Scientists find ancient origins of stress
SCIENTISTS have traced the origins of stress in a study that has recreated the ancient protein molecule that allows the human body to cope with demanding situations.
The molecule is the "receptor protein", which binds to the stress hormone cortisol like a key fits into a lock.
The scientists found that it had evolved from a similar protein used in primitive fish that lived 450 million years ago. In effect, the scientists have been able to wind back the clock of evolution to study the precise mutations that led to the long evolvement of one of the many key proteins of the body.
"This is the ultimate level of detail," said Joseph Thornton of the University of Oregon, who led the study published in the journal Science.
"We were able to see exactly how evolution tinkered with the ancient structure to produce a new function that is crucial to our own bodies today. Nobody has done that before."
STEVE CONNOR
