Scientists have detected a gene that acts as a ‘master switch’ for the burning of fat (Daily Telegraph, Guardian). A new study published in Cell Metabolism found greater activity of the adipose gene resulted in thinner animals (abstract). Jonathan Graff, of UT Southwestern, and colleagues write that the gene, “appears to be involved in an ancient pathway that regulates fat accumulation”.

“Maybe if you could affect this gene, even just a little bit, you might have a beneficial effect on fat,” Graff says in the Guardian. The gene was originally discovered by Winifred Doane, then a graduate student at Yale University. “It was always my dream that the drosophila adipose gene would turn out to be a model for controlling obesity and type 2 diabetes. It looks like it is starting in that direction now,” she told Reuters.

Graff fiddled with fruit flies, worms and genetically engineered mice, manipulating turning adipose gene on and off at various stages in their lives. Mice with higher adipose activity were leaner and diabetes resistant, despite eating as much as or more than normal mice. Mice with reduced activity were fatter, less healthy and diabetic. In perhaps the corniest line of the year Graff states: “People who want to fit in their jeans might someday be able to overcome their genes” (press release).

Image: Corbis