Researchers Discover a Gene That Is Associated with Obesity
Washington, USA (PRWEB) July 19, 2013 -- In an article found on Sciencedaily.com, researchers from the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) discovered the key role of the gene RAP1, a gene that protects telomeres – the ends of chromosomes – and it’s link to obesity.
"We still don't know what evolutionary significance to attach to it, but it is at the very least interesting that a telomere gene is related to obesity," says Maria Blasco, CNIO director and co-author of the study published today in the journal Cell Reports.
RAP1 forms part of what’s called the shelterin complex, which is a group of proteins that makes up the protective hood of telomeres. Telomeres are found at the end of the chromosomes that shortens with each celluar division and thus, measures the ageing of the organism. Studies show that RAP1 is not essential for the survival of the organism, but that won’t mean it doesn’t have its importance in the body. When comparing the genomes of different species, it was shown that RAP1 is the most conserved shelterin of all. RAP1 has not changed at all, despite the long history of evolutionary change. But what is the role in the organism?
The researchers at CNIO found that RAP1 is also present in the rest of the chromosome, not just at in telomeres. They felt that it acts as a regulation for the action of the other genes. CNIO researchers created a lineage of mice without RAP1, and found that they had a model for obesity. In other words, mice lacking RAP1 will gain more weight than those with the RAP1 gene.
"Mice -- especially female mice -- without RAP1 do not eat more, but do gain weight. They suffer from metabolic syndrome, accumulate abdominal fat and present high glucose and cholesterol levels, amongst other symptoms," says Paula Martínez, first-author of the study.
The importance of RAP1 is the regulation of genes involved in metabolism. In the next step, researchers will study if RAP1 also plays a role in human obesity. "This discovery adds an element to the obesity equation, and opens up a possible new link between metabolic dysfunction and ageing, via a protein present in telomeres," says Blasco.
For those who are in need of help in order to control weight in those who are obese, overweight, Prescopodene Nutritionals have found just a supplement that can help fight weight gain.
They discovered a natural diet supplement called Prescopodene which been found to help reduce weight in overweight and obese individuals. The diet pill was recently named one of the “Best Diet Pills of 2012” by The Diet Pill Review, an independent industry review group – Prescopodene earned perfect scores for safety, effectiveness, and speed of results.
About Prescopodene Nutritionals:
Prescopodene Nutritionals is helping people around the world lose weight, improve their health, and maximize their daily satisfaction. With a catalog of healthy living products that is winning awards and recognition, the company is delivering all-natural weight loss solutions to customers around the globe. Prescopodene Nutritionals is based in Australia and the USA.
Jack Smythe, Prescopodene Nutraceuticals, http://www.Buy-Prescopodene.com, 02 80144859, [email protected]
Share this article