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

The Fasting Fox Protein

 
  December, 11 2009 9:23
your information resource in human molecular genetics
 
     
The brain protein Foxa2 has a key role in regulating food intake, a mouse study in Nature suggests. Strategies that boost brain levels of the protein could improve levels of physical activity and overall health in the population, the authors speculate.

Foxa2 directly regulates expression of two proteins, orexin and melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) in the lateral hypothalamic area or 'feeding centre' of the brain, Markus Stoffel and colleagues show. After a meal, insulin signalling renders Foxa2 ineffective, and as a result orexin and MCH production ceases.

But mice with Foxa2 permanently switched on express more orexin and MCH, eat more, move more and have increased metabolism and improved insulin sensitivity. And turning Foxa2 on in the brains of obese mice increases lean body mass, reduces fat levels and improves glucose homeostasis. So Foxa2 appears to act as a metabolic sensor in the brain, where it integrates metabolic signals, food-seeking behaviour and physiological responses.

CONTACT

Markus Stoffel (ETH Zurich, Switzerland)
E-mail: stoffel@imsb.biol.ethz.ch

(C) Nature 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.