Abnormal (Hydroxy)proline Deuterium Content Redefines Hydrogen Chemical Mass

J Am Chem Soc. 2022 Feb 16;144(6):2484-2487. doi: 10.1021/jacs.1c12512. Epub 2022 Feb 2.

Abstract

Analyzing the δ2H values in individual amino acids of proteins extracted from vertebrates, we unexpectedly found in some samples, notably bone collagen from seals, more than twice as much deuterium in proline and hydroxyproline residues than in seawater. This corresponds to at least 4 times higher δ2H than in any previously reported biogenic sample. We ruled out diet as a plausible mechanism for such anomalous enrichment. This finding puts into question the old adage that "you are what you eat".

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anseriformes
  • Bone and Bones / chemistry
  • Collagen / chemistry*
  • Deuterium / chemistry*
  • Fibroblasts
  • Humans
  • Hydroxyproline / chemistry*
  • Mice
  • Proline / chemistry*
  • Seals, Earless
  • Ursidae

Substances

  • Collagen
  • Proline
  • Deuterium
  • Hydroxyproline