一种从鳗鱼身上提取的蛋白，或对治疗抑郁有效

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.

这可能不是“精神控制”，但科学家们说，他们可能有办法控制某些神经元在人脑中的工作方式。这听起来像是一门难以完成的科学，讽刺的是，华盛顿大学医学院的研究人员说，他们从一条鳗鱼身上找到了新突破。科学家们相信，利用七鳃鳗中的一种蛋白质，他们可以关闭大脑回路，而大脑回路在各种情绪障碍中起着重要作用。

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.

研究作者说他们成功地使用了Parapopsin在基因层面上关闭了某些大脑神经元。奇怪的是，这种蛋白质从史前时代就存在了。七鳃鳗是一种古老的无颚鱼类，与今天的鳗鱼有许多共同之处。研究人员认为，利用Parapopsin靶向特定的神经元，有可能开发出治疗上瘾和抑郁症的基因疗法。

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.

研究人员称这种蛋白质为“g蛋白偶联受体”或GPCR。这些物质在进化的早期就形成了，是从细菌到人类的许多有机体的一部分。研究作者指出，仅在哺乳动物中就有超过850个GPCRs。它们控制着大量的身体机能，从心率到脂肪储存，再到愉悦和压力反应。GPCR也与身体的“感觉良好”的化学物质，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.

这项研究表明七鳃鳗的蛋白质对光线的反应比对化学物质的反应更强烈。如果一个帕金森患者癫痫发作，也许可以用电极隔离大脑的这一部分。然后，科学家可以通过调节大脑神经传导或抑制某些改善情绪的途径来抑制癫痫发作区域。

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.

研究人员计划利用七鳃鳗蛋白的发现来获得更多关于大脑如何工作的知识。从那里，他们可以找到治疗压力、抑郁、成瘾和疼痛的新方法。

The study appears in the journal Neuron.

这项研究发表在《神经元》杂志上。