‘Fat gene’ carried by one in 340 people makes children pile on an extra 37 POUNDS by the time they reach 18, study finds in discovery that could pave the way for an anti-obesity pill
- The gene, called MC4R, controls appetite by making a protein that identifies fat
- Scientists have discovered a mutation in the gene that means you don’t feel full
- The mutation is carried by about 200,000 people in the UK (one in 340)
- Researchers hope findings could pave the way for an anti-obesity pill
A mutation in the so-called ‘fat gene’ has been discovered, which makes children pile on an extra 37 pounds (16.7kg) by the time they reach age 18.
The gene, called Melatonin 4 Receptor (MC4R), controls appetite by making a brain protein that identifies stored fat.
However, a mutation in the gene, thought to be carried by one in 340 people, can make children start piling on the pounds from a young age.
Researchers hope that its discovery could pave the way for an anti-obesity pill in the near future.
A mutation in the so-called ‘fat gene’ has been discovered, which makes children pile on an extra 37 pounds (16.7kg) by the time they reach 18 (stock image)
Co-author Professor Sir Stephen O’Rahilly, of the University of Cambridge, explained: ‘Parents of obese children are often blamed for poor parenting and not all children obtain appropriate professional help.
‘Our findings show that weight gain in childhood due to a single gene disorder is not uncommon.’
If the MC4R gene does not work as normal, we think we have less, signalling hunger even when our stomach is full.
About 200,000 people in the UK have the mutation, according to the team, with carriers weighing an average 2st 9lbs bigger than average by age 18. What is more, most of the excess timber is fat.
Professor O’Rahilly said: ‘This should encourage a more compassionate and rational approach to overweight children and their families – including genetic analysis in all seriously obese children.’
In the study, the team analysed the genes in 6,000 members of the Children of the 90s Study that tracks the lives of people born in south west England.
If a mutated version was found, they went on to identify its functional effects in the laboratory.
The findings suggest that around 200,000 people in the UK could carry large amounts of fat because of MC4R mutations.
Dr Kaitlin Wade, of the University of Bristol, and co-author of the study, said: ‘Work like this is really made possible as a result of the amazing properties presented by a study like Children of the 90s.
About 200,000 people in the UK have the mutation, according to the team, with carriers weighing an average 2st 9lbs bigger than average by age 18
‘Having biological samples for sequencing and rich life course data within a representative population sample is critical to allow new understanding and deep characterisation of important biological genetic effects like these.’
The participants were born in Bristol in 1990 and 1991 and have been followed ever since.
Co-author Professor Nic Timpson, Children of the 90s’ principal investigator at Bristol, said: ‘This work helps to recalibrate our understanding of the frequency and functional impact of rare MC4R mutations.
The gene, called Melatonin 4 Receptor (MC4R), controls appetite by making a brain protein that identifies stored fat (stock image)
‘It will help to shape the future management of this important health factor – we extend our thanks to the participants of the Children of the 90s.’
The researchers hope the discovery of the mutation could pave the way for treatments in the near future.
Professor O’Rahilly added: ‘In the longer term, knowledge of the brain pathways controlled by MC4R should help in the design of drugs.
‘They would bypass the signalling blockade and help restore people to a healthy weight.’