Genetic cause of Obesity, Diabetes discovered

Many genes are involved in regulation of body weight, and now over 30 genes are known in which harmful changes in DNA sequence cause people to become extremely overweight. Similarly, there many genes whose mutations cause type 2 diabetes.

These conditions are inherited through generations in the same way as cystic fibrosis or Huntington's disease. As to the proportion of severe obesity and type 2 diabetes caused by genetic disease, it still remains unclear.

Scientists at Imperial College London discovered the new defect by analysing the DNA of an extremely obese young woman and members of her family. In addition to an increased appetite leading to severe weight problems from childhood, she had type 2 diabetes, learning difficulties, and reproductive problems. They found that she had inherited two copies of a danegrous genetic mutation that meant shewas unable to make a protein called carboxypeptidase-E (CPE). This enzyme is needed in the proper processing of a number of hormones and brain transmitters which control appetite, insulin and other hormones important in the reproductive system.

Previous studies have shown that CPE deficiency leads to obesity, diabetes, and impaired memory in mice, but no humans with the condition have been found before. CPE deficiency is a recessive condition, so a person would need to inherit the abnormal genetic sequence from both parents to be affected. The study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, was funded by the NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre and Diabetes UK. The study was led by professor Alex Blakemore from the Department of Medicine at Imperial College London, who said: "There are now an increasing number of single-gene causes of obesity and diabetes known. We don't know how many more have yet to be discovered, or what proportion of the severely obese people in our population have these diseases -- it is not possible to tell just by looking.

"These are serious disorders that affect the body's ability to regulate hunger and fullness signals. They are inherited in the just same way as other genetic diseases and the sufferers should not be stigmatised for their condition. They should be offered genetic counselling and specialised lifelong support to allow them as healthy a life as possible." The patient was clinically evaluated by consultant endocrinologist Dr Tony Goldstone, who runs a specialist genetics obesity clinic at Hammersmith Hospital. The patient's parents are cousins, giving her a relatively high likelihood of inheriting the same genetic change from both parents. She had an older brother with similar symptoms who died aged 21.

The first author Dr Sanne Alsters, also in the Department of Medicine, who carried out the genetic tests, said: "Finding a genetic cause for the patient's problems has helped her and her family to understand and manage her condition better. We can also look at members of her family with one abnormal copy of the gene, to see they are affected in more subtle ways that could increase their risk of obesity."

Professor Blakemore said genetic tests should be widely available for patients with severe obesity. "If people are diagnosed with a genetic condition like this one, we can look for other possible symptoms, and offer genetic advice to other family members if they want this. Diagnosis is very valuable to the patient. It helps to set realistic expectations, and can help them get the best possible treatment," she said.