부산대학교 도서관

The analysis of ancient DNA (aDNA) from human or animal remains provides unique information about past genetic variation and often allows for the inference about population structures or migration scenarios. Furthermore, known genotype-phenotype relationships (e.g., coat color) can be exploited to reconstruct the appearance of early domesticated animals. The analysis of aDNA is, however, hampered by varying patterns of DNA damage and exogenous DNA contamination. In the current study, two wild boar specimens from Mesolithic Ertebølle sites in northern Germany (Neustadt and Grube Rosenhof) were analyzed. Both specimens were dated to approximately 4500–4000 BC. During this time, Neolithic agriculturalists migrated into northwestern Europe, bringing domesticated animals with them. It has recently been demonstrated that the Ertebølle hunter-gatherers had ready access to domesticated pigs. The samples, a molar and a humerus, were processed in rooms dedicated to aDNA procedures, following established stringent protocols. DNA was extracted by a magnetic bead-based technology. The MC1Rgene was enriched using array capture technology, and sequencing was performed on an Illumina HiSeq2500 instrument using HiSeq v3 chemistry. Libraries treated with uracil–DNA–glycosylase (UDG) to remove deaminated cytosine as well as untreated libraries were analyzed. Reads were mapped against the porcine genome assembly Sscrofa 10.2. With non-UDG libraries, 100% and 91% of the ORF were covered in the two samples with a mean depth of 10.9X and 2.9X, respectively. Typical damage patterns were observed. The analysis of the MC1RORF revealed a pattern matching previously described European wild-type haplotypes for one of the samples. The results for the other sample were also consistent with a wild-type allele, but that animal was heterozygous for two variants that have previously been observed only in present-day Asian haplotypes. This finding indicates that the population structure of the suids in the Meso-/Neolithic and their domestication history might be more complex than inferred from modern pig data. In future studies, more ancient samples will be analyzed and further genes will be included.