In a landmark scientific achievement, researchers have successfully isolated and sequenced the world's oldest-known RNA from a woolly mammoth that roamed Siberia an astonishing 39,000 years ago. This unprecedented discovery is revolutionising our understanding of prehistoric life and the durability of biological molecules.
A Glimpse Into The Final Moments Of An Ice Age Giant
The RNA was recovered from a juvenile male woolly mammoth named Yuka, discovered in 2010 in the Siberian permafrost along the Oyogos Yar coast. This mammoth was estimated to be between five and ten years old at the time of its death. The findings, published in the journal Cell, provide a real-time snapshot of the biological processes occurring in Yuka's cells just before he died.
RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is a fragile molecule crucial for most biological functions. It acts as a messenger, carrying instructions from an organism's DNA to its cellular machinery, dictating which genes to activate and which proteins to produce. Until now, the oldest recovered RNA came from a 14,000-year-old wolf cub, making Yuka's genetic material more than twice as ancient.
How Ancient RNA Transforms Palaeontology
Lead author of the study, Emilio Mármol of the University of Copenhagen's Globe Institute, explained the significance of this breakthrough. "With RNA, you can access the actual biology of the cell or tissue happening in real time within the last moments of life of the organism," Mármol stated. "This gives us direct access to the functional landscape of the cell metabolism of woolly mammoths when they were alive."
This new layer of information complements the study of ancient DNA and proteins, offering a far more comprehensive view of an extinct creature's biology. While DNA provides the genetic blueprint and proteins are the building blocks, RNA reveals which parts of that blueprint were actively in use. In Yuka's case, the RNA showed activated genes related to muscle contraction and metabolic regulation under stress.
The Tragic Story Of Yuka The Mammoth
The analysis also shed light on Yuka's traumatic final hours. Evidence from deep cuts on his hide indicates he survived an attack by a cave lion, a now-extinct, bulkier cousin of the modern African lion. Geneticist and study co-author Love Dalén noted that none of these injuries were immediately fatal, leaving the precise cause of Yuka's death somewhat mysterious.
Furthermore, this genetic investigation corrected a long-standing error. Previously thought to be female, the genetic data confirmed Yuka was, in fact, a male, standing about 5 feet 3 inches (1.6 metres) at the shoulder.
The researchers believe that the frigid conditions of the Siberian permafrost were key to the remarkable preservation of this delicate RNA. This discovery proves that under the right circumstances, RNA can survive for tens of thousands of years, opening the door for similar studies on other ancient remains, from medieval specimens to more Ice Age megafauna.
