Can BP3 protein help with weight loss and metabolism?

Cancer researchers at Georgetown University were surprised by the role of a specific protein in cancer.

They found that the natural protein FGFBP3 (or BP3) turned out to be a potent regulator of metabolism, helping obese laboratory mice genetically predisposed to eat to lose a third of their fat.

Scientific Reports, suggests that BP3 could be a new treatment to help people with metabolic syndromes such as type 2 diabetes and fatty liver.

According to the Georgetown Medical Center, BP3 protein is part of a family of binding proteins (fibroblast growth factor proteins) known to be involved in cell regulation, wound healing, and wound response. . These binding proteins are found in various organisms, including humans.

"The BP1, 2 and 3 proteins are" chaperone "proteins that cling to FGF proteins and reinforce their activities in the body," researchers wrote in a university article. Principal Investigator Anton Wellstein, who has previously studied the BP1 gene for its high production in various cancers, has recently focused on BP3 to better understand the protein.

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In the course of their research, Wellstein and his colleagues found that BP3 binds to three FGF proteins (FGF19, FGF21 and FGF 23), all involved in metabolic control, making BP3 a potent engine of metabolism carbohydrates and lipids. "It's like having a lot more taxis available in New York to gather all the people who need a ride."

"With increased metabolism, the blood sugar and the fat transformed in the liver are used for energy and is not stored, "he added." And the fat stores are also exploited.For example, the role of FGF21 is to control the breakdown of fat, that 39, it is stored or simply consumed. "

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The authors specified that BP3 protein may or may not be used as a treatment for human metabolic syndromes remains a mystery and further research is needed.

The latest figures released by Atlanta Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2016 show that 93.3 million adults in the United States are obese. This represents nearly 40% of the population. Obesity rates in children and adolescents are also on the rise.

Read the complete Georgetown University study on nature.com .