Why do some people find fatty foods harder to resist? Scientists may have found part of the answer in a protein that helps brain cells produce energy.Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University in Japan have identified a protein called optic atrophy-1, or OPA1, which appears to influence how much fat mice eat and how quickly they gain weight.
The study also found differences between male and female mice when researchers used a drug that activates MC4R to reduce food intake. The treatment worked in males regardless of their OPA1 levels, while its effect was weaker in females lacking OPA1. The findings could eventually help scientists understand why some people are more likely to overeat or prefer high-fat foods. They may also point towards new approaches to treating obesity. However, there is an important limitation. The research was carried out only in mice. It is not yet known whether the same OPA1 mechanism controls fatty-food preferences in humans.
To understand the role of OPA1, scientists genetically modified mice so that the protein was missing from these MC4R neurons.
Obesity is influenced by many factors, including biology, diet, behaviour and the environment. The study has been published in the FASEB Journal. More research will therefore be needed before scientists can determine whether OPA1 could become a target for future obesity treatments.
