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Friedländer MR, Gilbert MTP. How ancient RNA survives and what we can learn from it. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2024; 25:417-418. [PMID: 38548931 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-024-00726-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Marc R Friedländer
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - M Thomas P Gilbert
- Center for Evolutionary Hologenomics, The Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- University Museum, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway.
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2
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Mármol-Sánchez E, Fromm B, Oskolkov N, Pochon Z, Kalogeropoulos P, Eriksson E, Biryukova I, Sekar V, Ersmark E, Andersson B, Dalén L, Friedländer MR. Historical RNA expression profiles from the extinct Tasmanian tiger. Genome Res 2023; 33:1299-1316. [PMID: 37463752 PMCID: PMC10552650 DOI: 10.1101/gr.277663.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Paleogenomics continues to yield valuable insights into the evolution, population dynamics, and ecology of our ancestors and other extinct species. However, DNA sequencing cannot reveal tissue-specific gene expression, cellular identity, or gene regulation, which are only attainable at the transcriptional level. Pioneering studies have shown that useful RNA can be extracted from ancient specimens preserved in permafrost and historical skins from extant canids, but no attempts have been made so far on extinct species. We extract, sequence, and analyze historical RNA from muscle and skin tissue of a ∼130-year-old Tasmanian tiger (Thylacinus cynocephalus) preserved in desiccation at room temperature in a museum collection. The transcriptional profiles closely resemble those of extant species, revealing specific anatomical features such as slow muscle fibers or blood infiltration. Metatranscriptomic analysis, RNA damage, tissue-specific RNA profiles, and expression hotspots genome-wide further confirm the thylacine origin of the sequences. RNA sequences are used to improve protein-coding and noncoding annotations, evidencing missing exonic loci and the location of ribosomal RNA genes while increasing the number of annotated thylacine microRNAs from 62 to 325. We discover a thylacine-specific microRNA isoform that could not have been confirmed without RNA evidence. Finally, we detect traces of RNA viruses, suggesting the possibility of profiling viral evolution. Our results represent the first successful attempt to obtain transcriptional profiles from an extinct animal species, providing thought-to-be-lost information on gene expression dynamics. These findings hold promising implications for the study of RNA molecules across the vast collections of natural history museums and from well-preserved permafrost remains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio Mármol-Sánchez
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, 114 18 Stockholm, Sweden;
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bastian Fromm
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, 114 18 Stockholm, Sweden
- The Arctic University Museum of Norway, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, 9006 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Nikolay Oskolkov
- Department of Biology, National Bioinformatics Infrastructure Sweden, Science for Life Laboratory, Lund University, 223 62 Lund, Sweden
| | - Zoé Pochon
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Archaeology and Classical Studies, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Panagiotis Kalogeropoulos
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, 114 18 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eli Eriksson
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, 114 18 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Inna Biryukova
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, 114 18 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vaishnovi Sekar
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, 114 18 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Erik Ersmark
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, 104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Björn Andersson
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB), Karolinska Institute, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Love Dalén
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden;
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, 104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marc R Friedländer
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, 114 18 Stockholm, Sweden;
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3
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Fromm B, Tarbier M, Smith O, Marmol-Sanchez E, Dalen L, Gilbert TP, Friedlander MR. Ancient microRNA profiles of a 14,300-year-old canid samples confirm taxonomic origin and give glimpses into tissue-specific gene regulation from the Pleistocene. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2020; 27:rna.078410.120. [PMID: 33323528 PMCID: PMC7901840 DOI: 10.1261/rna.078410.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
DNA sequencing is the current key technology for historic or ancient biological samples and has led to many exciting discoveries in the field of paleogenomics. However, functional insights into tissue identity, cellular composition or gene regulation cannot be gained from DNA. Recent analyses have shown that, under favorable conditions, RNA can also be sequenced from ancient samples, enabling studies at the transcriptomic and regulatory level. Analyzing ancient RNA data from a Pleistocene canid, we find hundreds of intact microRNAs that are taxonomically informative, show tissue-specificity and have functionally predictive characteristics. With an extraordinary age of 14,300 years, these microRNA sequences are by far the oldest ever reported. The authenticity of the sequences is further supported by a) the presence of canid / Caniformia-specific sequences that never evolved outside of this clade, b) tissue-specific expression patterns (cartilage, liver and muscle) that resemble those of modern dogs and c) RNA damage patterns that are clearly distinct from those of fresh samples. By performing computational microRNA-target enrichment analyses on the ancient sequences, we predict microRNA functions consistent with their tissue pattern of expression. For instance, we find a liver-specific microRNA that regulates carbohydrate metabolism and starvation responses in canids. In summary, we show that straightforward paleotranscriptomic microRNA analyses can give functional glimpses into tissue identity, cellular composition and gene regulatory activity of ancient samples and biological processes that took place in the Pleistocene, thus holding great promise for deeper insights into gene regulation in extinct animals based on ancient RNA sequencing. .
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastian Fromm
- Stockholm University, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Department of Molecular Biosciences, SciLifelab;
| | - Marcel Tarbier
- Stockholm University, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Department of Molecular Biosciences, SciLifelab
| | - Oliver Smith
- University of Copenhagen, Section for Evolutionary Genomics, The Globe Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
| | - Emilio Marmol-Sanchez
- Stockholm University, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Department of Molecular Biosciences, SciLifelab
| | - Love Dalen
- Stockholm University, Centre for Palaeogenetics
| | - Tom P Gilbert
- University of Copenhagen, Section for Evolutionary Genomics, The Globe Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
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4
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Kistler L, Bieker VC, Martin MD, Pedersen MW, Ramos Madrigal J, Wales N. Ancient Plant Genomics in Archaeology, Herbaria, and the Environment. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PLANT BIOLOGY 2020; 71:605-629. [PMID: 32119793 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-arplant-081519-035837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The ancient DNA revolution of the past 35 years has driven an explosion in the breadth, nuance, and diversity of questions that are approachable using ancient biomolecules, and plant research has been a constant, indispensable facet of these developments. Using archaeological, paleontological, and herbarium plant tissues, researchers have probed plant domestication and dispersal, plant evolution and ecology, paleoenvironmental composition and dynamics, and other topics across related disciplines. Here, we review the development of the ancient DNA discipline and the role of plant research in its progress and refinement. We summarize our understanding of long-term plant DNA preservation and the characteristics of degraded DNA. In addition, we discuss challenges in ancient DNA recovery and analysis and the laboratory and bioinformatic strategies used to mitigate them. Finally, we review recent applications of ancient plant genomic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan Kistler
- Department of Anthropology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560, USA;
| | - Vanessa C Bieker
- Department of Natural History, NTNU University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway; ,
| | - Michael D Martin
- Department of Natural History, NTNU University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway; ,
| | - Mikkel Winther Pedersen
- Lundbeck Foundation GeoGenetics Centre, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Jazmín Ramos Madrigal
- Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Nathan Wales
- Department of Archaeology, University of York, York YO1 7EP, United Kingdom;
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5
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Pont C, Wagner S, Kremer A, Orlando L, Plomion C, Salse J. Paleogenomics: reconstruction of plant evolutionary trajectories from modern and ancient DNA. Genome Biol 2019; 20:29. [PMID: 30744646 PMCID: PMC6369560 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-019-1627-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
How contemporary plant genomes originated and evolved is a fascinating question. One approach uses reference genomes from extant species to reconstruct the sequence and structure of their common ancestors over deep timescales. A second approach focuses on the direct identification of genomic changes at a shorter timescale by sequencing ancient DNA preserved in subfossil remains. Merged within the nascent field of paleogenomics, these complementary approaches provide insights into the evolutionary forces that shaped the organization and regulation of modern genomes and open novel perspectives in fostering genetic gain in breeding programs and establishing tools to predict future population changes in response to anthropogenic pressure and global warming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Pont
- INRA-UCA UMR 1095 Génétique Diversité et Ecophysiologie des Céréales, 63100, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Stefanie Wagner
- Laboratoire d'Anthropobiologie Moléculaire et d'Imagerie de Synthèse, CNRS UMR 5288, allées Jules Guesde, Bâtiment A, 31000, Toulouse, France.,INRA-Université Bordeaux UMR1202, Biodiversité Gènes et Communautés, 33610, Cestas, France
| | - Antoine Kremer
- INRA-Université Bordeaux UMR1202, Biodiversité Gènes et Communautés, 33610, Cestas, France
| | - Ludovic Orlando
- Laboratoire d'Anthropobiologie Moléculaire et d'Imagerie de Synthèse, CNRS UMR 5288, allées Jules Guesde, Bâtiment A, 31000, Toulouse, France.,Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, Øster Voldgade, 1350K, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christophe Plomion
- INRA-Université Bordeaux UMR1202, Biodiversité Gènes et Communautés, 33610, Cestas, France
| | - Jerome Salse
- INRA-UCA UMR 1095 Génétique Diversité et Ecophysiologie des Céréales, 63100, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
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6
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Allaby RG, Gutaker R, Clarke AC, Pearson N, Ware R, Palmer SA, Kitchen JL, Smith O. Using archaeogenomic and computational approaches to unravel the history of local adaptation in crops. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2015; 370:20130377. [PMID: 25487329 PMCID: PMC4275885 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2013.0377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Our understanding of the evolution of domestication has changed radically in the past 10 years, from a relatively simplistic rapid origin scenario to a protracted complex process in which plants adapted to the human environment. The adaptation of plants continued as the human environment changed with the expansion of agriculture from its centres of origin. Using archaeogenomics and computational models, we can observe genome evolution directly and understand how plants adapted to the human environment and the regional conditions to which agriculture expanded. We have applied various archaeogenomics approaches as exemplars to study local adaptation of barley to drought resistance at Qasr Ibrim, Egypt. We show the utility of DNA capture, ancient RNA, methylation patterns and DNA from charred remains of archaeobotanical samples from low latitudes where preservation conditions restrict ancient DNA research to within a Holocene timescale. The genomic level of analyses that is now possible, and the complexity of the evolutionary process of local adaptation means that plant studies are set to move to the genome level, and account for the interaction of genes under selection in systems-level approaches. This way we can understand how plants adapted during the expansion of agriculture across many latitudes with rapidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin G Allaby
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Campus, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Rafal Gutaker
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Campus, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Andrew C Clarke
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Campus, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Neil Pearson
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Campus, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Roselyn Ware
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Campus, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Sarah A Palmer
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Campus, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - James L Kitchen
- Rothamsted Research Station, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - Oliver Smith
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Campus, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
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7
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Smith O, Clapham A, Rose P, Liu Y, Wang J, Allaby RG. A complete ancient RNA genome: identification, reconstruction and evolutionary history of archaeological Barley Stripe Mosaic Virus. Sci Rep 2014; 4:4003. [PMID: 24499968 PMCID: PMC3915304 DOI: 10.1038/srep04003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2013] [Accepted: 01/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The origins of many plant diseases appear to be recent and associated with the rise of domestication, the spread of agriculture or recent global movements of crops. Distinguishing between these possibilities is problematic because of the difficulty of determining rates of molecular evolution over short time frames. Heterochronous approaches using recent and historical samples show that plant viruses exhibit highly variable and often rapid rates of molecular evolution. The accuracy of estimated evolution rates and age of origin can be greatly improved with the inclusion of older molecular data from archaeological material. Here we present the first reconstruction of an archaeological RNA genome, which is of Barley Stripe Mosaic Virus (BSMV) isolated from barley grain ~750 years of age. Phylogenetic analysis of BSMV that includes this genome indicates the divergence of BSMV and its closest relative prior to this time, most likely around 2000 years ago. However, exclusion of the archaeological data results in an apparently much more recent origin of the virus that postdates even the archaeological sample. We conclude that this viral lineage originated in the Near East or North Africa, and spread to North America and East Asia with their hosts along historical trade routes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Smith
- School of Life Sciences, Gibbet Hill Campus, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL
| | - Alan Clapham
- School of Life Sciences, Gibbet Hill Campus, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL
| | - Pam Rose
- The Austrian Archaeological Institute; Cairo Branch, Zamalek, Sharia Ismail Muhammed, Apt 62/72, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Yuan Liu
- BGI-Europe-UK, 9 Devonshire Square, London, EC2M 4YF, UK
| | - Jun Wang
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Robin G Allaby
- School of Life Sciences, Gibbet Hill Campus, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL
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8
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Guy PL. Prospects for analyzing ancient RNA in preserved materials. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2013; 5:87-94. [DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2013] [Revised: 06/23/2013] [Accepted: 07/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paul L. Guy
- Department of Botany; University of Otago; Dunedin New Zealand
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9
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Fordyce SL, Kampmann ML, van Doorn NL, Gilbert MTP. Long-term RNA persistence in postmortem contexts. INVESTIGATIVE GENETICS 2013; 4:7. [PMID: 23618361 PMCID: PMC3662605 DOI: 10.1186/2041-2223-4-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2012] [Accepted: 04/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Ribonucleic acids (RNA) are generally considered fragile molecules that are readily degraded. However, there is growing documentation of long-term (from days to centuries) RNA persistence in a variety of contexts and tissue types, and as such a number of academic disciplines are beginning to exploit degraded RNA. While the reasons for its survival are not fully understood, there are several plausible mechanisms that would safeguard this molecule against degradation. However, after examining the literature available on the postmortem instability and decay mechanisms of RNA, it has become clear that limited experimental studies and no reviews offer an overview of these mechanisms. Hence in this review we outline molecular reasons for RNA surviving long-term postmortem, and provide specific examples of RNA survival in forensic, archival and archaeological contexts. A better understanding of the mechanisms of RNA decay will be crucial for developing expectations on its long-term survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Fordyce
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1350, Copenhagen K, Denmark.
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10
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Fordyce SL, Ávila-Arcos MC, Rasmussen M, Cappellini E, Romero-Navarro JA, Wales N, Alquezar-Planas DE, Penfield S, Brown TA, Vielle-Calzada JP, Montiel R, Jørgensen T, Odegaard N, Jacobs M, Arriaza B, Higham TFG, Ramsey CB, Willerslev E, Gilbert MTP. Deep sequencing of RNA from ancient maize kernels. PLoS One 2013; 8:e50961. [PMID: 23326310 PMCID: PMC3543400 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0050961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2012] [Accepted: 10/29/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The characterization of biomolecules from ancient samples can shed otherwise unobtainable insights into the past. Despite the fundamental role of transcriptomal change in evolution, the potential of ancient RNA remains unexploited – perhaps due to dogma associated with the fragility of RNA. We hypothesize that seeds offer a plausible refuge for long-term RNA survival, due to the fundamental role of RNA during seed germination. Using RNA-Seq on cDNA synthesized from nucleic acid extracts, we validate this hypothesis through demonstration of partial transcriptomal recovery from two sources of ancient maize kernels. The results suggest that ancient seed transcriptomics may offer a powerful new tool with which to study plant domestication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L. Fordyce
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Morten Rasmussen
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Enrico Cappellini
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - J. Alberto Romero-Navarro
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Nathan Wales
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Anthropology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States of America
| | | | - Steven Penfield
- Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, Department of Biology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Terence A. Brown
- Manchester Interdisciplinary Biocentre, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | | | - Rafael Montiel
- Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad, CINVESTAV-IPN, Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Tina Jørgensen
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nancy Odegaard
- Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Michael Jacobs
- Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Bernardo Arriaza
- Instituto de Alta Investigación, Departamento de Antropología, Centro de Investigaciones del Hombre en el Desierto, Universidad de Tarapacá, Arica, Chile
| | - Thomas F. G. Higham
- Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Eske Willerslev
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - M. Thomas P. Gilbert
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
- * E-mail:
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11
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Guy PL. Ancient RNA? RT-PCR of 50-year-old RNA identifies peach latent mosaic viroid. Arch Virol 2012; 158:691-4. [DOI: 10.1007/s00705-012-1527-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2012] [Accepted: 09/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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12
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Huynen L, Millar CD, Lambert DM. Resurrecting ancient animal genomes: the extinct moa and more. Bioessays 2012; 34:661-9. [PMID: 22674514 DOI: 10.1002/bies.201200040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Recently two developments have had a major impact on the field of ancient DNA (aDNA). First, new advances in DNA sequencing, in combination with improved capture/enrichment methods, have resulted in the recovery of orders of magnitude more DNA sequence data from ancient animals. Second, there has been an increase in the range of tissue types employed in aDNA. Hair in particular has proven to be very successful as a source of DNA because of its low levels of contamination and high level of ancient endogenous DNA. These developments have resulted in significant advances in our understanding of recently extinct animals: namely their evolutionary relationships, physiology, and even behaviour. Hair has been used to recover the first complete ancient nuclear genome, that of the extinct woolly mammoth, which then facilitated the expression and functional analysis of haemoglobins. Finally, we speculate on the consequences of these developments for the possibility of recreating extinct animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leon Huynen
- Griffith School of Environment and the School of Biomolecular and Physical Sciences, Griffith University, Nathan, Australia
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13
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The blossoming of plant archaeogenetics. Ann Anat 2012; 194:146-56. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2011.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2010] [Revised: 03/25/2011] [Accepted: 03/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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14
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15
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Francalacci P. DNA recovery from ancient tissues: problems and perspectives. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1995. [DOI: 10.1007/bf02437517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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16
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Rollo F, Asci W, Antonini S, Marota I, Ubaldi M. Molecular ecology of a Neolithic meadow: The DNA of the grass remains from the archaeological site of the Tyrolean Iceman. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1994. [DOI: 10.1007/bf01921728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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17
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Rollo F, Venanzi FM, Amici A. Nucleic acids in mummified plant seeds: biochemistry and molecular genetics of pre-Columbian maize. Genet Res (Camb) 1991; 58:193-201. [PMID: 1802802 DOI: 10.1017/s0016672300029943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acids fractions were isolated from pre-Columbian maize seeds and characterized using different approaches such as polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, anti-DNA antibody binding, HPLC fractionation, molecular hybridization with cloned genes, and DNA amplification by the polymerase chain reaction. The nucleic acids were found to be very depolymerized (less than or equal to 140 base pairs in length) and composed mainly of ribosomal RNA. Despite the very low amount and degree of polymerization of seed DNA, specific maize nuclear Mu1, Mu4, Mu8 and, possibly, Mu5 element components could be detected, thanks to the use of amplification systems as short as 90 bp. The results suggest that evaluation of the relative proportions of Mu-type element components and, possibly, other maize genomic components in single mummified kernels, may offer a new key to the study of ancient maize populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Rollo
- Dipartimento di Biologia Molecolare, Cellulare e Animale, Università di Camerino, Italy
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20
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Rollo F, La Marca A, Amici A. Nucleic acids in mummified plant seeds: screening of twelve specimens by gel-electrophoresis, molecular hybridization and DNA cloning. TAG. THEORETICAL AND APPLIED GENETICS. THEORETISCHE UND ANGEWANDTE GENETIK 1987; 73:501-505. [PMID: 24241105 DOI: 10.1007/bf00289186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/1986] [Accepted: 09/20/1986] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Twelve seed specimens of varying ages and from different archaeological sites were analyzed for the presence of polymerized DNA and RNA. Amongst the samples tested, one of Vitis vinifera from an archaeological site in Iran (2,000-3,000 B.C.) was found to be completely devoid of nucleic acids. Zea mais seeds of Precolumbial age from Peru (about 800 A.D.) contained depolymerized DNA and RNA. Samples of Vitis vinifera and Rubus sp. from a Lombard archaeological site (800 A.D.) as well as radiocarbon dated seeds from the site of the "Spring Sanctuary" near Metaponto (I-IV century B.C.) were found to contain polymerized DNA and rRNA bands. However the electrophoretic properties of the rRNAs in one case and hybridization experiments performed with cloned seed DNA in the other, clearly demonstrated that the polymerized nucleic acids were not of plant origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Rollo
- Dipartimento di Biologia Cellulare, Università di Camerino, Via F. Camerini 2, I-62032, Camerino, Italy
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