Want to overeat? Blame it on a gene; Japanese scientists reveal gene linked to obesity in humans

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Tokyo, December 23: If you can’t control your urge to snack on chips, ice cream or chocolate, blame it on a gene. A team of Japanese researchers has identified the role played by a gene in stimulating the brain, causing overeating.

Recently, it has become clear that a gene called CREB-Regulated Transcription Coactivator 1 (CRTC1) is associated with obesity in humans. COVID-19 treatment: Researchers are using new technology to develop personalized treatment for critically ill coronavirus patients.

When CRTC1 is suppressed in mice, they become obese, indicating that functioning CRTC1 suppresses obesity.

However, since CRTC1 is expressed in all brain neurons, the specific neurons responsible for obesity suppression and the mechanism present in these neurons remained unknown, according to the study published in the FASEB Journal.

To understand the mechanism by which CRTC1 suppresses obesity, a research group led by Associate Professor Shigenobu Matsumura of Osaka Metropolitan University focused on neurons expressing the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R). Loss of smell, taste Most common symptoms of long COVID-19; Disturbs sexual intimacy and makes people prone to depression, anxiety.

They hypothesized that expression of CRTC1 in MC4R-expressing neurons suppresses obesity because mutations in the MC4R gene are known to cause obesity.

When fed a standard diet, mice without CRTC1 in MC4R-expressing neurons showed no change in body weight compared to control mice. However, when CRTC1-deficient mice were raised on a high-fat diet, they ate too much, then became significantly more obese than control mice and developed diabetes.

High calorie foods – high in fat, oil and sugar – can taste good but often cause overeating, leading to obesity and major health problems.

“This study revealed the role that the CRTC1 gene plays in the brain and part of the mechanism that keeps us from overeating high-calorie, fatty, and sugary foods,” Matsumura said.

“We hope this will lead to a better understanding of what drives people to overeat,” Matsumura added.

(The story above first appeared on LatestLY on December 23, 2022 at 4:59 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and fashion of life, log on to our website latestly.com).

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