title: Analyses of soft tissue from Tyrannosaurus rex suggest the presence of protein.
abstract: We performed multiple analyses of Tyrannosaurus rex (specimen MOR 1125) fibrous cortical and medullary tissues remaining after demineralization. The results indicate that collagen I, the main organic component of bone, has been preserved in low concentrations in these tissues. The findings were independently confirmed by mass spectrometry. We propose a possible chemical pathway that may contribute to this preservation. The presence of endogenous protein in dinosaur bone may validate hypotheses about evolutionary relationships, rates, and patterns of molecular change and degradation, as well as the chemical stability of molecules over time.
authors: Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA. schweitzer@ncsu.edu
authors: Mary Higby
authors: MH
authors: Schweitzer
authors: Zhiyong
authors: Z
authors: Suo
authors: Recep
authors: R
authors: Avci
authors: John M
authors: JM
authors: Asara
authors: Mark A
authors: MA
authors: Allen
authors: Fernando Teran
authors: FT
authors: Arce
authors: John R
authors: JR
authors: Horner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000032:analysis* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D025061:Dinosaurs; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005580:Fossils; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D018629:Spectrometry, Mass, Secondary Ion
chemical_list: D024042:Collagen Type I