Study Identifies Brain Protein Associated with Metabolism

Researchers have found a new mechanism that sheds light on metabolism regulation. The study could lead to new treatment strategies to tackle diabetes, obesity by manipulating key proteins in brain.

According to researchers at the UT Southwestern Medical Center, a protein that controls when genes are switched on and off plays an important role in regulating metabolism.

The protein - spliced X-box binding protein 1 (Xbp1s) regulates metabolism by influencing body's sensitivity towards insulin and leptin signaling.

In case of obesity and diabetes, the body becomes resistant to the effects of the hormones insulin and leptin.

The current study was conducted on mice models. Researchers found that increased activity of gene Xbp1s helped mice stay leaner despite being on a high-fat diet.

"This study identifies critical molecular mechanisms that link the brain and peripheral endocrine tissues and that ultimately contribute to the regulation of body weight and glucose metabolism," said Dr. Kevin Williams, Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine and co-first author of the study

According to the team, on an average, mice with higher gene expression were 30 percent leaner than other mice without the gene.

Researchers say that the overexpression of gene in the pro-opiomelanocortin (Pomc) neurons in the hypothalamic region, made the body believe that it is fed. This feeling of satiety led to improvements in body weight, decrease in blood glucose levels and better insulin sensitivity.

Hypothalamus is a region in the brain that controls body temperature, hunger, fatigue and sleep.

"Manipulating this one gene in the brain affected metabolism in the liver. This result shows that the brain is controlling glucose production by the liver," said Dr. Joel Elmquist, co-senior author of the study, according to a news release.

Researchers say that Xbp1s is one of the several transcription factors that work in sync to control metabolism. Understanding how this complex network works could lead to advancement in diabetes and obesity research. 

The study is published in the journal Cell Metabolism.