by Researchers from the University Hospital Bonn and the Transdisciplinary Research Area Life & Health at the University of Bonn have identified a protein called EPAC1 that can increase the formation and activity of brown fat cells. Brown fat cells are responsible for converting energy into heat, which helps to eliminate unwanted fat deposits and protect against cardiovascular diseases. The long-term goal of this research is to develop medicines that can support weight loss. The findings of this study have been published in the journal Nature Cell Biology.
Obesity has become a significant problem worldwide, with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke. Exercise and dieting alone are often not enough to effectively and permanently lose weight. Prof. Alexander Pfeifer, the corresponding author and Director of the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University Hospital Bonn, explains that our energy-dense foods lead to energy being stored in white fat. However, losing weight is challenging because the body saves energy in response to a low-calorie diet. The goal of this research is to find ways to increase energy release.
Brown fat cells, also known as beige cells, act as a biological oven and play a crucial role in helping newborn babies cope with cold exposure after birth. However, adults have significantly less brown fat, and it is primarily found in young and slim individuals. The researchers aimed to investigate how brown fat mass can be increased while simultaneously reducing white fat.
Using a mouse model, the researchers discovered that the protein EPAC1, which is activated by the cAMP signaling pathway, is responsible for the growth of brown fat. Additionally, EPAC1 promotes the formation of brown fat cells in white fat. The researchers also confirmed the presence of this signaling pathway in human fat cells and human organoids, which are microstructures that mimic human brown fat.
The researchers also found that a non-functional variant of the EPAC1 gene in humans is associated with an increased body mass index (BMI). This suggests that targeting EPAC1 could be an effective strategy to increase brown fat mass and energy expenditure.
Professor Pfeifer hopes that these findings can lead to the development of novel therapies to help individuals combat metabolic diseases. The study was conducted as part of the DFG Collaborative Research Center Transregio-SFB 333, which aims to improve understanding of different types of adipose tissue and their role in metabolic diseases.
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