食品伙伴網(wǎng)解讀研究溯源：1961年，華盛頓大學Friday Harbor 實驗室的Osamu Shimomura和Frank Johnson首次從水母Aequorea victoria中分離出依賴鈣離子的生物發(fā)光蛋白，命名為aequorin。在分離過程中，還發(fā)現(xiàn)第二種蛋白，它缺乏發(fā)射藍光的生物發(fā)光成分，但是在紫外光照射時可以發(fā)出綠色熒光，故命名為綠色熒光蛋白（GFP）。在隨后的20年里，研究者測定aequorin和綠色熒光蛋白在水母體內共同作用，將依賴鈣離子的生物發(fā)光信號轉換為發(fā)綠色熒光特性。而綠色熒光蛋白則是分子生物學研究中常用的報告蛋白。
原文報道：
Jellyfish protein boosts cognitive function and wins patent protection
By Mike Stones, 16-Jul-2010Related topics: Research, Minerals, Proteins, peptides, amino acids, Cognitive and mental function
The jellyfish protein apoaequorin improves cognitive function in people with memory problems, according to interim data from a randomized controlled trial commissioned by Quincy BioScience which recently announced a successful application for patent protection.
Derived from a jellyfish called Aequorea Victoria, aequorin is a calcium-binding protein.
The protein improved cognitive testing scores by 14 per cent in 60 days compared with the placebo in the randomized controlled Madison Memory Study. The trial focused on 35 adults who had a memory concern and an average age of 61.
Mark Underwood, president and co-founder of Quincy Bioscience told NutraIngredientsUSA.com that: “Calcium-binding proteins are necessary for the proper functioning of the human brain and they deplete in the aging process as well as severely in affected areas in the brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. These proteins are known to provide a neuroprotective effect.”
Neurotoxicity
By replacing the depleted proteins, with a natural calcium-binding protein discovered in jellyfish, the company hopes to restore the brain’s natural balance of these proteins. “The proteins work by buffering intracellular calcium and slowing down a variety of events that can lead to neurotoxicity,” said Underwood.
“Based on our ongoing research of aequorin in various health conditions and what we know about the role of calcium in the body, we expect aequorin to be a vital protein in many aspects of healthy aging,” he added.
