Can BP3 protein help with weight loss, metabolism?

Oncology researchers at Georgetown University had an unlikely surprise when they studied the role of a specific protein in cancer.

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

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

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According to the Georgetown Medical Center, the BP3 protein is part of a family of binding proteins (fibroblast growth factor proteins) known for their involvement 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 strengthen their activities in the body," researchers wrote in an academic article. Lead researcher Anton Wellstein, who has previously studied the BP1 gene for its high production in a range of 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 discovered that BP3 binds to three FGF proteins (FGF19, FGF21 and FGF 23), all involved in metabolic control, making BP3 a powerful engine of carbohydrate metabolism and lipids ". "It's like having a lot more taxis available in New York to pick up people who need a car."

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

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Whether the BP3 protein can be used for the treatment of human metabolic syndromes remains a mystery and further research is needed, said the authors.

The most recent figures released by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control in Atlanta (2015-2016) indicate 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 full Georgetown University study on nature.com.