A common mutation increases the risk of obesity

During the large-scale study international team of scientists a genetic sequence to promote weight gain has discovered. Carriers of the mutated gene is quite common: in particular, it is recognized in almost half of the people in the UK, reports the journal Nature Genetics. The discovery has been by experts from the University of Oxford,. In collaboration with scientists from the U.S., France, Italy, Germany and Finland Total DNA was analyzed 90,000 people. Scientists in a chromosome is next to the gene MC4R that is involved in the regulation of appetite and energy consumption interested. It was found that the support of two copies of a particular gene sequence in the average. Two to three pounds more than those that are not susceptible to weigh overweight With the combination of this genetic variant of the FTO gene carriers previously opened nearly four pounds more than people who do not weigh more than a genetic predisposition to obesity, the researchers reported. MC4R mutations in the gene that are rarely cause serious hereditary obesity. Gene sequences that have been discovered by scientists are located in the vicinity of the gene. It is believed that they affect its activity - in particular, contribute to weight gain. New data explain why some people gain weight more easily and more difficult to get rid of extra pounds. In the future, this discovery can be used in the development of new treatments for obesity, researchers believe.