Enamel Palaeoproteomics Successfully Distinguishes between Denisovans and European Neandertals

Abstract

Ancient DNA (aDNA) has transformed the study of hominin relationships, but its preservation in ancient fossils is often limited. Enamel palaeoproteomics offers an alternative molecular approach for taxonomic analysis. In this study, we re-analyse published DDA mass spectrometry data1 from the Denisovan-attributed Penghu 1 mandible (PXD054412)2 and a Neandertal enamel specimen from Gruta de Oliveira, Portugal (PXD038154) 3. Five AMBN peptides carrying the Valine-273 substitution (V273) were validated in the Penghu 1 enamel, three of which were independently detected in both DDA acquisitions. No V273-containing peptide signal was detected in the Neandertal dataset. Conversely, the ancestral Methionine-273 peptide REDPM[+16]AYG was detected exclusively in the Neandertal specimen. Extracted ion chromatograms, isotopic envelope confirmation, and MS2 fragmentation spectra, all support the reported peptide assignments. AMELY-specific peptides additionally support male sex assignment for both ancient individuals. Together, these results confirm the taxon-specific mutual exclusivity of AMBN V273 and M273 variants across Denisovan and Neandertal lineages, establishing AMBN M273V as a molecularly validated diagnostic marker for Denisovan identification from dental enamel. More broadly, targeted MS1 reanalysis of public proteomics datasets provides a scalable complement to ancient genomics for resolving hominin lineage identity and sex determination when DNA is not preserved