No abstract

We have extracted the mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA) from one eyebrow included in the plaster of the Antommarchi death-mask of Napoléon. The corresponding HVS1 (Hypervariable Sequence number 1) contains only one mutation, named 16184T, that is that of the Napoléon family (reference 2). That proves, in accordance with some previously established plaster particularities of the eyebrow part of the mask (reference 1) showing that it originates from the St. Helena island, that the Antommarchi death-mask of Napoléon is the nearest historical mask of the real death-mask of Napoléon.

Objective: We report the results we obtained on DNA concerning the colours of the face, of the eyes and of the hairs of Napoléon the First (1769-1821). Methods: His genomic DNA was previously extracted from one of her authenticated hair lock (dating from 1811). The DNA polymorphisms tested were those of the MATP gene for the skin colour, and of the rs 12913822 in intron 86 of the HERC2 for the eye colour ; for hair colour, the entire DNA sequence of the MC1-R gene was studied, in the search of alleles responsible of the red hair. Results: The genomic DNA is homozygous FF for the F374L polymorphism of the MATPgene ; consequently, Napoléon had a pale face. It is also homozygous CC for the rs12913822 polymorphism ; it results that he had a 99% probability of having clear (blue or green) eyes. The examination of the complete DNA sequence of the MC1-R gene shows the Napoléon genomic DNA is heterozygous CG for the rs1805009 polymorphism , that corresponding to the D294H mutation which is the most frequent of the three common mutations of the gene causing red hairs. Conclusions: According to results obtained on genotypic studies, Napoléon was of the phenotype : pale skin of the face, blue or grey colours of the eyes, and with red hairs. These distinctive features can be observed on a picture of Napoléon dating from 1803, and was also reported by several of the Napoléon's contemporaries.

We have studied by SEM-EDX some hairs from a lock of hair of the King of France Louis XVI and Queen Marie-Antoinette 's children. Among these hairs, the blond hair number three is covered with skin-cells and dandruffs. The mtDNA haplogroup of dandruffs of this hair is that of Marie-Antoinette ; the Y-STRs profile of this hair is that of Louis XVI, previously known. Consequently this hair is one of Louis XVII, one of Louis XVI's son.

We have studied by SEM-EDX some hairs from a lock of hair of the Queen Marie-Antoinette kept in a medallion. These hairs are thin and of ash blond colour. The mtDNA haplogroup of these hairs is a rare sub-clade of H, characterized by mutations 152C, 194T, 263G, and 315.1 C in the HVR2 region of the mtDNA sequence.