Scientists find neural stem cell regulator
英语课
WASHINGTON, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Researchers at the University of Colorado (CU) have found that lack of a specific gene 1 interrupts neural 2 tube closure, a condition that can cause death or paralysis 3. The study was the cover story this week in the journal Genes 4 & Development.
"The neural tube is the beginning of the brain and spinal 5 cord, " said the study's lead investigator 6 Lee Niswander, professor of pediatrics at the CU School of Medicine. "A defect in the mLin41 gene doesn't allow the tube to close because not enough neural progenitor 7 cells are being made."
Niswander and the paper's first author, Jianfu Chen, made their findings while studying neural stem cells in mice. They said the cells use distinct self-renewal programs to meet the demand of tissue growth and repair during different stages of embryonic 8 development. The molecular 9 mechanisms 10 that control these programs remain largely unknown.
The researchers discovered that the gene mLin41 in mice controls the extent of neural stem cell proliferation during the process of neural closure but not at the later stage of brain development. According to Chen, mLin41 works with small RNAs and RNA regulators that have never been investigated before in connection with neural tube formation.
"Our work opens up a whole other pathway toward understanding neural tube defects," Niswander said. "It's a new and significant piece of the puzzle behind understanding how this happens."
n.遗传因子，基因
- A single gene may have many effects.单一基因可能具有很多种效应。
- The targeting of gene therapy has been paid close attention.其中基因治疗的靶向性是值得密切关注的问题之一。
adj.神经的，神经系统的
- The neural network can preferably solve the non- linear problem.利用神经网络建模可以较好地解决非线性问题。
- The information transmission in neural system depends on neurotransmitters.信息传递的神经途径有赖于神经递质。
n.麻痹(症)；瘫痪(症)
- The paralysis affects his right leg and he can only walk with difficulty.他右腿瘫痪步履维艰。
- The paralysis affects his right leg and he can only walk with difficulty.他右腿瘫痪步履维艰。
n.基因( gene的名词复数 )
- You have good genes from your parents, so you should live a long time. 你从父母那儿获得优良的基因，所以能够活得很长。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- Differences will help to reveal the functions of the genes. 它们间的差异将会帮助我们揭开基因多种功能。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 生物技术的世纪
adj.针的，尖刺的，尖刺状突起的；adj.脊骨的，脊髓的
- After three days in Japan,the spinal column becomes extraordinarily flexible.在日本三天，就已经使脊椎骨变得富有弹性了。
- Your spinal column is made up of 24 movable vertebrae.你的脊柱由24个活动的脊椎骨构成。
n.研究者，调查者，审查者
- He was a special investigator for the FBI.他是联邦调查局的特别调查员。
- The investigator was able to deduce the crime and find the criminal.调查者能够推出犯罪过程并锁定罪犯。
n.祖先，先驱
- He was also a progenitor of seven presidents of Nicaragua.他也是尼加拉瓜7任总统的祖先。
- Schoenberg was a progenitor of modern music.勋伯格是一位现代音乐的先驱。
adj.胚胎的
- It is still in an embryonic stage.它还处于萌芽阶段。
- The plan,as yet,only exists in embryonic form.这个计划迄今为止还只是在酝酿之中。
adj.分子的；克分子的
- The research will provide direct insight into molecular mechanisms.这项研究将使人能够直接地了解分子的机理。
- For the pressure to become zero, molecular bombardment must cease.当压强趋近于零时，分子的碰撞就停止了。
n.机械( mechanism的名词复数 )；机械装置；[生物学] 机制；机械作用
- The research will provide direct insight into molecular mechanisms. 这项研究将使人能够直接地了解分子的机理。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- He explained how the two mechanisms worked. 他解释这两台机械装置是如何工作的。 来自《简明英汉词典》
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