'Slimming gene' that regulates body fat identified.Byline: ANI Washington, Nov 3 (ANI): Scientists at the University of Bonn The University of Bonn (German: Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn) is a public research university located in Bonn, Germany. Founded in 1818 the University of Bonn is nowadays one of the largest universities in Germany. have identified a gene in fruit flies that controls the metabolism of fat. The researchers called the gene 'schlank' (German for 'slim'). According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. them, the discovery could help in developing new medicines to fight obesity as mammals also carry a group of genes that are structurally very similar to 'schlank'. The larvae Larvae, in Roman religion Larvae: see lemures. in which this gene is defective have been found to lose their entire fat reserves. According to Professor Michael Hoch from the University of Bonn, 'in extreme cases the defect can even lead to death.' The study showed that the gene contains the instructions of what is known as ceramide synthase synthase /syn·thase/ (-thas) a term used in the names of some enzymes, particularly lyases, when the synthetic aspect of the reaction is dominant or emphasized. syn·thase n. . Ceramides serve as raw materials for the gauzy membranes that enclose all of the cells in the body. Moreover, schlank also has a regulatory function. It promotes lipid synthesis and at the same time inhibits the mobilisation of fat from the fat reserves. This gene is striking similar to Lass genes from mice that partially compensate for the defect schlank gene in mutant flies. "We introduced a mouse Lass gene in mutant Drosophila Drosophila: see fruit fly. drosophila Any member of about 1,000 species in the dipteran genus Drosophila, commonly known as fruit flies but also called vinegar flies. Some species, particularly D. larvae," said Hoch. "Normally the larvae died immediately after hatching. Thanks to the Lass gene they resumed building up body fat and survived until the next development stage," he added. The research has been published in The EMBO Journal. (ANI) Copyright 2009 Asian News International The Asian News International (ANI) agency provides multimedia news to China and 50 bureaus in India. It covers virtually all of South Asia since its foundation and presently claims, on its official website, to be the leading South Asia-wide news agency. (ANI) - All Rights Reserved. Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company |
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