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Seeing a morbidly obese person in the park or at the mall may prompt some to wonder what drives excessive eating. Lifestyle and diet are major contributors to body weight, but scientists think there's a genetic reason why some eat far more than their fill.
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Scientists have known for some time that receptor cells in the brain help regulate appetite and metabolism. And previous research shows that up to six percent of morbidly obese adults and children have mutations in one type of these signal cells called the melanocortin- 4 (muh-lann-oh-court-inn), or M-C- 4 receptor, and this may cause them to overeat. Now University of Florida researchers have performed extensive side-by-side analysis of forty of those genetic mutations and their interaction with molecular switches, some of which turn appetite signals on and off.
The scientists found that eleven of the forty mutations don't work normally in patients with M-C- 4 receptor dysfunction. Scientists say this flaw may cause some morbidly obese people to continue to feel hungry, even when they1ve already had plenty to eat.
Dr. Carrie Haskell-Luevano / UF Medicinal Chemist
"“If you see somebody walking down the street or sitting next to you on the airplane that it might not be their fault that they choose to eat too much or they choose to be obese, because genetics is a very strong component of obesity."
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The U-F researchers have identified a molecule that is effective at making these faulty receptors in the brain respond normally. The ultimate goal, scientists say, is to harness this genetic fix to trigger the brain's appetite regulation system to work normally. Because the M-C- 4 receptor also appears to have an effect on type 2 diabetes, a disorder linked to obesity, experts think a genetic treatment targeting this receptor could pack a one-two punch-against obesity and diabetic difficulties.
Dr. Carrie Haskell-Luevano / UF Medicinal Chemist
"If people have genetic predisposition to obesity and then type two diabetes, if you can control it with drugs targeting of this protein, then maybe you can prevent the type two diabetes and all those complications.-
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At the University of Florida Health Science Center, I'm Mike Garrison
