Proteomic and lipidomic analysis of mammoth bone by high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry coupled with liquid chromatography

Investigation of archeological and paleontological artifacts at the molecular level has become a trend over the recent years. Paleogenomics provides information about the evolution of ancient species; paleoproteomics was recently established as branch of conventional proteomics dedicated to the study of proteomes of extinct organisms. At the same time paleolipidomics, which could focus on the investigation of lipids of ancient species, is not developed yet, though the investigation of fossil lipids may have potential to provide information about past diseases or diet. Here we present the investigation of an ancient fossil bone of a Siberian mammoth using combined proteomics and lipidomics approaches based on high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry coupled with liquid chromatography (LC-MS/MS). Using various experimental approaches, we have reliably identified 98 proteins and 73 lipids in three tissue regions of the mammoth bone. We have also compared the proteome profile of ancient mammoth bone with those of a modern elephant.