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Drug discovery
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered genetic variants, or mutations, that protect people from obesity and its symptoms – and believe that this discovery could lead to new drugs to lose weight.
"A powerful emerging concept is that genetic variants that protect against disease can be used as models for the development of more effective and safer drugs," researcher Luca Lotta said in a press release.
The weight gene
In a study published Thursday in the journal Cell, the team explains how it badyzed the MC4R gene in half a million volunteers who participated in the study conducted by the British Biobank.
They already knew that the gene played a role in weight regulation, but thanks to their new research, they discovered 61 distinct variants, some of which help people not become obese. Others have provided protection against the symptoms of obesity, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Understanding obesity
The study does more than illuminate the path to new drugs for weight loss – it also highlights the very nature of obesity.
"This study shows that genetics play a major role in the reason for obesity," said researcher Sadaf Farooqi, "and that some people are fortunate enough to own genes that protect them from obesity." "
READ MORE: The discovery of genetic variants that protect against obesity and type 2 diabetes could lead to new drugs to lose weight [University of Cambridge]
More on MC4R: Mutated animals show why gene editing is not ready for human trials
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