Identifying the most important gene causes obesity

Geneticists at the University of Chicago (USA) on March 12 announced that they identified the most important gene causing obesity, opening up hope to prepare a cure for this dangerous and growing disease.

In the study published in Nature, the scientists said mice that lacked a gene called IRX3 were nearly one-third lighter in weight than others.

Meanwhile, there are also genes with similar functions, which partly explain why some people tend to be more obese than others.

Previous studies have suggested that the FTO gene is the main "culprit" of obesity after scientists found a clear link between the variations in the gene and the body's excess fat. people. However, no studies have shown that these variants actually alter the function of the FTO gene.

In order to seek answers, the expert team, led by scientist Marcelo Nobrega, conducted experiments on embryos of mice and seahorses, brains of adult mice and human body cells, including brain cells. The results show that instead of affecting the FTO gene, variations in this gene cause a reaction in a completely different gene, IRX3.

Specifically, these variants lead to overproduction of IRX3 protein in the brain, potentially affecting the brain region that controls hunger and hunger, which controls metabolism and appetite.

In addition, the team also analyzed mice without IRX3. These mice are less prone to obesity and diabetes, burn more energy and are about 30% lighter than mice with IRX3 genes , although they have the same diet and activity.

Based on the research results, Mr. Nobrega admitted that IRX3 gene regulates metabolism in the body, a finding that could solve the "mystery" that has caused experts to fail in genetic genetic research. causing obesity.

Obesity and the consequences of this disease such as diabetes have become a concern in many developed countries with an increasing number of sufferers. Diets high in fat and sugar, lack of exercise and genetic causes are all considered to be pathogenic factors.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of obese people has nearly doubled globally since 1980-2008. The UN health agency says at least 2.8 million adults die annually due to being overweight or obese.