动物实验 z-bo 2020-08-26 582

　　A research team at Nara Medical University in Japan recently announced that it has successfully discovered the genes necessary for the human body to recognize odors. This result is very important for exploring the mechanism of odor perception and developing methods to treat the sequelae of cerebral infarction.

　　The team led by Professor Akio Tsuboi of the school has completed relevant experiments. The specific results were published in the famous American journal "Journal of Neuroscience".

　　The research team focused on the granular cells of the olfactory bulb, which is a key part of the forebrain structure involved in olfactory activities. The researchers conducted a detailed study of the 5T4 gene in olfactory bulb granule cells through mouse experiments. Using gene editing technology to cause 5T4 gene damage in T mice, its sensitivity to smell is only 1% of that of normal mice, and it loses the ability to distinguish between two tastes. Normal granule cells have 5-6 branch-like processes connecting to other neurons, while mouse granule cells with 5T4 gene damage have only 2-3 branch-like processes.

　　Pingjing: "Due to the activity of the 5T4 gene, the information processing circuit produced by granule cells can distinguish the intensity and type of odor. If the 5T4 gene can be manipulated by drugs or other methods, it will cause diseases such as cerebral infarction. It is very likely to cause brain damage. The regeneration of the circuit is very important for the development of new therapies that can control the sequelae (such as numbness of the limbs)."