Scientists Discover Secret to Obesity

Scientists in London have found a gene that they are calling the “master switch” to obesity. The gene, called KLF14, could help scientists to uncover more effective ways of treating obesity related diseases.
KLF14 is a gene that is linked to diabetes and cholesterol, according to the study published in the journal Nature Genetics, and controls other genes found in body fat.
Tim Spector of King’s College London, said:

“This is the first major study that shows how small changes in one master regulator gene can cause a cascade of other metabolic effects in other genes.”

Scientists already knew that KLF14 was linked to diabetes, but they did not know exactly how. The new study shows how KLF14 controls the other genes and helps regulate metabolic traits like body mass index, obesity, and cholesterol.
Mark McCarthy from Britain’s Oxford University said:

“KLF14 seems to act as a master switch controlling processes that connect changes in the behavior of subcutaneous fat to disturbances in muscle and liver that contribute to diabetes and other conditions. We are working hard…to understand these processes and how we can use this information to improve treatment of these conditions.”