"Uncovering the Genetic Link Between Obesity and Mitochondrial Dysfunction"

A recent study from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine revealed that a high-fat diet causes mitochondrial fragmentation in fat cells, reducing their ability to burn fat, and this process is controlled by a single gene associated with the molecule RaIA. By deleting this gene, researchers protected mice from weight gain despite consuming the same high-fat diet, offering new insights into the metabolic dysfunctions in obesity and potential targeted therapies. The findings suggest a new therapeutic target for obesity treatment in humans and shed light on the complex metabolism of the disease.