|
PROGRESS IN UDNERSTANDING THE SIGNALS INVOLVED IN OBESITY
REFERENCES:
Database Links:
Gene Map Locus: 7q31.3
Database Links:
Gene Map Locus: 1p31 |
 |
Little over a year ago, the Jeffrey Friedman's team at Rockefeller University cloned a gene called obese (ob) gene. When mutated, this gene causes obesity in mice. The protein product of this gene called leptin (leptos means thin) is the major player in the regulation of the body fat. 20 years ago, Douglas Coleman reported that mice with mutated db gene were fat. In December 1995, a putative receptor for leptin was cloned. The new data published in Feb 9th, 1996 issue of cell, Feb 15th, 1996 issue of Nature and Feb 16th, 1996 issue of Science confirm the authenticity of the receptor. Based on the available data, it seems that the leptin receptor maps to the site of the db gene. The current thinking is that the the db mutation results in formation of abnormal mRNAs that code for a nonfunctional receptor. Thus, the lack of the signaling potential of the normal protein results in the obesity. The identification of the receptor now paves the way in understanding as how the signals are transmitted via the leptin receptor to cells. For example, Ghilardi et al describe, in the 
![[OMIM]](../../images/omim.gif)
|
|
PROGRESS IN UDNERSTANDING THE SIGNALS INVOLVED IN OBESITY
REFERENCES:
Database Links:
Gene Map Locus: 7q31.3
Database Links:
Gene Map Locus: 1p31 |
|