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RE: The fatso gene and a fat gene discussion - May 5 2008 19:31:58
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WeeMuscle
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Doesnt leptin concentration influence obesity by not surpressing appetite?
If someone was born naturally deficient in leptin would that not be classed as genetically predisposed obesity?
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RE: The fatso gene and a fat gene discussion - May 6 2008 20:55:12
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James
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quote:
ORIGINAL: WeeMuscle
Doesnt leptin concentration influence obesity by not surpressing appetite?
If someone was born naturally deficient in leptin would that not be classed as genetically predisposed obesity?
http://www.muscletalk.co.uk/newsletter-0905.aspx
Yes it also has a role here, but this is in the appetite side of the equation for obesity
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RE: The fatso gene and a fat gene discussion - May 7 2008 11:39:26
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langers
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I would say that genetics does play a part in keeping hold of fat, but it isn't an excuse to be obese.
Myself and my family do seem to be generally heavier naturally, but when I am good with my diet and exercise regularly I can be a very slim.
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RE: The fatso gene and a fat gene discussion - May 7 2008 23:42:53
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Griff87
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quote:
ORIGINAL: James
I thought a topic on the genetics of being fat would be a great discussion for this forum. I have been reading a little about the so called 'fatso' (FTSO) gene, but it's a struggle to find any decent info - a google search revealed nothing! The name is obviously very catching, considering the link!
The article I have read states that is you possess one of the fatso gene you are at 30% increased risk of obesity, and 2 genes, about 70% increased risk! But the artcle also states that the epidemiological mean for people with two genes is only a 3kg weight increase - not exactly 'obese'
Is the fatso gene the so called 'thrifty genotype', a theory which has been around for decades? Although for sure diet, exercise and lifestyle are primary reasons for obesity, is the fatso gene a 'genetic nudge' in the wrong direction?
Obesity genes are likely to be recessive and polygenic therefore unlikely to have significant expression in the individual.
Genes not only may be responsible for holding onto fat reserves, but may also be responsible for appetitie control.
I think the gene you are looking for may be the "fat-mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO)", the obesity genes are not all likely to be recessive, this is going to be determined by environmental selection pressure.
It the past it would have been benificial to absorb the high energy lipids consumed in a high fat, high protein diet, so evolution would select individuals with these genotypes, resulting in a genetic drift, with more of these alleles present in the population and a higher chance of the allele being dominant and not recessive, or a higher proportion of homozygous recessives, which leads to expression in the individual. So what I'm saying is that genes are predisposed to absorbing fat, and as you have said the diet and lifestyle of "western culture" is mainly to blame for the increase in obesity.
A case study for this would be the inuit populations, their diet of mainly meat and fish is high in protein, thus thier metabolism is geared up for this, and over the past 10 years influx of cheaply manufactured, imported, high fat foods has had negitive health effects on the population. (this was on tv a while ago i think)
Obesity genes are polygenic (same as hieght genes) but its important to consider regulary control and the high degree of phenotypic influence one gene may have on the organism. Single polymorphisms in cholesterol transport genes are a good example of this. The single nucleotide polymorphisms in the FTO gene seem to have a large effect from the limited research I have done on this topic. So a small change to one gene (monogenic) could have significant effect.
Great topic tho mate  I'm really interested in this sort of stuff.
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RE: The fatso gene and a fat gene discussion - May 8 2008 10:21:28
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luan pra bang
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quote:
ORIGINAL: daveo
My unqualified opinion is that 99.9% of people would not be fat if they had a balanced, structured diet and got a bit of excercise.
This fatso gene is just an excuse for people to use.
That is quite an ignorant statement to make. I eat a good diet and train hard 3 days a week and still have 30 percent body fat. People are dfferent and in essence fat is healthy up to a point.
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RE: The fatso gene and a fat gene discussion - May 8 2008 11:11:43
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Griff87
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I think the point he is trying to make is that its not all down to the genetics, its a combination of lifestyle and genetics.
I would agree that a very high proportion of overwieght people would not be in the condition they are in if it were not for excessive lifestyle. Genetic disorders not included of course but they represent a small percent of all overwieght people.
Fair comment no?
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RE: The fatso gene and a fat gene discussion - May 8 2008 11:18:08
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langers
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Griff87
Fair comment no?
A fair comment indeed.
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RE: The fatso gene and a fat gene discussion - May 8 2008 17:13:51
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James
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Yes some good thoughts Griff - I get what you're saying (though not sure other members will!) - do you have a background in molecular biology or genetics?
You raise in particular a good point in that polygenic genes are more likely to be affected by phenotypic influences than single gene codes. ie FTO / FTSO gene expression is more likely to be affected by lifestyle and diet
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RE: The fatso gene and a fat gene discussion - May 8 2008 21:49:01
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Griff87
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My background is in Genetics, Biochemistry and Physiology. The nature vs nuture argument has been going on for decades, recently its been found that genes have a far greater influence than previously thought. The FTO gene is an example of this.
Just to address a few points made earlier in the thread;
This finding does support a link with obesity, although the full biochemistry of the gene product is currently unknown the fact that there is a correlation between polymorhisms in the first intron and obesity is strong evidence that there is a link. There is a lot of work to be done as has been said.
The skinny gene and hardgainers arguement being related to hypothyroidism I haven't heard before, surely a hormone difficiency such as that would have much more wide reaching effects that just being skinny. People lacking in T3 or T4 can be prescribed with tablets anyway. Being skinny can depend on the proportions of fast twitch and slow twitch muscle in your body which varies from person to person, this is genetically controlled as well.
The article states "An intriguing observation is that it catalyzes Fe(II)- and 2OG- dependent DNA demethylation [15], although the role of FTO related DNA methylation in obesity is unknown. Further studies are needed to clarify the functional relationship of FTO with obesity susceptibility." DNA methylation is the addition of methyl (CH3) groups to the sugar phosphate backbone of the DNA strand, methylation blocks the interaction between certain enzymes and the DNA so you could hypothesise that the removal of the methyl groups allows some DNA/enzyme interaction to occur and that the up or down regulation of other DNA and increase or decrease in a protein could be one of the functions of this gene. Studies into the transcriptome (total mRNA in the cell) and proteome (total protein) would uncover info about this.
As for treatment of this the best thing is dietry modification, its low cost, acceptable to most patients and has no side effects, theres no way anyone is going to spend 1000's genetically enginering a retrovirus for gene therapy when a simple cure would be to get down the gym, so gene therapy is a long way off. A proven anti-obesity drug has the potential to make millions though, especially in the american market 
On another note.. I'm planning on doing a research project next year on Anator P70. This claims to
"Building on research completed at the prestigious University of Nottingham, Team MuscleTech™ invested more than five years into developing Anator-p70's advanced formula. Team MuscleTech relentlessly explored cutting-edge research in order to identify the key genetic triggers of muscle growth. After identifying PKB, mTOR and p70S6K as the master genetic regulators responsible for muscle growth, and FOXO and MAFbx as the genetic regulators that limit muscle growth, Anator-p70's one-of-a-kind formula was born."
In simple terms it alters the cascade of transcriptional controls on muscle growth genes from what I have read on the muscletech web site. Promotor modification could increase the expression of the genes resulting in hyperexpression of the protein product In this case a muscle growth factor, resulting in more lean muscle mass. It claims to remove the constraints of your genetics! Because I have a background in this subject and I lift I am going to apply next year to my supervisor for funding to look into this.
Lots of people are already skeptical of the supplement industry and it would be interesting to see the findings on such a revolutionary product. Could make a good write up!
Not many genetists lift weights it has to be said, most of us are geeks, Im the only one in my department I think, all the new guys in my gym laugh at me when I walk in wearing a genetics hoodie, the soon stop chuckling when they realise I can shoulder press more than they can dumbell press 
Nice chatting about this sort of stuff and great site by the way. I've only been a member for a short while and everyone has been cool. Just want to get to 50 posts so I can get a pic up!
Sean
< Message edited by Griff87 -- May 9 2008 0:05:58 >
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RE: The fatso gene and a fat gene discussion - May 9 2008 19:09:28
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Big D
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nice posts griff, i'll add my thoughts on this next week when i'm done with exams etc.
interesting subject. i'll have a read of the article in NHD too.
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RE: The fatso gene and a fat gene discussion - May 11 2008 19:16:44
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R3261
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...
edit: nevermind
< Message edited by R3261 -- May 11 2008 19:17:40 >
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