一種從鰻魚身上提取的蛋白，或對治療抑郁有效

It may not be “mind control” exactly, but scientists say they may have a way to control how certain neurons work in the human brain. This may sound like a slippery science to perfect and, ironically, researchers from University of Washington School of Medicine say they owe the breakthrough to an eel. Using a protein from the lamprey, scientists believe they can turn off brain circuits which play a role in various mood disorders.

這可能不是“精神控制”，但科學家們說，他們可能有辦法控制某些神經元在人腦中的工作方式。這聽起來像是一門難以完成的科學，諷刺的是，華盛頓大學醫(yī)學院的研究人員說，他們從一條鰻魚身上找到了新突破?？茖W家們相信，利用七鰓鰻中的一種蛋白質，他們可以關閉大腦回路，而大腦回路在各種情緒障礙中起著重要作用。

Study authors say they successfully used parapinopsin to switch off certain brain neurons at the genetic level. Oddly enough, this protein has been around since prehistoric times. Lampreys are an ancient species of jawless fish which have a lot in common with the present day eel. Using parapinopsin to target specific neurons, researchers believe it’s possible to develop genetic treatments for addiction and depression.

研究作者說他們成功地使用了Parapopsin在基因層面上關閉了某些大腦神經元。奇怪的是，這種蛋白質從史前時代就存在了。七鰓鰻是一種古老的無顎魚類，與今天的鰻魚有許多共同之處。研究人員認為，利用Parapopsin靶向特定的神經元，有可能開發(fā)出治療上癮和抑郁癥的基因療法。

What is parapinopsin?

什么是Parapoposin?

Researchers call this protein a “g protein coupled receptor” or GPCR. These substances developed early on during evolution and are a part of many organisms, from bacteria to humans. Study authors note there are over 850 GPCRs in mammals alone. They control a vast number of bodily functions, from heart rate, to fat storage, to pleasure and stress responses. GPCRs also interact well with the body’s “feel good” chemicals, such as dopamine and serotonin.

研究人員稱這種蛋白質為“g蛋白偶聯(lián)受體”或GPCR。這些物質在進化的早期就形成了，是從細菌到人類的許多有機體的一部分。研究作者指出，僅在哺乳動物中就有超過850個GPCRs。它們控制著大量的身體機能，從心率到脂肪儲存，再到愉悅和壓力反應。GPCR也與身體的“感覺良好”的化學物質，如多巴胺和血清素有很好的相互作用。

The study reveals protein in lamprey respond to light instead of chemicals. If a Parkinson’s patient suffered a seizure, it might be possible to isolate that part of the brain with an electrode. Scientists could then dampen that region having the seizure by adjusting brain neurotransmission or inhibiting certain pathways to improve mood.

這項研究表明七鰓鰻的蛋白質對光線的反應比對化學物質的反應更強烈。如果一個帕金森患者癲癇發(fā)作，也許可以用電極隔離大腦的這一部分。然后，科學家可以通過調節(jié)大腦神經傳導或抑制某些改善情緒的途徑來抑制癲癇發(fā)作區(qū)域。

Study authors are planning to use the discovery of the lamprey protein to gain more knowledge on how the brain works. From there, they can identify new treatments for stress, depression, addiction, and pain.

研究人員計劃利用七鰓鰻蛋白的發(fā)現(xiàn)來獲得更多關于大腦如何工作的知識。從那里，他們可以找到治療壓力、抑郁、成癮和疼痛的新方法。

The study appears in the journal Neuron.

這項研究發(fā)表在《神經元》雜志上。