2-million-year-old tooth proteins reveal sex and variation. Researchers analyzed four Paranthropus robustus teeth over 2 million years old They used amelogenin proteins to identify male and female specimens Amelogenin exists in two isoforms linked to sex chromosomes (X and Y)
Scientists analyzed 4 Paranthropus teeth ~2 million years old 🦷 Using dental enamel proteins, they identified 2 males & 2 females, revealing population variation. The amelogenin protein analysis allowed researchers to determine biological sex in these ancient hominin remains.
Key Facts
- Researchers analyzed four Paranthropus robustus teeth over 2 million years old
- They used amelogenin proteins to identify male and female specimens
- Amelogenin exists in two isoforms linked to sex chromosomes (X and Y)
- Two teeth were identified as male, two as female
- They found population variation within Paranthropus remains
- Three specimens had arginine at a specific position while Paranthropus had glutamine
- One specimen (DNH155) had the human version of the amino acid, causing initial panic
- One specimen showed both forms of amino acids, suggesting within-population variation
Related site: Drimolen — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: The hunt for the oldest 'human' genetics by Stefan Milo