Doctors from Osaka University in Japan found that the CREB-regulated transcription coactivator 1 (CRTC1) protein is associated with obesity and diabetes. The results of the study were published in the journal Facebook Magazine.
CRTC1 is a protein encoded by the human CRTC1 gene. It is expressed in almost all neurons of the brain. In their study, the scientists focused on neurons that express the MC4R gene receptor, mutations that cause obesity.
The scientists did an experiment with mice by removing CRTC1 from them. It turned out that on a normal diet, the mice did not gain weight, but on a high-fat diet, the rodents overeat. The mice became significantly more obese than the control group and developed diabetes.
According to the scientists, mice are genetically very similar to humans, so the results can be transferred to humans. Researchers continue to study this topic to find possible treatment options and therapies for obesity and diabetes.