Plos Genetics : Unraveling the Genetics of Human Obesity, Volume 2

By Fisher, Elizabeth M. C.

Book Id: WPLBN0003923476
Format Type: PDF eBook :
File Size:
Reproduction Date: 2015

Title:	Plos Genetics : Unraveling the Genetics of Human Obesity, Volume 2
Author:	Fisher, Elizabeth M. C.
Volume:	Volume 2
Language:	English
Subject:	Journals, Science, Genetics
Collections:	Periodicals: Journal and Magazine Collection (Contemporary), PLoS Genetics
Historic Publication Date:
Publisher:	Plos


Citation APA MLA Chicago C. Fishe, E. M. (n.d.). Plos Genetics : Unraveling the Genetics of Human Obesity, Volume 2. Retrieved from http://gutenberg.cc/

Description
Description : The use of modern molecular biology tools in deciphering the perturbed biochemistry and physiology underlying the obese state has proven invaluable. Identifying the hypothalamic leptin/melanocortin pathway as critical in many cases of monogenic obesity has permitted targeted, hypothesis-driven experiments to be performed, and has implicated new candidates as causative for previously uncharacterized clinical cases of obesity. Meanwhile, the effects of mutations in the melanocortin-4 receptor gene, for which the obese phenotype varies in the degree of severity among individuals, are now thought to be inﬂuenced by one’s environmental surroundings. Molecular approaches have revealed that syndromes (Prader-Willi and Bardet-Biedl) previously assumed to be controlled by a single gene are, conversely, regulated by multiple elements. Finally, the application of comprehensive proﬁling technologies coupled with creative statistical analyses has revealed that interactions between genetic and environmental factors are responsible for the common obesity currently challenging many Westernized societies. As such, an improved understanding of the different ‘‘types’’ of obesity not only permits the development of potential therapies, but also proposes novel and often unexpected directions in deciphering the dysfunctional state of obesity.