The research will examine the preservation of the bone matrix protein osteocalcin (referred to below as OC) in fossil bone and the possible use of that protein for immunotaxonomy of fossil vertebrates. This research will constitute the major emphasis of this renewal period. We have found that OC is preserved in fossil bovine and rodent bone at least 18-30 million years old. This occurrence was confirmed both immunologically and biochemically. In addition, we have extracted macromolecules from fossil horse bone (Miohippus, Oligocene (28 million years old), South Dakota) and have elicited reaction with antibodies raised against modern horse OC. The discovery of preserved antigenic determinants and potentially preserved proteins in such ancient materials opens the possibility for molecular paleontology studies of phylogenetic relationships among major groups of extinct organisms, something which is not possible with the usual molecular biological methods applied to modern organisms (mitochondrial DNA restriction enzyme site mapping, etc.) This new research could be of major significance in understanding relationships among fossil vertebrates, including extinct groups. This research is unique in its direct study of macromolecules extracted from fossils, rather than reconstructing phylogenetic relationships from data on modern taxa.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Earth Sciences (EAR)
Type
Standard Grant (Standard)
Application #
8721021
Program Officer
Jonathan H. Fink
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1988-06-01
Budget End
1991-05-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1987
Total Cost
$50,000
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Champaign
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
61820