MiRNA switches that regulate metabolism
Scientists have long dreamed of turning nasty white fat cells into brown fat cells, thereby easily eliminating excess body weight. Researchers from the University of Bonn are now one step closer to this goal: they deciphered a "toggle switch" in mice, which can significantly promote fat burning. "Trigger switch" to stimulate fat burning Now researchers have cracked a "microRNA switch" that is critical for brown fat in mice. Micro-RNAs are located in the genome of cells and can regulate gene activity quickly and effectively. The researchers investigated a specific microRNA: microRNA 155. The gene regulator micro-RNA 155 inhibits a transcription factor that controls the function of brown fat cells. Surprisingly, Professor Pfeifer and his research team found that transcription factors also regulate microRNA 155 levels, thus establishing a tight feedback loop that functions like a toggle switch: when microRNA 155 is highly expressed, brown fat cells Differentiation is blocked; conversely, if transcription factors prevail and brown fat production increases, it will in turn stimulate fat burning in the body. Researchers at the University of Bonn, and colleagues from the Federal Institute for Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices (BfArM) and colleagues at the University of Regensburg, have conducted research on transgenic and gene knockout mice whose micro-RNA 155 Genes increased, and the micro-RNA 155 gene in the latter was silenced. "This mechanism starts only when the micro-RNA 155 in the mouse is halved," said Yong Chen, the lead author of the article. Compared with the control group, micro-RNA 155-deficient mice had more brown fat cells, and even white fat cells were transformed into brown fat cells. Clues about the etiology of lipid metabolism diseases This micro-RNA acts as an antagonist of brown fat cells. "As long as there is enough micro-RNA 155, brown fat cell production will be blocked," Chen Yong said. Only when it is below a certain ratio, this brake will stop functioning; the cell can read and execute the blueprint of brown fat to form a fat burner. These research findings will help scientists better understand the causes of lipid metabolism diseases. Scientists at the University of Bonn see their findings as a potential starting point for developing anti-obesity drugs. The researchers found some clues that can convert these results from mice to humans. For example, the researchers found that micro-RNA 155 levels were significantly increased in overweight patients. This corresponds to results from animal models: a large amount of micro-RNA 155 is associated with reduced fat burning. "However, we are still in the basic research stage," Professor Pfeifer said. The road to the ideal drug is still long.
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