Discovery of a gene in favor of the obese person
Scientific studies are becoming essential in the field of health to validate new discoveries. For example, a recent experiment concerns both the field of genetics and that of obesity.
Indeed, it is an American scientific team from the “Massachusetts Institute of Technology” that has just published data that are collected in the online journal of theNew England Journal of Medicine(1). They deal with a discovery that goes in favor of the obese person. What about?
The mechanism of action of the obesity gene
With this discovery, scientists were able to validate a long period of research in which genes that control the process of storage and catabolism of the body’s fats were identified.
Could this be a new approach to treating overweight people? According to researchers, you have to think so! According to them, less than half of Europeans have a natural predisposition to excess kilos. This information was validated a few years ago (2007), following the discovery by British researchers of the existence of a link between the “FTO gene” (Fat mass and obesity associated) located on chromosome 16 and appetite regulation.
Because, we must give back to Caesar what belongs to him, it is indeed British who discovered the gene of obesity. American researchers have genetically modified these genes to reverse a process that is natural, but also counterproductive for people who suffer from excess pounds.
Melina Claussnitzer, professor and co-author with Scott Smemo, the leader of the study, explains that this genetic mechanism occurs inadipose tissue cells and not in the brain.
In concrete terms, geneticists have taken different samples from adipocyte samples. After many studies and research, the results are convincing: subjects who had the FTO genetic variant functioned in contrast to those who did not. Thus, these people, instead of burning energy as it is desirable, physiologically, to do, stored kilocalories. Weight gain became inevitable, followed closely by obesity that then became inexorable.
The field of possibilities
Thus, with this discovery becoming effective, genetic experts set about reversing this natural process, at first, on guinea pigs. The aim was to neutralize the gene equivalent to IRX3 throughout the metabolism of the mouse. Done! This resulted in significant weight loss in the rodent. Thus, thanks to the “chromatin conformation capture” method, which consists of measuring frequency between various regions of the genome, scientists have discovered that the FTO gene interacts directly with IRX3 when these two genes are not so close. Then, the American team revealed that, when overfed, mice deficient in IRX3 were smaller, up to 30%, than those without this gene. So why not in humans? At this stage, it should be noted that this weight loss isindependent of any physical activityor diet. Still according to Melina Claussnitzer theimpact on the body is spectacular. It is really a profound change in metabolism that takes place.
This discovery suggests positive avenues for people who suffer from diabetes IIand there is once again hope for all overweight people who represent more than a third of humanity. Anorexic subjects are also affected by this genetic modification since researchers generatethe opposite phenomenon .
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.