Extinct Australian Tiger gene functions in mouse
Don Colgan, Head of the Evolutionary Biology Unit at the Australian Museum, speaks under a model of a Tasmanian Tiger at a media conference in Sydney in this May 4, 2000 file photo. REUTERS/David Gray
SYDNEY (Reuters) - For the first time DNA from an extinct species, Australia's marsupial Tasmanian Tiger, has been used to induce a functional response in a living organism, a mouse embryo, Australian and American scientists said on Tuesday.
The scientists extracted DNA from a 100-year-old Tasmanian Tiger or thylacine, which had been preserved in ethanol in a museum, and injected it into a mouse embryo where it was "expressed" or produced in cartilage.
The results, published in the international scientific journal PLoS ONE, show that the thylacine Col2A1 gene had a similar function in developing cartilage and bone development as the Col2A1 gene in the mouse, said the scientists from the University of Melbourne and the University of Texas.
"This is the first time that DNA from an extinct species has been used to induce a functional response in another living organism," said Andrew Pask from the University of Melbourne.
"The gene is actually being produced in the cartilage tissue. That tells us that that piece of DNA from the thylacine was actually important for the formation of their skeleton," Pask told Reuters.
The use of DNA from an extinct animal raises the prospect of developing new bio-medicines, such as genes that can help in cartilage rejuvenation, said Pask.
The thylacine, an enigmatic marsupial carnivore, was hunted to extinction in the wild in the early 1900s. The last known Tasmanian Tiger died in captivity in Hobart Zoo in 1936.
At a time when extinction rates are increasing at an alarming rate, especially of mammals, this research discovery is critical," said Marilyn Renfree from the University of Melbourne."For those species that have already become extinct, our method shows that access to their genetic biodiversity may not be completely lost," she said.
(Reporting by Michael Perry; Editing by Roger Crabb)
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8 comments:
Wade, for starters the Tasmanian tiger was not a felid. It was a marsupial that more closely resembled a canid, but I guess that's not the point. I guess the point is why recreate extinct species when we are losing so many more species even now? I think the resources could be better spent on preserving what we have, and educating people to the fact that extinction is forever.
Mary Ann
Mary Ann,
I looked real close and I don't see where I said it was a felid. And you may have a hard time accepting this, but there are other species in this world besides felids!!!! I suggest getting ride of all the champaign lions, so we have exhibit space for the "new arrivals". LOL
My self personally, I just want to look at one, as I want to look at a Quagga, not a not a breed back. Should be a greater financial draw for an institution, then any White Tiger or champaign lion
When it dies, we can keep it's genes, for the 3rd coming. While we are at it we better make two, so he can party while he is with us.
Best wishes,
Wade
Largest of all the marsupials I believe. Yet another weird wonderful example of how marsupial evolution in Australia representing one Superorder managed to fill so many different ecological niches filled by a variety of orders of placentals elsewhere. Pretty cool. Clone away!
Ben
Wade, if we are going to clone away, we might as well resurrect the cave lions and saber-toothed tigers also, and you could make a new mixed act with them. LOL There I go, hung up on felids again.
Mary Ann
Mary Ann,
The Jurassic Park type animals have never floated my boat. Its the ones that we have pictures of but have never seen that excite me. There isn't enough work for the cats we have, and you want to make a new act. Cheez
Wade
I see it as a mixed bag of news. On the one hand, you have mankind using the intelligence the good Lord gave us to it's finest capacities.
On the other hand, we are messing with Mother Nature.
Sounds like an argument that will never end.
Bob
Bob,
Mother Nature? Wasn't that the good looking blond with the ring of flowers in her hair? I remember when I wanted to mess the heck out of her. LOL
Wade
i agree with Wade about mother nature not being beautiful blond specialy if you live in Tornado alley like i do . sometimes she is beautiful and in a second she becomes a ugly bitch and can have you bare ass thats if you sleep in the buff.never a dull moment here. scareassRaul
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