Canadians Discover the Gene Which Prevents Fat Depositing

The Canadian researchers have made a discovery which might solve the obesity problem, Globe and Mail announced.

They have succeeded to obtain lab mice which are much thinner than the normal ones by locating a molecular "switch".

The modified mice, which are lacking a certain gene, have half as much fat as normal ones and the fat they do have isn't the kind that accumulates in the body.

According to Anthony Scime, a molecular biologist at the University of Ottawa institute, the leaner mice have a higher proportion of what are known as brown fat cells, which burn up fat and release it as heat.

The gene, called P107, seems to work as a switch on the cells. Instead of becoming white fat cells which store lipids, they become brown cells, Michael Rudnicki, director of molecular medicine at the institute said.

The researchers are confident that they will be able to use the discovery to solve the stringent problem of obesity.

"Drugs that inhibit P107 might be able to prevent the body from making white fat", said Dr. Scime.