Breakthrough in battle against obesity as scientists discover rare gene mutation

11 June 2024 , 11:44

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Scientists have discovered a rare gene mutation that helps regulate appetite (Image: Getty Images)

Scientists believe they may have found a way to tackle obesity after discovering a rare gene mutation that helps regulate appetite.

Only four per cent of people are thought to be carrying the ZFHX3 gene mutation, which has been found to affect a structure deep in the brain known as the hypothalamus, often seen as a control centre for things like appetite, thirst, and food intake. The ZFHX3 mutation works by turning the function of other genes on and off.

Studying its effects on mice, a group of scientists at Nottingham Trent University and MRC Harwell monitored the food intake in mice with the ZFHX3 gene mutation present, as well as a control group of mice without the gene variation.

Those with the mutation consumed 12 per cent less food and weighed around 20 per cent less than those without. These mice also recorded lower levels of insulin, which researchers say suggested they had healthier blood sugar regulation, with a lowered risk of developing conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Mice with the gene mutation had healthier blood sugar regulation (Getty Images)

Dr Rebecca Dumbell, a researcher in Nottingham Trent University's School of Science and Technology, said: "For the first time, we have demonstrated a role for this gene to alter growth and energy balance with a protein altering mutation similar to a variant found at low frequency in the human population.

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“There's a big genetic component related to our appetite and growth but it's not fully understood. It's likely one of the many different mutations that make people different in their natural ability to stick to a diet in the first place. Understanding what is happening in those who have the mutation paves the way to exploring potential new weight loss intervention targets for all people."

Dr Dumbbell has since received £100,000 funding from the Academy of Medical Sciences for a two-year project to further explore the role of the gene. She said: "Our future work will look at how the ZFHX3 gene acts in key parts of the brain, this will help narrow down exactly how it works to change how much the mice eat, or how fast their metabolism is."

"The current work tells us that it does this, but doesn't tell us how – that's what the planned work will do. Understanding how this works will [also] allow us to understand how different people might struggle more to maintain a 'healthy' weight."

Zahra Khaliq