Skip to main content

Genetic

Genetic drive to overeat found in labradors and humans


Dogs that are constantly hungry and prone to being overweight share a common bit of biology with some obesity-prone humans. This is what UK scientists have discovered - identifying a genetic source of many labradors' - and some people's - tendency to overeat.

Researchers found that changes in a particular gene, one of the building blocks of biological code that produces the blueprint for how our bodies work, alters the chemical signals that tell our brains we've had enough to eat. The scientists say their findings, published in the journal Science, reveal something "powerful" about the biology of obesity risk.

"By studying dogs, we've honed in on some interesting new biology here," explained lead researcher Dr Eleanor Raffan from the University of Cambridge's department of physiology, development and neuroscience. She added that the discovery showed that "owners of slim dogs are not morally superior - and the same is true of slim people".

"If you have a high genetic risk of obesity, you're prone to gaining weight unless you put a huge effort into not doing so. And those with low genetic risk just don't have to work so hard."This canine-human biological link came from the researchers' examination of the genetics of 250 labradors. The team looked for pieces of genetic code that were common in overweight dogs.

They picked out one gene in particular - called DENND1B - that was associated with a higher body mass in the labradors. And when they searched through a library of genetic information from thousands of humans, they discovered that the same gene was associated with a higher body mass in people, too.

Before this study of labrador genetics, Dr Raffan said, "no one suspected that gene had anything to do with obesity". The gene interferes with a brain signalling pathway that helps regulate our appetite. Dr Raffan explained: "It alters the predisposition to weight gain because it's tweaking a system that is involved in regulating how hungry we feel and how much energy we burn off."

The findings could help in the future development of new drugs to tackle obesity. But the scientists say they reveal how much harder people - and owners of dogs - with this genetic predisposition have to work to offset its effects. Another member of the research team, Alyce McClellan, from Cambridge University added that the results emphasised "the importance of fundamental brain pathways in controlling appetite and body weight".

The discovery adds to a developing picture of those pathways and the biological driving forces behind overeating. A group of weight loss drugs, that includes Ozempic, target some of this biology, and have exploded in popularity in recent years. What we've identified here is a different pathway [from the one targeted by those drugs]," explained Dr Raffan. "But it all speaks to the same important bit of biology, which is that obesity is not about having low willpower.

"It's about the fact that some people are prone to weight gain because they have a genetic risk which increases their responsiveness to food and their appetite. "This goes for dogs and humans alike - they have a genetic drive to overeat." 

Genetic predisposition, obesity, Labrador retrievers, human genetics, POMC gene, appetite regulation, overeating behavior, metabolic disorders, energy balance, food motivation, satiety signals, inherited traits, canine obesity, weight management, evolutionary adaptation, pet health, dietary control, genetic mutation, body mass index, hunger hormones,

#GeneticDrive #Overeating #LabradorRetrievers #HumanGenetics #POMCGene #AppetiteRegulation #ObesityResearch #MetabolicDisorders #FoodMotivation #SatietySignals #InheritedTraits #CanineObesity #WeightManagement #EvolutionaryAdaptation #PetHealth #DietaryControl #GeneticMutation #BodyMassIndex #HungerHormones #HealthScience

International Conference on Genetics and Genomics of Diseases

Visit: genetics-conferences.healthcarek.com

Award Nomination: genetics-conferences.healthcarek.com/award-nomination/?ecategory=Awards&rcategory=Awardee

Award registration: genetics-conferences.healthcarek.com/award-registration/

For Enquiries: contact@healthcarek.com

Get Connected Here
---------------------------------
---------------------------------
in.pinterest.com/Dorita0211
twitter.com/Dorita_02_11_
facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555903296992
instagram.com/p/C4ukfcOsK36
genetics-awards.blogspot.com/
youtube.com/@GeneticsHealthcare

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Genetics role in ovarian cancer

The Medical Minute: Genetics play big role in ovarian cancer In 2024, about 19,680 women in the United States will receive a new diagnosis of ovarian cancer and 12,740 women will die from the disease, said Dr. Shaina Bruce , a gynecologic oncologist at Penn State Cancer Institute . The median age of all patients who develop ovarian cancer is 63. Historically, women at increased risk for ovarian cancer are recommended to have their fallopian tubes and ovaries removed when they have completed having children. Taking that step to protect themselves comes at a heavy price ― surgical menopause. But Bruce said medical science is catching up with ovarian cancer. Studies could lead to new methods for preventative care and the surgery needed to lower risk may be easier than it once was. Below, during Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, Bruce discusses the disease and why acting to reduce your risk is worth it. What’s the connection between heredity and ovarian cancer? About 25% of all cases of ...
Post a Comment
Read more

X chromosome

Gene on the X chromosome may help explain high multiple sclerosis rates in women Brain inflammation may be fueled by a gene on the X chromosome, a new study in mice suggests. And in female mice, who carry two X chromosomes, a diabetes drug called metformin may work to counteract that inflammation. If these findings bear out in later studies, they could help to unravel the long-standing mystery of why women, who have two copies of this inflammation-driving gene, are more prone to certain autoimmune diseases, particularly after menopause. A disparity between the sexes Our bodies are patrolled by immune cells that provide protection against bacteria and viruses, but sometimes, these defenses turn on us. In the autoimmune disorder multiple sclerosis (MS), for instance, the immune system attacks myelin, the fatty insulation surrounding the nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. This leads to symptoms such as muscle weakness and difficulty walking, as well issues with memory and thinking...
Post a Comment
Read more

Multifactorial Genetic Conditions

Multifactorial Genetic Conditions Multifactorial genetic conditions are disorders caused by the combined effects of multiple genes and environmental factors , rather than a single gene mutation . These conditions do not follow classic Mendelian inheritance patterns and instead result from complex gene–environment interactions . Factors such as lifestyle, nutrition, infections, stress, and exposure to toxins can significantly influence disease onset and severity in genetically susceptible individuals. Common examples include diabetes, cardiovascular diseases , neural tube defects, asthma, and many neuropsychiatric disorders. Understanding multifactorial inheritance is essential for risk prediction, preventive medicine, and personalized healthcare strategies. Multifactorial inheritance, polygenic traits, gene–environment interaction, complex diseases, genetic susceptibility, environmental risk factors, non-Mendelian inheritance, disease predisposition, polygenic risk score, precision ...
Post a Comment
Read more