Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have pinpointed a protein that triggers hair loss, BBC reported.

据英国广播公司报道，宾夕法尼亚大学的研究人员找到了一种引起脱发的蛋白质。

They found levels of a key protein called prostaglandin D synthase are elevated in the cells of hair follicles located within bald patches on the scalp, but not in hairy areas, and transplanted human hairs stopped growing when given the protein.

他们发现，在没长头发的区域，毛囊中含有较多的前列腺素D合酶，而在有头发的地方，毛囊中则没有该物质，且一旦有了该蛋白质，移植的人的头发就停止生长。

The halting of hair growth is triggered when the protein binds to a receptor on the cells of hair follicles, said Prof. George Cotsarelis, who led the research.

研究带头人乔治•考茨里利斯教授认为，该蛋白质附着在毛囊细胞中的某个受体上后就会使头发停止生长。

The professor also said that there is potential for developing a treatment that can be applied to the scalp to prevent baldness and possibly help hair re-grow.

考茨里利斯教授说，现在很有希望研制出一种可以用在头皮上的药物，它不仅可防止秃头，还可能帮助头发重新生长。