2018年经济学人 熊猫遗传学:熊猫的第二拇指(1)（在线收听）

熊猫遗传学:熊猫的第二拇指(1)

The anatomy-related adaptations were those that seemed to control the development of the pandas’ second thumbs.

与生物体结构相关的基因有可能控制熊猫第二拇指的生长。

Two genes in particular, DYNC2H1 and pericentrin, have mutations that cause identical changes in each type of panda in the proteins encoded by these genes.

特别是DYNC2H1和中心粒周围蛋白这两种基因的突变，会导致在每种类型的熊猫中，由这两种基因控制编码的蛋白质产生相同变化。

In mice, mutations in these genes are known to encourage extra digits to grow, so it is not unreasonable to suspect that they are also the cause of this in pandas.

在小鼠中，这些基因的突变可导致小鼠额外足趾的生长，所以有理由认为熊猫第二拇指生长的原因也是基因突变。

The appetite-modifying change involved one of the disabled genes.

食欲修饰基因的改变是丧失功能的基因中的一个。

When working, this gene encodes a protein which forms part of the tongue’s taste buds for umami, a savoury “meatiness” separate from the other four tastes of sweetness, sourness, bitterness and saltiness.

该基因在工作时，会编码一种组成舌头味蕾中鲜味的蛋白质，是区别于酸甜苦咸四种味道的可口的“肉味”。

Umami perception is stimulatedby glutamicacid, one of the 20 amino acids that make up proteins—but one that is more characteristic of animal proteins than plant ones.

鲜味感觉是由谷氨酸激发的产生的，它是组成蛋白质的20个氨基酸之一，但相比于植物蛋白，它更具有动物蛋白的特性。

Sensitivity to umami is valuable to a carnivore but unnecessary (and possibly harmful) to a herbivore.

对鲜味的敏感程度对食肉动物而言非常重要，但对食草动物来说，这是不必要并且可能是有害的。

The other genetic convergences Dr Hu recorded were related to the digestion and metabolism of substances scarce in, or absent from, bamboo.

胡博士记录的其他遗传转化与竹子中缺乏或缺失的物质的消化和代谢有关。