Small Protein, Big Impact: Microprotein Discovery Offers Hope for Obesity and Aging

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Researchers have uncovered a tiny but powerful protein that helps keep our cells’ energy factories humming – a discovery that could spark new approaches to tackling obesity and age-related decline. Scientists at the Salk Institute in La Jolla found that a  “microprotein”  in mouse fat cells plays a critical role in maintaining healthy  mitochondria , the structures that generate energy in our cells. By preserving mitochondrial function, this diminutive protein helps cells burn fuel efficiently, which in turn could influence body weight and the aging process. The findings shine light on how molecular biology connects to everyday health, opening the door to  science-backed strategies for better metabolism and longevity. Mature brown fat cells from a mouse, with the newly discovered microprotein shown in red inside mitochondria (green) and nuclei in blue. This tiny protein helps preserve mitochondrial health under stress. (Credit: Salk Institute) Mighty Mitochondria in ...

Timing Your Diet: How Genes and Food Interact to Shape Your Body’s Clock

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Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have uncovered how your genetic makeup and what you eat work together to influence the liver’s daily rhythms. While the circadian clock is known to regulate sleep and metabolism, the new study finds that diet can reshape these rhythms by interacting with gene variants. By examining human liver samples and two strains of mice over a 24‑hour cycle and after feeding them high‑fat diets, the team discovered that genetic differences determine when certain genes turn on or off. Thousands of genes showed daily patterns only in individuals with specific variants High‑fat diets altered gene rhythms in unique ways: some genes maintained their rhythms, others lost them, and some gained new ones.

The researchers explored how segments of DNA called enhancers and promoters interact over time and found that more than 80 % of these interactions depend on both genetics and nutrition. They pinpointed ESRRγ, a “noncanonical” clock regulator, as a key player; mice lacking this gene lost many rhythmic connections and displayed disrupted fat metabolism. These findings suggest that the timing of meals and lifestyle interventions could be tailored to an individual’s genetic profile to optimize health.

Researcher Credentials

  • Dr. Dongyin Guan – Assistant professor of medicine (endocrinology) and molecular and cellular biology at Baylor College of Medicine; member of the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

  • Dr. Ying Chen – Postdoctoral fellow in the Guan lab at Baylor College of Medicine.

  • Dishu Zhou – Research assistant in the Guan lab at Baylor College of Medicine.

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