Researchers have identified a gene in animals called adipose that control whether or not individuals tend to pile on fat, a potential target for fighting obesity and diabetes.

In the current study, the UT Southwestern researchers examined how adipose works by analyzing fruit flies, tiny worms called C. elegans, cultured cells, and genetically engineered mice, as well as by exploiting sophisticated molecular techniques. Using several methods, they manipulated adipose in the various animals, turning the gene on and off at different stages in the animals' lives and in various parts of their bodies.

It was discovered that the gene, which is also present in humans, is likely to be a high-level master switch that tells the body whether to accumulate or burn fat.

The study, published in the Sept. 5 issue of Cell Metabolism also showed that the gene is "dose-sensitive" i.e., the various combinations of the gene's variants lead to a range of body types from slim to medium to obese.

Source: UT Southwestern