The mouse mahogany locus encodes a transmembrane form of human attractin
Article Abstract:
The homologous paracrine signalling molecules agouti protein and agouti-related protein regulate hair colour and body weight. Agouti expression is usually restricted to the skin although rare alleles such as lethal yellow have pleiotropic effects. The mahogany (mg) mutation suppresses these effects on pigmentation and body weight. A candidate gene for mahogany, Mgca has been identified using positional cloning. It is a 1,428-amino-acid single-transmembrane-domain protein, encoded by Mgca.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1999
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Congenital leptin deficiency is associated with severe early-onset obesity in humans
Article Abstract:
Two strains of obese mice have been shown to have defects in the gene encoding the protein leptin, which is secreted by adipocytes. An examination of two severely obese children shows that they are both homozygous for a single-nucleotide deletion in the gene encoding leptin. Their obesity provides the first evidence that leptin is important in regulating the energy balance of humans.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1997
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Genetics of body-weight regulation
Article Abstract:
It has been possible to obtain genetic maps for obesity in humans and mice. This research has confirmed that obesity is mainly controlled by genetic factors. Genetically-based treatments for human obesity could star while further attempts are made at molecular identification of the underlying genes.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2000
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