title: Proteomic distinction between humans and great apes based on plasma transthyretin microheterogeneity.
abstract: Although humans and their closest relative, the chimpanzee are 98.5% identical in their DNA sequences, they differ in morphologic, behavioural and cognitive aspects. Recent studies imply observed differences in transthyretin (TTR) as a unique feature in human evolution. We studied differences in the molecular heterogeneity of plasma TTR between humans and great apes (chimpanzee, bonobo, gorilla, orang-utan) using a mass spectrometry immunoassay. Compared to humans, TTR levels were higher in chimpanzees and lower in orang-utans (both P<0.05). In all species, four major mass signals were observed. In humans, mass signals were at 13,755+/-4, 13,875+/-4 (greatest intensity), 13,935+/-8 and 14,053+/-10 Da representing native, S-cysteinylated, S-cysteinglycinylated and glutathionylated TTR, respectively. In chimpanzees and bonobos molecular masses were slightly lower than in humans (7-8 Da), whilst in gorillas and orang-utans masses of TTR adducts were respectively 20 and 100 Da lower (P<0.05). Peak pattern and relationship to each other was similar in all species. The close relationship between humans and chimpanzees is reflected in the similarity of their post-translational modification of TTR whilst mutations on the amino acid level are indicated. Results represent a proteomic distinction between humans and great apes with the possibility of resulting functional consequences.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Institute of Nutritional Science, University of Potsdam, Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114-116, D-14558 Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Germany.
authors.forename: Florian J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Schweigert
authors.forename: Beate
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gerike
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Raila
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haebel
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Eulenberger