Geneticists Have Discovered the True Cause of Weight Gain
Baylor and Cambridge: the SRC-1 gene in Pomc neurons of the hypothalamus regulates the hunger and satiety balance — mutations cause severe obesity.
Baylor and Cambridge: the SRC-1 gene in Pomc neurons of the hypothalamus regulates the hunger and satiety balance — mutations cause severe obesity.
Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Cambridge focused on the SRC-1 gene. It is important for regulating body weight. However, until recently it was unclear exactly how it affects weight. Experiments with rodents showed that the gene, linked to a protein of the same name, shows heightened activity in cells of the hypothalamus.
This brain region is responsible, among other things, for feelings of hunger and satiety. Particularly strong gene activity was noted in Pomc neurons. Their cluster is known as the "appetite center." The SRC-1 gene regulates it, maintaining the balance between hunger and satiety. Artificial removal of SRC-1 from Pomc neurons caused constant intense hunger and weight gain in mice.
Later, scientists identified children with severe obesity who turned out to be carriers of 15 rare SRC-1 gene mutations. Overeating and obesity also developed in rodents in which one of these mutations was artificially reproduced. Scientists do not rule out that gene therapy targeting SRC-1 may help fight obesity and eating disorders.
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