Israeli researchers make breakthrough discovery to combat obesity
The researchers claim to have identified the "mechanism of action of the master switch for hunger in the brain."
By JERUSALEM POST STAFFUpdated: APRIL 17, 2021 12:42Food by Valero, Jerusalem(photo credit: HANNAH TAYEB)
Researchers from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and The Weizmann Institute of Science have collaborated with their British counterparts at Queen Mary University of London to make a breakthrough discovery in combating obesity. Last Thursday, the researchers involved in the study published their work, which reveals that the "mechanism of action of the master switch for hunger is in the brain," which is confirmed to be the melanocortin receptor 4 (or MC4 for short), according to a press release. The switch can also be triggered by a drug that can be used to treat obesity called setmelanotide.MC4 reportedly sends commands to our bodies that cause us to feel full, eliminating our want to consume more food for a certain amount of time. Any mutations in the brain that cause the MC4 to be inactive would cause us to consume more food daily than what is recommended.Throughout their work, the researchers were able to isolate quantities of pure MC4 receptor from cell membranes. Since this discovery, MC4 has been targeted and studied in order to continue advancing anti-obesity drugs like setmelanotide, as MC4 acts as a switch that can control hunger. A 3D rendering of MC4 revealed that the drug's entry causes structural changes in the receptor, which initiates signals through neurons that can prevent one from being hungry. To be hungry for most of the day is a struggle for people with defects in the brain's appetite controls. No matter how much one eats, defects such as these will likely lead to obesity.
