DNA Analysis and immunological Study of Animal Remains of Ancient Japan

这项研究旨在通过DNA分析或免疫学研究从古代日本的动物遗骸中获取信息。这些天，从考古遗址挖掘出的动物遗骸进行DNA或生化分析的例子比比皆是。然而，由于DNA分子或蛋白质的生存能力很差，以及包括微生物在内的其他现代生物的污染，分析通常很困难。在本研究中，为获得可靠的结果，进行了建立方案的尝试。例如，努力建立一个严格的系统来消除其他生物的污染。同时进行了显微镜下的形态观察，以观察细胞内容物可能被保留下来。这些形态研究的结果与DNA扩增的成败有很好的相关性。此外，有几种材料抑制了从古代样本中进行DNA扩增的PCR。例如，古代样品中的金属离子、染料本身就会抑制DNA扩增。此外，我们还发现了一些用于保存处理的树脂和一些农药，包括熏蒸剂，确实影响了博物馆样品中DNA分子的稳定性。特别是，我们展示了几种用于杀灭博物馆文物中昆虫和真菌的熏蒸剂，对样品中的DNA产生了严重影响。因此，在DNA分析之前，如何保存博物馆中的古代样本也很重要。

This research aimed at getting information from animal remains of ancient Japan through DNA analysis or immunological studies. There are examples of DNA or biochemical analysis of Animal remains excavated from archaeological sites these days. However, analysis is generally difficult due to the poor survival of DNA molecules or proteins, and contaminations by other modern creatures including microorganisms. In this research, a trial of establishing protocols to obtain reliable results was made. For example, efforts to establish a strict system to get rid of contaminations by other organisms were made. Morphological studies under microscope were performed at the same time in order to see cell contents being likely to be remained. The results of these morphological studies showed good correlation with success or failure of DNA amplification. Furthermore, several materials inhibited PCR in DNA amplification from ancient samples. For examples, metallic ions, dyes in ancient samples themselves inhibited DNA amplification. Also we found some resins for conservation treatments and some pesticides including fumigants did affect the stability of DNA molecules in museum samples. Especially we showed several fumigants for killing insects and fungi of museum objects severely affected DNA in samples. Therefore it is also important how we preserve ancient samples in museums prior to DNA analysis.