Enzyme promotes fat formationOctober 12, 2007The enzyme TPPII may contribute to obesity by stimulating the formation of fat cells, suggests a study in EMBO reports this week. The enzyme, TPPII, has previously been linked to making people feel hungry, but Jonathan Graff and colleagues now show that it may be even more deeply involved in causing obesity. The team found that TPPII actually stimulated the formation of fat cells in worms and mammalian cells and that by reducing it, fat stores decreased. Mice with lower levels of TPPII were thinner than their wild type littermates, although their food intake was comparable. The authors hope that TPPII could be exploited as a drug target to help fight increasing levels of obesity; inhibiting the enzyme would both increase feelings of fullness after eating and decrease build up of fat cells. Around 40 million Americans are obese and the UK Government predicts that 12 million adults in the UK will be obese by 2010 if nothing is done. Obesity is responsible for 70% of cardiovascular diseases and 80% of type II diabetes and represents a serious health risk and financial drain. European Molecular Biology Organization |
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| Related Fat Formation Current Events and Fat Formation News Articles Trimming the fat boosts blood recovery after marrow transplant Seeking ways to improve blood recovery after chemotherapy or bone marrow transplant, researchers at Children's Hospital Boston have discovered that fat cells, which accumulate in bone marrow as people age, inhibit the marrow's ability to produce new blood cells. 'Skinny gene' does exist, UT Southwestern researchers find Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found that a single gene might control whether or not individuals tend to pile on fat, a discovery that may point to new ways to fight obesity and diabetes. Circulating fats kill transplanted pancreas cells, study shows Dietary restrictions or other strategies that limit fat formation might make pancreatic cell transplants more effective, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers report. In 3D, early fat development first requires 'remodeling' In the May 5, 2006 Cell, researchers report the serendipitous discovery that the initial development of fat requires a "remodeling" protein that must first make way for the lipid-laden tissue's growth. Insects and mammals share common fat-building pathway, study suggests When it comes to gaining fat, insects and mammals may have something in common, researchers report in the Jan. 11, 2006, Cell Metabolism. More Fat Formation Current Events and Fat Formation News Articles |
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