Human brain and testis found to have common proteins in big number

A team of researchers from the University of Aveiro and therefore the University of Porto, both in Portugal, and therefore the University of Birmingham within the U.K. has found that for humans, the brain and testis have a big number of common proteins. In their paper published within the journal Royal Society Open Biology, the group describes their study of protein similarities between tissues.

In this new effort, the researchers noted that evidence from other studies has found some signs of similarities between testis and therefore the human brain. Intrigued, they initiated a study that involved analyzing the proteins produced by different parts of the body then comparing them to ascertain similarities. The researchers found the best similarities between the brain and testicles—13,442 of them. This finding suggests that the brain and therefore the testicles share the very best number of genes of any organs within the body.

The team next focused on the shared proteins and located that the majority of them were involved within the development of tissue and communications. They suggest this finding wasn't surprising, considering that proteins from both organs consume high amounts of fuel—one to process thinking, the opposite to supply many sperm a day. They also note that testis and nerve cells are both involved in moving material created inside them to an outdoor environment—sperm cells move fertilization factors and neurons move neurotransmitters. Both are a part of processes referred to as exocytosis. Additionally, as a part of exocytosis, sperm allow parts of themselves to fuse with an egg. With neurons, exocytosis involves creating neurites that leave communication between cells.

The researchers also took a step back from their work, noting that there could also be a reason for the similarities between the proteins produced by the 2 organs. They note, for instance, that prior research efforts have shown a link between brain disorders and sexual dysfunction. and a few have even found a link between the standard of sperm produced and intelligence. They suggest more research is required to raised understand the connections between the 2 organs if there are any.