Fat Molecule Fights Weight Gain

jerry submitted, created time 2 months 1 week (sciencenow.sciencemag.org)

Rearchers have isolated a fat molecule in mice that prevents the animals from storing more fat. The discovery could open a new front in the battle against the bulge if the molecule has the same effect in humans.

The word "fat" typically evokes the image of clogged arteries or cellulite jiggling on a thigh. But fat has a good side, too. Fat cells make up adipose tissue, which helps regulate insulin levels and breaks down dietary fat for energy. This breakdown is accomplished via proteins in fat cells called fatty acidinding proteins

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Modulators of the structural dynamics of the retinoid X receptor to reveal receptor function

scott submitted, created time 1 year 1 month (www.pnas.org)

Retinoid X receptors (RXRα, -β, and -γ) occupy a central position in the nuclear receptor superfamily, because they form heterodimers with many other family members and hence are involved in the control of a variety of (patho)physiologic processes. Selective RXR ligands, referred to as rexinoids, are already used or are being developed for cancer therapy and have promise for the treatment of metabolic diseases.

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