Protein sequences bound to mineral surfaces persist into deep time

peer-reviewed · eLife · 2016

peer-reviewed · eLife · 2016. Beatrice Demarchi et al. Proteins persist longer in the fossil record than DNA, but the longevity, survival mechanisms and substrates…
Date 2016-09-27
Type peer-reviewed
Venue eLife
Publisher eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd
Contribution downstream-application
DOI 10.7554/eLife.17092
Citations (OpenAlex) 278
Venue 2-year citedness 1.79

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).

Authors

  1. Beatrice Demarchi · University of Turin, University of York
  2. Shaun Hall · University of Sheffield
  3. Teresa Roncal-Herrero · University of York
  4. Colin L Freeman · University of Sheffield
  5. Jos Woolley · University of York
  6. Molly K Crisp · University of York
  7. Julie Wilson · University of York
  8. Anna Fotakis · University of Copenhagen
  9. Roman Fischer · University of Oxford
  10. Benedikt M Kessler · University of Oxford
  11. Rosa Rakownikow Jersie-Christensen · Novo Nordisk Foundation, University of Copenhagen
  12. Jesper V. Olsen · Novo Nordisk Foundation, University of California San Diego, University of Cape Town, University of Copenhagen
  13. James Haile · University of Oxford
  14. Jessica Thomas · Bangor University, University of Copenhagen
  15. Curtis W Marean · Arizona State University, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
  16. John Parkington · University of Cape Town
  17. Samantha Presslee · University of York
  18. Julia Lee-Thorp · University of Oxford
  19. Peter Ditchfield · University of Oxford
  20. Jacqueline F Hamilton · University of York
  21. Martyn W Ward · University of York
  22. Chunting Michelle Wang · University of York
  23. Marvin D Shaw · University of York
  24. Terry Harrison · New York University
  25. Manuel Domínguez-Rodrigo · Complutense University of Madrid
  26. Ross DE MacPhee · American Museum of Natural History
  27. Amandus Kwekason · National Museum of Tanzania
  28. Michaela Ecker · University of Oxford
  29. Liora Kolska Horwitz · The Hebrew University
  30. Michael Chazan · University of Toronto, University of the Witwatersrand
  31. Roland Kröger · University of York
  32. Jane Thomas-Oates · University of York
  33. John H Harding · University of Sheffield
  34. Enrico Cappellini · University of Copenhagen
  35. Kirsty Penkman · Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, De la Préhistoire à l’Actuel : Culture, Environnement et Anthropologie, University of York, University of the Witwatersrand, Université de Bordeaux
  36. Matthew James Collins · University of Cambridge, University of Copenhagen, University of York

Methods and tools

  • Ancient ostrich eggshell proteome: Sequencing of ancient peptides bound to ostrich eggshell mineral surfaces, demonstrating protein survival into deep time (~3.8 million years) via de novo MS/MS workflows.

Data used

  • Mineral-bound ostrich eggshell peptides survive for up to 3.8 Ma in equatorial Africa (as deposited) · PXD003786

Cites (1)

Cited by (9)

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