Preservation potential of keratin in deep time.
PLoS One
; 13(11): e0206569, 2018.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-30485294
ABSTRACT
Multiple fossil discoveries and taphonomic experiments have established the durability of keratin. The utility and specificity of antibodies to identify keratin peptides has also been established, both in extant feathers under varying treatment conditions, and in feathers from extinct organisms. Here, we show localization of feather-keratin antibodies to control and heat-treated feathers, testifying to the repeatability of initial data supporting the preservation potential of keratin. We then show new data at higher resolution that demonstrates the specific response of these antibodies to the feather matrix, we support the presence of protein in heat-treated feathers using ToF-SIMS, and we apply these methods to a fossil feather preserved in the unusual environment of sinter hot springs. We stress the importance of employing realistic conditions such as sediment burial when designing experiments intended as proxies for taphonomic processes occurring in the fossil record. Our data support the hypothesis that keratin, particularly the ß-keratin that comprises feathers, has potential to preserve in fossil remains.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Feathers
/
Fossils
/
Keratins
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
PLoS One
Journal subject:
CIENCIA
/
MEDICINA
Year:
2018
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Estados Unidos