cientists have discovered a molecule named Fatostatin which might have anti-cancer and anti-fat abilities!
Afraid of indulging in sweet, delicious desserts and adding a couple of centimetres to your waistline? Fear no more with the new “miracle” molecule, FATOSTATIN or to impress your friends with the complicated “scientific” name, 125B11. According to the August 28th issue of the Journal Chemistry and Biology, a cell press journal, scientists have discovered that this amazing molecule has anti-fat and anti-cancer abilities!
In a nut shell, studies have shown that fatostatin stops a transcription factor (SREBP) which is responsible for fat synthesis. To further confuse readers and to elaborate, fatostatin lowers the activity of 63 genes, 34 of these genes are controlled by SREBP and are required for fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis. In other words, fatostatin blocks the transcription factor, preventing it from entering the nucleus and activating the “fat making program” (genes). As mentioned earlier, fatostatin also has anti-cancer properties. In cell cultures containing carcinogenic cells which are found in prostate cancer and fatostatin, a significant decrease in carcinogenic cells was observed. The carcinogenic cells require fatty acids and cholesterol to build their membranes and grow. Thus, fatostatin reduces the fatty acids and lowers the rate of survival of the cells.
Scientists are hoping that this molecule could replace the cholesterol lowering statins in the near future. These statins only block “a single enzyme in the pathway” unlike fatostatin which targets the origin; gene expression. As it targets the origin, a myriad of risks relating to fat production and metabolic syndrome may be significantly reduced/lowered, these include obesity, high cholesterol and insulin resistance.
So when will we be able to indulge in our favourite foods guilt free? Scientists have only conducted experiments on mice and cell cultures. Human testing is required and this will require a large period of time. Hence, do not expect to see “THE MIRACLE MOLECULE” in your local pharmacy any time soon.
In a nut shell, studies have shown that fatostatin stops a transcription factor (SREBP) which is responsible for fat synthesis. To further confuse readers and to elaborate, fatostatin lowers the activity of 63 genes, 34 of these genes are controlled by SREBP and are required for fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis. In other words, fatostatin blocks the transcription factor, preventing it from entering the nucleus and activating the “fat making program” (genes). As mentioned earlier, fatostatin also has anti-cancer properties. In cell cultures containing carcinogenic cells which are found in prostate cancer and fatostatin, a significant decrease in carcinogenic cells was observed. The carcinogenic cells require fatty acids and cholesterol to build their membranes and grow. Thus, fatostatin reduces the fatty acids and lowers the rate of survival of the cells.
Scientists are hoping that this molecule could replace the cholesterol lowering statins in the near future. These statins only block “a single enzyme in the pathway” unlike fatostatin which targets the origin; gene expression. As it targets the origin, a myriad of risks relating to fat production and metabolic syndrome may be significantly reduced/lowered, these include obesity, high cholesterol and insulin resistance.
So when will we be able to indulge in our favourite foods guilt free? Scientists have only conducted experiments on mice and cell cultures. Human testing is required and this will require a large period of time. Hence, do not expect to see “THE MIRACLE MOLECULE” in your local pharmacy any time soon.
