A new breakthrough in the battle against obesity

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A team of scientists believe they may have found a way to tackle obesity after discovering a rare genetic mutation that helps regulate appetite.

The study found that a mutation in the ZFHX3 gene affects a deep structure in the brain known as the “hypothalamus,” which is the control center for appetite, thirst, food intake, and other functions.

The ZFHX3 mutation works by turning other genes on and off.

By studying its effects on mice, scientists at Nottingham Trent University and Harwell Medical Research Center monitored the food intake of mice with the ZFHX3 mutation.

It turns out that mice with the mutation consume 12% less food and weigh about 20% less than mice that do not have this mutation.

These mice also recorded lower levels of insulin, which suggests they had better blood sugar regulation, with a lower risk of developing diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease, according to the scientists.

Dr Rebecca Dumble, a researcher at the School of Science and Technology at Nottingham Trent University, said: “For the first time, we have shown the role of this gene in altering growth and energy balance through a protein mutation. There is a large genetic component to our appetite and growth, but it is not fully understood. It is likely that it is one of the "The many different mutations that make people different in their natural ability to adhere to a specific diet in the first place."

In this regard, Dimple received £100,000 in funding from the Academy of Medical Sciences for a two-year research project aimed at further exploring the role of the gene.

“Our future work will look at how the ZFHX3 gene works in key parts of the brain,” Dumble said. “This will help narrow down how it changes how much mice eat, or how fast their metabolism goes.”