Protein discovered that contributes to obesity in women

Weizmann Institute scientists added another piece of the obesity puzzle, show how and why a certain contributes protein, which is active in a small part of the brain to weight gain. This research appears in cell metabolism.

Prof. Ari Elson and his team in the Institute of molecular genetics Department made the discovery while working in female mice, which have been genetically this protein, called protein tyrosine phosphatase Epsilon (PTPe, short) lack. The scientists had originally intended to study osteoporosis, and hence the ovaries removed these mice. Involuntary ovaries usually causes that to attract mice weight to the point of obesity - so the scientists surprised were, that the weight of mice remained genetically stable. Working with Dr. Alon Chen and his group in the Department of Neurobiology and Prof. Hilla Knobler, head of the unit of metabolic disease and diabetes by Kaplan a high-fat diet fed these mice Medical Center, the researchers, but the PTPe deficient mice retained their svelte figures; You burned more energy and more stable blood glucose levels and had.

To find out how the lack of this protein could mice slim and healthy, the scientists saw the hypothalamus, a region of the brain, which takes in several stimuli, including a variety of hormones and sends messages for itself in the form of new hormones and nerve signals. The hypothalamus plays an important role in regulating the body mass - control a complex balancing act, which includes, among other things, appetite and physical activity.

Elson and his team found that PTPe that mass messages from a hormone leptin - a key player in the body called blocked regulation. They showed, just like it does: PTPe responds to the leptin signal in the hypothalamus, inhibiting certain molecules, which dampens the signal.

His actions of leptin reduced appetite and increases the physical activity. Paradoxically obese people one often have too much in the blood of circulating leptin. This is because, while their bodies normally produce the hormone, their cells to its effects resistant and more leptin is offset then generated.

New research shows that PTPe plays a role in this resistance. The researchers found that mice lacking the protein were very sensitive to leptin. and she remained there despite the aging, removal of the ovaries or high-fat diet. This suggests that obese people with leptin sensitivity, inhibition may PTPe, rather, help restore the leptin response and help to induce weight loss. This requires however more research so that it acts in the same way in humans with no dangerous side effects.

Elson: "interesting enough, seems the effect gender to be." Male mice hardly ever benefited from the lack of PTPe compared with the female mice. "This result could open up whole new lines study in obesity studies."

Notes:

Prof. Ari Elson research is supported by of the m.d. Moross Institute for cancer research; the family Kekst Institute of medical genetics. Yeda SELA Center for basic research; the Fritz Thyssen Foundation; the Maurice and Vivienne well-being charitable foundation; and the estate of Fannie Sherr. Prof. Elson heads the Ekard Research School of biological science; and the lorry I. Lokey Research School of biochemical science. He is Chair of the incumbent operator of Marshall and russet Ezralow.

Dr. Alon Chen's research is supported by the nella and Leon Benoziyo Centre for Neuroscience; the nella and Leon Benoziyo Center for neurological diseases; the Carl and Micaela Unicorn Dominic Brain Research Institute. Irwin green Alzheimer's disease research fund; the mark broom and the Pratt Foundation, Australia; Roberto and Renata Ruhman, Brazil; Martine Turcotte, Canada. Dr. Chen is the incumbent operator of Philip Harris and Gerald Ronson career development of Chair.

Source:
Yivsam Azgad
Weizmann Institute of science

source:medicalnewstoday