Proteomic Sex Estimation From Embedded Tooth Enamel

Bibliographic Data

ID24239907
AuthorsEmma Sudron (0000-0003-1335-4097, Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research Griffith University Griffith Queensland Australia), Glendon J Parker (0000-0003-2937-5853, Department of Environmental Toxicology University of California Davis California USA), Tammy Buonasera (0000-0001-6000-9013, Department of Anthropology University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks Alaska USA), K Burk (Department of Environmental Toxicology University of California Davis California USA), C Canzonieri (0000-0002-9806-5376, Archaeological/Historical Consultants Oakland California USA), J W Eerkens (0000-0002-2150-8917, Department of Anthropology University of California Davis California USA), M Ehlers (Department of Anthropology University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks Alaska USA), D Loo‐Oey (Proteomics Core, Translational Research Institute Queensland Australia), Carney D Matheson (0000-0002-3890-1838, Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution Griffith University Griffith Queensland Australia), M Salemi (Genome Center University of California California USA), C Zimmer (0000-0003-1078-8949, Amah Mutsun Tribal Band of Mission San Juan Bautista Sacramento California USA), T M Smith (0000-0001-8175-8208, Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research Griffith University Griffith Queensland Australia)
Year2026
Publication date2026-10-25
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueArchaeometry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0003-813X • E-ISSN: 1475-4754
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/arcm.70241
OpenAlexW7223571805
LanguageEN
References cited68

Teeth hold insights into childhood diet, health and demography—including chromosomal sex. Proteomic analysis can detect peptide biomarkers from amelogenin genes encoded on X and Y chromosomes, allowing sex estimation. Embedding resins, necessary for thin sectioning teeth, can damage analytical systems, preventing proteomic analysis. We present a micro‐dissection and chemical cleanup protocol for polymethylmethacrylate embedded teeth. Across iterative preparative and analytical phases, analyses of 15 enamel samples from eight individuals detected sex‐specific amelogenin peptides. Of these, 13 samples matched known or previously estimated sexes. By refining embedded enamel preparation, sex can now be identified from teeth designated for semi‐destructive techniques.

Amelogenin · Dental enamel · Forensic identification · Microdissection · peptide biomarkers · sex estimation · X and Y chromosomes · Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis · Forensic and Genetic Research · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies

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