Finding an obesity gene - a tale of mice and man
Article Abstract:
The discovery of a gene in mice that may cause obesity when defective indicates the important role of animal research. Researchers used an inbred strain of rats that could inherit a tendency to become obese. They used DNA markers that were inherited along with obesity to identify an obesity gene called ob on chromosome 6. The gene is only expressed in fat tissue in mice. DNA sequencing revealed that the gene produced a secretory protein. In addition, the gene in obese mice was defective, and produced a defective protein. The researchers found a similar gene in humans. The most likely role of the protein is as a satiety factor produced by fat cells, secreted into the bloodstream and processed by the satiety center in the brain. Mice that produce a defective protein would continue eating even though they were no longer hungry.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1995
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Genetic medicine and obesity
Article Abstract:
Researchers identified some genes that may predispose mice to obesity by using DNA microarrays to study gene expression in normal-weight and obese mice. The next step is to take tissue samples from obese humans to see if the gene expression patterns seen in obese mice also occur in obese humans. This technique can also be used to study many other hereditary diseases.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 2003
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