Discovering the Gene for Appetite

A recent article published in the New York Times reveals that there is a gene that plays a role in appetite suppression and predisposition to obesity. A recent study has discovered that the MC4R gene plays a vital role in hunger regulation and the feeling of fullness. There are essentially three types of possible phenotypes for this gene. The normal phenotype would be a typical appetite that signals you to eat when hungry and stop eating when you've had the correct amount of food. There is a mutation in this MC4R gene that causes some people to have this gene turned off. This causes them to never feel full and they keep eating because they never receive a signal to stop. These are the people that are at a greater genetic disposition for obesity. However, there is also another alteration to this gene that causes it to be constantly turned on. This leads to affected individuals feeling full prematurely and, as a result, they do not eat as much or desire food as much as the formerly affected individuals. This leaves this group of mutants thin and less likely to develop diseases like diabetes and heart disease. 

Like many, I have always known that predisposition for obesity was related to genetics. However, I think the vast majority of people believe this is related to metabolism, which you often inherit from your parents. To find out that this may have little to do with genetic weight gain is very interesting. It makes me wonder if the mechanism of these appetite suppressor drugs for weight loss involves turning off the MC4R gene. It also raises the question over whether as many people would look down upon these appetite pills if they knew that there was a legit genetic reasoning behind the use of the pill.

Struggling to get that perfect summer body? Blame Genetics.

Scientists have found that a set of neurons is responsible for the unpleasant feelings associated with hunger, as they explain in this article. The neurons do not drive an animal to eat, but rather teach an animal to respond to sensory cues that signal the presence of food. If you're finding it difficult to stick to a weight-loss diet this is why! Scientists say you can likely point the finger at AGRP neurons -- hunger-sensitive cells in your brain. New experiments show these neurons are responsible for the unpleasant feelings of hunger that make snacking irresistible. The negative emotions associated with hunger can make it hard to maintain a diet and lose weight, and these neurons help explain that struggle.

I certainly know the struggle of trying to get ready for that summer beach body, and I found this article to be really interesting. I'm interested to follow the study and see what further developments they make and if their is a way to interfere with the neuron to aid in weight loss. 

Obesity:Hunger Games Genes Found?

Wonder why you are always hungry? Ever thought of how some people eat tons and not become obese? Researchers from the University of Cambridge have found a link in the genetic mutation of KSR2. Past studies have found that deletion of this gene causes obesity in mice. The researchers analyzed genetic sequences of roughly 2000 children with early signs of obesity and compared them to normal weighted children. The results showed that the mutation of KSR2 gene had affected the functions such as increase in appetite, slow metabolism, lower heart rate, and high insulin resistance. Also, individual studies show that deletion of this gene causes mice to become obese. 

This could be huge discovery of obesity. I think that by knowing the gene, scientist may someday be able to rid of the mutation, or at least detect early signs of the gene--which could allow for medicinal care in its early stages of obesity. 

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/267934.php

http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/