Genetics of Obesity

It seems that some people are too thin. You are never too thick, and they are just thin. Others of us are the opposite of the case. It is a battle to lose weight, and the thin seems impossible. Could it be that our genes have something to do with it? As it turns out, there are several genes that play an important role in obesity. Deficiencies in some of these genes cause certain diseases to develop. Not everything is known about the genetics of obesity, but also expand our knowledge.

A part of the brain as the hypothalamus controls several functions of the body. One of these is the regulation of the sense of hunger. There is an interplay between the various chemical messengers and the hypothalamus. This game will change as Leptin-hypothalamic melanocortin system . Our fat cells send a signal called Leptin. The more fat we have, the more Leptin is produced. It binds to the Leptin receptor in the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus as a minimal amount of Leptin, which tells the brain that the body has at least the required amount of fat to function. Once the receptor is activated, a protein called proopiomelanocortin (POMC) is. POMC is then divided into smaller parts of enzymes. One of these enzymes is proenzyme convertase 1 (PC-1). One of the smaller proteins of PC-1 is known as alpha-MSH, which binds to another receptor in the hypothalamus called MC4R. Once MC4R is, it triggers some intracellular signals the end to say that your brain is not so hungry. Do you have everything? Read the link at the end of this article and go to the "genetics" tab. On the "Leptin" side, there is a chart that explains.

A defect in the genes for one of the signals, enzymes, receptors and up can lead to an increased appetite. The most common of these mutations is an error in the MC4R. But it is not the worst, and some people with a defective gene MC4R are still rare. Mutations in other genes to an appetite for very young children, and they are almost certain to eat far more than their bodies will ever need. In addition to the very obese, related problems may be small ovaries and testes, thyroid dysfunction, decreased immunity and low adrenal function. Fortunately, these difficult conditions are rare, with only a handful of known cases. There are treatments for a few, such as replacing the Leptin with shots. For others, like MC4R, are there for treatment.

A few genes, which help in the development of the hypothalamus are also associated with obesity. The gene encodes SIM1 signals arising from the MC4R receptor. A case of a young girl with a mutation SIM1 was obese and also great. In addition to the development of the hypothalamus in the context tropomysin kinase B (TrkB)-receptor and the chemical signal called brain-derived neutrotrophic factor (BDNF) play in memory, behavior and intellect. Deficiencies in these two can lead to obesity, and memory problems.

In the reward center of the brain, dopamine is released when we eat. People who have mutations in a stretch of DNA called Taqi A less dopamine receptors and thus to eat more to feel the same sense of reward. This lends weight to the fact that some people are literally addicted to food, and the sweeter the food, the stronger the addiction.

There are also several genetic syndromes associated with obesity, more than one gene. They are too complex for this article, but here is a list of some of them: Prader-Willi, Bardet-Biedl, Ahlstrom, Cohen and Carpenter syndromes.

 

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