DA, Clemmer DE. Diketopiperazine Formation from FPG nK ( n = 1-9) Peptides: Rates of Structural Rearrangements and Mechanisms. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:8107-8116. [PMID: 34270248 PMCID: PMC10661757 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c03515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Peptides with penultimate proline residues undergo trans → cis isomerization of the Phe1-Pro2 peptide bond followed by spontaneous bond cleavage at the Pro2-Xxx3 bond (where Xxx is another amino acid residue), leading to cleavage of the Pro2-Xxx3 bond and formation of a diketopiperazine (DKP). In this paper, ion mobility spectrometry and mass spectrometry techniques were used to study the dissociation kinetics of nine peptides [Phe1-Pro2-Glyn-Lysn+3 (n = 1-9)] in ethanol. Shorter (n = 1-3) peptides are found to be more stable than longer (n = 4-9) peptides. Alanine substitution studies indicate that, when experiments are initiated, the Phe1-Pro2 bond of the n = 9 peptide exists exclusively in the cis configuration, while the n = 1-8 peptides appear to exist initially with both cis- and trans-Phe1-Pro2 configured bonds. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate that intramolecular hydrogen bonding interactions stabilize conformations of shorter peptides, thus inhibiting DKP formation. Similar stabilizing interactions appear less frequently in longer peptides. In addition, in smaller peptides, the N-terminal amino group is more likely to be charged compared to the same group in longer peptides, which would inhibit the dissociation through the DKP formation mechanism. Analysis of temperature-dependent kinetics measurements provides insight about the mechanism of bond cleavage. The analysis gives the following transition state thermochemistry: ΔG⧧ values range from 94.6 ± 0.9 to 101.5 ± 1.9 kJ·mol-1, values of ΔH⧧ range from 89.1 ± 0.9 to 116.7 ± 1.5 kJ·mol-1, and ΔS⧧ values range from -25.4 ± 2.6 to 50.8 ± 4.2 J·mol-1·K-1. Proposed mechanisms and thermochemistry are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhichao Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States
| | - Christopher R Conant
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States
| | - Tarick J El-Baba
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States
| | - Shannon A Raab
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States
| | - Daniel R Fuller
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States
| | - David A Hales
- Department of Chemistry, Hendrix College, Conway, Arkansas, United States
| | - David E Clemmer
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Forensic proteomics. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2021; 54:102529. [PMID: 34139528 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2021.102529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Protein is a major component of all biological evidence, often the matrix that embeds other biomolecules such as polynucleotides, lipids, carbohydrates, and small molecules. The proteins in a sample reflect the transcriptional and translational program of the originating cell types. Because of this, proteins can be used to identify body fluids and tissues, as well as convey genetic information in the form of single amino acid polymorphisms, the result of non-synonymous SNPs. This review explores the application and potential of forensic proteomics. The historical role that protein analysis played in the development of forensic science is examined. This review details how innovations in proteomic mass spectrometry have addressed many of the historical limitations of forensic protein science, and how the application of forensic proteomics differs from proteomics in the life sciences. Two more developed applications of forensic proteomics are examined in detail: body fluid and tissue identification, and proteomic genotyping. The review then highlights developing areas of proteomics that have the potential to impact forensic science in the near future: fingermark analysis, species identification, peptide toxicology, proteomic sex estimation, and estimation of post-mortem intervals. Finally, the review highlights some of the newer innovations in proteomics that may drive further development of the field. In addition to potential impact, this review also attempts to evaluate the stage of each application in the development, validation and implementation process. This review is targeted at investigators who are interested in learning about proteomics in a forensic context and expanding the amount of information they can extract from biological evidence.
Collapse
|
7
|
Nutzung von Altersinformationen aus posttranslationalen Proteinmodifikationen und DNA-Methylierung zur postmortalen Lebensaltersschätzung. Rechtsmedizin (Berl) 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00194-021-00489-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
ZusammenfassungMit der Identifikation und Beschreibung „molekularer Uhren“ (posttranslationale Proteinmodifikationen, DNA-Methylierung) eröffnen sich neue Möglichkeiten zur Entwicklung von Verfahren zur postmortalen Lebensaltersschätzung. Bislang werden diese Ansätze aber nur unabhängig voneinander eingesetzt. Ihre Verknüpfung verspricht eine bessere Erfassung hochkomplexer Alterungsprozesse und damit die Möglichkeit zur Entwicklung optimierter Verfahren zur Altersschätzung für verschiedenste Szenarien der forensischen Praxis.In Vorbereitung umfangreicher Untersuchungen zur Überprüfung dieser Hypothese wurden verschiedene molekulare Uhren (Akkumulation von D‑Asparaginsäure, Akkumulation von Pentosidin und DNA-Methylierungsmarker [RPA2, ZYG11A, F5, HOXC4, NKIRAS2, TRIM59, ELOVL2, DDO, KLF14 und PDE4C]) in 4 fäulnisresistenten Geweben (Knochen, Sehne, Bandscheibe, Epiglottis) von 15 Individuen untersucht.In allen untersuchten Geweben fand sich eine starke Korrelation beider Proteinmarker sowie jeweils mehrerer DNA-Methylierungsmarker mit dem Lebensalter. Dabei zeigten die untersuchten Parameter gewebsspezifische Veränderungen mit dem Alter.Die Ergebnisse der Pilotstudie belegen das Potenzial der Verknüpfung molekularer Verfahren für die postmortale Altersschätzung. Weitere Untersuchungen werden zeigen, wie genau postmortale Altersschätzungen sein können, wenn Altersinformationen aus posttranslationalen Proteinmodifikationen und DNA-Methylierung aus verschiedenen Geweben in multivariaten Modellen verknüpft werden.
Collapse
|
8
|
Dyakin VV, Wisniewski TM, Lajtha A. Racemization in Post-Translational Modifications Relevance to Protein Aging, Aggregation and Neurodegeneration: Tip of the Iceberg. Symmetry (Basel) 2021; 13:455. [PMID: 34350031 PMCID: PMC8330555 DOI: 10.3390/sym13030455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Homochirality of DNA and prevalent chirality of free and protein-bound amino acids in a living organism represents the challenge for modern biochemistry and neuroscience. The idea of an association between age-related disease, neurodegeneration, and racemization originated from the studies of fossils and cataract disease. Under the pressure of new results, this concept has a broader significance linking protein folding, aggregation, and disfunction to an organism's cognitive and behavioral functions. The integrity of cognitive function is provided by a delicate balance between the evolutionarily imposed molecular homo-chirality and the epigenetic/developmental impact of spontaneous and enzymatic racemization. The chirality of amino acids is the crucial player in the modulation the structure and function of proteins, lipids, and DNA. The collapse of homochirality by racemization is the result of the conformational phase transition. The racemization of protein-bound amino acids (spontaneous and enzymatic) occurs through thermal activation over the energy barrier or by the tunnel transfer effect under the energy barrier. The phase transition is achieved through the intermediate state, where the chirality of alpha carbon vanished. From a thermodynamic consideration, the system in the homo-chiral (single enantiomeric) state is characterized by a decreased level of entropy. The oscillating protein chirality is suggesting its distinct significance in the neurotransmission and flow of perceptual information, adaptive associative learning, and cognitive laterality. The common pathological hallmarks of neurodegenerative disorders include protein misfolding, aging, and the deposition of protease-resistant protein aggregates. Each of the landmarks is influenced by racemization. The brain region, cell type, and age-dependent racemization critically influence the functions of many intracellular, membrane-bound, and extracellular proteins including amyloid precursor protein (APP), TAU, PrP, Huntingtin, α-synuclein, myelin basic protein (MBP), and collagen. The amyloid cascade hypothesis in Alzheimer's disease (AD) coexists with the failure of amyloid beta (Aβ) targeting drug therapy. According to our view, racemization should be considered as a critical factor of protein conformation with the potential for inducing order, disorder, misfolding, aggregation, toxicity, and malfunctions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victor V. Dyakin
- Virtual Reality Perception Lab (VRPL), The Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research (NKI), Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA
| | - Thomas M. Wisniewski
- Departments of Neurology, Pathology and Psychiatry, Center for Cognitive Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Abel Lajtha
- Center for Neurochemistry, The Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research (NKI), Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Mahlke NS, Renhart S, Talaa D, Reckert A, Ritz-Timme S. Molecular clocks in ancient proteins: Do they reflect the age at death even after millennia? Int J Legal Med 2021; 135:1225-1233. [PMID: 33595689 PMCID: PMC8205898 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-021-02522-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Age at death estimation in cases of human skeletal finds is an important task in forensic medicine as well as in anthropology. In forensic medicine, methods based on “molecular clocks” in dental tissues and bone play an increasing role. The question, whether these methods are applicable also in cases with post-depositional intervals far beyond the forensically relevant period, was investigated for two “protein clocks”, the accumulation of D-aspartic acid (D-Asp) and the accumulation of pentosidine (Pen) in dentine. Eight teeth of skeletons from different burial sites in Austria and with post-depositional intervals between c. 1216 and c. 8775 years were analysed. The results of age at death estimation based on D-Asp and Pen in dentine were compared to that derived from a classical morphological examination. Age at death estimation based on D-Asp resulted consistently in false high values. This finding can be explained by a post-mortem accumulation of D-Asp that may be enhanced by protein degradation. In contrast, the Pen-based age estimates fitted well with the morphological age diagnoses. The described effect of post-mortem protein degradation is negligible in forensically relevant time horizons, but not for post-depositional intervals of thousands of years. That means that the “D-Asp clock” loses its functionality with increasing post-depositional intervals, whereas Pen seems to be very stable. The “Pen-clock” may have the potential to become an interesting supplement to the existing repertoire of methods even in cases with extremely long post-depositional intervals. Further investigations have to test this hypothesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nina Sophia Mahlke
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Silvia Renhart
- Department of Archaeology & Coin Cabinet, Joanneum Universal Museum, Graz, Austria
| | - Dorothea Talaa
- Regional Archaeology, Direction of the Museum "Das Dorf des Welan", Wöllersdorf-Steinabrückl, Austria
| | - Alexandra Reckert
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Stefanie Ritz-Timme
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Drake JL, Whitelegge JP, Jacobs DK. First sequencing of ancient coral skeletal proteins. Sci Rep 2020; 10:19407. [PMID: 33173075 PMCID: PMC7655939 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75846-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we report the first recovery, sequencing, and identification of fossil biomineral proteins from a Pleistocene fossil invertebrate, the stony coral Orbicella annularis. This fossil retains total hydrolysable amino acids of a roughly similar composition to extracts from modern O. annularis skeletons, with the amino acid data rich in Asx (Asp + Asn) and Glx (Glu + Gln) typical of invertebrate skeletal proteins. It also retains several proteins, including a highly acidic protein, also known from modern coral skeletal proteomes that we sequenced by LC-MS/MS over multiple trials in the best-preserved fossil coral specimen. A combination of degradation or amino acid racemization inhibition of trypsin digestion appears to limit greater recovery. Nevertheless, our workflow determines optimal samples for effective sequencing of fossil coral proteins, allowing comparison of modern and fossil invertebrate protein sequences, and will likely lead to further improvements of the methods. Sequencing of endogenous organic molecules in fossil invertebrate biominerals provides an ancient record of composition, potentially clarifying evolutionary changes and biotic responses to paleoenvironments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeana L Drake
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
- Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
- Department of Marine Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
| | | | - David K Jacobs
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
- Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
Jetsam ambergris, found on beaches worldwide, has always been assumed to originate as a natural product of sperm whales (Physeteroidea). However, only indirect evidence has ever been produced for this, such as the presence of whale prey remains in ambergris. Here, we extracted and analysed DNA sequences from jetsam ambergris from beaches in New Zealand and Sri Lanka, and sequences from ambergris of a sperm whale beached in The Netherlands. The lipid-rich composition of ambergris facilitated high preservation-quality of endogenous DNA, upon which we performed shotgun Illumina sequencing. Alignment of mitochondrial and nuclear genome sequences with open-access reference data for multiple whale species confirms that all three jetsam samples derived originally from sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus). Shotgun sequencing here also provides implications for metagenomic insights into ambergris-preserved DNA. These results demonstrate significant implications for elucidating the origins of jetsam ambergris as a prized natural product, and also for the understanding of sperm whale metabolism and diet, and the ecological mechanisms underlying these coproliths.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruairidh Macleod
- Section for EvoGenomics, The GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1353 København K, Denmark.,Homerton College, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 8PH, UK
| | - Mikkel-Holger S Sinding
- Section for EvoGenomics, The GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1353 København K, Denmark.,Molecular Population Genetics, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Morten Tange Olsen
- Section for EvoGenomics, The GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1353 København K, Denmark
| | - Matthew J Collins
- Section for EvoGenomics, The GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1353 København K, Denmark.,McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge, West Tower, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3ER, UK
| | - Steven J Rowland
- Biogeochemistry Research Centre, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Schweitzer MH, Schroeter ER, Cleland TP, Zheng W. Paleoproteomics of Mesozoic Dinosaurs and Other Mesozoic Fossils. Proteomics 2019; 19:e1800251. [PMID: 31172628 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201800251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Molecular studies have contributed greatly to our understanding of evolutionary processes that act upon virtually every aspect of living organisms. However, these studies are limited with regard to extinct organisms, particularly those from the Mesozoic because fossils pose unique challenges to molecular workflows, and because prevailing wisdom suggests no endogenous molecular components can persist into deep time. Here, the power and potential of a molecular approach to Mesozoic fossils is discussed. Molecular methods that have been applied to Mesozoic fossils-including iconic, non-avian dinosaurs- and the challenges inherent in such analyses, are compared and evaluated. Taphonomic processes resulting in the transition of living organisms from the biosphere into the fossil record are reviewed, and the possible effects of taphonomic alteration on downstream analyses that can be problematic for very old material (e.g., molecular modifications, limitations of on comparative databases) are addressed. Molecular studies applied to ancient remains are placed in historical context, and past and current studies are evaluated with respect to producing phylogenetically and/or evolutionarily significant data. Finally, some criteria for assessing the presence of endogenous biomolecules in very ancient fossil remains are suggested as a starting framework for such studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mary Higby Schweitzer
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, 27695, NC.,North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, NC.,Museum of the Rockies, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT.,Department of Geology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 12, SE-223 62, Lund, Sweden
| | - Elena R Schroeter
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, 27695, NC
| | - Timothy P Cleland
- Museum Conservation Institute, Smithsonian Institution, Suitland, 20746, MD
| | - Wenxia Zheng
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, 27695, NC
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Minegishi S, Ohtani S, Noritake K, Funakoshi T, Ishii N, Utsuno H, Sakuma A, Saitoh H, Yamaguchi S, Marukawa E, Harada H, Uemura K, Sakurada K. Preparation of dentin standard samples for age estimation based on increased aspartic acid racemization rate by heating. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2019; 38:25-31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2019.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
|
14
|
Age estimation based on aspartic acid racemization in dentine: what about caries-affected teeth? Int J Legal Med 2017; 132:623-628. [PMID: 28823041 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-017-1667-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Age estimation based on aspartic acid racemization (AAR) in dentine is one of the most precise methods in adult age. Caries induces protein degradation and may have an impact on the kinetics of AAR in dentine. We systematically examined standardized prepared dentine samples from caries-affected teeth to clarify the question, if caries-affected teeth should not be used for age estimation based on AAR at all, or if the analysis of dentine samples from such teeth may be useful after removal of the caries-affected tissue according to clinical standards. Our results suggest that caries may lead to an extensive protein degradation even in macroscopically healthy-appearing dentine samples from caries-affected teeth and may significantly affect the precision of age estimation. To ensure the quality of age estimation based on AAR in forensic practice, we recommend using dentine samples from healthy teeth. If only caries-affected teeth are available, dentine samples from at least two teeth from the same individual should be analyzed as it seems unlikely that caries-induced protein degradation occurred with identical kinetics in two different teeth. In any case, results of the analysis of caries-affected teeth must be interpreted with caution.
Collapse
|
15
|
Wadsworth C, Procopio N, Anderung C, Carretero JM, Iriarte E, Valdiosera C, Elburg R, Penkman K, Buckley M. Comparing ancient DNA survival and proteome content in 69 archaeological cattle tooth and bone samples from multiple European sites. J Proteomics 2017; 158:1-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2017.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
|
16
|
Schroeter ER, DeHart CJ, Cleland TP, Zheng W, Thomas PM, Kelleher NL, Bern M, Schweitzer MH. Expansion for the Brachylophosaurus canadensis Collagen I Sequence and Additional Evidence of the Preservation of Cretaceous Protein. J Proteome Res 2017; 16:920-932. [PMID: 28111950 PMCID: PMC5401637 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.6b00873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Sequence data from biomolecules such as DNA and proteins, which provide critical information for evolutionary studies, have been assumed to be forever outside the reach of dinosaur paleontology. Proteins, which are predicted to have greater longevity than DNA, have been recovered from two nonavian dinosaurs, but these results remain controversial. For proteomic data derived from extinct Mesozoic organisms to reach their greatest potential for investigating questions of phylogeny and paleobiology, it must be shown that peptide sequences can be reliably and reproducibly obtained from fossils and that fragmentary sequences for ancient proteins can be increasingly expanded. To test the hypothesis that peptides can be repeatedly detected and validated from fossil tissues many millions of years old, we applied updated extraction methodology, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and bioinformatics analyses on a Brachylophosaurus canadensis specimen (MOR 2598) from which collagen I peptides were recovered in 2009. We recovered eight peptide sequences of collagen I: two identical to peptides recovered in 2009 and six new peptides. Phylogenetic analyses place the recovered sequences within basal archosauria. When only the new sequences are considered, B. canadensis is grouped more closely to crocodylians, but when all sequences (current and those reported in 2009) are analyzed, B. canadensis is placed more closely to basal birds. The data robustly support the hypothesis of an endogenous origin for these peptides, confirm the idea that peptides can survive in specimens tens of millions of years old, and bolster the validity of the 2009 study. Furthermore, the new data expand the coverage of B. canadensis collagen I (a 33.6% increase in collagen I alpha 1 and 116.7% in alpha 2). Finally, this study demonstrates the importance of reexamining previously studied specimens with updated methods and instrumentation, as we obtained roughly the same amount of sequence data as the previous study with substantially less sample material. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD005087.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena R. Schroeter
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Caroline J. DeHart
- National Resource for Translational and Developmental Proteomics, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Timothy P. Cleland
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas-Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Wenxia Zheng
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Paul M. Thomas
- National Resource for Translational and Developmental Proteomics, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Neil L. Kelleher
- National Resource for Translational and Developmental Proteomics, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Marshall Bern
- Protein Metrics, San Carlos, California 94070, United States
| | - Mary H. Schweitzer
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
- North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, North Carolina 27601, United States
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Affiliation(s)
- Noemi Procopio
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess
Street, Manchester M1 7DN, U.K
| | - Michael Buckley
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess
Street, Manchester M1 7DN, U.K
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
High K, Milner N, Panter I, Demarchi B, Penkman KEH. Lessons from Star Carr on the vulnerability of organic archaeological remains to environmental change. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:12957-12962. [PMID: 27799567 PMCID: PMC5135359 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1609222113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Examples of wetland deposits can be found across the globe and are known for preserving organic archaeological and environmental remains that are vitally important to our understanding of past human-environment interactions. The Mesolithic site of Star Carr (Yorkshire, United Kingdom) represents one of the most influential archives of human response to the changing climate at the end of the last glacial in Northern Europe. A hallmark of the site since its discovery in 1948 has been the exceptional preservation of its organic remains. Disturbingly, recent excavations have suggested that the geochemistry of the site is no longer conducive to such remarkable survival of organic archaeological and environmental materials. Microcosm (laboratory-based) burial experiments have been undertaken, alongside analysis of artifacts excavated from the site, to assess the effect of these geochemical changes on the remaining archaeological material. By applying a suite of macroscopic and molecular analyses, we demonstrate that the geochemical changes at Star Carr are contributing to the inexorable and rapid loss of valuable archaeological and paleoenvironmental information. Our findings have global implications for other wetland sites, particularly archaeological sites preserved in situ.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kirsty High
- Department of Chemistry, University of York, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom;
| | - Nicky Milner
- Department of Archaeology, University of York, York YO1 7EP, United Kingdom
| | - Ian Panter
- York Archaeological Trust, York YO1 7BX, United Kingdom
| | - Beatrice Demarchi
- Department of Archaeology, University of York, York YO1 7EP, United Kingdom
| | - Kirsty E H Penkman
- Department of Chemistry, University of York, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Takahashi O, Kirikoshi R, Manabe N. Racemization of the Succinimide Intermediate Formed in Proteins and Peptides: A Computational Study of the Mechanism Catalyzed by Dihydrogen Phosphate Ion. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17101698. [PMID: 27735868 PMCID: PMC5085730 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17101698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2016] [Revised: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In proteins and peptides, d-aspartic acid (d-Asp) and d-β-Asp residues can be spontaneously formed via racemization of the succinimide intermediate formed from l-Asp and l-asparagine (l-Asn) residues. These biologically uncommon amino acid residues are known to have relevance to aging and pathologies. Although nonenzymatic, the succinimide racemization will not occur without a catalyst at room or biological temperature. In the present study, we computationally investigated the mechanism of succinimide racemization catalyzed by dihydrogen phosphate ion, H2PO4−, by B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) density functional theory calculations, using a model compound in which an aminosuccinyl (Asu) residue is capped with acetyl (Ace) and NCH3 (Nme) groups on the N- and C-termini, respectively (Ace–Asu–Nme). It was shown that an H2PO4− ion can catalyze the enolization of the Hα–Cα–C=O portion of the Asu residue by acting as a proton-transfer mediator. The resulting complex between the enol form and H2PO4− corresponds to a very flat intermediate region on the potential energy surface lying between the initial reactant complex and its mirror-image geometry. The calculated activation barrier (18.8 kcal·mol−1 after corrections for the zero-point energy and the Gibbs energy of hydration) for the enolization was consistent with the experimental activation energies of Asp racemization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ohgi Takahashi
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, 4-4-1 Komatsushima, Aoba-ku, Sendai 981-8558, Japan.
| | - Ryota Kirikoshi
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, 4-4-1 Komatsushima, Aoba-ku, Sendai 981-8558, Japan.
| | - Noriyoshi Manabe
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, 4-4-1 Komatsushima, Aoba-ku, Sendai 981-8558, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Warmack RA, Mansilla E, Goya RG, Clarke SG. Racemized and Isomerized Proteins in Aging Rat Teeth and Eye Lens. Rejuvenation Res 2016; 19:309-17. [PMID: 26650547 DOI: 10.1089/rej.2015.1778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The quantification of aspartic acid racemization in the proteins of nonmetabolically active tissues can be used as a measure of chronological aging in humans and other long-lived organisms. However, very few studies have been conducted in shorter-lived animals such as rodents, which are increasingly used as genetic and metabolic models of aging. An initial study had reported significant changes in the ratio of d- to l-aspartate in rat molars with age. Using a sensitive HPLC method for the determination of d- and l-aspartate from protein hydrolysates, we found no accumulation of d-aspartate in the molars of 17 rats that ranged in age from 2 to 44 months, and the amount of d-aspartate per molar did not correspond with molar eruption date as had been previously reported. However, developing an alternate approach, we found significant accumulation of isomerized aspartyl residues in eye lens proteins that are also formed by spontaneous degradation processes. In this study, we used the human protein l-isoaspartate/d-aspartate O-methyltransferase (PCMT1) as an analytical reagent in a sensitive and convenient procedure that could be used to rapidly examine multiple samples simultaneously. We found levels of isomerized aspartyl residues to be about 35 times higher in the lens extracts of 18-month-old rats versus 2-month-old rats, suggesting that isomerization may be an effective marker for biological aging in this range of ages. Importantly, we found that the accumulation appeared to plateau in rats of 18 months and older, indicating that potentially novel mechanisms for removing altered proteins may develop with age.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebeccah A Warmack
- 1 Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Molecular Biology Institute, University of California , Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Eduardo Mansilla
- 2 Tissue Engineering, Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapies Laboratory, CUCAIBA, Buenos Aires Province Ministry of Public Health , Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rodolfo G Goya
- 3 Institute for Biochemical Research (INIBIOLP)-Cathedra of Histology B, Cathedra of Pathology B, School of Medicine, National University of La Plata , La Plata, Argentina
| | - Steven G Clarke
- 1 Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Molecular Biology Institute, University of California , Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Grundy H, Reece P, Buckley M, Solazzo C, Dowle A, Ashford D, Charlton A, Wadsley M, Collins M. A mass spectrometry method for the determination of the species of origin of gelatine in foods and pharmaceutical products. Food Chem 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2015.05.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
|
22
|
Age estimation based on aspartic acid racemization in human sclera. Int J Legal Med 2015; 130:207-11. [DOI: 10.1007/s00414-015-1255-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2015] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
|
23
|
Schmidt-Schultz TH, Schultz M. AG 85, a major secretion protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, can be identified in ancient bone. Tuberculosis (Edinb) 2015; 95 Suppl 1:S87-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tube.2015.02.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
|
24
|
Kaji Y, Oshika T, Nejima R, Mori S, Miyata K, Fujii N. Immunohistochemical localization of D-β-aspartic acid-containing proteins in pterygium. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2015; 116:86-9. [PMID: 25749304 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2015.01.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2014] [Revised: 01/22/2015] [Accepted: 01/31/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Biologically uncommon D-β-aspartic acid (D-β-Asp) residues have been reported to accumulate in organs affected by age-related disorders. In the present study, we investigated the localization of D-β-Asp-containing proteins in cases of pterygium, one of the most prominent age-related ocular conditions. Immunohistochemical localization of D-β-Asp-containing proteins was investigated in surgical specimens of pterygium from 20 patients and control specimens from 10 patients. Strong immunoreactivity to D-β-Asp-containing proteins was observed in subepithelial elastotic lesions and surrounding collagenous lesions from all surgical specimens with pterygia. In contrast, no immunoreactivity to D-β-Asp-containing proteins was seen in pterygium-free specimens. D-β-Asp-containing proteins are produced in organs as they are affected by the aging process. In addition, conversion of L- to D-aspartyl residues is accelerated by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Since pterygia can form due to aging or UV exposure, it is reasonable to find D-β-Asp-containing proteins in specimens with pterygia. Furthermore, since D-β-Asp is a non-native amino acid, D-β-Asp-containing proteins may be recognized as allogeneic antigens. Therefore, D-β-Asp-containing proteins in pterygia may responsible for the fibrovascular changes seen in the disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuichi Kaji
- Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
| | - Tetsuro Oshika
- Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Noriko Fujii
- Research Reactor Institute, Kyoto University, Osaka, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Schweitzer MH, Schroeter ER, Goshe MB. Protein Molecular Data from Ancient (>1 million years old) Fossil Material: Pitfalls, Possibilities and Grand Challenges. Anal Chem 2014; 86:6731-40. [DOI: 10.1021/ac500803w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mary Higby Schweitzer
- North
Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, North Carolina 27601, United States
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Chiral Separation of 4-Iminoflavan Derivatives on Several Polysaccharide-Based Chiral Stationary Phases by HPLC. Chromatographia 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10337-014-2714-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
27
|
Schweitzer MH, Zheng W, Cleland TP, Goodwin MB, Boatman E, Theil E, Marcus MA, Fakra SC. A role for iron and oxygen chemistry in preserving soft tissues, cells and molecules from deep time. Proc Biol Sci 2014; 281:20132741. [PMID: 24285202 PMCID: PMC3866414 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2013.2741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2013] [Accepted: 10/29/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The persistence of original soft tissues in Mesozoic fossil bone is not explained by current chemical degradation models. We identified iron particles (goethite-αFeO(OH)) associated with soft tissues recovered from two Mesozoic dinosaurs, using transmission electron microscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, micro-X-ray diffraction and Fe micro-X-ray absorption near-edge structure. Iron chelators increased fossil tissue immunoreactivity to multiple antibodies dramatically, suggesting a role for iron in both preserving and masking proteins in fossil tissues. Haemoglobin (HB) increased tissue stability more than 200-fold, from approximately 3 days to more than two years at room temperature (25°C) in an ostrich blood vessel model developed to test post-mortem 'tissue fixation' by cross-linking or peroxidation. HB-induced solution hypoxia coupled with iron chelation enhances preservation as follows: HB + O2 > HB - O2 > -O2 >> +O2. The well-known O2/haeme interactions in the chemistry of life, such as respiration and bioenergetics, are complemented by O2/haeme interactions in the preservation of fossil soft tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mary H. Schweitzer
- Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Campus Box 8208, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
- North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA
| | - Wenxia Zheng
- Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Campus Box 8208, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Timothy P. Cleland
- Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Campus Box 8208, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Mark B. Goodwin
- Museum of Paleontology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Elizabeth Boatman
- Department of Material Sciences and Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Elizabeth Theil
- CHORI (Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute), 5700 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way, Oakland, CA 94609, USA
- Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7622, USA
| | - Matthew A. Marcus
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Sirine C. Fakra
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Estimation of age at death based on aspartic acid racemization in elastic cartilage of the epiglottis. Int J Legal Med 2013; 128:995-1000. [DOI: 10.1007/s00414-013-0940-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2013] [Accepted: 10/30/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
|
29
|
Sosa C, Vispe E, Núñez C, Baeta M, Casalod Y, Bolea M, Hedges REM, Martinez-Jarreta B. Association between ancient bone preservation and dna yield: a multidisciplinary approach. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2013; 151:102-9. [PMID: 23595645 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.22262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2012] [Accepted: 02/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Ancient molecular typing depends on DNA survival in archaeological bones. Finding valuable tools to predict DNA presence in ancient samples, which can be measured prior to undertaking a genetic study, has become an important issue as a consequence of the peculiarities of archaeological samples. Since the survival of DNA is explained by complex interrelations of multiple variables, the aim of the present study was to analyze morphological, structural, chemical, and biological aspects of a set of medieval human bones, to provide an accurate reflection of the state of preservation of the bony components and to relate it with DNA presence. Archaeological bones that yielded amplifiable DNA presented high collagen content (generally more than 12%), low racemization values of aspartic acid (lesser than 0.08), leucine and glutamic acid, low infrared splitting factor, small size of crystallite, and more compact appearance of bone in the scanning electron micrographs. Whether these patterns are characteristic of ancient bones or specific of each burial site or specimen requires further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Sosa
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zaragoza, C/Domingo Miral s/n, Zaragoza, 50009, Spain.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Brückner C, Imhof D, Scriba GK. Capillary electrophoretic study of the degradation pathways and kinetics of the aspartyl model tetrapeptide Gly-Phe-Asp-GlyOH in alkaline solution. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2013; 76:96-103. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2012.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2012] [Revised: 12/08/2012] [Accepted: 12/10/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
|
31
|
Hooi MYS, Raftery MJ, Truscott RJW. Interconversion of the peptide isoforms of aspartate: stability of isoaspartates. Mech Ageing Dev 2013; 134:103-9. [PMID: 23385093 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2013.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2012] [Revised: 01/04/2013] [Accepted: 01/12/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
A common modification of human long-lived proteins is spontaneous isomerisation of aspartate residues, and its biological importance can be inferred from the ubiquitous presence of protein isoaspartate methyl transferase (PIMT), that repairs this damage. Cyclisation of L-Asp residues yields four isomers: L-Asp, L-isoAsp, D-Asp and D-isoAsp, however little is known about their rate of formation or interconversion. This is important because PIMT is inactive towards D-isoAsp. Peptides containing the four Asp isoforms corresponding to a susceptible site (Asp 151) in the chaperone, αA-crystallin, were examined for their interconversion at pH 7. D-Asp formed from L-Asp readily, whereas L-isoAsp was not detected until significantly later. D-isoAsp formed very slowly, with just 1% present after 8 days at 60°C. These findings can be used to rationalise the substrate specificity of PIMT. In addition, both the D-isoAsp and L-isoAsp peptides were found to be remarkably stable, showing little conversion to other isomers, even after weeks of incubation. Therefore L-isoAsp and D-isoAsp appear to represent "terminal" stages of L-Asp modification. If PIMT is present, L-isoAsp may be reverted to L-Asp, however there appears to be no prospect of reversing D-isoAsp formation in aged proteins. Interestingly, Asp 151 in recombinant αA crystallin isomerised more rapidly than in the L-Asp peptide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Y S Hooi
- Save Sight Institute, Sydney Eye Hospital, University of Sydney, 8 Macquarie Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Kumar M, Chatterjee A, Khedkar AP, Kusumanchi M, Adhikary L. Mass spectrometric distinction of in-source and in-solution pyroglutamate and succinimide in proteins: a case study on rhG-CSF. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2013; 24:202-212. [PMID: 23283728 DOI: 10.1007/s13361-012-0531-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2012] [Revised: 10/17/2012] [Accepted: 10/29/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Formation of cyclic intermediates involving water or ammonia loss is a common occurrence in any reaction involving terminal amines or hydroxyl group containing species. Proteins that have both these functional groups in abundance are no exception, and presence of amino acids such as asparagine, glutamines, aspartic acids, and glutamic acids aid in formation of such intermediates. In the biopharma scenario, such intermediates lead to product- or process-related impurities that might be immunogenic. Mass spectroscopy is a powerful technique that is used to decipher the presence and physicochemical characteristics of such impurities. However, such intermediates can also form in situ during mass spectrometric analysis. We present here the detection of in-source and in-solution formation of succinimide and pyroglutamate in the protein granulocyte colony stimulating factor. We also propose an approach for quick differentiation of such in-situ species from the tangible impurities. We believe that this will not only reduce the time spent in unambiguous identification of succinimide- and/or pyroglutamate-related impurity in bio-pharmaceutics but also provide a platform for similar studies on other impurities that may form due to stabilized intermediates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mukesh Kumar
- Molecular Characterization Laboratory, Biocon Research Ltd., Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
van Doorn NL, Wilson J, Hollund H, Soressi M, Collins MJ. Site-specific deamidation of glutamine: a new marker of bone collagen deterioration. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2012; 26:2319-2327. [PMID: 22956324 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.6351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Non-enzymatic deamidation accumulates in aging tissues in vivo and has been proposed to be potentially useful as a molecular clock. The process continues post mortem, and here we explore the increase in levels of deamidation in archaeological collagen, as measured during Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry (ZooMS) analysis. METHODS With the high sensitivity of current generation mass spectrometers, ZooMS provides a non-destructive and highly cost-effective method to characterise collagen peptides. Deamidation can be detected by mass spectrometry as a +0.984 Da mass shift; therefore, aside from its original purpose, peptide mass-fingerprinting for bone identification, ZooMS concurrently yields a 'thermal indicator' of the samples. RESULTS By analysis of conventional ZooMS spectra, we determined the deamidation rate for glutamine residues in 911 bone collagen samples from 50 sites, with ages varying from medieval to Palaeolithic. The degree of deamidation was compared to diagenetic parameters and nearby sequence properties. CONCLUSIONS The extent of deamidation was found to be influenced more by burial conditions and thermal age than, for example, chronological age, the extent of bioerosion or crystallinity. The method lends itself mostly to screening heterogenic deposits of bone to identify outliers.
Collapse
|
34
|
Hendy EJ, Tomiak PJ, Collins MJ, Hellstrom J, Tudhope AW, Lough JM, Penkman KE. Assessing amino acid racemization variability in coral intra-crystalline protein for geochronological applications. GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA 2012; 86:338-353. [PMID: 23564968 PMCID: PMC3617617 DOI: 10.1016/j.gca.2012.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2011] [Accepted: 02/15/2012] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Over 500 Free Amino Acid (FAA) and corresponding Total Hydrolysed Amino Acid (THAA) analyses were completed from eight independently-dated, multi-century coral cores of massive Porites sp. colonies. This dataset allows us to re-evaluate the application of amino acid racemization (AAR) for dating late Holocene coral material, 20 years after Goodfriend et al. (GCA56 (1992), 3847) first showed AAR had promise for developing chronologies in coral cores. This re-assessment incorporates recent method improvements, including measurement by RP-HPLC, new quality control approaches (e.g. sampling and sub-sampling protocols, statistically-based data screening criteria), and cleaning steps to isolate the intra-crystalline skeletal protein. We show that the removal of the extra-crystalline contaminants and matrix protein is the most critical step for reproducible results and recommend a protocol of bleaching samples in NaOCl for 48 h to maximise removal of open system proteins while minimising the induced racemization. We demonstrate that AAR follows closed system behaviour in the intra-crystalline fraction of the coral skeletal proteins. Our study is the first to assess the natural variability in intra-crystalline AAR between colonies, and we use coral cores taken from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, and Jarvis Island in the equatorial Pacific to explore variability associated with different environmental conditions and thermal histories. Chronologies were developed from THAA Asx D/L, Ala D/L, Glx D/L and FAA Asx D/L for each core and least squares Monte Carlo modelling applied in order to quantify uncertainty of AAR age determinations and assess the level of dating resolution possible over the last 5 centuries. AAR within colonies follow consistent stratigraphic aging. However, there are systematic differences in rates between the colonies, which would preclude direct comparison from one colony to another for accurate age estimation. When AAR age models are developed from a combined dataset to include this natural inter-colony variability THAA Asx D/L, Glx D/L and Ala D/L give a 2σ age uncertainty of ±19, ±38 and ±29 year, for the 20th C respectively; in comparison 2σ age uncertainties from a single colony are ±12, ±12 and ±14 year. This is the first demonstration of FAA D/L for dating coral and following strict protocols 2σ precisions of ±24 years can be achieved across different colonies in samples from the last 150 years, and can be ±10 years within a core from a single colony. Despite these relatively large error estimates, AAR would be a valuable tool in situations where a large number of samples need to be screened rapidly and cheaply (e.g. identifying material from mixed populations in beach or uplift deposits), prior to and complementing the more time-consuming geochronological tools of U/Th or seasonal isotopic timeseries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erica J. Hendy
- School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1RJ, United Kingdom
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1UG, United Kingdom
| | - Peter J. Tomiak
- School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1RJ, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J. Collins
- BioArCh, Departments of Archaeology and Chemistry, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
| | - John Hellstrom
- School of Earth Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | | | - Janice M. Lough
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB3, Townsville M.C., QLD 4810, Australia
| | - Kirsty E.H. Penkman
- BioArCh, Departments of Archaeology and Chemistry, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +44 (0) 1904 322574; fax: +44 (0) 1904 322516.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Kirsanow K, Burger J. Ancient human DNA. Ann Anat 2012; 194:121-32. [PMID: 22169595 DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2011.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2011] [Revised: 11/07/2011] [Accepted: 11/08/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The contribution of palaeogenetic data to the study of various aspects of hominin biology and evolution has been significant, and has the potential to increase substantially with the widespread implementation of next generation sequencing techniques. Here we discuss the present state-of-the-art of ancient human DNA analysis and the characteristics of hominin aDNA that make sequence validation particularly complex. A brief overview of the development of anthropological palaeogenetic analysis is given to illustrate the technical challenges motivating recent technological advancements.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karola Kirsanow
- Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Institute of Anthropology, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Moini M, Klauenberg K, Ballard M. Dating silk by capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry. Anal Chem 2011; 83:7577-81. [PMID: 21913691 DOI: 10.1021/ac201746u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
A new capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry (CE-MS) technique is introduced for age estimation of silk textiles based on amino acid racemization rates. With an L to D conversion half-life of ~2500 years for silk (B. mori) aspartic acid, the technique is capable of dating silk textiles ranging in age from several decades to a few-thousand-years-old. Analysis required only ~100 μg or less of silk fiber. Except for a 2 h acid hydrolysis at 110 °C, no other sample preparation is required. The CE-MS analysis takes ~20 min, consumes only nanoliters of the amino acid mixture, and provides both amino acid composition profiles and D/L ratios for ~11 amino acids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Moini
- Museum Conservation Institute, Smithsonian Institution, 4210 Silver Hill Road, Suitland, Maryland 20746-2863, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Demarchi B, Williams MG, Milner N, Russell N, Bailey G, Penkman K. Amino acid racemization dating of marine shells: A mound of possibilities. QUATERNARY INTERNATIONAL : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR QUATERNARY RESEARCH 2011; 239:114-124. [PMID: 21776187 PMCID: PMC3117143 DOI: 10.1016/j.quaint.2010.05.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Shell middens are one of the most important and widespread indicators for human exploitation of marine resources and occupation of coastal environments. Establishing an accurate and reliable chronology for these deposits has fundamental implications for understanding the patterns of human evolution and dispersal. This paper explores the potential application of a new methodology of amino acid racemization (AAR) dating of shell middens and describes a simple protocol to test the suitability of different molluscan species. This protocol provides a preliminary test for the presence of an intracrystalline fraction of proteins (by bleaching experiments and subsequent heating at high temperature), checking the closed system behaviour of this fraction during diagenesis. Only species which pass both tests can be considered suitable for further studies to obtain reliable age information. This amino acid geochronological technique is also applied to midden deposits at two latitudinal extremes: Northern Scotland and the Southern Red Sea. Results obtained in this study indicate that the application of this new method of AAR dating of shells has the potential to aid the geochronological investigation of shell mounds in different areas of the world.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Demarchi
- BioArCh, Department of Chemistry, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Hooi MYS, Truscott RJW. Racemisation and human cataract. D-Ser, D-Asp/Asn and D-Thr are higher in the lifelong proteins of cataract lenses than in age-matched normal lenses. AGE (DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS) 2011; 33:131-41. [PMID: 20686926 PMCID: PMC3127471 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-010-9171-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2010] [Accepted: 07/19/2010] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
ASTRACT: Several amino acids were found to undergo progressive age-dependent racemisation in the lifelong proteins of normal human lenses. The two most highly racemised were Ser and Asx. By age 70, 4.5% of all Ser residues had been racemised, along with >9% of Asx residues. Such a high level of inversion, equivalent to between 2 and 3 D- amino acids per polypeptide chain, is likely to induce significant denaturation of the crystallins in aged lenses. Thr, Glx and Phe underwent age-dependent racemisation to a smaller degree. In model experiments, D- amino acid content could be increased simply by exposing intact lenses to elevated temperature. In cataract lenses, the extent of racemisation of Ser, Asx and Thr residues was significantly greater than for age-matched normal lenses. This was true, even for cataract lenses removed from patients at the earliest ages where age-related cataract is observed clinically. Racemisation of amino acids in crystallins may arise due to prolonged exposure of these proteins to ocular temperatures and increased levels of racemisation may play a significant role in the opacification of human lenses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Yu Sung Hooi
- Save Sight Institute, Sydney Eye Hospital, University of Sydney, 8 Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia
| | - Roger J. W. Truscott
- Save Sight Institute, Sydney Eye Hospital, University of Sydney, 8 Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Conrad U, Fahr A, Scriba GK. Kinetics of Aspartic Acid Isomerization and Enantiomerization in Model Aspartyl Tripeptides under Forced Conditions. J Pharm Sci 2010; 99:4162-73. [DOI: 10.1002/jps.22134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
|
40
|
Griffin R, Chamberlain A, Hotz G, Penkman K, Collins M. Age estimation of archaeological remains using amino acid racemization in dental enamel: A comparison of morphological, biochemical, and known ages-at-death. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2009; 140:244-52. [DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.21058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
|
41
|
Collins MJ, Penkman KEH, Rohland N, Shapiro B, Dobberstein RC, Ritz-Timme S, Hofreiter M. Is amino acid racemization a useful tool for screening for ancient DNA in bone? Proc Biol Sci 2009; 276:2971-7. [PMID: 19493899 PMCID: PMC2817214 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2009.0563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Many rare and valuable ancient specimens now carry the scars of ancient DNA research, as questions of population genetics and phylogeography require larger sample sets. This fuels the demand for reliable techniques to screen for DNA preservation prior to destructive sampling. Only one such technique has been widely adopted: the extent of aspartic acid racemization (AAR). The kinetics of AAR are believed to be similar to the rate of DNA depurination and therefore a good measure of the likelihood of DNA survival. Moreover, AAR analysis is only minimally destructive. We report the first comprehensive test of AAR using 91 bone and teeth samples from temperate and high-latitude sites that were analysed for DNA. While the AAR range of all specimens was low (0.02–0.17), no correlation was found between the extent of AAR and DNA amplification success. Additional heating experiments and surveys of the literature indicated that d/l Asx is low in bones until almost all the collagen is lost. This is because aspartic acid is retained in the bone within the constrained environment of the collagen triple helix, where it cannot racemize for steric reasons. Only if the helix denatures to soluble gelatin can Asx racemize readily, but this soluble gelatine is readily lost in most burial environments. We conclude that Asx d/l is not a useful screening technique for ancient DNA from bone.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Collins
- BioArCh, Departments of Biology, Archaeology and Chemistry, University of York, York, UK.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Dobberstein RC, Huppertz J, von Wurmb-Schwark N, Ritz-Timme S. Degradation of biomolecules in artificially and naturally aged teeth: implications for age estimation based on aspartic acid racemization and DNA analysis. Forensic Sci Int 2008; 179:181-91. [PMID: 18621493 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2008.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2007] [Revised: 04/24/2008] [Accepted: 05/22/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Postmortem teeth are the most stable structures, and can be used to gain different information (age estimation, genetic data). Over long postmortem intervals (PMI), degradation processes may alter the molecular integrity and thus affect the reliability of applied molecular methods. Whereas some knowledge on the degradation of biomolecules in bone during the PMI exists, data for teeth are lacking. In particular, the impact of degradation processes in dentine on age estimation based on aspartic acid racemization (AAR) cannot be estimated yet. Hence, the molecular stability of both collagen and DNA was analyzed systematically, and their impact on the reliability of age estimation based on AAR and genetic analyses was checked. Two hundred and ten human and 59 porcine teeth were heated (90 degrees C in water) to simulate collagen and DNA diagenesis; 14 naturally aged teeth (PMI: 3 days to 1700 years) were analyzed comparatively. Peptide patterns of cyanogen bromide (CNBr)-cleaved collagen were employed as a new approach to check the collagen integrity. In the same samples, collagen yields, amino acid compositions, AAR in different protein fractions, and DNA integrity were analyzed. In heated human and porcine teeth the collagen content declined during the heating experiment. The amino acid composition in human samples was collagen-like until 12 days of heating. In naturally aged teeth, the collagen yielded from 9.5 to 15%, and no discrepancy of amino acid composition to that of modern collagen was observed. Electrophoresis of CNBr-peptides showed an altered pattern in experimentally degraded samples from day 10 on; naturally aged collagen displayed the typical collagen pattern. AAR increased in all protein fractions with increasing duration of the heating experiment; naturally aged samples displayed a slow accumulation of AAR. DNA degraded progressively, and after 32 h of heat exposure no more DNA was detectable, whereas the amplification of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA was successful up to 48 h. STR typing was reliable up to 16 h, and sex determination up to 40 h of heat exposure. In naturally aged samples of DNA quality, yield and typing success did not correlate with PMI. The data highlight a remarkable stability of collagen dental proteins. Within relevant forensic periods a postmortem rise of AAR under normal conditions is negligible, and analyses of dental DNA has a high chance to be successful. However, after large PMI and/or extreme postmortem conditions age estimation based on AAR and genetic analyses lose their reliability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reimer C Dobberstein
- Institut für Rechtsmedizin des Universitätsklinikums Düsseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
A method of isolating the collagen (I) α2 chain carboxytelopeptide for species identification in bone fragments. Anal Biochem 2008; 374:325-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2007.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2007] [Revised: 11/30/2007] [Accepted: 12/01/2007] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
44
|
Reszka P, Methling K, Lalk M, Xiao Z, Weisz K, Bednarski PJ. Control of aspartate epimerization during the coupling of caspase specific tetrapeptides with aromatic amines by using N-[[(dimethylamino)-1H-1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-b]-pyridin-1-yl]methylene]-N-methylmethanaminium hexafluorophosphate N-oxide (HATU) as a coupling reagent. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tetasy.2007.11.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
45
|
Sampietro M, Lao O, Caramelli D, Lari M, Pou R, Martí M, Bertranpetit J, Lalueza-Fox C. Palaeogenetic evidence supports a dual model of Neolithic spreading into Europe. Proc Biol Sci 2007; 274:2161-7. [PMID: 17609193 PMCID: PMC2706191 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2007.0465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The peopling of Europe is a complex process. One of the most dramatic demographic events, the Neolithic agricultural revolution, took place in the Near East roughly 10000 years ago and then spread through the European continent. Nevertheless, the nature of this process (either cultural or demographic) is still a matter of debate among scientists. We have retrieved HVRI mitochondrial DNA sequences from 11 Neolithic remains from Granollers (Catalonia, northeast Spain) dated to 5500 years BP. We followed the proposed authenticity criteria, and we were also able, for the first time, to track down the pre-laboratory-derived contaminant sequences and consequently eliminate them from the generated cloning dataset. Phylogeographic analysis shows that the haplogroup composition of the Neolithic population is very similar to that found in modern populations from the Iberian Peninsula, suggesting a long-time genetic continuity, at least since Neolithic times. This result contrasts with that recently found in a Neolithic population from Central Europe and, therefore, raises new questions on the heterogeneity of the Neolithic dispersals into Europe. We propose here a dual model of Neolithic spread: acculturation in Central Europe and demic diffusion in southern Europe.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M.L Sampietro
- Departament de Ciències de la Salut i de la Vida, Universitat Pompeu FabraDr Aiguader 80, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - O Lao
- Department of Forensic Molecular Biology, Erasmus Medical Center RotterdamRotterdam 3000, The Netherlands
| | - D Caramelli
- Laboratory of Anthropology, Department of Animal Biology and Genetics, University of Florencevia del Proconsolo 12, 50122 Florence, Italy
| | - M Lari
- Laboratory of Anthropology, Department of Animal Biology and Genetics, University of Florencevia del Proconsolo 12, 50122 Florence, Italy
| | - R Pou
- Museu d'Arqueologia de Granollers,Anselm Clave 40, 084400 Granollers, Spain
| | - M Martí
- Museu d'Arqueologia de Granollers,Anselm Clave 40, 084400 Granollers, Spain
| | - J Bertranpetit
- Departament de Ciències de la Salut i de la Vida, Universitat Pompeu FabraDr Aiguader 80, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - C Lalueza-Fox
- Unitat d'Antropologia, Departament de Biologia Animal, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de BarcelonaAvinguda Diagonal 645, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Author for correspondence ()
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Griffin RC, Moody H, Penkman KEH, Collins MJ. The application of amino acid racemization in the acid soluble fraction of enamel to the estimation of the age of human teeth. Forensic Sci Int 2007; 175:11-6. [PMID: 17574361 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2007.04.226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2006] [Revised: 02/28/2007] [Accepted: 04/29/2007] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Estimation of age-at-death for skeletonised forensic remains is one of the most significant problems in forensic anthropology. The majority of existing morphological and histological techniques are highly inaccurate, and show a bias towards underestimating the age of older individuals. One technique which has been successful in forensic age estimation is amino acid racemization in dentine. However, this method cannot be used on remains where the post-mortem interval is greater than 20 years. An alternative approach is to measure amino acid racemization in dental enamel, which is believed to be more resistant to change post-mortem. The extent of amino acid racemization in the acid soluble fraction of the enamel proteins was determined for modern known age teeth. A strong correlation was observed between the age of the tooth and the extent of racemization. No systematic bias in the direction of age estimation errors was detected. For the majority of teeth analyzed, the presence of dental caries did not affect the results obtained. In a minority of cases, carious teeth showed a higher level of racemization than would be expected given the age of the individual. These results indicate that amino acid racemization in enamel has the potential to be used in age estimation of skeletal remains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R C Griffin
- BioArch, Department of Archaeology, University of York, Heslington YO10 5DD, UK.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Schweitzer MH, Wittmeyer JL, Horner JR. Soft tissue and cellular preservation in vertebrate skeletal elements from the Cretaceous to the present. Proc Biol Sci 2007; 274:183-97. [PMID: 17148248 PMCID: PMC1685849 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2006.3705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2006] [Accepted: 08/10/2006] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Soft tissues and cell-like microstructures derived from skeletal elements of a well-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex (MOR 1125) were represented by four components in fragments of demineralized cortical and/or medullary bone: flexible and fibrous bone matrix; transparent, hollow and pliable blood vessels; intravascular material, including in some cases, structures morphologically reminiscent of vertebrate red blood cells; and osteocytes with intracellular contents and flexible filipodia. The present study attempts to trace the occurrence of these four components in bone from specimens spanning multiple geological time periods and varied depositional environments. At least three of the four components persist in some skeletal elements of specimens dating to the Campanian. Fibrous bone matrix is more altered over time in morphology and less likely to persist than vessels and/or osteocytes. Vessels vary greatly in preservation, even within the same specimen, with some regions retaining pliability and other regions almost crystalline. Osteocytes also vary, with some retaining long filipodia and transparency, while others present with short and stubby filipodia and deeply pigmented nuclei, or are pigmented throughout with no nucleus visible. Alternative hypotheses are considered to explain the origin/source of observed materials. Finally, a two-part mechanism, involving first cross-linking of molecular components and subsequent mineralization, is proposed to explain the surprising presence of still-soft elements in fossil bone. These results suggest that present models of fossilization processes may be incomplete and that soft tissue elements may be more commonly preserved, even in older specimens, than previously thought. Additionally, in many cases, osteocytes with defined nuclei are preserved, and may represent an important source for informative molecular data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mary Higby Schweitzer
- Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Hebsgaard MB, Wiuf C, Gilbert MTP, Glenner H, Willerslev E. Evaluating Neanderthal genetics and phylogeny. J Mol Evol 2006; 64:50-60. [PMID: 17146600 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-006-0017-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2006] [Accepted: 08/29/2006] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The retrieval of Neanderthal (Homo neanderthalsensis) mitochondrial DNA is thought to be among the most significant ancient DNA contributions to date, allowing conflicting hypotheses on modern human (Homo sapiens) evolution to be tested directly. Recently, however, both the authenticity of the Neanderthal sequences and their phylogenetic position outside contemporary human diversity have been questioned. Using Bayesian inference and the largest dataset to date, we find strong support for a monophyletic Neanderthal clade outside the diversity of contemporary humans, in agreement with the expectations of the Out-of-Africa replacement model of modern human origin. From average pairwise sequence differences, we obtain support for claims that the first published Neanderthal sequence may include errors due to postmortem damage in the template molecules for PCR. In contrast, we find that recent results implying that the Neanderthal sequences are products of PCR artifacts are not well supported, suffering from inadequate experimental design and a presumably high percentage (>68%) of chimeric sequences due to "jumping PCR" events.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin B Hebsgaard
- Centré for Ancient Genetics, Niels Bohr Institute and Biological Institute, University of Copenhagen, Juliane Maries vej 30, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Asztemborska M, Zukowski J. Determination of diastereomerization barrier of some flavanones by high-performance liquid chromatography methods. J Chromatogr A 2006; 1134:95-100. [PMID: 16970960 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2006.08.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2006] [Revised: 08/18/2006] [Accepted: 08/25/2006] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The rate constants and activation energy barriers DeltaG# of diastereomerization reaction of flavanones: naringin, narirutin, hesperidin and neohesperidin were determined. The stopped-flow HPLC (SFM-HPLC), dynamic HPLC (D-HPLC) and enantioselective HPLC combined with the classical kinetic method were applied for determination of these parameters. It was found that the rate constants of diastereomerization were about eight times higher for naringin and narirutin (1.9 x 10(-5) s(-1)) than for hesperidin and neohesperidin (2.4 x 10(-6) s(-1)). No significant differences in the rate of diastereomerization were found between neohesperidosides and corresponding rutinosides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monika Asztemborska
- Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warsaw, Poland.
| | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Arany S, Ohtani S, Yamamoto T, Sugiyama T. Comparison of aspartic acid racemization between mammoth and human dentinal tissues. Arch Oral Biol 2006; 52:20-5. [PMID: 17049483 DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2006.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2006] [Revised: 07/06/2006] [Accepted: 07/11/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Comprehensive research has revealed the complexity and heterogeneity of amino acid racemization (AAR) in biological samples. Therefore, to date, inherent uncertainties in relative dating as well as in determination of age at death have highlighted the significance of further investigations to explore aspartic acid kinetics in biominerals. Here we present data on an archaeological sample obtained from a mammoth tusk, in comparison to a previously well-described biomineral, to modern human dentin. DESIGN Since no experimental investigations were carried out on this topic earlier, we provide the first estimates on racemization kinetics and time dependent tendencies in mammoth dentin. We analysed our samples using a protocol, which has been adopted for tooth dentin investigation. We measured different racemization rates amongst mammoth dentin layers. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Significantly, an overall low racemization rate was detected compared to human dentin. Kinetic experiments were performed by heating the samples, and linear correlations were established between racemization rates and heating time. The results allow us to derive racemization rate constants and activation energy for both samples. Extrapolation for ambient temperature showed increased velocity in mammoth dentin, which can be explained by biodeterioration of ancient collagen and by diagenetic changes in amino acid composition influenced by environmental conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Szilvia Arany
- Department of Biochemistry, Akita University School of Medicine, Hondo 1-1-1, Akita 010-8543, Japan.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|