Adult-Onset Obesity Seen In Mice When Gene Disrupted

A recent study at the UT Health Science Center in San Antonio determined that when a certain gene for ubiquitin, a protein that marks unwanted cell proteins for degradation, was altered in mice, the mice experienced cell death in the hypothalmus and adult-onset obesity. This better unveils the role of ubiquitin in these processes giving scientists more to work with when approaching neurodegeneration and obesity. This shows just how much the improper removal of cell proteins affects the integrity of cells. Taking ubiquitin levels into more of an account in the furture could help doctors better treat cell death and obesity.
This first caught me eye because the study was performed by scientists at the UTHSCSA. Additionally, the data applies to our device design project from last semester. Knowing that decreased levels of ubiquitin lead to neurodegeneration and cell death, open up potential approaches at negating neuronal death, especially in the hypothalmus.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080226184602.htm