A study shows that mice's fear of predators is genetic – Current Life – The latest news from Uruguay and the world updated

The study, conducted by Japanese, American and Chinese scientists, concludes that certain odors trigger a reaction of the Trpa1 protein, which "causes them pain and discomfort and instantly alerts them to danger, "said Dr. Qinghua Liu. , professor of the Japanese University of Tsukuba

Until now, it was believed that the scared behaviors caused by odors originated from the olfactory nerve, which sends electrical impulses to the brain, but this research has discovered that Trpa1 is activated in the brain. Nerve cells of the trigeminal (a cranial nerve) that cause facial pain and other physical stimuli.

The study is "the first step towards a genetic representation of emotion (fear), which can be a powerful approach to identify your genes and explain the molecular mechanism of innate fear, an emotion of base and a surviving mechanism of survival, "he explained. Liu.

The researchers verified by genetic tests that the loss of Trpa1 prevented the production of certain proteins and that the affected mice had a more fearless behavior despite contact with the odor of predators.

in which they spent five years, he found that mice are paralyzed by fear just by sniffing predators like foxes or snakes, even if they've never seen them before.

Trpa1 protein is also present in the human body, but it works differently, explained the scientist.

The results of the research were published in the scientific journal Nature Communications in May.