Loading...

Daily news and top headlines for life science research professionals

FREE Email Newsletter View Sample


Scientists Discover Mechanism that Could Reduce Obesity

Featured In: Editor's Picks | Academia News | Metabolic Disease | Health

Wednesday, December 5, 2023

See today's top life science stories and headlines - Sign up now!

newsvine diigo google
slashdot
Share
Loading...

Approximately 68 percent of U.S. adults are overweight or obese, according to the National Cancer Institute, which puts them at greater risk for developing cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and a host of other chronic illnesses. But an international team of scientists led by Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center researcher Andrew Larner, M.D., Ph.D., has successfully reversed obesity in mice by manipulating the production of an enzyme known as tyrosine-protein kinase-2 (Tyk2). In their experiments, the scientists discovered that Tyk2 helps regulate obesity in mice and humans through the differentiation of a type of fat tissue known as brown adipose tissue (BAT).

Published in the online edition of the journal Cell Metabolism, the study is the first to provide evidence of the relationship between Tyk2 and BAT. Previous studies by Larner and his team discovered that Tyk2 helps suppress the growth and metastasis of breast cancer, and now the current study suggests this same enzyme could help protect against and even reverse obesity.

The scientists were able to reverse obesity in mice that do not express Tyk2 by expressing a protein known as signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (Stat3). Stat3 mediates the expression of a variety of genes that regulate a host of cellular processes. The researchers found that Stat3 formed a complex with a protein known as PR domain containing 16 (PRDM16) to restore the development of BAT and decrease obesity.

“We discovered that Tyk2 levels in mice are regulated by diet. We then tested tissue samples from humans and found that levels of Tyk2 were more than 50 percent lower in obese humans,” said Larner, Martha Anne Hatcher Distinguished Professor in Oncology and co-leader of the Cancer Cell Signaling program at VCU Massey Cancer Center. “Our findings open new potential avenues for research and development of new pharmacological and nutritional treatments for obesity.”

There are two different types of fat – white adipose tissue (WAT) and BAT. WAT is the primary site of energy storage. BAT is responsible for energy expenditure in order to maintain body temperature. BAT deposits are present in all mammals, but until recently, scientists thought BAT was only active in infants and not in adult humans. Only in the last four years have scientists realized that BAT is present in adults and helps to regulate energy expenditure. Additionally, research has shown that diminished BAT activity is associated with metabolic syndrome, a combination of medical disorders that increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Researchers estimate metabolic syndrome could affect as much as 25 percent of the U.S. population.

“We have made some very interesting observations in this study, but there are many questions left unanswered,” said Larner. “We plan to further investigate the actions of Tyk2 and Stat3 in order to better understand the mechanisms involved in the development of brown adipose tissue. We’re hopeful this research will help lead to new targets to treat a variety of obesity-related diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.”

Source: Virginia Commonwealth University

Join the Discussion
Rate Article: Average 0 out of 5
register or log in to comment on this article!

2 Comments

  • I AGREE WITH RICK, THE FIRST COMMENTATOR. IF, AND HOPEFULLY, IF THE PATIENT(OBESE) TREATED WITH TYK2, KEEP OVEREATING AND DO NOT SHOW SLOW DOWN OF APPETITE, I THINK IT SHALL BE USELESS. BUT IF THE TREATMENT WITH TYK2, DO REDUCE AND MANAGE AND BALANCE THE APPETITE, HENCE REDUCE OVERATING, AND BY THE WAY, ALSO INCREASE THE FORMATION OF BAT (BROWN ADIPOSE FAT TISSUE), I THINK IT SHALL BE PERFECT. BUT AGAIN BUT, HOPEFULLY THE TREATMENT WILL BE AFFORDABLE FOR MANY OBESE SO THAT IT WILL REALLY BENEFIT MANKIND, WOULDN'T IT...??? LUKAS ZAILANI @ cungweilung@gmail.com (A NUTRITIONIST & HERBALIST). ANYWAY, ANYHOW, I APPRECIATE THE SCIENTISTS' ENDEAVOURING EFFORTS.

  • "Scientists Discover Mechanism that Could Reduce Obesity"
    How about "stop eating crap," or "do not ingest more than 1800 calories per day?" That was discovered ages ago and is guaranteed to prevent obesity in otherwise healthy adults.
    No doubt someone will try and develop drugs to block or otherwise modulate these molecules so that people can continue to overeat. They will be perverse pharmaceutical talismans for people to foolish or irresponsible to maintain reasonable dietary habits.

Add Comment

Text Only 2000 character limit

Page 1 of 1

Research Exchange

Live Cell Analysis of Autophagy

Sep 4

Analysis of autophagosome formation using fluorescent cellular imaging and lentiviral biosensors.

Deconstructing 3D Cell Culture

Aug 31

3D culture models offer the potential to significantly reduce drug failure.

Safety Without Sacrifice

Safety Without Sacrifice

Jun 26

Liquid handling ergonomics and performance considerations

ELNs: The Beating Heart of a Scientist’s World

ELNs: The Beating Heart of a Scientist’s World

May 22

As ELNs deliver more benefits to researchers, the cost of changing working practice is outweighed by access to high quality, high context collaboration.

Evaluation of a New Nano-Type UV-Vis Spectrophotometer

Mar 3 2011

Analysis of one- to four-microliter size samples for nucleic acids has become routine in many life science laboratories. However, until now, available instruments require considerable manipulation of the instrument and sample; some require manually recording the data. The user must typically lower and raise the arm manually, then wipe the sample manually from the target after each analysis. And fiberoptics used in some of these instruments are subject to deterioration.

Production of Recombinant Proteins and Monoclonal Antibodies in Hollow Fiber Bioreactors

Jan 25 2011

While well-understood, robust and convenient, classical batch-style 2-D culture on non-porous supports or 3-D suspension culture in other devices are really not very biologically relevant models. Cell culture conditions can affect the quality of the antibody or protein produced.

Selecting Robots for Use in Drug Discovery and Testing

Dec 6 2010

Drug discovery and testing, with their need for speed, repeatability and verification, are ideally suited to benefit from robot automation. It is therefore not surprising that robots have been at the forefront of automation developments in both these areas.

HP Scalable Network Storage Systems for Life Sciences

Sep 13 2010

Life sciences research today is advancing exponentially, each step bringing us closer to the realization of truly personalized medicine–preventive care and treatments designed specifically for each individual. In the near future, PCPGM healthcare researchers expect to be able to use predictive genetic testing to create custom treatment plans for individuals and deliver dramatic improvements over today’s one-size-fits-all approach. But research capabilities are only part of the equation; current storage and operating capacities must also evolve to accommodate ever-expanding amounts of data before the goal of personalized medicine can be realized.

STAY INFORMED: SUBSCRIBE TO

Magazine and E-mail Newsletters

Loading...
Loading...

Free Life Science Industry
Subscriptions

Magazine

wireless week

Newsletters

newsletters

Sign up now



MULTIMEDIA

Video:

Epigenetics

Aug 30

Hank & his clone Circus Hank explain the power of epigenetics, which studies the factors that determine how much or whether some genes are expressed in your body.

Podcasts:

Futures In Biotech 93: Snyder's Omics

May 17

Host: Marc Pelletier Co-Host: Andre Nantel, Ph.D. The technologies that our guest has developed are playing an important role in changing the world, not like the car, the microwave and the cell phone, but as in Drs. Flox, McCoy, and Crusher. Guest: Dr. Michael Snyder We invite...

Top Stories and Headlines
EVERY DAY!

FREE Email Newsletter

Information: