home   genetic news   bioinformatics   biotechnology   literature   journals   ethics   positions   events   sitemap
 
  HUM-MOLGEN -> Genetic News | search  
 

Fat: The Big Picture

 
  May, 17 2005 9:58
your information resource in human molecular genetics
 
     
The network of genes required for early steps in the development of brown fat cells has been identified in new research to be published in the June issue of Nature Cell Biology, further substantiating the link between insulin signalling and control of fat cells. The complete picture of the network should provide an important blueprint for future clinical and therapeutic approaches to diabetes and obesity.

Mice defective in different aspects of insulin signalling -- a process known to regulate fat-cell differentiation -- produce precursors at varying stages of fat-cell differentiation. These precursors were used to identify the global pattern of gene expression as cells develop into fully defined brown fat cells. Ronald Kahn and colleagues identified 374 genes in total. The network includes newly identified genes important for kicking off the differentiation process, as well as those previously known to be involved in the final stages.

Necdin, one of the key factors identified in the study, is an inhibitor of the process and loss of its expression is essential for these fat cells to develop properly. In fact, forced loss of Necdin expression can re-activate the development process in prematurely blocked immature fat cells. Necdin is an entirely unknown player in the early stages of fat-cell differentiation and reveals a new area of investigation with potential therapeutic implications.

Author contact:
Dr. C Ronald Kahn (Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA, USA)
E-mail: c.ronald.kahn@joslin.harvard.edu

Additional contact:
Dr. Ormond A. MacDougald (University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA)
E-mail: macdouga@umich.edu

Online publication can be accessed by clicking here.

(C) Nature Cell Biology press release.


Message posted by: Trevor M. D'Souza

print this article mail this article
Latest News
Variants Associated with Pediatric Allergic Disorder

Mutations in PHF6 Found in T-Cell Leukemia

Genetic Risk Variant for Urinary Bladder Cancer

Antibody Has Therapeutic Effect on Mice with ALS

Regulating P53 Activity in Cancer Cells

Anti-RNA Therapy Counters Breast Cancer Spread

Mitochondrial DNA Diversity

The Power of RNA Sequencing

‘Pro-Ageing' Therapy for Cancer?

Niche Genetics Influence Leukaemia

Molecular Biology: Clinical Promise for RNA Interference

Chemoprevention Cocktail for Colon Cancer

more news ...

Generated by News Editor 2.0 by Kai Garlipp
WWW: Kai Garlipp, Frank S. Zollmann.
7.0 © 1995-2023 HUM-MOLGEN. All rights reserved. Liability, Copyright and Imprint.