Worm gene provides potential obesity treatment

Researchers have discovered a gene present in worms that triggers a feeling of fullness, which could be used in the treatment of obesity, according to a press release.

Roger Pocock, PhD, an associate professor at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, and colleagues identified the gene while studying the roundworm.

"Because roundworms share so many genes with humans they are a great model system to investigate and gain a better understanding of processes like metabolism as well as diseases," Pocock said in the release.

The newly found gene encodes for the transcription factor ETS-5, which signals the pathway from the brain to the intestines. When the worm’s intestines have stored a satisfactory amount of fat, ETS-5 signals its brain to stop searching for food. This message causes the worm to cease nearly all movement, basically putting it to sleep.

ETS-5 has the potential to someday be used to develop drugs that combat obesity in humans. Researchers hope the satiety feeling induced by ETS-5 can be replicated to curb the appetites of people with obesity. This is the first gene regulatory molecule of this type to have proven involvement in brain-intestinal control of eating habits.

"The ETS family of genes is present in humans and has previously been linked to obesity regulation,” Pocock said in the release. “Now that we've learned this gene family controls food intake through a feedback system to the brain, it represents a credible drug target for the treatment of obesity.”