Unknown

Dataset Information

0

Protein sequences bound to mineral surfaces persist into deep time.


ABSTRACT: Proteins persist longer in the fossil record than DNA, but the longevity, survival mechanisms and substrates remain contested. Here, we demonstrate the role of mineral binding in preserving the protein sequence in ostrich (Struthionidae) eggshell, including from the palaeontological sites of Laetoli (3.8 Ma) and Olduvai Gorge (1.3 Ma) in Tanzania. By tracking protein diagenesis back in time we find consistent patterns of preservation, demonstrating authenticity of the surviving sequences. Molecular dynamics simulations of struthiocalcin-1 and -2, the dominant proteins within the eggshell, reveal that distinct domains bind to the mineral surface. It is the domain with the strongest calculated binding energy to the calcite surface that is selectively preserved. Thermal age calculations demonstrate that the Laetoli and Olduvai peptides are 50 times older than any previously authenticated sequence (equivalent to ~16 Ma at a constant 10°C).

SUBMITTER: Demarchi B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5039028 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

altmetric image

Publications

Protein sequences bound to mineral surfaces persist into deep time.

Demarchi Beatrice B   Hall Shaun S   Roncal-Herrero Teresa T   Freeman Colin L CL   Woolley Jos J   Crisp Molly K MK   Wilson Julie J   Fotakis Anna A   Fischer Roman R   Kessler Benedikt M BM   Rakownikow Jersie-Christensen Rosa R   Olsen Jesper V JV   Haile James J   Thomas Jessica J   Marean Curtis W CW   Parkington John J   Presslee Samantha S   Lee-Thorp Julia J   Ditchfield Peter P   Hamilton Jacqueline F JF   Ward Martyn W MW   Wang Chunting Michelle CM   Shaw Marvin D MD   Harrison Terry T   Domínguez-Rodrigo Manuel M   MacPhee Ross DE R   Kwekason Amandus A   Ecker Michaela M   Kolska Horwitz Liora L   Chazan Michael M   Kröger Roland R   Thomas-Oates Jane J   Harding John H JH   Cappellini Enrico E   Penkman Kirsty K   Collins Matthew J MJ  

eLife 20160927


Proteins persist longer in the fossil record than DNA, but the longevity, survival mechanisms and substrates remain contested. Here, we demonstrate the role of mineral binding in preserving the protein sequence in ostrich (Struthionidae) eggshell, including from the palaeontological sites of Laetoli (3.8 Ma) and Olduvai Gorge (1.3 Ma) in Tanzania. By tracking protein diagenesis back in time we find consistent patterns of preservation, demonstrating authenticity of the surviving sequences. Molecu  ...[more]

Similar Datasets

| S-EPMC4020438 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC6377063 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC6728137 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC9803351 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC6640927 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC3457497 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC5905591 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC10231473 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC11315823 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC8053852 | biostudies-literature