Found a protein that controls the body's metabolism

A group of scientists from Yale University figured outA hypothalamic pathway for Augmentor α–controlled body weight regulation / PNASthat a protein called augmentor-alpha is able to influence the weight of mice. This discovery may further help in the treatment of metabolic disorders.

Augmentor Alpha has received attention for its association with cancer. This protein is known to bind and activate the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) receptor, a molecule that, when mutations cause a variety of human cancers, including childhood neuroblastoma, B-cell lymphomas, and some cancers lungs.

To better understand this protein's function and how it works, the researchers began by identifying where it typically resides. By studying mice, they found that augmentor-alpha predominates in the hypothalamic region of the brain. In particular, it is expressed in cells called agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons, which are responsible for the feeling of hunger.

The team also noticed that fasting increased the expression of augmentor-alpha in these neurons, which provides additional evidence for the association of this protein with metabolism. During fasting, the production of this protein increases.

At the same time, mice that completely lacked this protein were thinner than their counterparts without such disorders. It didn't matter if they were offered normal or high-fat food: these mice were more physically active, but didn't eat more than usual. This probably led to thinness.

In conditions of food shortage, ordinary mice tend to conserve energy and limit physical activity. But mice without an alpha augmentor, even during fasting, still remained very active. This confirms that protein is important for energy conservation.

Joseph Schlesinger, co-author of the study, said: “We have noticed that one of the roles of augmentor-alpha in the body is to slow down metabolism when there is a lack of nutrients. It’s like he’s telling the owner, ‘You don’t have food, don’t waste so much energy.’”

Researchers believe that suppressing or enhancing the effect of augmentor-alpha may be beneficial in a number of conditions. Medicines that inhibit augmentor-alpha - as do some anti-cancer drugs that act on ALK, can be repurposed to treat metabolic disorders where being overweight can aggravate disease.

At the same time, increasing the effect of Augmentor-Alpha may offer a treatment option for people suffering from diseases such as associated with weight loss - anorexia, cachexia, or permanent loss of appetite due to injury or side effects medicines.