Natural Product Molecular Fossils

Falk, Heinz; Wolkenstein, Klaus

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-45618-8_1

Cited by 13 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 310 publications

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“…Time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) of a blood-engorged mosquito found in middle Eocene oil shales (Greenwalt et al 2013) detected highly stable porphyrins (Falk and Wolkenstein 2017) derived from the heme cofactor of haemoglobin, although the protein and phospholipids had decomposed. In contrast, Bertazzo et al (2015) used energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to reveal that their structures are carbon-enriched, neither specifying their precise nature nor proving endogenecity.…”

Section: Matured Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Taphonomy of Keratin: A Structural Analysis of Early Taphonomic Changes

Saitta

Rogers

Brooker

et al. 2017

Palaios

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The evolution of integumentary structures, particularly in relation to feathers in dinosaurs, has become an area of intense research. Our understanding of the molecular evolution of keratin protein is greatly restricted by the fact that such information is lost during diagenesis and cannot be derived from fossils. In this study, decay and maturation experiments are used to determine if different keratin types or integumentary structures show different patterns of degradation early in their taphonomic histories and if such simulations might advance our understanding of different fossilization pathways. Although different distortion patterns were observed in different filamentous structures during moderate maturation and ultrastructural textures unique to certain types of scales persisted in moderate maturation, neither of these have been observed in fossils. It remains uncertain whether these degradation patterns would ever occur in natural sediment matrix, where microbial and chemical decay happens well before significant diagenesis. It takes some time for remains to be buried, meaning that keratin may not be left for moderate maturation to produce such patterns. Higher, more realistic maturation conditions produce a thick, and water soluble fluid that lacks all morphological and ultrastructural details of the original keratin, suggesting that such textural or distortion patterns are unlikely to be preserved in fossils. Although different degradation patterns among keratinous structures are intriguing, it is unlikely that such information could be recorded in the fossil record. Calcium phosphates and pigments are the surviving components of integumentary structures. Thus, the results here are likely of more relation to the archaeological record than fossil record. Other noteworthy results of these experiments are that melanin may not be the leading factor in determining the rate of microbial decay in feathers but may reduce the rate of degradation from maturation, that the existence of rachis filamentous subunits similar to plumulaceous barbules is supported, and that previously reported dinosaur 'erythrocytes' may be taphonomic artifacts of degraded organic material.

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Section: Matured Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Taphonomy of Keratin: A Structural Analysis of Early Taphonomic Changes

Saitta

Rogers

Brooker

et al. 2017

Palaios

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“…Hydrocarbons in ancient sediments can encode information of geobiological value and provide evidence for the presence of organism groups that are not likely to be preserved as fossil (e.g., soft-bodied organisms, microbes). Particularly interesting are molecular fossils (or organic biomarkers), that is, hydrocarbon derivatives of organic biomolecules that retained characteristic structural features and are, therefore, still diagnostic for specific source organisms (e.g., Treibs 1934Treibs , 1936Eglinton 1964;Peters et al 2005a, b;Briggs and Summons 2014;Schwarzbauer and Jovančićević 2016;Falk and Wolkenstein 2017). Since all types of organisms consist of organic biomolecules, molecular fossils provide an additional, independent source of information that can complement the classic paleontological record.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular fossils within bitumens and kerogens from the ~ 1 Ga Lakhanda Lagerstätte (Siberia, Russia) and their significance for understanding early eukaryote evolution

Duda

König

Reinhardt

et al. 2021

PalZ

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The emergence and diversification of eukaryotes during the Proterozoic is one of the most fundamental evolutionary developments in Earth’s history. The ca. 1-billion-year-old Lakhanda Lagerstätte (Siberia, Russia) contains a wealth of eukaryotic body fossils and offers an important glimpse into their ecosystem. Seeking to complement the paleontological record of this remarkable lagerstätte, we here explored information encoded within sedimentary organic matter (total organic carbon = 0.01–1.27 wt.%). Major emphasis was placed on sedimentary hydrocarbons preserved within bitumens and kerogens, including molecular fossils (or organic biomarkers) that are specific to bacteria and eukaryotes (i.e. hopanes and regular steranes, respectively). Programmed pyrolysis and molecular organic geochemistry suggest that the organic matter in the analyzed samples is about peak oil window maturity and thus sufficiently well preserved for detailed molecular fossil studies that include hopanes and steranes. Together with petrographic evidence as well as compositional similarities of the bitumens and corresponding kerogens, the consistency of different independent maturity parameters establishes that sedimentary hydrocarbons are indigenous and syngenetic to the host rock. The possible presence of trace amounts of hopanes and absence of steranes in samples that are sufficiently well preserved to retain both types of compounds evidences an environment dominated by anaerobic bacteria with no or very little inputs by eukaryotes. In concert with the paleontological record of the Lakhanda Lagerstätte, our study adds to the view that eukaryotes were present but not significant in Mesoproterozoic ecosystems.

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“…Molecules 2023, 28, x FOR PEER REVIEW 11 of 53 [85][86][87]. Table 2 displays the predicted biological activity for mono-aromatic steroids isolated from various sources, including plants, fungi, invertebrates, marine sediments, and oils.…”

Section: Steroids Bearing a B C Or D Aromatic Ringmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tri-aromatic and/or polyaromatic steroid hydrocarbons (70-83) have been detected in lipid extracts obtained from various sources such as fossil plants, algae, marine sediments, and petroleum [78,85,98,99,103,104]. Among these compounds, an oleanane-related triterpenoid (80) with a unique C-2 oxygenated functionality has been identified as the most abundant triterpenoid in a 4900-year-old oak wood sample that was buried in freshwater sediment [105,106].…”

Section: Steroids Bearing Two or Three Aromatic Rings Derived From Na...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Biological Activity and Structural Diversity of Steroids Containing Aromatic Rings, Phosphate Groups, or Halogen Atoms

Dembitsky

2023

Molecules

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This review delves into the investigation of the biological activity and structural diversity of steroids and related isoprenoid lipids. The study encompasses various natural compounds, such as steroids with aromatic ring(s), steroid phosphate esters derived from marine invertebrates, and steroids incorporating halogen atoms (I, Br, or Cl). These compounds are either produced by fungi or fungal endophytes or found in extracts of plants, algae, or marine invertebrates. To assess the biological activity of these natural compounds, an extensive examination of referenced literature sources was conducted. The evaluation encompassed in vivo and in vitro studies, as well as the utilization of the QSAR method. Numerous compounds exhibited notable properties such as strong anti-inflammatory, anti-neoplastic, anti-proliferative, anti-hypercholesterolemic, anti-Parkinsonian, diuretic, anti-eczematic, anti-psoriatic, and various other activities. Throughout the review, 3D graphs illustrating the activity of individual steroids are presented alongside images of selected terrestrial or marine organisms. Additionally, the review provides explanations for specific types of biological activity associated with these compounds. The data presented in this review hold scientific interest for academic science as well as practical implications in the fields of pharmacology and practical medicine. The analysis of the biological activity and structural diversity of steroids and related isoprenoid lipids provides valuable insights that can contribute to advancements in both theoretical understanding and applied research.

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Natural Product Molecular Fossils

Cited by 13 publications

References 310 publications

Experimental Taphonomy of Keratin: A Structural Analysis of Early Taphonomic Changes

Experimental Taphonomy of Keratin: A Structural Analysis of Early Taphonomic Changes

Molecular fossils within bitumens and kerogens from the ~ 1 Ga Lakhanda Lagerstätte (Siberia, Russia) and their significance for understanding early eukaryote evolution

Biological Activity and Structural Diversity of Steroids Containing Aromatic Rings, Phosphate Groups, or Halogen Atoms

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