Researchers from the University of Michigan have discovered a gene that has the ability to act as a switch and avoid obesity in
mice. In mice, a gene called IKKE, which when deleted, stops the mice from gaining any weight. This gene in humans on the other hand can lead to type 2 diabetes which is related to obesity. Deletion of this gene in mice also protected them from chronic inflammation, a fatty liver and insulin resistance.
An enzyme in the gene, protein kinase, turn proteins on and off, in this case look for proteins which control the genes that regulate the metabolism in mice. When a normal mouse is fed a diet of high fat, its metabolism slows down as the protein kinase levels rise and the animals puts on some weight. However, when a mouse with a deleted IKKE gene is fed a fatty diet, the mouse's metabolism speeds up and more calories are burnt and are not stored as fat.
The team are now finding small molecules that might assist in blocking the IKKE protein kinase activity which can act as methods of drug development in association with obesity and diabetes.
By: Sara Sarkhoh (41870019)
Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090903163719.htm
