Fat Gene
Two different genes identified by geneticists have been called 'the fat gene.' FTO is a gene located on human chromosome 16, and the presence of it in humans has been correlated with increased body fat and higher rates of obesity. Lipin is a regulator gene that controls how the body stores and burns fat.
Fast Facts
- 50% of white Europeans carry one or more variants of the FTO
- As adults, individuals carrying two copies of the FTO gene (one from each parent) weigh an average of 3 kilograms more than those without the gene
- FTO or "fatso gene" referred originally to "Fused Toe", because it was recognized as a predictor of fused toes and other abnormalities in mice
- Lipin has been studied primarily in mice and has been found to regulate both how fat is burned or stored in the body
FTO
FTO was identified by researchers who were looking for a genetic component to Type 2 Diabetes, the type of diabetes commonly associated with behavioral factors. After examining over 36,000 people in Europe, researchers concluded that the FTO gene is associated primarily with increased body fat and higher rates of obesity. The connection to diabetes appears to be a secondary effect resulting from the increased rate of obesity.
Lipin
Lipin was discovered by researchers looking for the genetic basis for the disease called lipodystrophy, a disease in which the body is not able to store fat. Lipin research conducted on mice showed that high levels of lipin represses the metabolism and promotes fat storage, leading to obesity. Decreased lipin levels prevented the cells from storing fat. Interestingly, high lipin levels are associated with diabetes, helping fat cells metabolize glucose more efficiently.
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