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Scientists say a gene variation could contribute up to 155g to a child’s birthweight.
科學家說，一種基因的變異可能會讓兒童出生體重增加多達155公克。
The gene studied is believed to act as a growth suppressor, reducing birthweight. But the UK-based researchers found a particular variant passed down from the mother can add 93g to the birthweight, or 155g if passed down from the maternal grandmother.
研究針對的這種基因據信扮演生長抑制者的角色，會降低出生體重。但英國研究人員發現一種從母親遺傳的特別基因變異，可能讓出生體重增加93公克，從外婆遺傳的基因變異，可能讓出生體重增加155公克。
Professor Gudrun Moore of University College London and colleagues looked at a gene called PHLDA2 in nearly 9,500 DNA samples taken from mothers and their babies, collected in three separate studies.
倫敦大學學院的摩爾教授與同僚，從取自母親與她們小孩的將近9500份DNA樣本中，研究一種稱為PHLDA2的基因。這些樣本取自於3份不同的研究。
They found a gene variant called RS1 appeared to change the way in which the gene functioned, leading to higher birthweights. "The gene is already known to have a profound effect on birthweight by acting as a growth suppressor," Prof Moore said.
摩爾教授說，他們發現一種稱為RS1的基因變異似乎會改變基因運作方式，導致出生體重增加，摩爾說：「這種基因已知會扮演生長抑制者的角色，對出生體重有深遠影響。」
The RS1 variation was found in around 13% of the individuals studied, with 87% possessing the RS2 variation. "We suggest that the more common RS2 gene variation, which is only found in humans, has evolved to produce a smaller baby as a protective effect to enhance the mother’s survival during childbirth," said Prof Moore.
研究的對象中，約13%有RS1變異，87%有RS2變異，摩爾教授說：「我們認為，只有在人類體內發現的、較普遍的RS2基因變異，是演化產生的保護效果；它製造較小的嬰兒，加強母親生產時的存活率。」
新聞辭典
variant：名詞，變異，變數，變化版。例句：There are many colas on the market now, all variants on the original drink.（現在市面上有很多種可樂，都是從原始的可樂變化而來。）
pass down：片語，流傳，傳承。例句：His is a family trade, passed down from generation to generation.（他的是家傳事業，代代相傳。）
maternal：形容詞，母系的，母性的。例句：She is very maternal towards her staff.（她對員工非常有母性。）
文章出處：自由時報電子報中英對照新聞
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