A team of researchers has discovered a method to modify the function of an enzyme essential for the production of fat, capable of fighting obesity
In a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers have described the discovery of a method of metabolic change that can help stop obesity and even cancer. The technique consists in modifying the function of an enzyme essential for the production of fat.
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Through experiments on fruit fly larvae (Tephritids)the researchers studied fatty acid synthase, an enzyme that plays a role in lipogenesis, the process of converting excess dietary carbohydrates into fat.
While the research has not been conducted in humans, scientists believe that just discovering the ability to speed up or slow down lipid metabolism could have positive consequences for medicine in the future. The study explains that after proteins are created based on the genetic code, their function can be altered by a process of post-translational modification. This alters the effectiveness in fat production.
It turns out that, in addition to its role in obesity, high levels of lipogenesis are linked to cancer, so controlling this process through a single amino acid could lead to much more precise and targeted treatments than blocking the whole protein.
science against obesity
It is no longer today that the scientific community joins forces to fight obesity. To get an idea, the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) recently even approved the first injectable treatment for obesity in Brazil. This is the Wegovy, manufactured by Novo Nordisk. To achieve this approval, several clinical studies were conducted.
This injectable obesity treatment works as a GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA), with a 94% similarity to the naturally produced human hormone GLP-1. The molecule induces weight loss, reduces hunger and increases the sense of satiety.
Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences through Iowa State University
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Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
