Researchers at the University of Pretoria (UP) have identified a gene that could be central to how our bodies accumulate fat. The study, centred on the novel gene Slc7a8, delves into the cellular mechanics behind weight gain, particularly in response to a high-fat diet.
Scientists investigated the role of the Slc7a8 gene by conducting a 14-week study on mice. They compared "knockout" mice, in which the gene was inactivated, with "wild-type" mice, in which the gene remained unaltered. Both groups were fed either a high-fat diet or a standard, calorie-controlled diet.
The results suggest that deactivating the Slc7a8 gene provides a protective effect against diet-induced obesity. This indicates that targeting Slc7a8 could help prevent severe obesity-related conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and other metabolic syndromes.