Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-x24gv Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-06-11T05:01:15.663Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Racemization Rate Constant for Protein-Bound Aspartic Acid in Woodrat Middens

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Michael G. Petit
Michael G. Petit*
Affiliation:
Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521. USA
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The racemization rate constant for aspartic acid has been determined from the D/L isomeric ratio in four strata of radiocarbon dated woodrat midden in Arizona. Two different methods of stereospecifically deaminating L-aspartic acid prior to the assay are compared. It is found that pure L-amino acid oxidase pretreatment of the DL aspartic acid mixture requires one less step than treatment with crude, dialyzed venom (Crotalus viridis) but that the two methods give the same results. Application of the theory of amino acid racemization dating is discussed in the context of the steric properties ofthe protein environment in which the racemization actually occurs.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Quaternary Research , Volume 4 , Issue 3 , September 1974 , pp. 340 - 345
Copyright
University of Washington

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Bada, J.L., Luyendyk, B.P., Maynard, J.B., (1970). Marine sediments: Dating by the racemization of amino acids. Science 170, 730–731.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bada, J.L., (1971). Kinetics of decomposition and racemization of amino acids in natural waters. Hem, J.D., Non-equilibrium Systems in Natural Water Chemistry. Advances in Chemistry Series American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C 309.Google Scholar
Bada, J.L., Schroeder, R.A., (1972a). Racemization of isoleucine in calcareous marine sediments: Kinetics and mechanism. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 15, 1–11.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bada, J.L., (1972b). The dating of fossil bones using the racemization of isoleucine. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 15, 223–231.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bada, J.L., Peterson, E., Kuenvolden, K.A., (1973a). Racemization of amino acids in bones. Nature (London) 245, 308–310.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bada, J.L., Protsch, R., (1973b). Racemization reaction of aspartic acid and its use in dating fossil bones. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 70, 1331–1334.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hare, P.E., Mitterer, R.M., (1967). Nonprotein amino acids in fossil shells. Carnegie Institute of Washington Yearbook 65, 362–364.Google Scholar
Knight, B., Lauder, I., (1969). Methods of dating skeletal remains. Human Biology 41, 322–341.Google ScholarPubMed
Mehringer, P.J. Jr., Ferguson, C.W., (1969). Pluvial occurrence of Bristlecone pine (Pinus aristata) in a Mojave Desert mountain range. Journal of the Arizona Academy of Sciences 5, 284–292.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Petit, M.G., (1973a). Analysis of stratified vertebrate excretions as a method of obtaining a chronological record of environmental chemicals in mammalian food chains. 86th Annual Research Conference, Colorado State University 1973: 73, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521.Google Scholar
Petit, M.G., (1973b). A chronological record of environmental chemicals from analysis of stratified vertebrate excretion deposited in a sheltered environment. Environmental Research 6, 339–343.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schroeder, R. A., Bada, J. L., Glacial-postglacial temperature difference deduced from aspartic acid racemization in fossil bones. Science 182, 479–482.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Udenfriend, S., Stein, S., Böhlen, P., Dairman, W., Leimgruber, W., Weigele, M., (1972). Fluorescamine: A reagent for assay of amino acids, peptides, proteins, and primary amines in the picomole range. Science 178, 871–872.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Van Devender, T.R., King, J.E., (1971). Late Pleistocene vegetational records in western Arizona. Journal of the Arizona Academy of Sciences 6, 240–244.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wehmiller, J., Hare, P.E., (1971). Racemization of amino acids in marine sediments. Science 173, 907–911.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wells, P.V., Jorgensen, C.D., (1964). Pleistocene woodrat middens and climatic change in Mojave Desert: A record of juniper woodlands. Science 143, 1171–1174.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wells, P.V., (1966). Late Pleistocene vegetation and degree of pluvial climatic change in the Chihuahuan Desert. Science 153, 970–975.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wells, P.V., Berger, R., (1967). Late Pleistocene history of coniferous woodland in the Mojave Desert. Science 155, 1640–1647.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wells, P.V., (1970). Postglacial vegetational history of the Great Plains. Science 167, 1574–1582.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed