Navigation Links
Hormone helps mice 'hibernate,' survive starvation

A key hormone enables starving mice to alter their metabolism and “hibernate” to conserve energy, revealing a novel molecular target for drugs to treat human obesity and metabolic disorders, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have found.

The starvation-fighting effects of the hormone, called fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), are described for the first time in a study appearing online today in Cell Metabolism.

FGF21, triggered in starving mice by a specific cellular receptor that controls the use of fat as energy, spurs a metabolic shift to burning stored fats instead of carbohydrates and induces a hibernation-like state of decreased body temperature and physical activity, all geared to promote survival.

“This hormone changes the metabolism and behavior of mice in the face of inadequate nutrition,” said Dr. Steven Kliewer, professor of molecular biology and pharmacology at UT Southwestern and the study’s senior author. “We hope to manipulate this hormone-receptor signaling pathway to craft the next generation of drugs to combat human obesity and other conditions.”

Mammals on the brink of starvation normally shift their main fuel source from carbohydrates to stored fats, promoting survival during foodless periods. Some mammals also enter a hibernation-like state of regulated hypothermia, known as torpor, which conserves energy.

The molecular driver behind this reaction to starvation, however, had been unknown.

To find an answer, UT Southwestern researchers and other scientists examined potential molecular cues and cellular interactions at play during starvation and fasting.

They focused on a nuclear receptor – a protein that turns genes on and off in the body – called peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha, or PPAR-alpha, which is known to control the use of fat as energy. Starving mice without PPAR-alpha become hypoglycemic and quickly die.

In analyzing th
'"/>

Source:UT Southwestern Medical Center


Page: 1 2

Related biology news :

1. Hormones and growth: The control of body size and developmental growth rate in fruit flies
2. Menopause Symptoms May Come Back After Stopping Menopausal Hormone Therapy
3. Hormone linked to brains cravings for food and other energy sources
4. Jumping gene helps explain immune systems abilities
5. Protein helps regulate the genes of embryonic stem cells
6. Scientists reveal the shape of a protein that helps retroviruses break into cells
7. Thai spice helps cut blood sugar swings
8. Chemists synthesize molecule that helps body battle cancers, malaria
9. Ancient DNA helps clarify the origins of two extinct New World horse species
10. Massey Cancer Center researcher helps to identify a piece of the cancer puzzle
11. Study: Well-known protein helps stem cells become secretory cells
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
TAG: Hormone helps mice hibernate survive starvation

(Date:5/24/2013)... of 500 leading water scientists from around the world ... "in the short span of one or two generations, ... will be living under the handicap of severe pressure ... which there is no substitute. This handicap will be ... scientists bluntly pointed to chronic underlying problems led by ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... RICHLAND, Wash. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory honored ... and commercialization of intellectual property at PNNL,s annual ... , The Department of Energy national laboratory ... Year for his work developing battery materials that ... to the electrical grid, and reduce the time ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... suppresses lipid synthesis in the liver, UC Irvine endocrinologists ... liver diseases. , With this finding, Dr. Ellis ... in the field. Study results appear in the May ... , "The dogma in the steroid receptor field for ... the nucleus respond to steroid hormones by regulating genes ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):A majority on Earth face severe self-inflicted water woes within 2 generations: Scientists 2A majority on Earth face severe self-inflicted water woes within 2 generations: Scientists 3A majority on Earth face severe self-inflicted water woes within 2 generations: Scientists 4PNNL staff recognized for scientific accomplishments, moving technologies into the marketplace 2UCI study reveals new mechanism for estrogen suppression of liver lipid synthesis 2
... cancer, including stomach, liver and colon, are far more common ... differences in lifestyle, such as diet and smoking, may account ... are rooted in basic biological differences between men and women. ... shows that treating male mice with estrogen dramatically lowers their ...
... giant seaweeds, are spreading fast, with harmful effects on ... the Mediterranean seabed. Some native species, such as sea ... invasion, but only during its early stages, or when ... carried out a study to look at the ability ...
... If genetically modified Atlantic salmon were to escape ... their genes into the wild, Canadian researchers have found. ... the potential reproductive implications of GM salmon as they ... of growth-enhancing transgenic technologies has long been of interest ...
Cached Biology News:Study explains why men are at higher risk for stomach cancer 2Study explains why men are at higher risk for stomach cancer 3Sea urchins cannot control invasive seaweeds 2First study into GM Atlantic salmon mating reveals danger of escape to wild gene pool 2
(Date:5/23/2013)... 23, 2013 PuraMed BioScience ® , ... of over-the-counter (OTC) medicinal and healthcare products, announced ... the company based on low market capitalization valuation. ... All Natural Product to Treat Migraine Headaches ... Prescription Competitor , Currently Available Nationwide at ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... HILLS, Calif. , May 23, 2013  Saddleback ... recently became the first hospital on the ... robotic technology. This new surgical option provides women with ... Marc Winter , M.D., ... gynecologist and surgeon and medical director of minimally invasive ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... 2013 Northwest Biotherapeutics (NASDAQ: NWBO ... personalized immune therapies for solid tumor cancers, announced ... year,s American Society Of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting in ... role in immune therapy.  (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110329/SF73084LOGO ... the pre-eminent conference focused on clinical treatment of cancer, ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... 23, 2013 Pusan National University Yangsan ... biotherapeutics and contract research company focused on research ... announced today a publication reporting the induction of ... oncolytic and immunotherapeutic vaccinia JX-594 (pexastimogene devacirepvec; Jennerex ... in the May 15 th , 2013 issue ...
Breaking Biology Technology:PuraMed BioScience (PMBS) Issued Alert Based on Market Cap of $721,756 2PuraMed BioScience (PMBS) Issued Alert Based on Market Cap of $721,756 3Saddleback Memorial Surgeon First on the West Coast to Perform Single-Site Robotic Hysterectomy 2Saddleback Memorial Surgeon First on the West Coast to Perform Single-Site Robotic Hysterectomy 3NW Bio Exhibit at the Upcoming ASCO Meeting to Highlight its Leadership Role in Immune Therapy for Cancer 2NW Bio Exhibit at the Upcoming ASCO Meeting to Highlight its Leadership Role in Immune Therapy for Cancer 3Pusan National University Announces Science Translational Medicine Publication Highlighting Landmark Demonstration of Functional Anti-Cancer Antibody Induction in Patients Following JX-594 Treatment 2Pusan National University Announces Science Translational Medicine Publication Highlighting Landmark Demonstration of Functional Anti-Cancer Antibody Induction in Patients Following JX-594 Treatment 3
... 8 Beckman Coulter, Inc. (NYSE: ... of products that simplify, automate, and innovate complex ... Coulter,s chairman, president and chief executive officer, will ... Lynch Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 ...
... Yongye Biotechnology,International, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: YGYB, ... distributor of plant and animal nutrient products ... that it closed a private placement,financing with ... of the same investors who participated in ...
... 8 PharmAthene, Inc. (NYSE Amex: PIP ... and chemical threats, announced a date change for its ... 2009 financial results will now be released on Friday, ... call to discuss its first quarter 2009 financial results. ...
Cached Biology Technology:Yongye Biotechnology International Raises $ 9.0 Million In Private Placement, Raises Guidance 2Yongye Biotechnology International Raises $ 9.0 Million In Private Placement, Raises Guidance 3
The Captivate Disposable Sample Chamber is designed for use with the Captivate magnetic yoke assembly (C-24700) and can be used with our Captivate ferrofluid conjugates (C-21473 C-21474 C-21476) or ...
MOUSE ANTI HUMAN MOC31:AZIDE FREE...
... mycobacteria in Complete Freund's adjuvant attract macrophages ... which enhances the immuneresponse. For this reason, ... the initial injections; Incomplete Freund's adjuvant is ... in saline) are typically mixed with an ...
HiTrap Streptavidin HP, 5 x 1 ml. Category: Chromatography Systems & Accessories, Systems....
Biology Products: