Cell：已灭绝猛犸象的古RNA表达谱

Core Viewpoint - The research highlights the potential of ancient RNA (aRNA) studies in reconstructing the transcriptomes of extinct species, specifically the woolly mammoth, thereby opening new avenues for integrating genomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics in paleobiology [2][10]. Group 1: Ancient RNA Research - Ancient DNA (aDNA) technology has revolutionized the study of extinct and extant species, enabling the reconstruction of genomes and their ecosystems [1]. - The recent study published in Cell reports the transcriptome profiles of 10 woolly mammoths from the late Pleistocene, with one sample dating back approximately 39,000 years, marking the oldest recorded ancient RNA sequences [2][6]. - The research demonstrates the feasibility of extracting, sequencing, analyzing, and validating transcriptome maps from ancient samples, paving the way for generating aRNA profiles from a wide range of Pleistocene remains [9]. Group 2: Methodology and Findings - The research team developed a framework for isolating aRNA molecules, building on previous studies of historical and ancient samples, and implemented quality control measures through metagenomics and metatranscriptomics [6]. - The study identified several muscle-specific mRNAs from the mammoth samples and discovered potential novel miRNA candidate gene loci based on gene expression evidence from the aRNA sequences [6][7]. - The findings indicate that tissue-specific gene expression patterns have been preserved over time, allowing for the annotation of new non-coding gene loci [7].