Evidence of proteins, chromosomes and chemical markers of DNA in exceptionally preserved dinosaur cartilage

• 来源期刊: 国家科学评论（英文版）
• 关键词: cartilage dinosaur nuclei chromosomes collagen Ⅱ DNA markers
• 年，卷（期）: 2020,（4）
• 页码范围: 815-822
• 页数: 8页
• 语种: 英文
• DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwz206

摘要

A histological ground-section from a duck-billed dinosaur nestling (Hypacrosaurus stebingeri) revealed microstructures morphologically consistent with nuclei and chromosomes in cells within calcified cartilage.We hypothesized that this exceptional cellular preservation extended to the molecular level and had molecular features in common with extant avian cartilage.Histochemical and immunological evidence supports in situ preservation of extracellular matrix components found in extant cartilage,induding glycosaminoglycans and collagen type Ⅱ.Furthermore,isolated Hypacrosaurus chondrocytes react positively with two DNA intercalating stains.Specific DNA staining is only observed inside the isolated cells,suggesting endogenous nuclear material survived fossilization.Our data support the hypothesis that calcified cartilage is preserved at the molecular level in this Mesozoic material,and suggest that remnants of once-living chondrocytes,including their DNA,may preserve for millions of years.